QUOTE OF THE WEEK… “It is wise to keep in mind that neither success nor failure is ever final.”–Roger Babson, American entrepreneur and business theorist
INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE… That’s a good thought as we watch the housing market, once doomed to failure, turn into a more successful enterprise. A national online real estate site surveyed more than 100 professional forecasters — economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists. They see growing optimism in the housing market, expecting home prices to rise 3.1% in 2013, after ending 2012 UP more than 4.6%. The site’s chief economist commented, “An organic recovery in the housing market really took hold in the latter half of 2012.”
He added: “Record levels of affordability and an improving overall economic picture… have us well positioned for continued growth, albeit slightly slower, in 2013 and beyond.” Case-Shiller’s chief economist offered, “It is clear the housing recovery is gathering strength… that housing is now contributing to the economy.” Finally, in their latest forecast, Fannie Mae economists expect 2013 existing home sales UP 9.6%, new home sales UP 19.5%, and rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages to stay near historical lows.
Courtesy of Nicole Walker, Sterling Bank
