According to a recent report from the Miami Association of Realtors, pending home sales in Miami-Dade County saw a spike in activity in November.

Projections that the real estate industry could be hurt in 2012 were increased by a recent survey of business professionals who think the European debt crisis could have a noticeable effect on the industry.

The U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced new construction spending improved for the month of November, which could mean a positive future for home sales.

Last year ended with a whimper in terms of mortgage application activity, the Mortgage Bankers Association reports, as requests for home loans dropped considerably.

Federal Reserve calls for more action to help housing market

Recent reports suggest that mortgage rates should continue to hover near historic lows through part of 2012, but some analysts predict it will do little to increase demand, HousingWire reports.

A report from Prudential Douglas Elliman showed the Manhattan housing market made some improvements to end 2011, despite a drop in home sales.

Despite high affordability in the housing market as 2012 commences, many first-time buyers still depend on their parents for financial assistance, a report by Reuters reveals.

As the nation's real estate market struggles to stabilize, the Washington, D.C., housing market continues to outperform national trends, Time magazine reports.

Sources report that the new consumer financial watchdog agency has gained power since being appointed a director.

Results from a recent survey show that average fixed mortgage rates remain at or near their all-time lows during the first week of the new year.

While housing conditions entering the new year are providing an ideal opportunity for many homebuyers nationwide, Harvard University economics professor Edward Gleaser states low home prices and mortgage rates won't be enough to stimulate a national economic recovery.

Harris Interactive recently conducted a survey that found a significant amount of Americans are concerned about their own personal financial situations.

Two reports show that unemployment declined noticeably to end the 2011 year while employment rose modestly - a positive sign for the overall economy, and potentially for the stagnant housing market..

Homeowners with subpar credit scores but higher equity who are looking to refinance their mortgages backed by Freddie Mac will no longer have to worry about meeting minimum credit score requirements starting January 5, the agency announced.

Regarding the recent white paper the Federal Reserve sent to Congress that detailed what needs to be done to fix the hard-hit housing market, the National Association of Realtors lauded the Fed for bringing to light issues it strongly supports.

For 12 consecutive months, home sales in metro Phoenix have been higher than figures recorded the year before, as many homes in various price ranges came off the local market during November, a report details.

The number of delinquent loans at the end of November was considerably less than the peak recorded in January 2010, according to a report by Lender Processing Services.

According to recent data from Veros Real Estate Solutions, national home prices will remain flat during 2012, which should continue to offer buyers further opportunities to get off the sidelines.

More U.S. residents moved to the South than any other part of the country in 2011, according to a study from United Van Lines.

A report from real estate analysis company Reis Inc., showed the U.S. apartment vacancy rate has declined to its lowest point in 10 years.

Following the release of the Fed's report which outlined ways the government can help the nation's real estate sector improve, Bloomberg editors wrote an editorial about the issue, stating further action is required for the ailing housing market in order for the economy to turn the corner.

Fannie Mae's most recent National Housing Survey revealed that consumer's optimism about the nation's economy, including views on home prices, continued to improve in December.

The Conference Board recently released a report showing employment increased to end the 2011 calendar year, which could spark optimism among Americans - and homebuyers - entering 2012.

Few states around the country experienced positive housing conditions during 2011, let alone consecutive months of gains in sales. Massachusetts is one of those select few, as a report indicates the state saw home transactions increase once again in December.

With the housing market experiencing ups and downs through the last year, many experts are uncertain as to what's in store for the real estate sector entering 2012. However, MoneyWatch has some expert advice for those contemplating real estate transactions - including home purchases - this year.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Department of the Treasury have released the Housing Scorecard for the month of December, which shows some slight improvements throughout 2011 but suggest mixed predictions for the recovery in 2012.

Home prices remained relatively unchanged at the end of November, hovering near levels last seen in 2003, Zillow reports.

Two Federal Reserve presidents have spoken publicly following the Fed's report on the current direction of the nation's economy and housing market, and both reiterated some of the report's main points.

Housing affordability was unsubstantial last year, according to Clear Capital's Home Data Index Market Report, which showed that during last year, home prices declined 2.1 percent.

Government-sponsored mortgage insurer Freddie Mac recently announced it will allow mortgage servicers to allow for forbearance for borrowers that can be extended for up to one year for unemployed homeowners.

The release of a housing index shows that recent declines in home values are beginning to stabilize.

A recent survey shows that there was an increase in mortgage application activity for the week ending January 6.

Americans are still struggling with significant amounts of debt, and much of it is due to credit cards and student loans, according to a report from Bills.com.

