Donald Belanger named Inman News GM

Donald J. Belanger was named general manager of Inman News today.

With a strong background in executive business management, Belanger will lead the independent real estate news service as it adds a host of new products in 2007.

Previously, Belanger was vice president of finance at Inman News.  more...

Inman Blog challenge: What is happening out there?

2006 was billed as the year of the housing correction, and for some the worst is over. Join the Inman News blog discussion on what is happening now in local markets.

The market is turning up, we hear from some sources. Were the housing bears wrong? Are buyers ringing you up, asking for listings and combing your inventory on the Web? If so, we want to hear from you NOW!  more...

Kansas City councilwoman charged in mortgage fraud scheme

A Kansas City, Mo., city councilwoman was one of three people indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday for their alleged roles in a mortgage fraud scheme.

City Councilwoman Saundra A. McFadden-Weaver, 47, was charged with conspiracy and wire fraud in the seven-count indictment, prosecutors said. Also indicted were mortgage broker Ricky L. Hamilton, 52, of Grandview, and Emanuel M.  more...

Weekly mortgage rates start year mixed

Mortgage rates posted mixed results this week on news of improvement in manufacturing and home sales and a disappointing employment report, according to surveys conducted by Freddie Mac and Bankrate.com.

In Freddie Mac's survey, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage held steady at an average 6.18 percent, while the 15-year fixed-rate average inched up to 5.94 percent from last week's 5.93 percent.  more...

Pending real estate sales index drops

A National Association of Realtors gauge of pending home sales fell 11.4 percent in November compared to the same month in 2005, and dropped 0.5 percent compared to October 2006.

Based on contracts signed in November, the Realtor group's Pending Home Sales Index was 107. An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001, the first year to be examined and the first of five consecutive record years for existing-home sales, the association noted.  more...

Real estate journalism competition opens

The National Association of Real Estate Editors is accepting entries in the 57th Annual NAREE Journalism Awards Competition for work published or broadcast during 2006.

The deadline to enter is Feb. 5, 2007. Real estate stories published between Jan. 1, 2006, and Dec. 31, 2006, are eligible.  more...

Existing-home sales lose ground in New York

The buyer's market in New York state continued in November as sales and prices of existing single-family homes fell for the third straight month, according to preliminary data accumulated by the New York State Association of Realtors.

There were 7,802 existing homes sold in November, down 13.8 percent from the November 2005 sales total of 9,053. November's activity fell 11.1 percent from October's sales total of 8,775.  more...