http://www.mail.com/subjects/15270-real-estate.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.29/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/subjects/15270-real-estate.html http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2159204-us-construction-rises-68-percent.html WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. builders stepped up home construction in May and applied for permits to build single-family homes at the fastest pace in five years. The gains show housing remains a key source of growth for the economy. The overall pace of homes started rose 6.8 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 914,000, the Commerce Depart... Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:48:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2159204-us-construction-rises-68-percent.html 2013-06-18T13:48:10Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2158878-ahead-bell-us-housing-starts.html WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. home construction has risen steadily in the past year, fueled by more buyers and a scarcity of houses for sale. An increase in permits and growing confidence among builders suggest the pace of construction strengthened in May, providing more support for economic growth. The Commerce Department will report on May housing starts and p... Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:26:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2158878-ahead-bell-us-housing-starts.html 2013-06-18T09:26:40Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2156974-us-homebuilder-confidence-soars-to-7-year-high.html For the first time in seven years, most U.S. homebuilders are optimistic about home sales, a sign that construction could help drive stronger economic growth in coming months. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released Monday leaped to 52 this month from 44 in May. It was the largest monthly increase since 2002.... Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:26:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2156974-us-homebuilder-confidence-soars-to-7-year-high.html 2013-06-17T17:26:34Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2149284-us-rate-30-year-mortgage-rises-to-398-pct.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Fixed U.S. mortgage rates rose for the sixth straight week, putting the average rate on the 30-year loan just shy of 4 percent. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the rate on the 30-year loan increased to 3.98 percent. That's up from 3.91 percent last week and the highest since April 2012. The average rate was last at 4 percen... Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:30:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2149284-us-rate-30-year-mortgage-rises-to-398-pct.html 2013-06-13T14:30:21Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2148384-realtytrac-repossessions-rose.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lenders stepped up action last month against homeowners who had fallen behind on their mortgage payments, taking possession of more homes and initiating the foreclosure countdown clock on many others. Completed foreclosures jumped 11 percent nationally in May from the previous month, with monthly increases taking place in 33 states, for... Thu, 13 Jun 2013 04:20:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2148384-realtytrac-repossessions-rose.html 2013-06-13T04:20:22Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2147122-house-votes-to-limit-reverse-mortgage-initial-draw.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Housing Administration could limit the size of initial lump-sum payments that lenders offer reverse mortgage borrowers and require escrow accounts to cover taxes and insurance, under legislation the House passed Wednesday. The bill, passed on a voice vote, is intended to help the government mortgage insurance agency work its ... Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:50:25 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2147122-house-votes-to-limit-reverse-mortgage-initial-draw.html 2013-06-12T19:50:25Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2135794-us-jobs-report-spotlight-time-concern.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The government's release Friday of the May jobs report comes at a time of anxiety over the U.S. economy and whether the Federal Reserve will soon scale back its extraordinary support. Economists expect another month of job gains roughly in line with April's increase of 165,000. The unemployment rate is expected to remain at 7.5 percent, ... Fri, 07 Jun 2013 04:12:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2135794-us-jobs-report-spotlight-time-concern.html 2013-06-07T04:12:43Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2133826-retailers-report-modest-gains.html NEW YORK (AP) — In the latest sign that Americans are feeling better about the overall economy, stores across the country had a pickup in sales in May. An improving job picture, better housing market and stock market rallies have all led to consumer confidence reaching five-year highs. That has left Americans a bit more likely to reach into their pockets ... Thu, 06 Jun 2013 20:28:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2133826-retailers-report-modest-gains.html 2013-06-06T20:28:50Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2134300-us-regains-wealth-recession-equally.html WASHINGTON (AP) — America as a whole has regained all the household wealth it lost to the Great Recession and then some, thanks to higher stock and home prices. The average household still has a long way to go. U.S. household wealth jumped $3 trillion to $70 trillion in the January-March quarter this year, the Federal Reserve said Thursday. That topped th... Thu, 06 Jun 2013 20:21:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2134300-us-regains-wealth-recession-equally.html 2013-06-06T20:21:39Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2133774-average-rate-15-year-us-mortgage-3-pct.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The average U.S. rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage rose above 3 percent this week for the first time in a year, while the rate on the 30-year fixed loan approached 4 percent. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the rate on the 30-year loan jumped to 3.91 percent from 3.81 percent last week. That's the highest since March 2012. T... Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:30:11 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2133774-average-rate-15-year-us-mortgage-3-pct.html 2013-06-06T15:30:11Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2129836-fha-reverse-mortgage-losses-require-bailout.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Housing Administration may need as much as a $1 billion rescue package before the end of the year to bolster its reserves despite efforts to shore up its finances with higher mortgage insurance premiums, a Senate subcommittee was told Tuesday. FHA Commissioner Carol Galante said her agency, which insures some 40 million home ... Tue, 04 Jun 2013 23:36:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2129836-fha-reverse-mortgage-losses-require-bailout.html 2013-06-04T23:36:29Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2128154-us-prices-jumped-april-7-years.html WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. home prices soared 12.1 percent in April from a year earlier, the biggest gain since February 2006, as more buyers competed for fewer homes. Real estate data provider CoreLogic says prices rose in April from the previous April in 48 states. Prices also rose 3.2 percent in April from March, much better than the previous month-to-mont... Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:03:11 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2128154-us-prices-jumped-april-7-years.html 2013-06-04T13:03:11Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2123214-feds-crack-foreclosure-auction-scams.html SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — At the height of the financial crisis, bargain hunters would gather each week on county courthouse steps to bid on foreclosed properties throughout Northern and Central California. The inventory lists were long, especially in hard-hit areas such as Sacramento and Stockton. But the auctions were generally short affairs — often because real estate speculat... Sat, 01 Jun 2013 19:39:18 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2123214-feds-crack-foreclosure-auction-scams.html 2013-06-01T19:39:18Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2118426-us-economy-grew-modest-24-pct-rate-q1.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a modest 2.4 percent annual rate from January through March, slightly slower than initially estimated. Consumer spending was stronger than first thought, but businesses restocked more slowly and state and local government spending cuts were deeper. The Commerce Department said Thursday that economic growth in the... Thu, 30 May 2013 17:05:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2118426-us-economy-grew-modest-24-pct-rate-q1.html 2013-05-30T17:05:17Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2118588-signed-contracts-to-buy-us-homes-3-year-high.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes ticked up in April to the highest level in three years. The increase points to growth in home sales in the coming months. The National Association of Realtors said Thursday that its seasonally adjusted index for pending home sales rose 0.3 percent to 106. That's the highest since ... Thu, 30 May 2013 15:41:56 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2118588-signed-contracts-to-buy-us-homes-3-year-high.html 2013-05-30T15:41:56Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2118564-us-rate-30-year-mortgage-rises-to-381-pct.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages jumped this week to their highest levels in a year, signaling slightly higher costs for homebuyers. But rates still remain low by historical standards. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate for the 30-year loan rose to 3.81 percent, up from 3.59 percent last week. That's stil... Thu, 30 May 2013 15:35:58 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2118564-us-rate-30-year-mortgage-rises-to-381-pct.html 2013-05-30T15:35:58Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2118422-applications-us-unemployment-aid-rise-to-354k.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose 10,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 354,000. Still, the level of applications is consistent with steady hiring and remains near a five-year low. The Labor Department said Thursday that applications increased from a revised 344,000 the previous week, slightly higher than the... Thu, 30 May 2013 13:56:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2118422-applications-us-unemployment-aid-rise-to-354k.html 2013-05-30T13:56:39Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2118272-sales-bank-owned-homes-hit-5-year-low-1q.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sales of bank-owned homes have plunged to a five-year low, the latest evidence that the nation's foreclosure woes are easing as the U.S. housing market recovery gains momentum. For the January-March quarter, sales of bank-owned homes fell 16 percent from the previous three months and were down 23 percent versus the first quarter of 2012... Thu, 30 May 2013 10:47:11 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2118272-sales-bank-owned-homes-hit-5-year-low-1q.html 2013-05-30T10:47:11Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2113614-asia-stocks-post-muted-gains-improving-us-data.html BANGKOK (AP) — Rising U.S. consumer confidence and home prices painted a picture of a rebounding economy, helping Asian stock markets to post muted gains Wednesday. Wall Street resumed its record-breaking rally on Tuesday after the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller survey found that U.S. home prices rose 10.9 percent in March, the most since April 2006. On t... Wed, 29 May 2013 03:05:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2113614-asia-stocks-post-muted-gains-improving-us-data.html 2013-05-29T03:05:10Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2114004-stocks-jump-confidence-house-prices-surge.html NEW YORK (AP) — A rally that brought the stock market to record highs this year came back to life after consumer confidence reached a five-year high and U.S. home prices rose the most in seven years. As stock prices rose investors sold bonds, sending interest rates higher. