Data and information management

A LendingTree survey reveals that now is an ideal time for prospective homebuyers to purchase a property before interest rates and prices go up.

For the first time in six weeks the Zillow Mortgage Rate Ticker finds the average rate for the 30-year fixed rate mortgage to be lower than the week before, a drop of five basis points to 3.88%.

Less than 1% of FHA single-family loans originated in June 2011 through May 2013 are 90 days or more past due.

Prices of condominiums are starting to play catch up with single-family homes.

The Census Bureau reported that single family starts rose to a 599,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate in May from a 597,000 rate in April.

When compared with May 2012, prices in California increased 32%, going to $417,350 from $316,460.

A DataQuick report revealed more counties experienced home price increases in May compared to the prior month, with a notable surge occurring in cities located within the Mountain Time Zone.

For the first time since April 2006, home builders view conditions for sales of newly built single-family homes as good, the National Association of Home Builders said.

Redfin said active listings are down 22% from a year ago, but this is likely to turnaround to a positive number before the end of the year.

Sales of California homes and condominiums rose 8% in May from the prior month, according to DataQuick.

Home prices in Texas have recovered from the housing downturn as they are now 7% above the pre-recession peak recorded in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Regulators, creditors, accountants and shareholders all have increased focus on this asset. Basel III implementation may further exacerbate this.

A report from Fannie Mae said while the nation’s economy may be growing, it hasn’t reached its full potential yet due to fiscal headwinds.

The median price paid for a home in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area in May was $519,000, up 1.8% from $510,000 in April and up 29.8% from $400,000 in May 2012.

Barclays is forecasting a year-to-year 9.7% rise in U.S. home prices by the end of 2013 and a 7.2% increase in 2014, based on first-quarter data.

The average consumer rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage rose for the sixth straight week in Freddie Mac’s survey, nearing 4%.

During May, there were 148,054 U.S. properties with a foreclosure filing, up 2% from the prior month, but still down 28% compared to May 2012.

The Amherst Securities Group expects to see a significant drop in loan modifications over the next 12 months due in part to rising house prices and lower re-defaults on modifications.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency reported Wednesday morning that 294,300 HARP refinancings were completed in the first quarter, compared to 297,460 in the fourth quarter of 2012.

During the month of May, 23,034 new and resale houses and condominiums sold in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Orange counties.