In Maryland, Aspen Grove Solutions announced the appointment of James Hall to the position of SVP of sales and business development.
Read More »Consumer Sentiment Strengthens in January
The University of Michigan/Thomson Reuters Index of Consumer Sentiment came to 98.1 in its final January gauge, the group conducting the survey reported. While down slightly from a mid-month reading of 98.2, the index is still higher than it's been in the last 11 years.
Read More »GDP Hits Speed Bump in Q4 with Annualized 2.6% Growth
In a first-look report, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported that gross domestic product (GDP) expanded at an annualized rate of 2.6 percent in 2014's fourth quarter, sharply down from 5.0 percent growth in the third quarter. Economists had projected an annualized increase of 3.2 percent.
Read More »CFPB Proposes Rule Changes for Underserved, Rural Areas
In a release, the bureau detailed a number of proposed revisions it hopes will increase options for community banks and other smaller mortgage lenders who may have been adversely impacted by last year's newly implemented rules.
Read More »Mortgage Rates Hold Near All-Time Lows
According to data released by Freddie Mac on Thursday, the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loan was 3.66 percent (0.6 point) for the week ending January 29. This week's movement marked a slight increase from last week's average 3.63 percent—the first time this year that rates have gone up in the company's survey.
Read More »U.S. Homeownership Rate Falls to Lowest in 20 Years
According to figures released Thursday by the Census Bureau, the share of American homeowners hit 64.0 percent in Q4 2014, down from 64.4 percent in the previous quarter. Historical data shows the last time homeownership was so low was in Q4 1994, when the rate was 59.6 percent.
Read More »Pending Home Sales Fall Short of Expectations
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said Thursday that its Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) declined 3.7 percent last month to a reading of 100.7. Economists expected a 0.9 percent gain. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for NAR, blamed the monthly downswing on a drop in for-sale homes and an acceleration in price growth.
Read More »Housing Market Indicators Point to Greater Stability
Freddie Mac's monthly Multi-Indicator Market Index (MiMi) improved 0.35 percent month-over-month in November to a reading of 74.7, the company reported Wednesday. A reading between 80 and 120 is considered to be a sign of a stable market.
Read More »Homebuyer Demand Heats Up January Housing Market
Early January indicators suggest the housing market got off to a strong start in 2015, with inventory growth and increased demand driving growth in what's usually a chilly month for the sector.
Read More »Valuation Partners Announces Sales Staff Changes
To help manage its expanding business and drive new growth, appraisal management firm Valuation Partners announced two promotions and one new addition to its sales staff.
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