RE/MAX Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction in 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Study Results from the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Home Buyer/Seller StudySM, recognize RE/MAX for providing the highest overall consumer satisfaction for both home buyers and home sellers. In last year’s study, two different companies ranked the highest in each category, but this… Read More

Applications for home mortgages surged last week, racking up the biggest increase in four months on a flood of refinancing demand as interest rates remained low, an industry group said on Wednesday. The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted index of mortgage application activity, which includes both refinancing and home purchase demand, spiked up… Read More

It may be a down market, but the majority of Americans still see value in homeownership. According to a recent survey, conducted on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), “An overwhelming 75 percent of the people who were polled said that owning a home is worth the risk of the fluctuations in… Read More

Over the past week, sparks of good news indicating a step in the right direction for the economic recovery kept mortgage rates steady and still at their lowest for 2011. For the first time in eight months, U.S. home prices showed a slight increase as reported by Case Shiller Home Price Indices. Freerateupdate.com’s daily survey… Read More

The down market may have left depressed home values across much of the nation, but an overwhelming 72 percent of renters still say owning a home is a top priority. The National Association of Realtors’® (NAR) 2011 National Housing Pulse Survey revealed that homeownership, and access to it, are on the minds of renters. “Despite… Read More

When you’re a kid, the family cottage means long, fun days playing outside during Canada’s brief summer season. When you become a teenager you can invite friends and the cottage becomes party central. When you become an adult and your parents pass the cottage on to you and your siblings, it can become a battlefield…. Read More

Down by the beach, Newport area real estate for sale looks up recently. For the 22 business days ending June 15 — latest DataQuick stats — 78 residences sold in Newport area vs. 72 deals closed in the matching period a year ago — a 8.3% increase over the past 12 months. At the community… Read More

The market for housing for sale in the 92679 ZIP code in the Trabuco/Coto area looked peppy in early June. For the 22 business days ending June 15 — latest DataQuick stats … 62 Trabuco/Coto residences sold vs. 40 deals closed in the matching period a year ago — a 55.0% increase over the past… Read More

The number of Orange County construction workers in May was 200 jobs higher than a year ago. That’s no hiring spree but it’s the first year-over-year gain since December 2006. State Employment Development Dept. stats show Orange County construction bosses reported 67,000 workers in May — up 1,800 from April. That’s the largest month-to-month gain… Read More

Real estate for sale in Laguna Hills appeared peppy in early June. For the 22 business days ending June 15 — latest DataQuick stats … 36 Laguna Hills residences sold vs. 33 deals closed in the matching period a year ago — a 9.1% increase over the past 12 months. Countywide sales declined 16% in… Read More