All articles by Monte Helme

  1. Overpricing Homes: Sellers #1 Mistake When Listing Their Home by Monte Helme

    Home sellers said that overpricing was the biggest mistake they made when listing their homes. Next worst mistake is dealing with the same real estate agent who represented the buyer.

  2. In 2006 Projected U.S. Home Sales To Be Second Best In History, Key Industry Observers Predict; Cons by Monte Helme

    In 2005 7.07 million home sales set a real estate record for fifth straight year. After five consecutive record years of existing homes for sale nationwide, key real estate industry observers are optimistic that 2006 will be the second best year in history and that the national median home prices will continue to increase, although at a slower pace that last year's 10.5%.

  3. U.S. Homeowners Oppose Proposal To Replace Home Mortgage Interest Rates Deduction With 15% Tax Credi by Monte Helme

    Only six percent of homeowners said they favored the proposal. The remaining nine percent said they were undecided.

  4. Real Estate: Homes on Market Taking Much Longer to Sell, in Past Six Months by Monte Helme

    On average, the length of time required from real estate listing to contract has increased dramatically in the U.S. in the past six months, according to HouseHunt's latest national "Current Market Conditions" homes for sale activity survey. Seventy-five percent of respondents said it is now taking more than 30 days. Of that figure, 30% said it is taking more than 60 days.

  5. Real Estate Home Prices to Cool in 2006 - Soft Landing Projected for Current Record Housing Boom by Monte Helme

    The five-year boom in existing and new housing sales in many U.S. housing markets is expected to cool in 2006 but final results should still be second best in history, according to projections by top industry economists. National average home price appreciation is also expected to slow from an unsustainable rate of 12.7% this year to about 5.0% next year.

  6. Real Estate: Inventory of Unsold Homes Growing Steadily Across the Nation by Monte Helme

    The nation's inventory of unsold homes – an important component of a more balanced housing market in the second half of 2005 – is growing steadily in many areas of the country even though buyer demand continues strong, according to the latest HouseHunt, Inc., quarterly "Current Market Conditions" survey. The percentage of member real estate agents reporting plentiful vs. limited supplies increased from 33% in the first quarter to 38% in April, May and June.