Dee

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says that existing-home sales, a market indicator followed by economists and analysts, probably will slow in the northeast U.S. for the balance of 2012 as the Sandy superstorm disrupts deals.

A spokesman for the NAR said that closings may be delayed, and most closings occur at the end of each month. Some multiple listing services that supply data to the NAR may be incapacitated, while sales elsewhere won’t be completed because of bank and More...

Dee

Due to low prices and the relative weakness of the dollar, international buyers continue to identify the U.S. as a desirable place to own property and make a profitable investment.

According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2012 Profile of the International Home Buying Activity survey, total residential international sales in the U.S. for the past year ending March 2012 equaled $82.5 billion, up from $66.4 billion in 2011. Total international sales were evenly split More...

gretchen

International buyers now account for more than 20 percent of the United States real estate market, with a significant proportion from China, according to a recent survey by the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA).

Among all deals closed during the past 12 months, 30 percent were for premium homes valued at more than $1 million, the survey showed. Strong demand from China and other international buyers has boosted an otherwise challenging market.

Figures from More...

gretchen

Politicians need to be very clear about one thing: Americans don’t want anyone messing with the popular mortgage interest tax deduction, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

The tax break is favored by the real estate industry but is the bane of most economists who consider it a waste of money amid concern about the federal budget deficit.

There are detailed proposals to replace the mortgage interest deduction with a tax credit targeted to entry-level More...

gretchen

The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that its advance estimate place economic growth at a 2.5 percent annual rate during the third quarter, more than three times the pace of the first half of the year. The most important contribution to Gross Domestic Product was domestic aggregate demand, which rose 3.6 percent annualized, the second biggest quarterly gain in five years.

Some positive news also came from the latest retail sales report, which showed the fifth straight monthly More...

Lance

Mortgage Bailout Tab May Hit $259 Billion

The Denver Post reported on October 22nd that the government projects that the expensive bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will cost the taxpayers as much as $259 billion.  That figure would be nearly twice the amount Fannie and Freddie have received so far.  To date, the rescue of the two companies has cost taxpayers $135 billion to the Treasury Department as dividends. 

By contrast, according to the Post article More...

Angela

We interviewed John Fitzpatrick, General Sales Manager for the Kentwood Company and Roger Campbell, President of the Kentwood Companies prior to the 2008 Real Estate & Economic Forum to get their take on Denver’s economy during these uncertain times. View their responses and insight More...

Lance

The Kentwood Companies’ Colorado Real Estate & Economic Forum attracted more than 1,000 current and past Kentwood clients, agents, and business affiliates interested in hearing from leading experts addressing a variety of topics. Held Tuesday, October 28^th at the DTC Marriott, the Forum showcased information presentations that mostly projected a solid future for More...

Angela

Many of you have been asking for copies of the presentation materials from Tuesday’s event. Below are links to download all of our Power Point presentations along with a copy of the program and handouts.

Click on the links below to download a pdf.

Kentwood Companies 2008 Real Estate & Economic More...

Lance

KCNC Channel 4 News lead the 10:00 evening news with a story yesterday heralding the success of the Kentwood Companies first Real Estate & Economic Forum, moderated by Peter Niederman, COO, Kentwood Companies. The story included a live shot in front of 478 St. Paul featured by More...