As demand increases, rents continue to rise, increasing 5 percent over the past 12 months. Meanwhile, the asking prices for homes fell 0.7 percent in that time, according to a new report released Thursday by Trulia Inc.
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An index measuring improvement in the nation’s housing markets is showing signs of plateauing, which could be a good sign for the spring home-buying season, according to an economist.
The number of metro areas joining the Improving Markets Index ticked up slightly to 101 in April from 99 in March, according to the index released by the National Association of Home Builders and First American.
The number of metro areas joining the Improving Markets Index ticked up slightly to 101 in April from 99 in March, according to the index released by the National Association of Home Builders and First American.
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To prevent overall home prices from any further potential drops, the Federal Reserve is urging banks to transform more of its foreclosed homes into rental properties. The Fed made the request to banks in new policy guidelines it released Thursday.
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The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that two banks will reimburse women over allegations that the banks denied the women mortgages because they were pregnant or on maternity leave.
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The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, the most popular choice among home buyers, stayed below 4 percent this week, keeping home affordability at record highs.
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The upfront insurance premium charged on FHA-insured mortgages for home purchases will increase from 1 percent to 1.75 percent on April 9, and the annual FHA mortgage insurance premiums will rise by one-tenth of a percentage point.
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