Mortgage and Real Estate News: March 2016

Thursday, March 31, 2016

New report shows best and worst markets for buying rental properties

A new report put out by RealtyTrac, a source for comprehensive housing data, released its first quarter 2016 Single Family Rental Market Report, showing the best and worst markets to buy rental properties.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

'Dwell' joins list of spring home tours in metro Phoenix, Arizona

Spring gardens are in bloom, and Valley home tours are in full swing.

For the first time this year, California-based Dwell magazine is hosting a tour of modernist metro Phoenix homes. The upcoming (always sold-out) Modern Phoenix Home Tour explores uptown Phoenix and is hosting more than a dozen free and ticketed events in April for anyone interested in Arizona architecture and architectural history.

Monday, March 28, 2016

President's top housing advisor Michael Stegman leaves office

Top White House advisor on housing policy, Michael Stegman, is leaving his position as of March 25, sources confirmed to HousingWire.

At the end of May last year, Stegman joined the National Economic Council as its top housing official, where he was the White House's top advisor on housing policy.

How to Calculate Gain or Loss on a Bond Redemption

Some bonds have provisions that let companies redeem them early. Find out the tax consequences.

Phoenix homeowners could see first city property-tax rate increase in 20 years

After seeing their city property taxes shrink for years — and then slowly start to grow again — Phoenix homeowners could face a more significant tax increase in the coming year, the first possible city rate increase in about two decades.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Top US Cities for Highest Job Satisfaction, According to Indeed Study

Americans spend an average 47 hours at work each week, adding up to some 2,350 hours over the course of a year. So, it's no wonder workers are looking for a job that not only meets their financial needs but also provides a satisfying work environment. And it turns out that some cities offer more opportunities than others to find that fulfillment, according to a new study.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Chinese insurer acquiring Santa Monica resort, Hotel del Coronado in $6.5-billion portfolio deal

The Loews Santa Monica Beach and the historic Hotel del Coronado near San Diego are being acquired by a Chinese insurance company as part of a $6.5-billion deal.

Blackstone Group, a New York private equity firm, has agreed to sell its Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc., which owns 16 luxury properties, to Anbang Insurance Group, a person familiar with the transaction said Saturday.

First-time homebuyers lose out during the busy U.S. homebuying season

With the U.S. employment rates on the rise and apartment rents increasing, millennials are turning to the busy and competitive U.S. homebuying spring season and trying to purchase a new home.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Report: Metro Phoenix's home prices hit post-crash high

Metro Phoenix's housing market ended 2015 with a bang. Home prices shot up to a post-crash high in December.

The Valley's median sales price climbed to $234,850 during the last month of 2015, according to Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School. That's up almost $10,000 from November's median and highest median sales price since 2008.

High-rise towers coming to Scottsdale Fashion Square?

Already one of the nation's largest and most-profitable shopping malls, Scottsdale Fashion Square could evolve into an urban center with high-rise apartments, offices and hotels, according to plans recently announced by mall owner Macerich.

Renting to tourists? Airbnb wants to collect taxes for you

Legislation introduced Monday aims to make it easier for online home-rental companies to do business in Arizona.

The bill would allow companies such as Airbnb, Homeaway and VBRO to collect state lodging taxes on behalf of property owners while also keeping the properties classified as residential for tax purposes.

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