To better gauge the future of homeownership and the current shift toward renting, Fannie Mae's National Housing Survey took a look at renter attitudes and preferences in Q3 2012 to get an idea of their aspirations and expectations. According to the findings, the majority of respondents believe renting has its advantages in terms of current finances and stress. However, when asked about control, privacy, security, and financial prospects, the vast majority (64 percent and up across each question) said owning is the better choice.
Read More »Demand Retreats as Housing Heads into Summer
Markets across the nation can expect to see sales soften in June and July, based on early reports from Redfin agents around the country.
Read More »Economy Adds 175K Jobs in May, Unemployment Rate Up to 7.6%
The economy added 175,000 jobs in May, and the unemployment rate ticked up to 7.6.percent, the first month-over-month increase since January, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported Friday.
Read More »LRES Hires New VP of Operations
LRES, a California-based provider of commercial and residential valuations and asset management, welcomed Scott Pickell as its new VP of operations.
Read More »Envoy Mortgage Chooses FICS to Enhance Mortgage Banking Operations
Houston-based Envoy Mortgage announced it has selected Financial Industry Computer Systems, Inc. (FICS), to manage its loan servicing department with the help of the Mortgage Servicer platform.
Read More »Home Equity Jumps 2.5 Percentage Points in Q1
Household net worth jumped by $3 trillion in the first quarter as real estate values grew $836 billion, the Federal Reserve reported Thursday in its quarterly Flow of Funds report. With a drop in mortgage debt, owners' equity in real estate increased a sharp 2.5 percentage points to its highest level since 2007. Owners' equity as a percentage of real estate value has been on a steady upward trajectory since dropping to 36.3 percent in the first quarter of 2009.
Read More »Improving Markets Index Recovers from May Drop
After falling in April and May, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) resumed its upward trend in June, NAHB reported. According to the association, the number of U.S. housing markets showing sustained growth in housing permits, home prices, and employment rose to 263 in June, five more than May's total. The index grew for several months to a record high of 274 in March before falling to 273 in April and then 258 in May.
Read More »Initial Jobless Claims Fall During Holiday Week
First time claims for unemployment insurance fell back to 346,000 for the holiday-shortened week ended June 1, dropping 11,000 after increasing 13,000 one week earlier the Labor Department reported Thursday. Economists expected initial claims to drop to 345,000.
Read More »United Shore Financial Services Names New CEO
In Michigan, United Shore Financial Services (USFS) announced the appointment of Mat Ishbia to CEO. Ishbia currently serves as president of USFS and its wholesale operation, United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), which has become the fourth largest wholesale mortgage lender in the United States under his leadership.
Read More »Total Mortgage Services Approved as Ginnie Mae Issuer/Servicer
Total Mortgage Services, LLC announced it has been approved as a Ginnie Mae issuer for the GNMA I and II single-family mortgage-backed securities (MBS) program.
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