Category Archives: Real Estate Market Information

Market Conditions for Entry to Remain Tight Despite Drop in Foreclosure Inventory

For the last five to six years, the number of foreclosures has been steadily declining since hitting a peak. December 2015’s total of 32,000 completed foreclosures represented a decline of nearly 73 percent from their monthly peak of 118,000 reached in September 2010, according to the latest data from CoreLogic.  The elevated foreclosure numbers in…
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Distressed Home Sales (REO and Short Sales) Drop to Lowest Level in 7 Years

Sales of distressed homes (REO and short sales) fell to their lowest level in seven years and foreclosure inventory dropped by 34% year-over-year in December 2014, according to CoreLogic's February 2015 The MarketPulse report released on Tuesday. Distressed home sales (REO and short sales) made up 12.8% of total home sales in December 2014, the…
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Home Flipping Drops to Five-Year Low in Q3

Home flipping sales declined nationwide both quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year, hitting their lowest level since the second quarter of 2009, according to RealtyTrac's Q3 2014 U.S. Home Flipping Report released today. The number of home flipping sales, or those in which a home is purchased and sold within 12 months, represented 4 percent of all single-family…
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Is Unemployment Stifling the Housing Market?

The unemployment rate was unchanged in May, staying put at 6.3 percent with 9.8 million Americans unemployed. Unemployment is the lowest it has been since September 2008. However, RealtyTrac's Octavio Nuiry makes the case that there is more to unemployment than percentages, and that a hidden actor is depressing housing market growth—and could cause more problems in the future.…
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Default Rates Decline in April to Lowest Post-Recession Rate

Data through April 2014 showed a decline in the national default rate from March, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices and Experian for the S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices. The indices are a comprehensive measure of changes in consumer credit defaults, released monthly. The national composite default rate recorded its lowest post-recession figure of 1.11%…
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Housing Inventory Continues Fall in January

  Housing inventory declined more than 9 percent over the month of January in the 19 markets in which online real estate brokerage Redfin has a presence, according to the company’s Real-Time Price Tracker for January. The decline marks the fourth consecutive monthly drop in inventory, according to Redfin. "A year ago, we didn't think inventory could go…
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Crisis Over? Foreclosure Sales at 95 Month Low – Down 35% Year Over Year

The national foreclosure crisis is reaching its end as many markets work their way toward normalcy, according to the latest U.S. Foreclosure Market Report from RealtyTrac. As major evidence of this trend, RealtyTrac reports foreclosure starts reached a 95-month low in November. At the same time, overall foreclosure activity across the nation declined by 15%…
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Neighborhood Spotlight : Ballard

Ballard is a Seattle neighborhood that is known for it’s rich history and historic landmarks, but don’t let it’s old charm fool you—it is also one of Seattle’s most hip neighborhoods, and you’ll see why! Located in the northwestern part of Seattle, Washington, Ballard is home to the world famous Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (known…
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