Homeownership still seen as enviable goal

Ninety-one percent of renters believe homeownership is something to be proud of, according to a survey released by Freddie Mac. Overall, the survey shows that Americans continue to have very positive views of homeownership, and the vast majority still views owning a home as a praiseworthy goal.

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How Higher Gas Prices Can Shape Home Values

A new study finds that rising gas prices can change the value of your home, for better or worse, depending on where you live. Reportedly, a 10 percent increase in gas prices can boost home prices by around 2 percent in certain neighborhoods, while reducing prices by around 1 percent in others. In addition, the intensity of the relationship between home prices and gas prices may have weakened as the fuel economy of American cars has improved.

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Self-employed find it's not easy to get a mortgage

Self-employed borrowers have a harder time getting a mortgage than their salaried peers, according to a new study. This is despite the fact that many such borrowers often earn higher incomes. The self-employed receive 40 percent fewer loan quotes than the average would-be borrower. The reason for this percentage is lower credit scores and more complex paperwork to verify income.

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How Buyers and Sellers select their Realtor

I'd like to be your agent that came from "Past experience" or "Recommendation" as these two are EARNED.

The Decline in Geographic Mobility

During the past three decades, geographic mobility within the United States has declined steadily. A combination of factors is cited as the reason for the decline in a study from the Federal Reserve, including an aging population, rising homeownership rates, and a decrease in labor market transitions. These labor transitions are defined as a decline in the fraction of workers moving from job to job, changing industry, and changing occupation. The study notes, “Declines in internal migration since the mid-2000s have attracted the attention of researchers and the public because they coincided with a dramatic housing market contraction and deep economic recession.”

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