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The MReport Webcast: Friday 12/26/2014

It's been a rollercoaster year for the U.S. housing market, but analysts at Realtor.com say the patterns seen in 2014 could be the foundation for more stable growth in the coming year. Earlier this month, the company predicted a comeback in first-time homebuyers as young adults prepare to take the next step in their lives amid improving economic conditions. With job growth and home inventory making strides toward recovery and mortgage rates remaining historically low, Realtor-dot-com expects the momentum seen this year will carry over into the next.

Among the more promising trends noted in the company’s year-end review are improving economic fundamentals after a slow first quarter, which the company says should boost consumer confidence and housing demand. Also working in the market’s favor are low interest rates, slower home price growth, declining distressed sales, and less investor activity, all of which will hopefully spur more activity from traditional homebuyers.

On the other hand, there are still a few headwinds that are likely to be a problem in the next year, the chief of which is limited mortgage availability. Also posing a threat to housing in 2015 are continued inventory struggles, record levels of renter activity, low shares of first-time homebuyers, and a lack of recovery in homebuilding and new home sales.

Finally, as we here at the Five Star Institute prepare to take a break for the holidays, we want to remind you to mark your calendar for the 2015 Five Star Government Forum, scheduled for March 18 at Washington, D.C.’s Newseum. An exclusive one-day event, the government forum brings together leaders in servicing and government to foster an open dialogue about the industry’s most pressing issues. Also in September, we hope to see you in Dallas for our annual Five Star Conference and Expo, the largest event in mortgage servicing.

About Author: Jordan Funderburk

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