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 106 points to close at another record Tuesday... Tue, 28 May 2013 21:39:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2114004-stocks-jump-confidence-house-prices-surge.html 2013-05-28T21:39:23Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2114222-economic-gains-boost-us-confidence-to-5-year-high.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Home prices are surging, job growth is strengthening and stocks are setting record highs. All of which explains why Americans are more hopeful about the economy than at any other point in five years. Investors on Tuesday celebrated the latest buoyant reports on consumer confidence and housing prices, which together suggest that growth co... Tue, 28 May 2013 21:10:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2114222-economic-gains-boost-us-confidence-to-5-year-high.html 2013-05-28T21:10:50Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2113864-us-prices-rise-109-pct-2006.html WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. home prices jumped 10.9 percent in March compared with a year ago, the most since April 2006. A growing number of buyers are bidding on a tight supply of homes, driving prices higher and helping the housing market recover. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index released Tuesday also showed that all 20 cities measured by... Tue, 28 May 2013 15:09:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2113864-us-prices-rise-109-pct-2006.html 2013-05-28T15:09:24Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2113978-us-consumer-confidence-rises-to-5-year-high.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans' confidence in the economy jumped in May to a five-year high, lifted by a better outlook for hiring, rising home prices and more optimism about business conditions. The increase suggests consumers may keep boosting economic growth this year. The Conference Board, a New York-based private research group, said Tuesday that its co... Tue, 28 May 2013 15:07:38 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2113978-us-consumer-confidence-rises-to-5-year-high.html 2013-05-28T15:07:38Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2105232-us-rate-30-year-mortgages-rises-to-359-pct.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Average rates on fixed mortgages rose for the third straight week, hitting their highest levels since mid-March. Still, mortgage rates remained close to historic lows, a trend that should help sustain the housing recovery. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate for the 30-year loan increased to 3.59 percent this w... Thu, 23 May 2013 17:49:02 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2105232-us-rate-30-year-mortgages-rises-to-359-pct.html 2013-05-23T17:49:02Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2105226-us-sales-up-23-percent-april.html WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. sales of new homes rose in April and nearly matched the fastest pace in five years, driving the median price to a record high. The gains suggest the housing recovery is strengthening. New-home sales increased 2.3 percent in April from March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 454,000, the Commerce Department said Thursday. That'... Thu, 23 May 2013 16:24:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2105226-us-sales-up-23-percent-april.html 2013-05-23T16:24:39Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2104582-lenovo-quarterly-profit-up-90-percent.html BEIJING (AP) — Computer maker Lenovo Group said Thursday its latest quarterly profit rose 90 percent as sales of smartphones and mobile computing technology expanded. Lenovo said it earned $127 million, or 1.22 cents per share, in the three months ending March 31. Revenue rose 4 percent over a year earlier to $7.8 billion. Lenovo ranks a close second behi... Thu, 23 May 2013 06:53:31 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2104582-lenovo-quarterly-profit-up-90-percent.html 2013-05-23T06:53:31Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2102790-us-sales-tick-up-to-highest-3-years.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes ticked up last month to the highest level in three and a half years, helped by a jump in the number of houses for sale. The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that sales rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.97 million, up from 4.94 million in March. Home sales have risen 9.7 ... Wed, 22 May 2013 15:09:26 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2102790-us-sales-tick-up-to-highest-3-years.html 2013-05-22T15:09:26Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2102518-futures-rise-eyes-fed.html NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock futures are rising with the nation's central bank seemingly committed to ushering along a financial rebound and the housing market nearing an important milestone. Dow Jones industrial futures are up 15 points to 15,370. S&P futures have added 2.2 points to 1,667.80. Nasdaq futures are up 4.25 points to 3,025.75. The Federal Rese... Wed, 22 May 2013 11:44:26 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2102518-futures-rise-eyes-fed.html 2013-05-22T11:44:26Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2097530-economists-predict-increase-consumer-spending.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumer spending is likely to pick up this year, while government spending declines at a faster rate, according to a survey of business economists. The economists predict that the U.S. economy will grow 2.4 percent this year and 3 percent next year. That's unchanged from their forecast in February. But they are more bullish on consumer ... Mon, 20 May 2013 10:19:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2097530-economists-predict-increase-consumer-spending.html 2013-05-20T10:19:22Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2090304-us-rate-30-year-mortgage-rises-to-351-pct.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages rose this week but stayed near their historic lows. Cheaper mortgages have helped the economy by spurring more home-buying and refinancing. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate for the 30-year loan increased to 3.51 percent from 3.42 percent last week. That's still near the average of 3.3... Thu, 16 May 2013 14:14:04 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2090304-us-rate-30-year-mortgage-rises-to-351-pct.html 2013-05-16T14:14:04Z