“A housing revival is key to any optimism about the broader economy and jobs,” writes one economist.
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An index that identifies metro areas where growth has occurred in employment, home prices, and the number of housing permits allotted for at least six consecutive months has nearly doubled in the past two months.
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Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac implemented new timelines this summer aimed at speeding up short sales, which have helped short sales skyrocket in the third quarter of 2012.
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Major banks get hit with another big settlement over past foreclosure abuses.
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Wealthy home owners who were trying to beat the fiscal cliff helped send luxury home sales soaring at the end of 2012.
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The U.S. Census Bureau and HUD recently released their biennual comprehensive national housing survey, which provides data on housing inventories, demographics, home improvements, mortgages, and more.
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