Southside Housing Alliance

“…Thanks in part to interest rates continuing at all-time lows, home affordability in the U.S. remains near the most attractive levels in 10 years. The housing market is performing better than the predictions made over a year ago. Families continue to benefit from the lowest rates in history on 30-year fixed mortgages. Improved home affordability is continuing to provide opportunities for prospective, qualified home buyers…”

“…Total annual home sales are rising above 2009 and we’re looking for overall gains again this year as well as in 2011. Conditions have become more balanced in much of the country, which is good for both buyers and sellers. However, consumers find it even more challenging to navigate the transaction process, especially for distressed properties, which only underscores the value Realtors bring to buyers and sellers in this market…”

“… Money Magazine recently released their annual “Best Places To Live” Top 100 list of recommended cities. Indiana had two top 100 finishers – even better, they were both in the top 15. The Town of Fishers, IN came in as the eighth best place to live; whereas, the City of Carmel was 14th on the list…”

“… Even with home prices sliding in some areas and mortgage rates the lowest in decades, the vast majority of Americans do not regret buying their current home. In fact, 90 Percent of Americans Do Not Regret Buying Their Current Home …”

Average home prices in June in the nine-county Indianapolis area shot up 7 percent.
According to data compiled recently, 2,253 homes sold in central Indiana in June 2010. The average home price in June 2010 was $159,142, roughly 7 percent higher than the $149,373 recorded a year earlier.
“The gain in home prices is a hopeful sign [...]

“… There’s a reason homeownership is the foundation of the American Dream. While lately the economy has presented some challenges, it has also helped us focus on what matters most: the value of owning a home. It’s reminded us that home is where we make memories, build our future and feel comfortable and secure…”

“… Homeownership is about more than buying a home – you have to make sure you can keep the home over the long term. If you’re thinking about buying a home, these steps can help ensure you get the right house for you and the affordable financing that helps make homeownership a long-term success …”

“… June is National Homeownership Month – a time to celebrate the American dream of owning a home. Record low interest rates and recent tax credits for first-time homebuyers have enticed many families to turn their dream of homeownership into a reality. Home is more than a place to live; it’s a financial asset, a place to raise a family, and an investment in the community…”

“… Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership (INHP) is celebrating National Homeownership Month by hosting a series of homeownership fair Block Parties. All Block Parties include one-on-one credit assessments and INHP’s Money Management class—right on site—plus free family fun, including a kids’ area, live local entertainment, prizes and giveaways, snacks, and an exhibitor area where visitors can get to know area businesses and resources. The Southside Block Party is: June 26th at the University of Indianapolis Schwitzer Student Center on Hanna, 10am to 4pm …”

“… This amendment does not extend the deadline for home buyers to qualify for the tax credit; it extends the deadline for closing the transaction, from June 30 to Sept.30 for qualified home purchasers, who through no fault of their own, are not able to meet the closing deadline. Since these applications were already in the pipeline and figured into the program’s cost, the extension of the closing deadline should not incur any further government costs …”

“… Today’s report is very encouraging because it indicates that homeownership continues its more than year-long trend of remaining within reach of more households than it has for almost two decades. With interest rates still hovering at low levels, companies starting to hire new employees and the economy beginning to rebound, this should encourage more home buyers to enter the market and help further stabilize housing and the economy …”

“… Existing home sales in the Indianapolis area continued an upward trend, rising 25 percent in April. In the eight-county metro area, 2,140 homes were sold in April, compared with 1,711 in the same month last year. Median prices also saw an increase, up 13.7 percent, which marks the seventh consecutive month of median price increases …”

“… Here are the 5 metro areas where the average American family can easily afford to purchase a median-priced home – and the 5 where they can’t. Indianapolis ties for the first place spot on the list of Top 5 Most Affordable Cities and New York tops the list of Least Affordable …”

“… Pending sales for April were up 33.39 percent from last year, which is the highest number ever recorded for an April in the BLC® for Central Indiana. In April Single Family home sales in Central Indiana jumped more than 15 percent, compared to a year earlier thanks to the federal homebuyer tax credit which sparked the increase. Also in April, the average price of a single family home went up for the sixth straight month …”

“… The recent expiration of the 2010 Home Buyer Tax Credits is unlikely to put off Americans looking to purchase homes who believe now is a good time to buy and are confident that home prices will rise according to a new survey which shows that most consumers believe the market has hit bottom and are more optimistic about the future …”