Existing home sales soar in April

Existing home sales soared in April as home buyers scrambled to claim the tax credit that expired at the end of the month, according to a real estate industry report released Monday.

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Local home sales rise again in April

For the three-month period ending April 30, Southern Oregon Multiple Listing Service reported 433 single-family residences exchanged hands, compared to 371 for the same period in 2009, a 16.7 percent increase.

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New home sales rise at fastest rate in 47 years!

New home sales improved in March at the fastest single-month rate in 47 years, according to a government report released Friday, as buyers snatched up properties ahead of the tax credit that’s set to expire..

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Existing-Home Sales Jump

Existing-home sales rose in March as the percentage of first-time home buyers continued to climb ahead of the expiration of a government tax credit program.

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Pending Home Sales Rise

Americans rushed to sign contracts for previously owned homes in February, signaling a fat tax credit might revive the housing market this spring. Despite snowstorms and joblessness, the National Association of Realtors’ index for pending sales of used homes rose by 8.2% to 97.6, the industry group said Monday.

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A Bold U.S. Plan to Help Struggling Homeowners

The new measures, announced by financial policy makers at the White House on Friday, are among the boldest to date. They are aimed not only at the seven million households that are behind on their mortgages but, in a significant expansion of aid that proved immediately controversial, the 11 million that simply owe more on their homes than they are worth.

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Housing Rises to Highest Level in Seven Months

Housing starts have now risen 21.1% in the past year, the largest year-over-year increase since April 2004. Building permits are up 16.9% in the past year, the largest year-over-year gain since May 2004.

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Home Sales 27% Higher Than Last Year

Bolstered by low interest rates and a first-time home buyers tax credit, existing-home sales rocketed 27.2% from the fourth quarter of 2008 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.03 million, the National Association of Realtors reported Thursday.

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Buyer’s Market Could be Ending Soon

Low interest rates, a federal tax credit for first-time home buyers and declining prices contributed to a 35.4 percent gain in activity last year. But two of the components driving the market — interest rates and tax credits — are likely to be gone by summer house-buying season.

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Ten Important Questions for a Home Inspector

1. What does your inspection cover?

The inspector should ensure that their inspection and inspection report will meet all applicable requirements in your state if applicable and will comply with a well-recognized standard of practice and code of ethics. You should be able to request and see a copy of these items ahead of time and ask any questions you may have. If there are any areas you want to make sure are inspected, be sure to identify them upfront.

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