Found 2 blog entries tagged as home sales.

With home prices continuing to deliver double-digit increases, some are concerned we’re in a housing bubble like the one in 2006. However, a closer look at the market data indicates this is nothing like 2006 for three major reasons.

1. The housing market isn’t driven by risky mortgage loans.

Back in 2006, nearly everyone could qualify for a loan. The Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) from the Mortgage Bankers’ Association is an indicator of the availability of mortgage money. The higher the index, the easier it is to obtain a mortgage. The MCAI more than doubled from 2004 (378) to 2006 (869). Today, the index stands at 130. As an example of the difference between today and 2006, let’s look at the volume of mortgages that originated when a…

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Historically, real estate activity in the Lowcountry slows during the winter months. Between the cold weather and the holidays, the housing market typically goes into a hibernation of sorts, with both buyers and sellers shelving any major real estate moves until spring.

However, this winter's real estate market is shaping up to be unlike any other before it. Contrary to what some may have feared, the fall and winter are slated to be an excellent time to sell a home. In fact, Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors, predicts "it will be one of the best winter sales years ever."

What's driving these predictions for a strong winter market? Chalk it up to a perfect storm of low mortgage interest rates, sparse housing…

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