Topic: Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies

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Will black voters give Obama what he needs in Southern swing states?

Black voters who do go to the polls are near-certain to vote for Obama. But in Virginia and North Carolina, concern is rising that the black voters who sealed the deal for Obama in 2008 will stay home.
Focus Housing market turning a corner? Signs of hope for homeowners.

Rising home values and declining foreclosure rates indicate a slow but steady recovery for the US housing market. Obstacles remain, however, including negative equity due to 'underwater' mortgages.
Focus Rise of the renter delays the dream of homeownership

More Americans seek low-cost rentals instead of homeownership in the post-crash housing market. Affordability is the main challenge with 42 million US households paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing.
Homeownership: biggest fall since Depression

Homeownership rate falls from 66.2 percent to 65.1 percent in the past decade. Homeownership gap between whites and blacks is biggest since 1960.
Home sales at six-month low, showing weakness even in 'peak' season

Home sales in May stood at 4.8 million – down from 5 million in April and lower even than the figure for winter months. Realtor association cites tight credit and severe weather.
Rent or own? Increasingly Americans opt for rental homes.

Homeownership is supposed to be better for neighborhoods and children than renting a home. But the rent or own debate is not so clear-cut?
Home sales silver lining: immigrants set to drive up demand

Homes sales have taken a beating in this recession. But the growth of the immigrant community should result in more home buyers, according to a Harvard study.
Cities, not just banks, are pursuing foreclosures, too

Desperate for revenue, more cities and counties are proceeding with tax foreclosures when residents fall several years behind on their property taxes.
Home prices down – but not as much as the month before

The slowing pace of decline suggests that the US housing market is moving toward stabilization.
As interest rates rise, housing market groans

Higher rates led to a 16 percent drop in mortgage refinancing last week.
With tax credit, consumers give turbines, solar panels a second look

The stimulus package allows buyers to claim a 30 percent tax credit for renewable-energy products.
New effort to modify at-risk home loans

A housing alliance, including some of the nation's biggest lenders, is working with mortgage-service companies to modify loans rather than let them fall into foreclosure.