U.S. homebuilder sentiment rose in August to its highest level in more than five years, a fresh sign that the battered housing market is turning the corner, data from the National Association of Home Builders showed on Wednesday. Continue Reading »

New data from Zillow.com shows that the housing market really has hit bottom. But what should be more important to you are the conditions in your own neighborhood. Continue Reading »

WASHINGTON, July 2 (Reuters) - U.S. construction spending rose to its highest level in nearly two and a half years in May as investment in residential and federal government projects surged, a rare dose of good news for the flagging economic recovery. Construction spending increased 0.9 percent to an annual rate of $830 ... Continue Reading »

NEW YORK -- U.S. home prices picked up in April for the third month in a row, the latest indication a recovery in the housing market is gaining traction. But in a sign of the struggles still facing the broader economy, separate data on Tuesday showed consumer confidence fell to its lowest level in five months in June as ... Continue Reading »

By Martin Crutsinger WASHINGTON -- Americans bought new homes in May at the fastest pace in more than two years. The increase suggests a modest recovery in the housing market is continuing, despite weaker job growth. The Commerce Department said Monday that sales of new homes increased 7.6 percent in May from April to ... Continue Reading »

By Martin Crutsinger Confidence among U.S. builders ticked up this month to a five-year high, an indication that the housing market is slowly improving. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index rose in June to 29, the highest reading since May 2007. It increased from a reading of ... Continue Reading »

By Kerri Panchuk Home prices grew from the previous rolling quarter and year-over-year in May, making it the first time in two years that both indicators have risen in the same period, asset valuation firm Clear Capital said. The firm published its home data index market report, showing that the West, South and ... Continue Reading »

At best, an increase in foreclosures takes a double-edged sword to the housing market. On the one hand, it means we may be inching toward stabilization, as shadow inventory begins to move through the pipeline. On the other, it spells more stress for beleaguered homeowners and puts downward pressure on home prices. ... Continue Reading »

WASHINGTON -- The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home-price index released Tuesday showed that prices dropped in January from December in 16 of 19 cities tracked. The steepest declines were in San Francisco, Atlanta and Portland. Prices increased in Miami, Phoenix and Washington. Price information for Charlotte was ... Continue Reading »

While picking up some prescriptions recently, my local pharmacist, who knows I write about home construction, asked me if I had any suggestions for how he should build his new house. Since I'm a big advocate for prefab, I suggested that he consider building his house modular. His response shocked me: "I wouldn't want to ... Continue Reading »

WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes rose in January to the highest level in nearly two years, supporting the view that the housing market is gradually coming back. The National Association of Realtors said Monday that its index of sales agreements rose 2 percent last month to a ... Continue Reading »

In the wake of the housing bust, almost 1 in 4 working families spend more than half their income on housing costs, according to a new study. The study by the Center for Housing Policy found that both homeowners and renters continue to struggle with housing costs since the market tanked in 2008. Between 2008 and 2010, ... Continue Reading »

Scott Hostetler didn't bother to tell his family that he'd applied online to have their house in Buena Park, Calif., turned into an advertising billboard for the price of their monthly mortgage payment. He figured that it was like taking a chance on the lottery -- and who ever expects to win the lottery? Then, about ... Continue Reading »

WASHINGTON -- The average rate on the 30-year-fixed mortgage fell this week to a record low, the ninth time that has happened in the last year. But even with the cheapest rates in history, the housing market remains depressed. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the rate on the 30-year loan dropped to 3.87 ... Continue Reading »

How much residents of each state owe on their mortgages is an interesting statistic. For the most part, residents of the states with the highest average mortgage debt are not in trouble. While the average home price in these states dropped in value during the recession, the foreclosure rates in these states are among the ... Continue Reading »