http://www.rdbmagazine.com RDBMagazine.com en-us Copyright 2010 Cygnus Business Media Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:04:57 -0500 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:04:57 -0500 Latest News http://www.rdbmagazine.com RDBMagazine.com http://www.rdbmagazine.com/global/rsslogo.jpg 88 31 Latest News http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Market-News/Mortgage-application-activity-sees-uptick/32$3968 http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Market-News/Mortgage-application-activity-sees-uptick/32$3968 The number of mortgage applications for home purchases increased 5.7 percent last week compared to the previous week on a seasonally adjusted basis and was up 7.2 percent on an unadjusted basis. The refinance share of mortgage activity was as low as it has been since October 2009. rss@rdbmagazine.com Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:48:00 -0500 Latest News http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Market-News/Study--New-homes-use-less-water-than-existing-homes/32$3964 http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Market-News/Study--New-homes-use-less-water-than-existing-homes/32$3964 New homes built to today’s standards use far less water than homes built 20 years ago, according to a new study. Newer homes saved more than 15,000 gallons of water per year when compared to homes built in 1990. The study also reveals outdoor water use accounts for 57 percent of total household water consumption, representing an area where significant savings could be realized. rss@rdbmagazine.com Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:48:00 -0500 Latest News http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Market-News/Survey-identifies-outdoor-living-trends-for-2010/32$3962 http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Market-News/Survey-identifies-outdoor-living-trends-for-2010/32$3962 While outdoor living continues to grow in popularity, expect fewer frills this year as homeowners get back to the basics in a cool economy. The most popular outdoor entertainment features eschewed more expensive, elaborate items in favor of the essentials, according to a survey of landscape architects. rss@rdbmagazine.com Sun, 7 Mar 2010 10:46:00 -0500 Latest News http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Industry-News/Pending-home-sales-drop-76-percent-in-January/1$3963 http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Industry-News/Pending-home-sales-drop-76-percent-in-January/1$3963 The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in January, fell 7.6 percent to 90.4 from an upwardly revised 97.8 in December, but remains 12.3 percent higher than January 2009, when it was 80.5. January pending sales, though still higher than one year ago, remain much lower than expected given that a large number of potential buyers are eligible for the expanded home buyer tax credit. Moreover, the abnormally severe and prolonged winter weather, which affected large regions of the U.S., hampered shopping activity in February. rss@rdbmagazine.com Sun, 7 Mar 2010 10:43:00 -0500 Latest News http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Market-News/First-time-home-buyer-tax-credit-expiring-soon/32$3961 http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Market-News/First-time-home-buyer-tax-credit-expiring-soon/32$3961 The NAHB wants potential home buyers to be aware that they still have the opportunity to take advantage of the $8,000 first-time home buyer or $6,500 repeat buyer tax credits, as long as they act quickly--the credits expire on April 30, 2010. Close to 70 percent of all potential buyers should qualify for some form of a credit. Repeat buyers may be eligible for a new $6,500 credit, as long as they have owned and lived in their current home at least five consecutive out of the past eight years. rss@rdbmagazine.com Sun, 7 Mar 2010 10:41:00 -0500 Latest News http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Industry-News/Existing-home-sales-down--prices-steady-/1$3951 http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Industry-News/Existing-home-sales-down--prices-steady-/1$3951 Existing-home sales — including single-family, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops — dropped 7.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.05 million units in January from a revised 5.44 million in December, but remain 11.5 percent above the 4.53 million-unit level in January 2009. rss@rdbmagazine.com Sun, 7 Mar 2010 10:43:00 -0500 Latest News http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Market-News/Home-prices-send-mixed-messages/32$3949 http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Market-News/Home-prices-send-mixed-messages/32$3949 The S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, which covers all nine U.S. census divisions, recorded a 2.5% decline in the fourth quarter of 2009 versus the fourth quarter of 2008. This is a significant improvement over the annual rates reported in the first, second and third quarters of the year. As measured by prices, the housing market is definitely in better shape than it was this time last year, as the pace of deterioration has stabilized for now. rss@rdbmagazine.com Sun, 7 Mar 2010 10:39:00 -0500 Latest News http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Industry-News/New-home-sales-decline-in-January/1$3950 http://www.rdbmagazine.com/web/online/Industry-News/New-home-sales-decline-in-January/1$3950 Sales of newly built, single-family homes declined 11.2 percent in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 309,000 units, the slowest pace on record. This disappointing report highlights just how fragile the economic and housing recovery is right now, and the uncertainties that continue to weigh on consumers, particularly with regard to concerns about job security. rss@rdbmagazine.com Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:04:00 -0500 Latest News RDBMagazine.com: Latest News http://www.rdbmagazine.com/online/section.jsp?siteSection=29 http://www.rdbmagazine.com rss@rdbmagazine.com Tue, 1 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500