U.S. Census Bureau Releases Detailed Information on Nation's Housing; Monthly Housing Costs Reach $1,000 for Homeowners

/PRNewswire/ -- The nation's homeowners paid a median of $1,000 in monthly housing costs in 2009, compared with $808 for renters, according to data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. However, renters usually paid a higher percentage of their household income on these costs than did owners (31 percent compared with 20 percent).

These new figures come from the 2009 American Housing Survey, the definitive source of information on the quality of housing in the United States. Statistics are provided for apartments, single-family homes, manufactured housing, new construction and vacant housing units.

Issued jointly every two years by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, this survey provides detailed information on the characteristics of the nation's housing stock.

A wide range of specific topics is covered, such as the presence of air conditioning, crowding, housing costs, special living services offered to older residents, safety equipment present, type of heating fuel used, satisfaction with the neighborhood, cost of utilities and size of the home. The survey also covers the demographic characteristics of the housing units' occupants.

"So many of these measures are really unique to this survey," notes Tamara Cole, chief of the Census Bureau's American Housing Survey Branch. "Together they provide a comprehensive view of the quality of the nation's housing stock. This survey is also a longitudinal one, meaning it follows the same unit over time. For example, you can track the remodeling done to a specific unit from one survey to the next."

The 2009 survey indicates that respondents are generally quite content with where they live: about 70 percent rate their homes an 8, 9, or 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 with 28 percent giving them the "best" rating of 10. Residents of new construction tend to rate their homes even more highly: 84 percent gave them between an 8 and 10, and 45 percent gave a perfect 10 rating. Likewise, more than two-thirds of residents (68 percent) rated their neighborhood highly with 25 percent giving it a "best" rating. People living in newly built homes rate their neighborhoods especially highly: 75 percent (rated highly) and 35 percent (rated best), respectively. (See Graphs 1 and 2.)

Other highlights for the nearly 112 million occupied housing units:
-- The median year housing units were built was in 1974, with
owner-occupied units being slightly newer (median of 1975 compared
with 1971 for renter-occupied units).
-- The median purchase price of homes was $107,500; for a newly
constructed home, it was $240,000.
-- Thirty-two percent of owner-occupied units were owned free and clear,
66 percent had a regular and/or home equity mortgage and 2 percent had
only a line-of-credit.
-- The most important consideration for recent movers in choosing their
homes was financial (28 percent), followed by room layout/design (15
percent) and size of home (10 percent). Furthermore, the most common
reasons recent movers had for choosing their neighborhoods were
convenience to job (20 percent), convenience to friends or relatives
(14 percent), look/design of neighborhood (10 percent) and the house
itself (10 percent).
-- About two-thirds (64 percent) of the units used a warm-air furnace for
heating; 12 percent used an electric heat pump; and 11 percent used a
steam or hot water system. The latter is increasingly falling out of
use as only 2 percent of new units use this system.
-- About half of homes (48 percent) had a separate dining room and three
in 10 (30 percent) reported two or more living rooms or recreation
rooms. About one-third (35 percent) had a usable fireplace.
-- About two-thirds of housing units (65 percent) had central air
conditioning and another 21 percent had window units; for new units,
the percentage with central air conditioning was even higher (89
percent).
-- About nine in 10 units (93 percent) reported the presence of a smoke
detector. Additionally, 36 percent reported having a working carbon
monoxide detector, 45 percent purchased or recharged a fire
extinguisher in the last two years and 5 percent had a sprinkler
system.
-- Most homes had three or more bedrooms (64 percent), with the
percentage even higher in new homes (80 percent). Additionally, about
half of homes (51 percent) had two or more bathrooms, with the
percentage even higher (89 percent) in new homes.
-- Ten percent of communities had secured entrances, with the likelihood
somewhat higher (15 percent) in new communities.


Data from this survey are available at the national and regional level, and for inside and outside metropolitan statistical areas, and urban and rural areas.

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US Department of Housing and Urban Development Releases Latest Version of Shopping For Your Home Loan

/PRNewswire/ -- In its first revision in over 10 years, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) advises home buyers that it is their responsibility to search for a real estate agent that will represent their interests. In Shopping for Your Home Loan - HUD's Settlement Cost Booklet, HUD states: "If you want someone to represent only your interests, consider hiring an 'exclusive buyer's agent,' who will be working for you."

The National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents (NAEBA) views this as an important element of the new era of home buying.

"'We are pleased to see that the wisdom of having someone in your corner and on your side is being conveyed to Buyers by HUD. Because most real estate agents represent Sellers, HUD emphasizes, and the National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents stresses, that it is a Buyer's responsibility to find an agent who will represent their best interests in their real estate transaction," said Benjamin Clark, 2010 President of NAEBA.

Exclusive Buyer Agents (EBA) represent buyers and their interests in real estate transactions. They not only work to get the best price and terms for their buyer clients, they also serve as diligent home buying guides, consultants, and often coaches to ensure that clients achieve their desired outcomes in an efficient way. They offer full buyer representation without the potential for the conflicts of interest that occur when the company representing the buyer also represents the seller. The concept of a buyer's agent arose in the mid-1990s as real estate buyers sought to have agents that would represent only their interests and level a playing field that previously favored sellers.

Working with an EBA offers more than a dedicated representative. Data validates that buyers actually get better results. An EBA promises to work toward a better price and terms for buyers. A study conducted by Chandler & Chandler confirms that property purchased through an alliance with an EBA shows a 67% greater appreciation in value. Additionally, a survey conducted by the National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents (NAEBA) found that among survey respondents, there were only 15 foreclosures out of 1,849 closings. That represents a foreclosure rate of just 0.8%, compared to the nationwide rate of 1.84% in 2008.

NAEBA views HUD's advice to consider an exclusive buyer agent as very timely given current market conditions. Clark agrees, "We are encouraged by an increased movement among consumers to seek out Exclusive Buyer Agents. Working on behalf of buyers is extremely rewarding. Consumers who hire an Exclusive Buyer Agent find that the whole process is more enjoyable because of the incredible trust between the buyer and their agent that doesn't always exist in the traditional buyer/agent relationship."

You can download a free copy of the new HUD booklet at: http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/documents/Settlement%20Booklet%20 December%2015%20REVISED.pdf

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