Sales of new single-family homes clung to their same bumpy path again last month, unexpectedly slipping to their weakest annual pace since March, the Census Bureau said Monday. Neither markedly stronger nor dramatically weaker, sales over the past 10 months haven’t moved much. “The new-home sales figures by now have that lived-in feeling, with few
Home builders’ confidence surges thanks to better jobs market
Home builders’ confidence in the housing market surged in July, thanks in part to robust jobs growth in June. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gained four points in July, hitting 53. That’s the first time it’s cleared 50 — the dividing line between good sales conditions for new single-family homes
A new path for Atlanta’s suburbs
In Sandy Springs, the next wave of building demolitions are set to begin this weekend in an aging commercial district on Roswell Road, clearing the way for a new city center. In Alpharetta, developers such as North American Properties and Selig Enterprises Inc. are considering ideas for a downtown development that could bring new restaurants
What do FICO Changes Mean for Consumers?
There are changes coming to FICO, a broadly used credit score, that may mean higher credit scores for many consumers. Banks, credit card issuers, auto lenders and other businesses use those scores to decide whether to lend to consumers and how much interest to charge them. A higher score could get you better terms on
Metro Atlanta housing market surges in Q3
IN THE RIGHT LOCATIONS WITH THE RIGHT PRODUCT AND PRICING THE SALES PACE CONTINUES TO RISE. MUSIC TO OUR EARS. Atlanta’s new home starts spiked 76 percent annually and closings jumped 37 percent in the third quarter. Metro Atlanta’s housing market performed quite nicely in the third quarter, according to national housing information and consulting
GEORGIA HAS NO 1 BUSINESS CLIMATE FOR 2013
This will continue to bode well for our industry as business’ are attracted to our State: ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————- Economic development trade publication Site Selection magazine has ranked Georgia’s business climate the nation’s best, Gov. Nathan Deal announced Monday. “For three years, I’ve said I wouldn’t stop until we got to the top, and I haven’t,” the
Atlanta has nation’s most affordable housing
Personal incomes aren’t growing quick enough nationally to keep up with rising home prices, but Atlanta is the nation’s most affordable housing market, a new report from Interest.com says. Personal incomes aren’t growing quick enough nationally to keep up with rising home prices, but Atlanta is the nation’s most affordable housing market, a new report
Mortgage lenders are starting to accept lower credit scores and smaller down payments.
Last month, the average FICO score for a closed home loan was 732, down from 750 a year ago, shows data from mortgage tracker Ellie Mae. The average down payment was 19%, vs. 22% a year ago. What’s more, almost one-third of closed loans had FICO scores under 700, vs. 17% a year ago. The
New-Home Sales Not So August
Mortgage Rate increases over the last few months has played a role in our home sales pace. It is important to keep our pulse on this data moving forward as we strategically position our neighborhoods and make the proper assumptions in our absorptions. —————————————————————————————————————————– Metro Atlanta home prices rose in August, but
Mortgage lenders are starting to accept lower credit scores and smaller down payments.
Last month, the average FICO score for a closed home loan was 732, down from 750 a year ago, shows data from mortgage tracker Ellie Mae. The average down payment was 19%, vs. 22% a year ago. What’s more, almost one-third of closed loans had FICO scores under 700, vs. 17% a year ago. The