Recent Housing News Coverage
National Mortgage News
Fannie Survey: Home Prices and Mortgage Rates Expected to Increase
3/7/2013
Consumer attitudes toward housing and the overall economy are on opposite tracks, according to Fannie Mae’s latest national housing survey. “Despite fiscal headwinds and political uncertainty, consumer sentiment toward housing is robust and continues to gather strength,” said Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae. For a copy of this subscription-based article, contact a member of the Media Team.
USA Today
Immigrants fuel home ownership demand
3/6/2013
Immigrants will generate almost 36% of the increased demand for U.S. homes this current decade, new research shows. That's down from 39% in the past decade, according to a report by researchers at the University of Southern California. Read more...
KXTV - TV
Tax tips: Seven ways for homeowners to save
3/6/2013
While economists and investors can debate whether buying a home is still part of the American dream, it's undeniable that the tax code remains highly favorable to people who own instead of rent. Whether you were a first-time buyer, a long-time homeowner who refinanced or a seller, there are a host of important deductions available. Read more...
The Washington Post
Will the housing market revival last?
3/4/2013
Recent housing market news sounds good. Sales of previously owned homes crawled up another 0.4 percent in January, which means that if this level of housing activity keeps up all year, sales will hit nearly 5 million. That’s not the only good news. Existing home sale prices rose again, for the 11th month in a row, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Read more...
The Washington Post
U.S. regulator puts out plan to combine Fannie and Freddie's mortgage securities operations
3/4/2013
The federal regulator who oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is putting forward a plan to combine the two mortgage giants’ divisions that issue billions of dollars in securities backed by home loans. Read more...
Yahoo! Voices
1031 Exchanges: Invest in Real Estate Tax Deferred
3/1/2013
1031 exchanges offer people the opportunity to invest in real estate without paying capital gains taxes on the property when they sell these properties and purchase new properties. This can save an investor a great deal of money and the properties eventually can become a primary residence, which has no capital gains on a substantial profit. Read more...
The Financialist
Can Housing Save the US Economy?
2/28/2013
Emily Siegel and Mustafa Acar bought an expensive Valentine this year: a three-bedroom home. Siegel, 29, and Acar, 31, decided in October 2012 to purchase their first home and sealed the deal during the week of Valentine’s Day. The Washington, D.C.-based couple originally planned to rent a more spacious apartment after tying the knot in April 2011. Instead, they were persuaded by a friend to put their hard-earned money toward a home. Read more...
ABC Television Network
What New Homeowners Should Know About Filing Their Taxes
2/25/2013
For many, the deductions available for being a homeowner will allow them to offset their personal exemptions on their paychecks, allowing them to receive more money in their paychecks throughout the year. That could be more money to pay a mortgage. Read more...
Daily Reporter, Greenfield, IN
Key Lawmakers take talk of tax compromise seriously as Realtor group rallies at Statehouse
2/14/2013
An offer from the Kansas Association of Realtors to compromise on tax issues received serious consideration Wednesday from the Legislature's tax committee chairmen, even as the group's members rallied at the Statehouse to save two popular income tax deductions for homeowners. At least 200 real estate agents participated in the rally and then fanned out to meet with legislators individually. The association's lobbying at the Statehouse came after it disclosed spending $195,000 on radio, newspaper and Internet advertising last month to build public pressure on lawmakers. Read more...