Marketing & Statistics
Fixed-Rates Flat This Week
March 18, 2010 Posted by Freddie Mac
McLean, VA - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.96 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending March 18, 2010, up slightly from last week when it averaged 4.95 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.98 percent.
The ForRent.com mobile site increases reach to potential renters by 53 percent in February
March 18, 2010 Posted by RealEstateRama
NORFOLK, VA - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — In February, the ForRent.com mobile Web site saw a 53 percent increase in unique visitor traffic compared to the previous month. This significant increase in unique visitor traffic jumps even higher to 380 percent when comparing year over year data.
MBA Analysis: Commercial and Multifamily Mortgage Debt Outstanding Declined 2.8 Percent in 2009
March 18, 2010 Posted by MBA
Washington, DC - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The level of commercial/multifamily mortgage debt outstanding decreased by 1.7 percent in the fourth quarter, to $3.4 trillion, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) analysis of the Federal Reserve Board Flow of Funds data. On a year-over-year basis, the amount of mortgage debt outstanding at the end of 2009 was $99 billion lower than at the end of 2008, a decline of 2.8 percent.
USGBC and Sierra Club Volunteers Lead Green Building Tours Across the U.S.
March 17, 2010 Posted by USGBC
Washington, DC - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Local volunteers of the Sierra Club and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) will conduct public tours of green buildings across the country to highlight the local economic and environmental benefits of energy-efficient, high-performance green buildings. The tours are part of the national “Green Buildings for Cool Cities,” a partnership between the Sierra Club and USGBC. The project is aimed at helping cities nationwide make green buildings and communities a key component of their economic and environmental recovery efforts
Drop in Home Sales Underscores Fragile Recovery According to Fannie Mae’s Economic and Mortgage Market Analysis Group
March 17, 2010 Posted by RealEstateRama
WASHINGTON, DC - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Housing activity is expected to rebound later this year but at a slower pace than previously projected according to the March 2010 Economic Outlook released today by Fannie Mae’s (FNM/NYSE) Economics & Mortgage Market Analysis Group. A surprising drop in new and existing home sales disappointed, but the setback is viewed as temporary with gains expected in the second quarter then trending up on a sustainable basis by year end. The outlook continues to call for moderate economic growth of 3.0 percent for 2010, as the labor market appears poised to create jobs, the service sector shows improvement, and consumer spending joins in as part of the economic storyline. Consumer spending grew a solid 0.3 percent in January, suggesting a pickup in the first quarter despite the possibility of a slow down in February.
Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
March 17, 2010 Posted by MBA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending March 12, 2010. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 1.9 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased 1.7 percent compared with the previous week.The Refinance Index decreased 1.7 percent from the previous week and the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index decreased 2.3 percent from one week earlier. The unadjusted Purchase Index decreased 1.8 percent compared with the previous week and was 13.9 percent lower than the same week one year ago
Single-Family Starts Hold Firm In February
March 16, 2010 Posted by NAHB
WASHINGTON D.C. - March 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The pace of single-family home production remained virtually unchanged in February, with a 0.6 percent decline to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 499,000 units, according to figures released today by the U.S. Commerce Department. Meanwhile, a large decline on the more volatile multifamily side brought the overall number of housing starts down 5.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 575,000 units.
Help the Homeless Program Raises $5.8 Million for More than 100 D.C. — Area Homeless Service Providers
March 16, 2010 Posted by RealEstateRama
WASHINGTON, DC - March 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Today, Fannie Mae announced the results of its 22nd annual Help the Homeless Program, the nation’s largest fund-raising effort focused on homelessness. In 2009, the D.C. metropolitan area came together to raise $5.8 million for 134 regional non-profit organizations serving people who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. More than 117,000 people raised funds through the Help the Homeless Walkathon on the National Mall, 657 community Mini-Walks, corporate sponsorships, and related activities.
Foreclosures Weigh on Builder Confidence in March
March 15, 2010 Posted by NAHB
March 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes fell back two points to 15 in March as poor weather conditions and distressed property sales posed increasing challenges to both builders and buyers, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today
Mortgage Rates Drop Slightly in Freddie Mac Weekly Survey
March 11, 2010 Posted by Freddie Mac
McLean, VA - March 11, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.95 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending March 11, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 4.97 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.03 percent.
