Southside Housing Alliance

“…Indianapolis’ recovering commercial real estate markets are poised to continue their comeback in 2011.
An annual “state of real estate” report was released today that brushes a sheen of optimism on the office, industrial and retail markets. After commercial real estate markets tanked in 2009, they partially bounced back last year and stand to strengthen even more this year if hiring and consumer spending grow…”

“…If you’ve been through a foreclosure, you may wonder if there is hope for you to become a homeowner again. The answer is yes, but it will take a while. Know that time is your friend, as the farther you move away from the financial distress, the less negative impact it has. Follow with responsible behavior with your new credit, and you’ll soon have a solid credit file. Here are some strategies to help get you there…”

“…Despite the continuing challenges facing the U.S., nearly eight out of 10 respondents believe buying a home is a good financial decision. And more than two-thirds of respondents say that now is a good time to buy a home, according to NAR’s eighth annual Housing Opportunity Pulse Survey…”

“… Pending home sales jumped 10.4% in October 2010, showing a positive uptrend, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said excellent housing affordability conditions are drawing home buyers. He welcomed the solid double-digit percentage gain and expects home sales will continue to climb…”

“… On the second anniversary of the financial collapse, Americans have a mostly positive outlook on their financial futures. Despite the economy’s sluggish recovery, a new national survey found that nearly seven in 10 Americans have an optimistic outlook about their household finances. The vast majority of Americans (81 percent) say they are more responsible with their household’s money today than two years ago. Many indicated they’ve changed their financial habits…”

“…The economy is stabilizing. Home prices are holding. It’s not just as good a time as ever to buy a house. It’s one of the best times ever. Here are five overlooked reasons why now is a great time to buy a house…”

“…Fannie Mae’s latest national housing survey finds that most Americans believe the housing market has reached bottom. Seventy percent of Americans think it is a good time to buy a house and 67 percent continue to believe that housing is a safe investment. 78 percent believe that home prices either will remain flat or go up over the next year…”

“… Logistics firm plans 100-plus jobs in Greenwood. Illinois-based Caterpillar Logistics Services has told Greenwood officials that it plans to open the distribution center in December…”

“… 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 …”

“… First-timers again have been emerging in response to an extension of the tax credit. Most are driven by traditional first-time buyer values—fulfilling the American dream of homeownership; looking for a place to start a family; building equity instead of paying rent; and gaining independence from mom and dad. So will the wave of first-time buyers continue after the expiration of the tax credit later this spring? It’s still going to be a buyers’ market after the tax credit expires. Interest rates are still at all-time lows, and price declines have greatly improved affordability in many markets. Buyers are still in a position to benefit from purchasing a home, even without the tax credit …”

” … Indianapolis has an overall affordability score of 95.7%, median family income of $68,100 and median home prices are a very reasonable $106,000.

In the three months following the November report, the median home price has increased and the affordability score has gone up as well signaling Indianapolis as even more affordable today … “

“… You’ll come away with a wealth of new information, some answers and perhaps some questions about what we can all do to contribute to the formula for a vibrant central Indiana…”

“… According to the Mortgage Bankers Association… mortgage loan activity increased during the week ending 12/04/09… The upward trend in financing plus the extended tax credit programs could bolster our first quarter activity…”

” … this is confirmation of what we have been saying for months. No one has a crystal ball, but statistics indicate that Indianapolis’ economic recovery is steady and holding…”