Critics Wrong about Housing It’s Going to Soar

Critics Wrong about Housing It’s Going to Soar

2015 will see notable price appreciation: The housing market is going to surge in 2015, despite the bearish predictions from many critics in the housing industry recently, according to 

a report to be released. With so many fists beating on the housing-is-facing-ruin door, Altos Research is set to release data that claims all that pounding is in vain. Clients will begin receiving a report Wednesday afternoon, but HousingWire was able to get a sneak peek, and the results say that housing recovery critics are wrong about housing. "Home prices across the U.S. are poised for a fifth consecutive year of recovery." The market is still faced with low inventory and demand, buoyed by an expanding economy, which, among other factors, remains healthy, According to Altos, it's going to soar in 2015.

Provo/Salt Lake Make Best Cities for Career Growth

Provo/Salt Lake Make Best Cities for Career Growth

Forbes analyzed metros to compile a list of the best and worst business climates for its 16th annual look at the Best Places for Business and Careers.  Provo, Utah, ranks third overall this year and leads a trio of Utah places near the top with Salt Lake City at No. 8 and Ogden ranked No. 11. Brigham Young University brings a stabilizing presence to the $19 billion Provo economy. Job growth for Provo was tops in the country last year, and it ranks seventh best over the past five years, Learn more about Utah Career Growth.

Increase in FHA Fees Challenges Housing Market

Increase in FHA Fees Challenges Housing Market

Federal Housing Administration’s rate increases in mortgage insurance have caused buyers to walk away and transactions to fall through, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. "Higher fees at the FHA have had an impact on affordability," writes Ken Fears, NAR director of regional economics and housing finance. "While some buyers were able to shift to other more affordable programs, many consumers were shut out of the market for ownership."  NAR recommends that the FHA reduce high annual mortgage insurance premiums and eliminate the insurance requirement for the life of the loan, On a positive note See Why the Second Half of 2014 Will Be Better Than the First, read more.

Residential Recycled Buildings 'Enjoy New Life'

Residential Recycled Buildings 'Enjoy New Life'

Making the Old New Again: Architectural styles that have 

withstood the test of time continue to appeal to buyers, as they discover that a piece of history can add some extra charm to even a newer home. The idea is to 'recycle' old, defunct property and offer buyers something beyond a cookie-cutter house. See
some ways the 'new' is borrowing from the 'old' in home design today.

Do They Impact a Property’s Desirability?

Do They Impact a Property’s Desirability?

Cell Towers, Antennas Problematic for Buyers: An overwhelming 94 percent of home buyers and renters surveyed by the National Institute for Science, Law & Public Policy say they are less interested and would pay less for a property located near a cell tower or antenna.  'The Impact of Cell Phone Towers on House Prices in Residential Neighborhoods,' which was published in The Appraisal Journal in 2006, found that buyers would pay as much as 20 percent less for a property near a cell tower or antenna. Read What's more, of the 1,000 survey respondents.

Utah Best Purchase Market for Millennial Homebuyer

Utah Best Purchase Market for Millennial Homebuyer

While first-time home buyers’ presence in the housing market has been subdued in recent years, some metro areas are poised to soon see an increase in home buying from the millennial generation. "Limited job prospects, student debt, and flat wage growth have combined with tight credit conditions and low inventory to price millennials out of some of the top cities such as New York and San Francisco." "However, NAR research finds that there are other metro areas millennials are moving to where job growth is strong and home ownership is more attainable. 

 See the 10 metro areas were in the Midwest and West.

Real Reason for an Inventory Shortage?

Real Reason for an Inventory Shortage?

Un-advertised listings distort housing inventory: The number of homes listed for sale nationally is finally beginning to rise, but ask anyone looking to buy a home and the majority will complain there is nothing out there. While the number of homes for sale nationwide is showing signs of inching up, inventories still remain constrained in many housing markets across the country. Could "pocket listings" - for-sale properties that aren't marketed widely or postedon the MLS - be the real culprit?  This usually happens when the market is very tight, and buyers are willing to make larger offers up front to negate the risk of a bidding war, Read more