REAL ESTATE

With home prices still falling, new mortgage delinquencies rising again, millions of mortgages already in the foreclosure pipeline, and consumer confidence in the housing market near nil, President Obama is expected to include some new housing fix in his post-Labor Day speech to the nation on jobs and the economy.

Spring sales are looking very promising in the New Zealand residential real estate market as the median price for homes ticks upward, inventory remains low after a period of distressed property buys and economic confidence improves.

US mortgage brokers have called on the Obama administration and the US Congress to encourage the nation's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to rescind its loan originator compensation rule.

Shelter NSW, a social change agency committed to working for a fair and just housing system, today expressed concern that the NSW Budget does not include sufficient support for the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

Aspiring home buyers in Australia will find that buying a home in NSW has become "simply unachievable" for some, real estate experts have advised. Exemptions on stamp duty will now be restricted to newly built and "off the plan" properties only.

NSW and Queensland broking business Pink Finance is experiencing growth on the back of its charity-focused branding.

The NSW Budget will effectively price many first homebuyers out of the market, a top broker has said.

Brisbane has earned the dubious distinction of recording the largest property declines of any Australian capital city.

The headline rise in housing finance in July is no cause for the Reserve Bank to raise rates, according to peak building and construction organisation Master Builders Australia.

Much more is needed to stimulate an under-performing housing sector, the Housing Industry Association says.

Property developers have welcomed the NSW government's move to scrap stamp duty exemptions for existing homes, arguing it will help improve affordability and boost construction

Mortgage exit fees have drawn a lot of discussion recently, with the Federal Government announcing its plan to legislate against them (one of a range of proposed banking reforms) and the NAB offering to reimburse the exit fees of borrowers who switch to it.

Mortgage sales experienced a surge to their highest volume in over eighteen months according to AFG's latest figures.

Independent brokers may bristle at the idea of coming under the umbrella of a brand, an MPA Top 100 Broker has claimed.

Economist Steve Keen has predicted that a housing market price 'swan dive' is about six months away.

Brokers should focus on what they are really good at when it comes to creating an ideal diversification mix for their business, according to Macquarie Bank.

Rent at Pitt Street Mall in Sydney jumped 33 percent putting it in the fourth spot among the world's most costly real estate properties, Cushman & Wakefield said in its latest report.

ASIC has launched another surveillance program aimed at ferreting out unlicensed credit providers.

The commercial market is quiet, but the next few months could see a flood of interest .

The FBAA will not consider a merger with rival body the MFAA, and the industry is in fact better off with two separate representative associations, according to FBAA president Peter White.

If anyone needed proof of the unique Australian obsession with property as a method of quick capital gain, they need look no further than hit TV show "The Block."

The MFAA will join forces with ASIC to combat mortgage stress, it has been revealed.

At its current pace of construction, Australia could face a housing shortfall of half a million homes by 2020, the HIA has claimed.

The wait is finally over. The finalists for the 10th annual Australian Mortgage Awards (AMAs) have been revealed.

National Mortgage Brokers has predicted brokers will continue to go from strength to strength as it turned 10 yesterday.

Planning Minister John Day is calling for expressions of interest from interested parties to purchase land in the Perth City Link in Western Australia, touted as the most significant inner-city development opportunity in more than a century.

Finance brokers are failing to capitalise on recent growth in the receivables finance market, it has been claimed.

Massive fixed rate discounts have not wooed borrowers as expected.

The housing market is at a "crucial inflexion point", an economist has claimed.