July 2009
VIDEO : Who Should — And Should Not — Be Paying Down Their Mortgage
July 31, 2009 by MikeRosen · Leave a Comment
Financial advice is rarely one-size-fits-all, but this interview with Suze Orman is worth a watch.
In 5 minutes with NBC’s The Today Show, Ms. Orman covers a ton of relevant ground for homeowners and the public-at-large:
Who should — and shouldn’t — be paying down their mortgage
What backlash to expect from the Dow’s 40% run-up since [...]
The Little-Known Reason Why Mortgage Rates Are Rising This Week (And Why They May Go Higher Still)
July 30, 2009 by MikeRosen · Leave a Comment
After starting the week with a run lower toward 5 percent, mortgage rates have reversed course.
It started mid-day Tuesday and the culprit is Basic Economics. Here’s why.
Mortgage rates are based on the price of mortgage-backed bonds and — like most things — mortgage-backed bonds prices are based on Supply and Demand.
When bond supplies [...]
1733 Cameron Street, Arlington, VA | AR7121891
July 29, 2009 by MikeRosen · Leave a Comment
For Sale!
Comfort and Convenience in Arlington!
BEST NEW LISTING on UrbanTurf.com
3BR/3BA Single Family
offered at $615,000
Year Built
1939
Sq Footage
1,833
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
3 full
Floors
2
Parking
Garage & Off-Street
DESCRIPTION
Beautifully updtd and EXPANDED bungalow. 1 mile to BALLSTON METRO, 5 minute WALK to METRO BUS or ART. HUGE LOT – flat QUARTER [...]
Using The Case-Shiller Index To Predict The End Of The Recession
July 29, 2009 by MikeRosen · Leave a Comment
For May, the Case-Shiller Index showed home values up in 15 of its 20 tracked U.S. markets. It’s the first time in nearly 3 years that the index showed such strength and a signal that home prices may be turning higher for good.
According to a Case-Shiller Index spokesperson, “this could be a signal that home [...]
More Housing Strength : New Home Sales Surge In June
July 28, 2009 by MikeRosen · Leave a Comment
Once again, the housing market is showing that its worst days may be over.
According to the Census Bureau, the number of new homes sold in June leapt by 11 percent from the month prior. It stands as the biggest one-month jump in 8 years. Keep in mind, though, that volume of transactions is still down [...]
How Burglars Can Get Into Your Home In Less Than A Second
July 27, 2009 by MikeRosen · Leave a Comment
The above video may be among the most disquieting 4 minutes of your day.
Home burglaries are on the rise and many burglars are using a lock-picking technique called “Lock Bumping” to enter into homes. Using a special key and a hammer-like tool, pin-tumbler locks can be “broken” in less than a second, according to NBC’s The [...]
Home Supply Falls To An 8-Month Low
July 24, 2009 by MikeRosen · Leave a Comment
The national home supply is falling, down to its lowest levels since December 2008.
In June, there was 9.4 months of supply, down from a year-ago level of 11.0 months. It’s one more sign that the housing market may be mending itself.
Housing supply is an important metric because home values across every U.S. market are rooted in Supply [...]
The Home Price Index Shows That Home Values Increased In May
July 23, 2009 by MikeRosen · Leave a Comment
Home values around the country appear to be leveling.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s latest Home Price Index report shows values up by nearly 1 percent in May versus the month prior.
Since peaking in April 2007, values remain off by 11 percent nationwide.
The FHFA Home Price Index is an interesting metric. Different from the Case-Shiller Index which [...]
Mortgage Rates Drop On Ben Bernanke’s “Exit Strategy”
July 22, 2009 by MikeRosen · Leave a Comment
Mortgage markets rallied Tuesday while Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke gave his semi-annual testimony to Congress.
By the time the day was over, some conforming mortgage rates were down by as much as 0.250 percent.
One of the leading causes for the market rally was Chairman Bernanke revealing an “exit strategy” from its massive market stimulus.
Until Tuesday, [...]
Housing Starts Make Its Largest Leap Since 2004
July 21, 2009 by MikeRosen · Leave a Comment
Housing Starts soared in June, thumping analyst expectations for the second straight month.
A “housing start” is a new home on which construction has started. Last month’s jump in single-family starts is the largest one-month jump since 2004.
To Wall Street, June’s figures are the latest signal that the country’s housing markets may be on the mend.
For [...]
