Monthly Archives: May 2012

Private Equity Still Probing for Next Housing Deal

As banks slowly work their way back into becoming builders’ financial partners again, private equity investors say their capital will continue to play a role in bankrolling the housing industry’s land acquisition and construction projects. For example, Mountain Real Estate Group, … Continue reading

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Betting on the bottom

Amid a tricky balance of uncertain demand flow, ever-menacing distressed supply, and global economic concatenation stretching from Madrid to Beijing, economists find consensus in their belief that America’s housing market has reached its lowpoint. Will it thud along, creep steadily … Continue reading

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APRIL HOME SALES, EXISTING AND NEW…

APRIL HOME SALES, EXISTING AND NEW… The big economic news this week covers the full read on April home sales, starting with Existing Home Sales on Tuesday, expected UP to a 4.65 million annual rate. Wednesday we’ll see New Home … Continue reading

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The census reported the median size of a new home in 2010 was 2,169 square feet, down from the 2007 peak of 2,277 square feet.

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New Guide Helps Appraisers Factor Energy Efficiency into Valuations

In collaboration with the Appraisal Institute, the Institute for Market Transformation has released the second edition of a comprehensive guide to factoring energy performance into commercial and multifamily real estate valuation, Recognition of Energy Costs and Energy Performance in Real Property Valuation.   … Continue reading

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Wall Street’s bears remained in control

Wall Street’s bears remained in control as the Dow and S&P 500 headed lower for the third week in a row, the S&P 500 posting its worst weekly performance since November. Investors worried about Greece leaving the euro zone. The country’s … Continue reading

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“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” –Theodore Roosevelt, 26th U.S. President

… Home builders are doing plenty with what they have, as Housing Starts rose 2.6% in April to a 717,000 annual rate. Single-family units were up 2.3% for the month and are up 18.8% from a year ago. Multi-family starts were … Continue reading

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Builders assume consumers prefer green homes

After eight years studying Americans’ thoughts on environmental and energy issues, researcher Suzanne Shelton has learned a few things about how best to engage consumers on green topics. She’s also found that many home builders often make big mistakes when … Continue reading

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April’s starts and permits report

Despite some low numbers, April’s starts and permits report, released today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, brought better news than many industry watchers had anticipated. Housing permits fell 7.0% on a … Continue reading

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NC Legislative Reception on May 22nd and 23rd

This is a reminder to please plan to join us for our annual NC Legislative Reception and Visits on May 22nd and 23rd.  Come together with your fellow HBA members and visit with NC Senators and Representatives of the Wake Delegation.  … Continue reading

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