The following commentary was wrriten by Lawrence Yun who is the chief economist of the National Association of Realtors:
The extension and expansion of the home buyer tax credit can be counted on to help home sales throughout the first half of this year, but how will markets fare after the credit expires on April 30 [...]

One of my agents is presently working with a couple who may need to do a short sale with their Boston condo. What I’ve learned from this couple, when short selling your place, make sure that you know that it will be hard on your relationship. Short selling your home is very stressful – and [...]

The number of condos for sale on Feb 26, 2009 – 1,758.
The number of condos for sale on Feb 26, 2010 – 1,826.
So far, no signs of “shawdow inventory” flooding the market.
Source: MLS.

Michael reviews coverage of New Balance’s plan for a major $250 million mix-used development around NB’s Brighton headquarters off the Pike. But there’s only one small problem: nearby property owners say New Balance doesn’t own their land.
Michael goes over a number of explanations and adds:
But a more conspiratorial theory has been discussed around the neighborhood [...]

Well, that all depends on the price range.
$300,000 – and under: 148 sold. 106 days on the market.
$301,000 – $600,000: 144 sold. 115 days on the market.
$601,000 – $900,000: 31 sold. 132 days on the market.
$901,000 – $1.400,000: 21 sold. 116 days on the market.
$1,401,000 – $2M: 11 sold. 92 days on the market.
$2mil plus: [...]

It sounds like the push is on again for another extension of the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit, despite assurances that the current extension would be the last.
The Wall Street Journal writes that the National Association of Realtors and other industry groups already are in lobbying mode, telling Congress that an extension of the program is [...]

From the WSJ:
WASHINGTON—Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke Wednesday said the U.S. economy still needs record-low interest rates for several months at least because the recovery from its deep recession is expected to be slow.
In his semiannual monetary policy testimony to the House Financial Services Committee, the Fed chief said the U.S. central bank is [...]

It’s not the same as yelling, “We’re Number 1!” But Number 6 isn’t bad, considering it’s from the S&P Case-Shiller index that ranks the 10 most healthy housing markets in the nation. Boston ranks sixth.
Next time someone complains too much about the local housing market, remind them it could be worse, like anywhere in Florida [...]

To everyone who claims that our wealthiest citizens pay more than their fair share of income taxes and we should cut them a break because they’re the ones who, you know, create jobs in our economy, I have four words for you:
Frank and Jamie McCourt.
The McCourts, who own the Los Angeles Dodgers (so she says; [...]

A proposed federal rule that some people say could eliminate seller financing for residential real estate is generating concern among investors and the real estate community.
Two years ago, Congress enacted the Secure and Fair Enforcement Mortgage Licensing Act. The SAFE Act is designed to improve the accountability of loan originators, combat fraud and enhance [...]