OCTOBER 2008 Newsletter
Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, a real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, real estate radio, REALTOR.com local community reports and local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by local MLSs and the National Association of REALTORS®.
What's Happening in Local Markets?
Local Market Reports for 150 Metropolitan Housing Markets *Local Prices & State Sales
*Prepared by National Association of REALTORS®
**Prepared by Clarus MarketMetrics
Kay Cruz Messages
Buying is now cheaper than renting in 74 percent of the nation’s largest cities. Low home prices and “rock-bottom” interest rates as well as tax advantages of homeownership are the reasons why it’s now cheaper to BUY a 2-bdrm home than to rent one. Check out this CNN Money article with the details. more...
Home Ownership matters…to people, to communities, and to America. Why? • For every two homes sold, one job is created in the U.S. • Each purchase generates as much as $60,000 in economic activity over time. more...
Disclaimer:The views, opinions, statements and/or ideas expressed in this Message Section do not reflect the ideas, policy, position, views or opinion of eFrogPond,Inc.
Community Reports on REALTOR.com
Enter a ZIP code to view a report. For a
comparison report, enter a second ZIP.
Compare Community Amenities
Compare Community Statistics
* Shopping and Groceries
* Public Services
* Places of Worship
* Recreation and Leisure
* Food and Drink
* Population
* Households
* Education
* Housing
* Transporation
* Income
* Employment
* Net Worth
* Cost of Living
* Climate
Source: REALTOR.com
National Real Estate Market Update
Existing-Home Sales Slide on Tight Mortgage Availability
WASHINGTON, September 24, 2008 - Existing-home sales were down in August following a healthy gain in July as tight mortgage credit curtailed activity, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Sales rose in the Midwest and South but fell in the Northeast and West. More...
Near-Term Home Sales to Stay in Narrow Range
WASHINGTON, September 09, 2008 - The level of home sales is expected to show little movement in the months ahead, according to the latest projections by the National Association of Realtors®. More...
Pending Home Sales Up Strongly
WASHINGTON, October 08, 2008 - Pending home sales activity surged as buyers took advantage of low home prices and affordable interest rates, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home buyers were responding to improved affordability. "What we’re seeing is the momentum of people taking advantage of low home prices, with pending home sales up strongly in California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Rhode Island and the Washington, D.C., region,” he said. "It’s unclear how much contract activity may be impacted by the credit disruptions on Wall Street, but we’re hopeful most of the increase will translate into closed existing-home sales.” More...
National Real Estate Market Articles
Source:NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
September 2008 Existing Home Statistics
Source: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Metropolitan Prices & State Sales
View Prices / % Changes for 159 Cities & Metropolitan Areas
Economists' Commentaries provide an in-depth look at trends and current news related to housing and the real estate market.
Click here
Contact Me for all of your Real Estate needs Kay Cruz Monarch Real Estate Group
Consumer Tips & Cool Properties
Don't Curb Buyers' First Impression
You might think the age of online real estate listings and virtual tours has rendered curb appeal less important than in days gone by. But you’d be mistaken. Sure, a potential buyer’s first impression of your home might be of your kitchen or living room, displayed on her computer screen from the comfort of her own home. More...
Barron's Online Randall Forsyth Discusses Lending and Housing Crisis
Will 'The Donald' bale you out? Listen to Randall Forsyth, Editor of Barron's Online, discuss the future of the mortgage crisis in his Video Watch Video
Townhouse Sells for $99 Million in Moscow
WJS's THE WEALTH REPORT blog by Robert Frank looks at the lives and culture of the wealthy.
Russian petrodollars are fueling a luxury property boom in Moscow. But a seven-story, 14,000-square-foot townhome purchased for $99 million by an anonymous Russian business tycoon is raising eyebrows as it sets records. More...
Wall Street Journal's House of the Week - Built for Art House
WSJ's House of the Week is Built for Art
"A stunning Los Angeles ultramodern residence features an open floor plan built to display high-end contemporary art. With 11,000 square feet of expansive space including a sunken living room with zinc dome, a reflecting pool, and a chic Holmby Hills address, this mansion is yours for only $25 million – art not included. More...
Mortgage Rates
Mortgage Calculator
National
Housing Indicators
Existing Home Sales (August 2008) 4.91 million units*
Existing Home Median Price (August 2008) $203,100
Housing Starts (August 2008) 895,000 units*
New Home Sales (August 2008) 460,000 units*
*seasonally adjusted annual rate SourceNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Information contained in this eNewsletter is compiled from a variety of sources. The accuracy and authenticity has not been verified by eFrogPond, Inc., is subject to change, is provided "as is" and is not guaranteed. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of eFrogPond, Inc.
eFrogPond, Inc. makes no representations or warranties of any nature with regard to the privacy and/or business practices of the websites linked from or to this eNewsletter nor the accuracy and authenticity of any information contained in such websites, and is not responsible for any content contained in any linked site or for any action or lack of action by any linked site whatsoever, including their use of any information they may collect.
Buying is now cheaper than renting in 74 percent of the nation’s largest cities. Low home prices and “rock-bottom” interest rates as well as tax advantages of homeownership are the reasons why it’s now cheaper to BUY a 2-bdrm home than to rent one. Check out this CNN Money article with the details. more...
Metropolitan Prices & State Sales
National Home Sales
-2.2%
