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Contracts to buy homes hits 2-year high in July
WASHINGTON — Americans signed the most contracts to buy homes in July than at any other point in the last two years, further evidence of a housing recovery. The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that its index of sales agreements for previously occupied homes jumped 2.4 percent in July to 101.7. That’s higher than […]
Small unpaid tax bills cost many their homes
WASHINGTON — The elderly and other vulnerable homeowners are losing their homes because they owe as little as a few hundred dollars in back taxes, according to a report from a consumer group. Outdated state laws allow big banks and other investors to reap windfall profits by buying the houses for a pittance and reselling […]
Northeast Baltimore after the storm
Daily Record Photographer Maximilian Franz was in Northeast Baltimore on Monday to see how the community was recovering from Friday night's deadly storm -- and dealing with scorching temperatures.
Realities of Real Estate: 1 year later, housing shortage could be real
Exactly one year ago, we speculated that there may be a housing shortage in the not-too-distant future. Last June we wrote: What most people fail to recognize is that our population is constantly growing. Right now, the United States has about 310 million people. We’re the third largest population in the world, behind China and […]
Capturing old, new in Greektown
Down the street from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, two new clusters of luxury rowhouses are the latest addition in an ongoing revival of Greektown, for years a staid, traditional enclave on Baltimore’s eastern rim. The first five units of a planned 121 homes opened last month at O’Donnell Square at 755 S. Macon St. […]
Moratorium called for Baltimore City water and sewer liens
A moratorium on placing liens on city houses solely for unpaid water or sewer charges will be introduced Monday night at the Baltimore City Council following a scathing audit that showed widespread problems in the city’s billing system. City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young and City Councilman Carl Stokes said Monday they planned to […]
Foreclosure activity edges higher in January
LOS ANGELES — Banks took back more U.S. homes in January than in the previous month, the latest sign that foreclosures are accelerating after slowing sharply last year while lenders sorted out foreclosure-abuse claims. Foreclosures rose 8 percent nationally last month from December, but were down 15 percent from a year earlier, foreclosure listing firm […]
Home sales up at end of dismal year, offering hope
WASHINGTON — Home sales in December reached their highest pace in nearly a year. The gain coincided with other signs that the troubled U.S. housing market improved at the end of last year. Analysts cautioned that sales remain historically low and that it will take years for the home market to return to full health. […]
It’s been a busy week for Maryland’s insurance agents
First came the earthquake. Then the hurricane. Now comes the bill. And with any luck, you have a decent insurance policy that will cover the cost of most, if not all, of the damages sustained in one or both natural disasters. The problem is, a lot of people don’t know exactly how they’re covered, and […]
U.S. builders’ outlook falls amid weakening sales
WASHINGTON — The outlook among U.S. homebuilders has been grim all year. This month, it became grimmer. An index that measures builders’ sentiment for their industry fell three points in June to 13, the National Association of Home Builders said Monday. That’s the lowest level in nine months. And it’s just five points above the […]
Construction spending rose in March
WASHINGTON — Builders began work on more office buildings, hotels and factories in March, lifting U.S. construction spending after three straight monthly declines. Construction spending rose 1.4 percent in March, the Commerce Department said Monday. It was the biggest advance since last April and was helped by a rise in spending on home-improvement projects. The […]
PG vocational students learn while they build
CLINTON – At the end of a road in a sleepy subdivision dotted with manicured lawns and pricey cars, a symphony of power tools cuts through the quiet at a house under construction. But this is no ordinary house. The house is a student-built project, collaboration between the Prince George’s County Public Schools and the […]
