msnbc.com: Real estate

Report: Almost 1 in 4 borrowers underwater

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:29:41 GMT

Almost one in four homeowners owes more on their mortgage than their home is worth, a worrisome sign that the housing recovery could be threatened by a wave of defaults.

Real estate economics - U.S. Housing Market - Business - Tax credit - Real estate

Home sales rise to highest level in 2.5 years

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:26:15 GMT

Home sales far exceeded expectations last month, surging to the highest level in two and a half years as first-time buyers rushed to take advantage of an expiring tax credit.

Tax credit - Business - Taxation - Tax - Accounting

Real estate agents see return of foreign buyers

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:46:28 GMT

Canadian investor Arthur Wong is buying condos in Las Vegas and Phoenix like a shopper at Costco: In bulk, with slashed prices.

Real estate - Las Vegas Nevada - Costco - United States - Business and Economy

Forbes: World's most expensive homes

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:53:31 GMT

Prices have dipped, but some sellers are certain their nine-figure properties will attract buyers.

Forbes - Business - Real estate - Construction and Maintenance - Residential Housing

Replacing a real estate agent with a Web site

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:21:51 GMT

Selling a home without a real estate agent can save thousands of dollars in commission fees, but it can also be a painstaking, confusing task. Foregoing an agent, however, is easier these days thanks to Web sites that help homeowners advertise their properties.

Real estate broker - Real estate - Business and Economy - United States - Property

Mortgage delinquencies hit record high

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:37:16 GMT

A rising proportion of fixed-rate home loans made to people with good credit are sinking into foreclosure, adding to concerns about the strength of the economic recovery.

Mortgage - Foreclosure - Business - United States - Financial Services

Rates on 30-year loans still below 5 percent

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:24:55 GMT

Rates on 30-year mortgages stayed below 5 percent this week but remained above the record set earlier this year, Freddie Mac said Thursday.

Freddie Mac - Mortgage - Loan - Macintosh - Apple

Housing starts drop 10.6 percent in October

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:54:14 GMT

Construction of new homes plunged last month as builders waited to see whether lawmakers would extend a tax credit for homebuyers.

Housing starts - Tax credit - Business and Economy - Business - Property

Beazer Homes CEO could face civil charges

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:29:01 GMT

Federal regulators have notified Beazer Homes USA Inc. that its top executive could face civil charges over incentive compensation.

Beazer Homes USA - Business - Human resources - Workers' Compensation - Compensation and Benefits

Pace of mortgage help rising but still slow

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:17:47 GMT

Mortgage servicing companies have the complex task of figuring out if millions of borrowers qualify for mortgage modifications. And there has been some progress lately getting homeowners sign up.

Mortgage - Business - Borrower - Financial Services - United States

Survey shows spike in 1st-time homebuyers

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:13:07 GMT

The U.S. housing market welcomed a bigger share of first-time buyers and single women this past year.

Real estate economics - Business - Real estate - Residential - U.S

Craftsmanship sparks home renovation fad

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:02:41 GMT

Homeowners across the United States are recognizing the unique beauty of old homes and restoring them to their former glory.

Home improvement - United States - Business - Construction and Maintenance - Materials and Supplies

Foreclosure filings dip for third straight month

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:56:16 GMT

The number of homeowners on the brink of losing their homes dipped in October, the third straight monthly decline, as foreclosure prevention programs helped more borrowers.

Foreclosure - Recreation - Real estate - United States - Business

Housing agency's financial cushion sinks

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:54:33 GMT

The Federal Housing Administration says its financial cushion has dipped to a dangerously low level but should remain above zero under "most economic scenarios."

Federal Housing Administration - Business - Real estate - Housing - Residential

Only 5 percent plan to buy a home next year

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:23:09 GMT

Just one in twenty Americans say they plan to buy a home within the next year, and they're most likely to be 34 years old or younger and living in the South or West, according to a survey.

United States - West - Property - Business and Economy - Government

Housing plan reaches 1 in 5 borrowers

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:32:38 GMT

After a slow start, the Obama administration's mortgage relief program has reached one in five eligible homeowners, a government report says.

Home prices fall in most U.S. cities

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:51:45 GMT

Home prices fell in the third quarter from year-ago levels in about 80 percent of U.S. metropolitan areas, the National Association of Realtors said on Tuesday.