Monthly Archives: August 2010

Backlog of new homes surged to 9.1 months’ supply

Every region in the U.S. was down, and down sharply. The homebuilders did not cut their inventory levels and as a result, the backlog of new homes surged to 9.1 months’ supply from 8.0 months in June, which means more … Continue reading

Posted in Home Building, Ping.fm, Real Estate | Leave a comment

Once again, the consensus was fooled

Once again, the consensus was fooled. It was looking for 330k on new home sales for July and instead they sank to a record low of 276k units at an annual rate. And, just to add insult to injury, June … Continue reading

Posted in Home Building, Ping.fm, Real Estate | Leave a comment

Existing home sales down. But six cities defy housing gloom.

Home sales plunged in July and housing prices may dip again. But in six metropolitan areas, the housing picture is far brighter: Home values are rising and median prices are already well ahead of their peak during the housing bubble. … Continue reading

Posted in Home Building, Ping.fm, Real Estate | Leave a comment

The latest numbers on foreclosures are no surprise

Aug. 23–The latest numbers on foreclosures are no surprise to Ray Weathers as he answers calls from people inquiring about what they can do to keep their home. Over the past eight months, the number of calls he’s had at … Continue reading

Posted in Home Building, Ping.fm, Real Estate | Leave a comment

Scary Numbers – delaying the inevitable

Should the government institute another homebuyer tax credit? Yes — another homebuyer tax credit would benefit the housing market and the entire economy. (64.57% / 113 votes) No — another tax credit would just be barking up the wrong tree, and … Continue reading

Posted in Home Building, Ping.fm, Real Estate | Leave a comment

210,000 new homes

The Commerce Department estimated 210,000 new homes were on the market nationwide at the end of June, the lowest level of inventory in more than 40 years. Still, it would take 7.6 months to sell through that inventory at the current … Continue reading

Posted in Home Building, Ping.fm, Real Estate | Leave a comment

The first fix

The first fix is rather simple: the Obama administration should declare that it will not exempt Fannie- and Freddie -backed mortgages from the 5 percent rule. Then it should push Congress to amend the Dodd-Frank Act to put F.H.A.-backed loans … Continue reading

Posted in Home Building, Ping.fm, Real Estate | Leave a comment

June new-home sales number

New-home sales are running a little less than one-in-10 vs. existing, and the June new-home sales number was an eye-poppingly low 30,000, unseasonally adjusted. Especially since NHS is an “order” number as opposed to a closings count, July’s not going to … Continue reading

Posted in Home Building, Ping.fm, Real Estate | Leave a comment

Nearly 100,000 homes

Nearly 100,000 homes in the United States still get notices of default each month; and now, 90-something thousand a month are going back to banks as REOs, per HousingWire’s analysis of the latest data dump from RealtyTrac. This housing supply-a-matic machine … Continue reading

Posted in Home Building, Ping.fm, Real Estate | Leave a comment

Builders’ Use of Incentives After the Tax Credit,

The study, “Builders’ Use of Incentives After the Tax Credit,” sheds valuable light on ways that builders are coping with the market slowdown following the tax credit. About 73% of respondents this June reported that they were currently using and planned to continue … Continue reading

Posted in Home Building, Ping.fm, Real Estate | Leave a comment