| With US home building activity hitting its highest | | | | addition, the Commerce Department is reporting |
| level in six months, and the national government | | | | the most new home and apartment construction |
| extending payment deadlines in their mortgage | | | | in six months, totaling over 590,000 new units. |
| refinancing programs, the prospects for future | | | | And there may be more activity in the housing |
| home buyers is looking up. This is especially true in | | | | market that serves to drive up prices further. |
| Dallas, Texas, which has been affected by the | | | | Over the past year, real estate agents have |
| housing slump less than many other regions | | | | reported that many buyers and sellers are taking |
| throughout the nation. Not only were housing | | | | a cautious approach to the housing market. People |
| prices inflated less through over development | | | | still want to buy and sell properties for all the |
| than other states, but the Dallas economy has | | | | reasons they used to-couples moving to a place |
| hung on through the worst stages of the recent | | | | with a better school system for their children, |
| recession thanks to a thriving energy market. | | | | retirees moving south for better weather-but |
| Potential homeowners can also take advantage of | | | | because of the uncertainty in the market, they |
| government initiatives designed to help mortgage | | | | are restraining their activities until they are certain |
| owners with making payments. Tax credits are | | | | of growth. This serves to restrict the market until |
| available for first time buyers or others who need | | | | the right trigger causes the economy to settle |
| help restructuring a mortgage. Even those who | | | | back to normal. When the market does settle, |
| don't need or don't qualify for the assistance can | | | | however, it will likely be with a consistent increase |
| take advantage of the looser credit market and | | | | of prices, which favors the seller more than the |
| increase in capital supply that results from these | | | | buyer. |
| initiatives. In any case, the potential buyer will | | | | |
| need to act fast. With the rebound of the | | | | New properties and communities of all locations |
| economy, house prices are on the rise. According | | | | and price ranges are opening up in the Dallas area, |
| to a federal report released at the end of | | | | from the Starcreek community in Allen to |
| February, Dallas was one of three top 10 U.S. | | | | Greenspoint of Prosper. And more than ever, a |
| metro areas that recorded home price gains in | | | | wide range of resources are available to assist |
| 2009, if still behind its fellow Texan city of | | | | homeowners in making their purchase. Whether |
| Houston. Unlike the Standard & Poor's | | | | one requires financial assistance or a virtual tour |
| Case-Shiller Home Price Index, the federal price | | | | of a potential home, online resources are available |
| index includes the value of new homes in its | | | | for the thorough but time-pressed home buyer. |
| calculations. Over the last five years, Dallas | | | | The new abundance of new homes also means |
| housing prices are up about 12 percent, though | | | | that more quick move-in options are available as |
| they are still 6% behind their 2007 peak. In | | | | well. |