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You Be The Judge: Is The Housing Market Really Improving?
March 21, 2013 Optimists have had no trouble finding fresh evidence to suggest that the real estate market is recovering. Home sales are at the highest levels in years, borrowing rates are at historical lows, and builders are hiring again. But not everyone is convinced that the sector's momentum has staying power.
The Two-Way
Former FDIC Chair: Don't Call It A Housing Recovery Yet
March 13, 2013 Sheila Bair says it's too soon to celebrate over a housing recovery. Bair says a glut of houses could hit the market once prices perk up.
Planet Money
In One Key Way, The Housing Crisis Is Still Going Strong
March 11, 2013 The U.S. housing market is still a ward of the state. Almost all new mortgages — $1.6 trillion last year alone — are guaranteed by taxpayer dollars.
In Miami, A New Condo Boom Revives Hopes Of Housing Recovery
February 22, 2013 At the height of the housing boom, condominium towers popped up on the Miami skyline faster than you'd believe. Once the market crashed, those towers sat vacant. Now, led by foreign buyers, condos are selling again as developers try new, more stringent financing rules.
The Two-Way
Existing Home Sales Rise Again; 'Seller's Market Is Developing,' Realtors Say
February 21, 2013 Sales were up more than 9 percent from a year ago. Realtors report that across much of the nation, would-be buyers are beginning to outpace the supply of homes.
Foreclosure Process Hammers Florida's Housing Market
February 4, 2013 WUSFAs much of the country enjoys the start of a housing recovery, Florida is still being swamped by foreclosures. Experts blame the state's legal process, and they say it will be awhile before the housing market is fully rebuilt in the Sunshine State.
The Two-Way
Home Prices Continue To Rise; Housing Is Now Economic 'Bright Spot'
January 29, 2013 In nearly all major cities across the nation, prices rose at a faster pace in November than they had in October, the latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices report shows. It's another sign that the housing sector has recovered from its bust.
Homebuilding Is Booming, But Skilled Workers Are Scarce
January 17, 2013 More than 2 million construction jobs disappeared during the economic downturn. But now that there are indications the sector is rebounding, the industry is actually experiencing a labor shortage in many parts of the country.
New Mortgage Rules Would Limit Risky Lending
January 10, 2013 The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's new rules that are scheduled to be released Thursday come at a time when regulators and banks are trying to find a middle ground between overly lax and overly tight lending standards. The rules will go into effect next January.
The Two-Way
Big Banks Agree To Pay $8.5 Billion To Settle Foreclosure-Abuse Claims
January 7, 2013 Some borrowers who were mistreated during foreclosures will receive compensation. The payments will range from hundreds of dollars to $125,000. The agreement ends a case-by-case review of the banks' actions.
The Two-Way
Bank Of America To Pay Fannie Mae $3.6B, Buy Back $6.75B In Mortgages
January 7, 2013 The agreement resolves claims against the bank about mortgage-backed securities it sold before the housing bust. Many weren't worth what was promised. Also today, BofA and other banks are expectd to settle claims related to alleged foreclosure abuses.
