U.S. home construction rises 6.8% in May

  WASHINGTON (AP) – June 18, 2013 – U.S. builders stepped up home construction in May and applied for permits to build single-family homes at the fastest pace in five years. The gains show housing remains a key source of growth for the economy. The overall pace of homes started rose 6.8 percent last month…

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U.S. home prices jumped in April by most in 7 years

  WASHINGTON – June 4, 2013 – U.S. home prices increased 12.1 percent in April from a year earlier, the biggest gain since February 2006, as more buyers competed for fewer homes. Real estate data provider CoreLogic says prices rose in April from the previous April in 48 states. Prices also rose 3.2 percent in…

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IRA can help a retiree qualify for a mortgage

  WASHINGTON – June 4, 2013 – A policy revision at Freddie Mac – Fannie Mae has something similar – allows seniors to include money in their individual retirement account (IRA) or 401(k) to qualify for a mortgage, according to Kenneth Harney in the Washington Post. The change could allow baby boomers in retirement to…

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72,000 Floridians to get $1,480 check this month

  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – June 5, 2013 – Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said yesterday that more than 72,000 Floridians who filed valid foreclosure payment claims will receive a check this month for about $1,480. The money is part of the $25 billion, multi-state and federal mortgage settlement reached in 2012. The checks go to…

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