Story Archives of 'Real Estate'

Relief for Long Term Unemployed; Another Boost for Homebuyers

By Jon Greenberg on Thursday, November 5, 2009.

With hundreds of thousands of jobless people about to run out of all benefits, congress has moved to extend unemployment benefits by 14 weeks nationwide for those whose relief has run out, and up to 20 weeks in states — 26 currently — where the unemployment rate is over 8.5 percent.

For the moment, the extra 14 weeks is the number that applies in NH.

The legislation also continues the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers for another five months. It creates a new $6,500 tax credit for certain homeowners who want to buy another home.

Senior Housing Economist Dr. Elliot Eisenberg

By Laura Knoy on Tuesday, October 27, 2009.

The senior housing economist for the National Association of Homebuilders says local housing regulations are driving up prices, pushing citizens away from central hubs and creating more sprawl. Dr. Elliot Eisenberg is visiting New Hampshire this week and he joins us to talk about the state of homebuilding in New Hampshire.

Guest

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August Homes Sale: A Mixed Picture

By Jon Greenberg on Friday, September 18, 2009.

The New Hampshire Association of Realtors is delighted that they now have three consecutive months in which they’ve beaten last year’s numbers. The number of homes sold Aug 09 was 4% higher than in Aug 08. Association president Paul Sargeant said we’re looking at a significant comeback from the worst months at the start of 2009.

That said, realtors are still a bit cautious. The number of homes sold in August was actually lower than in July ( 1169 down to 1096) and home prices are still about 6% down from this time in 2008 when prices had already been falling for awhile.

College Students' Take on the Economy

By Jon Greenberg on Friday, September 18, 2009.

August home sales had a modest gain compared to August a year ago. NHPR’s Jon Greenberg has the details in his weekly take on the state’s economy. It’s part of our ongoing series called Working It Out.

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July Housing Market: Sales Slightly Up, Prices Slightly Down

By Jon Greenberg on Thursday, August 13, 2009.

According to the latest numbers from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, there were about 60 more sales this July than there were in July a year ago. That makes two months in a row of modest increases. It’s not much but it’s enough to encourage association president Paul Sargeant.

“ One month does not make a market, Two months doesn’t. But from an activity standpoint, the results are starting to be more positive.”

Empty Office Space

By Zach Johnk on Wednesday, August 12, 2009.

U.S. businesses have been hit hard by the global recession —- workers laid off, hours cut back. But what happens to all those empty offices?

Some companies have decided they don’t want these “ghosts of prosperity past” serving as reminders of the hardships they now face. So they’re offering the space for free.

A Foreclosure With a Happy Ending?

By Jon Greenberg on Friday, July 17, 2009.

In this week’s economic round-up, the focus is on housing, small business loans, and a foreclosure story that’s on track to a happy ending.

NHPR’s resident economy tracker, Jon Greenberg, has more.

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Housing Market Stays Positive

By Jon Greenberg on Wednesday, June 10, 2009.

May home sales in New Hampshire showed the third straight month of increases since February. The housing market is a far cry from where it was last year. The number of homes sold is down 6 percent and the median price is off by about 15%. But the latest report from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors does contain some brighter news. The pace of sales rose 20% from April and the median price edged up slightly, to $210,000 from $205,000.

New Laws and the New Hampshire Housing Market

By Laura Knoy on Tuesday, June 9, 2009.

March saw good news for real estate watchers, the largest single month increase in sales on a one year basis since July of 2004. But experience shows that one uptick does not a trend make: April’s numbers dropped again and though housing prices have gone up over time, it seems like there may be a rocky road still ahead for homeowners, buyers and sellers. Add to that, several laws both federal and in the state that also have the potential of both helping and hurting the real estate business. We’ll check in on our housing market and see how these new and proposed laws may affect it.

Guests

  • David Darman, NHPR’s business reporter
  • Russ Thibeault, president of Applied Economic Research in Laconia

We'll also hear from

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Not a Good Week in Cars, Homes, and Retail: Round-Up

By Jon Greenberg on Friday, May 15, 2009.

Chrysler and GM’s decision to cut loose car dealers tops this week’s economic round-up from NHPR’s Jon Greenberg. It’s part of our ongoing series on the economy, Working It Out.

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