Existing-home sales eased in March from inventory constraints, which continued to pressure home prices, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, declined 0.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.92 million in March from a downwardly revised 4.95 million in February, but remain 10.3 percent higher than the 4.46 million-unit pace in March 2012. Sales have been above year-ago levels for 21 consecutive months, while prices show Click to continue

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services, reintroduced the FHA Emergency Fiscal Solvency Act. The legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Michael E. Capuano (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, is designed to strengthen FHA and to help ensure its long-term solvency. In recent years, the agency has stepped into the void, providing crucial liquidity as private firms have retreated from writing mortgage insurance policies, particularly for key groups such as first-time homebuyers.Click to continue

According to a recent panel of housing and mortgage experts, first-time homebuyers in today’s market face a distinct set of challenges, but the opportunity for growth within the segment exists if new regulations are shaped carefully. This consensus was a focus of the fourth annual homeownership panel, hosted by Radian Guaranty on Feb. 15, 2013, in Washington, D.C.Click to continue

Price and proximity to work are key concerns for first-time homebuyers, while trade-up buyers tend to be most focused on the design of the home and the neighborhood, according to "Characteristics of Home Buyers," an analysis of the recently released 2011 American Housing Survey (AHS) by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The biennial survey, which is conducted in odd-numbered years by the U.S. Census Bureau, covers about 6.8 million home sales that occurred in 2009 and 2010.Click to continue

A bipartisan commission of former Cabinet secretaries, former senators and other leading housing and economic experts unveiled a new vision for housing policy in America, which aims to further the nation’s economic recovery and improve the lives of millions of Americans. The recommendations propose scaling back the government role in the nation’s housing finance system and reforming housing assistance programs to better meet the needs of America’s most vulnerable households.Click to continue

Existing-home sales edged up in January, while a seller’s market is developing and home prices continue to rise steadily above year-ago levels, according to the National Association of Realtors.Click to continue

Potomac Mortgage Group Inc. (PMG), has announced the hiring of Sarah Pichardo as vice president. Since beginning her career in 2003, Sarah has quickly established herself as a top producer, closing over $100 million in 2012. In addition, she was recently ranked as the #2 loan originator in Virginia by Origination News. Sarah worked at George Mason Mortgage LLC for over seven years before moving to PMG.Click to continue

Real Estate Mortgage Network Inc. (REMN) continues to expand its South Atlantic presence with a new office in Richmond, Va. Led by Branch Manager Lindy Pond, a nationally-recognized renovation lending expert, this new REMN office will provide Central Virginia homebuyers, home owners and real estate professionals with the high levels of quality and customer service that REMN is known for nationwide.Click to continue

Open Mortgage LLC will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary this January by offering a First-Time Homebuyers Nationwide Special. All first-time homebuyers that submit their mortgage application with Open between Jan. 2, 2013-March 31, 2013 will receive a free appraisal. In addition to the First-Time Homebuyer's Special, Open Mortgage is offering a First-Time Homebuyer's Video Contest. First-time homebuyers who obtained their loan with Open Mortgage can submit a video tape of their experience obtaining their loan as well as presenting the keys to their new home.Click to continue

Existing-home sales continued to improve in November with low inventory supply pressuring home prices, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 5.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million in November from a downwardly revised 4.76 million in October, and are 14.5 percent higher than the 4.40 million-unit pace in November 2011.Click to continue