Most Interesting Real Estate News ~ Week Ending 5/19/2012:

HUD: Three Bills Will Complete Obama’s Refinancing Initiative | HousingWire

NAHB: Homebuilder Confidence Hits Five Year High | HousingWire

BofA To Pay Homeowners More For Short Sales | HousingWire

Housing Starts In April Shoot Up 30% Over Last Year | HousingWire

RealtyTrac: Foreclosure Filings Near 5 Year Low | HousingWire

Dearth Of Affordable Rentals Cause For Concern, Housing Experts Say | HousingWire

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Most Interesting Real Estate News ~ Week Ending 5/12/2012:

CoreLogic Releases REO-To-Rental ValuationTool | HousingWire

BofA Begins Principal Reuction Under AG Settlement | HousingWire

Fiserv Case-Shiller: Home Affordability At Record Levels | HousingWire

Dallas Fed Bank CEO Sees Housing Bottom, No Need For More Stimulus | HousingWire

Fannie, Freddie Work To Pay Down Principal In California | HousingWire

Foreclosure Hotspots Show Signs Of Housing Turnaround | HousingWire

Zandi: Foreclosure Crisis Biggest Threat To Full U.S. Employment | HousingWire

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The housing market and the overall economy are improving at modest rates nationally, and in some areas they have actually gained momentum. The Conference Board’s CEO confidence index is up a notable 14 points—from 49 last quarter to a current reading of 63. A reading of 50 is the threshold above which indicates an optimistic outlook and below indicates pessimism. Rapidly growing optimism is a good sign for future hiring and growth.

“The recovery is happening, though not at a breakout pace, but we have seen nine consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases,” NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said. “Existing-home sales are moving up and down in a fairly narrow range that is well above the level of activity during the first half of last year. With job growth, low interest rates, bargain home prices, and an improving economy, the pent-up demand is coming to market and we expect housing to be notably better this year.”

As rents continue to rise, buying becomes a more and more attractive option as home affordability, or the percent of income it takes to pay the mortgage, continues to be among the most favorable in history. The current record interest rates, which factor into affordability, cannot last forever—buyers wanting to take advantage of this unique time in history will want to act before rates rise.

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Most Interesting Real Estate News ~ Week Ending 5/5/2012:

American Family Rentals Reach 15-Year High | HousingWire

CoreLogic Report Shows Foreclosures, Delinquencies Slowing | HousingWire

Program Changes May Bring Relief To More Underwater Homeowners | Los Angeles Times

HAMP Mortgage Modifications Shrink 33% In 1st Q | HousingWire

April Housing Scorecard Mixed Bag | HousingWire

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