Last year was probably one of the most affordable years ever to buy a house as prices bottomed and mortgage interest rates hit record lows.The National Assn. of Realtors reported that 2012 will probably go down as a record year for housing affordability, according to its affordability index. That measure, which is calculated based on the median home price, family income and the average mor ... [Read more]

Home buyers’ optimism contributes to recovering housing market, C.A.R. survey finds In a sign of an improving housing market, California home buyers are more optimistic about the housing market now than they were three years ago, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ (C.A.R.) “2012 Survey of California Home Buyers.” More home buyers this year believe that home prices will rise, with 25 percent saying prices will rise in one year; 41 percent ... [Read more]