Median list prices nationwide have risen 4.05 percent on a year-over-year basis, according to November housing data of 146 metro areas from Realtor.com. Fewer cities are reporting year-over-year list price declines, “suggesting a growing optimism on the part of sellers about 2012 market conditions,” according to Realtor.com.

__________________________________________________________________________________

BofA Settles for $335M on Lending Bias Charges

Bank of America has agreed to pay a record $335 million in a settlement over charges that its Countrywide Financial unit discriminated against Hispanic- and African-American borrowers from 2004 to 2008. The settlement marks the largest residential fair-lending settlement on record, the Justice Department said.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Distressed Properties Continue to Hamper Other Sales

The pressure on overall home prices from distressed properties is still haunting the housing market, according to the latest Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance HousingPulse tracking survey. However, home buyer demand is growing, the survey finds. The average time on the market for REOs is more than 10 weeks, which is at its lowest point in more than a year.

__________________________________________________________________________________

2 Real Estate Groups at Odds Over Ad Practices

The REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Miami Association of REALTORS®, accusing MAR of “false and deceptive advertising” and “unfair competitive practices” that was steering new members away from RAGFL.

__________________________________________________________________________________

NAR Revises Housing Figures: What This Really Means

Home sales activity from 2007 through 2010 was lower than originally thought, with sales and inventory down by 14 percent more than originally reported, according to recently revised housing figures by the National Association of REALTORS®.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Foreclosures May Stall Housing Recovery

A survey of 109 economists released this week by Zillow Inc. forecasts that U.S. home prices may fall further under the weight of foreclosures, bouncing back no sooner than 2013 even with mortgage rates at historic lows.

__________________________________________________________________________________