Archive for May, 2011

How To Set Your Ceiling Fan For Summer

Posted in May 31st, 2011

For homeowners with ceiling fans, the turn of season offers a simple way to lower your home’s energy bill. All it takes is the flick of a button.

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Home Affordability Still Soaring; New Records Reached

Posted in May 27th, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Housing Analysis

The National Association of Home Builders reports that Q1 2011 Home Opportunity Index reached an all-time high for the second straight quarter last quarter.

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Home Price Index Shows Values Down 19 Percent From Peak

Posted in May 26th, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Housing Analysis

Home values dropped for the sixth straight month in March 2011, according to the Federal Home Finance Agency’s Home Price Index. The Home Price Index is a government-sponsored home value tracker.

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New Home Sales Increase For The Second Straight Month

Posted in May 25th, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Housing Analysis

Sales of newly-built homes surprised Wall Street, jumping 7 percent to an seasonally-adjusted, annualized 323,000 units last month.

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Memorial Day Messes With Mortgage Rates

Posted in May 24th, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates across the state are near year-to-date lows, but locking them in this week may be difficult.

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All-Natural Pest And Weed Control For Your Garden

Posted in May 23rd, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Around The Home

If you’ve spent time making your garden look great this spring, you’ll want to spend time helping it stay that way through the summer.

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Distressed Homes Now Selling At A 20 Percent Discount

Posted in May 20th, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Housing Analysis

The housing market recovery stalled last month. At least temporarily.

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Fed Minutes Put The Heat On Mortgage Rates To Rise

Posted in May 19th, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve released its April 2011 Federal Open Market Committee meeting minutes Wednesday. In the hours since, mortgage markets have worsened.

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Building Permits Fade Faster Than Expected

Posted in May 18th, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Housing Analysis

Single-family housing starts fell 5 percent as compared to March 2011, and 30 percent as compared to April one year ago.

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Home Builders Seeing More Sales Today; Fewer Sales Tomorrow

Posted in May 17th, 2011

by Bill Lublin in Housing Analysis

Home builder confidence can’t shake its range, according to the National Association of Home Builders. The group’s monthly Housing Market Index put May’s builder confidence reading at a level of 16.

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