Housing prices appreciate at slowest rate since 1998

The rate of home-price appreciation continued to slow in the third quarter, confirming a "national deceleration in house prices," the director of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight said today.  more...

Real estate company launches neighborhood videos

Real estate brokerage company Real Living has embraced online video content with the announcement of the addition of 45 neighborhood videos from key markets to its Web site at www.realliving.com.

The three- to five-minute videos profile communities in key Ohio markets, including Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton and Cincinnati, and highlight local culture, landmarks, restaurants, shopping and other amenities, according to a company announcement.

"Now buyers have another tool to explore potential neighborhoods for their next hom  more...

Mortgage rates approach 2006 lows

Mortgage rates came down for the third straight week, as the decline in consumer confidence and home prices kept a lid on economic growth, Freddie Mac and Bankrate.com reported today in their weekly surveys.

In Freddie Mac's survey, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to an average 6.14 percent this week, down from 6.18 percent a week ago, and is at its lowest level since late January when the rate averaged 6.12 percent, Freddie Mac said.

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage this week approached a 10-month low, as the average fell to 5.87 percent from 5.91 percent last week.  more...

East Coast real estate markets falter

More slowing occurred in East Coast real estate markets in October, as sales in South Carolina and Massachusetts continued to dwindle amid falling prices, according to Realtor associations in both states.

Home sales in South Carolina fell for the fifth straight month in October, and the overall median home price dropped from both its September and year-ago levels, according to statistics provided by the South Carolina Association of Realtors.

According to SCAR statistics, there were 5,135 home sal  more...

HUD announces grants for construction training

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson today announced $45.5 million in grants to assist students aged 16-24 in earning a high school diploma and receiving job training for the construction trades.

These Youthbuild grants are expected to be offered to about 3,075 students and will support the construction of 702 homes for low-income families that will serve as training for the grant program participants, according to the HUD announcement.  more...

Businesses grow cautious as labor costs rise

A key indicator that measures job offerings in major U.S. newspapers edged up in October, but businesses aren't likely to start hiring in droves any time soon, The Conference Board reported today.  more...

Overnight real estate rates dip again

Long-term mortgage interest rates continued lower Wednesday, and the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yield edged up to 4.52 percent.

The 30-year fixed-rate average dipped to 5.66 percent, and the 15-year fixed rate sank to 5.43 percent. The 1-year adjustable held at 5.3 percent.

The 30-year Treasury bond yield increased to 4.62 percent.

Rates are current as of 7:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.  more...