Repairing the unemployment situation is more important to Americans than fixing the national debt crisis, according to a survey conducted by the Opinion Research Corporation for Edward Jones.

A recent report from the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors showed that more home sales occurred in the Las Vegas region in 2011 than any other year previous.

The records keep getting broken, as mortgage rates once again reached new historic lows, Freddie Mac reports, increasing housing affordability and leading to a spike in mortgage requests as the new year gets under way.

A recent reports reveals that home prices declined for the fourth consecutive month in November, and low prices continue to hinder the housing market's recovery.

A recent report shows that the more housing markets improved in January - a possible sign of things to come this year for the country's still-weak real estate sector.

A recent survey from the National Association of Home Builders indicates that a growing number of households still hold homeownership in high regard and would be opposed to any measures that would make becoming a homeowner more difficult.

The Pulse of Commerce Index, a barometer of the economy, showed a 0.2 percent increase during December, according to Ceridian and UCLA.

Many economists are concerned if the housing market has reached its bottom, but a report shows that some cities are on the rise to recovery.

Following the order of reviews of foreclosure cases, sources say that the process may take an extended amount of time to complete, and delay homeowners compensation from faulty foreclosures.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released information on its guidelines for examining mortgage origination procedures among nonbank lenders recently.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues are planning further purchases of mortgage bonds this year, despite the seeming lack of impact previous purchases have had on the mortgage financing and housing industries.

During recent years, the West Coast has been subject to an elevated rate of foreclosures.

Results from a recent poll show that economists expect a housing market recovery to begin in 2013, but many are concerned the government won't actively support the market's comeback.

Miami home sales rose 5 percent in November, according to real estate information firm DataQuick, with 7,855 closings recorded.

Leading up to the housing bubble burst, home prices were outpacing actual economic inflation, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas reports.

With recovery for the housing and mortgage markets witnessing slow-going, home sales could be ready for a steady increase, as many are planning on an upturn in the real estate sector this year, according to USA Today.

Though December typically is a month in which home sales dip considerably from the month before, a report by RE/MAX shows the final month of 2011 went against this trend, as sales increased heftily.

In recent surveys conducted by Freddie Mac, mortgage rates have continued to reach new record-lows, dropping to 3.89 percent for the week ending January 12.

New data shows that home sales in California increased during the month of December and have reached the highest level recorded since January 2011.

The Orlando housing market ended 2011 with an increase in median home prices, the Orlando Regional Realtor Association reports.

More Americans look like they could be feeling better about the economy, as Consumer Reports recently showed that sentiment is climbing to begin 2012.

First-time homebuyers in the state of Texas may be eligible to receive some help, as a new program plans to give consumers discounts on a home purchase.

More Americans have been found to be paying off their credit bills, according to a report from Equifax.

The lack of progress in various aspects of the nation's economy, including growth in the job market and better distribution of wealth, has contributed to and continues to deter the housing sector from seeing improvements, a report details.

Recent data shows that loans saw an increase in default rates during the month of December.

Now that 2011 has ended, many Americans are left wondering what could have been done differently to help stabilize the housing market.

There was a significant spike in mortgage application activity during the week ending January 13, the Mortgage Bankers Association reports.

The New England housing market could be poised for a relatively healthy 2012, assuming conditions continue to improve upon last year's solid data, a report by RE/MAX of New England states.

Average rates for short- and long-term fixed-rate mortgages went in different directions in Freddie Mac's latest home loan survey, but remained at pretty much the same affordable levels from the week before.

The rate at which new homes were built edged lower at the end of 2011, according to Commerce Department data.

Higher interest rates will have a significant impact on the monthly payments those looking to take out a mortgage will need to pay, whether they are looking for a refinance or purchase loan.

Some consumers may shy away from procuring a mortgage this summer if gas prices witness a surge, according to Forbes.

Freddie Mac expressed an air of caution in its latest report on the projected economic and housing market situations in the U.S. this year.

The Houston area experienced strong sales to end 2011, and this trend could continue into 2012, according to the Houston Association of Realtors.

Though some factors of the metro Phoenix housing market toward the end of last year suggested improvements were at hand, a report from Arizona State University states there was little growth in the local real estate sector from 2010.

New York Attorney General Eric Scheiderman plans to disburse $1 million in funds to nonprofit legal organizations aiding homeowners in foreclosure cases throughout the state.

The housing market may continue to improve, according to research and analytics firm Capital Economics, depending on the state of employment in the near future.

The continuation of low mortgage rates and home prices as well as warmer winter weather are believed to have contributed to the increase of home sales in Illinois during the month of December, marking the sixth consecutive month of gains.

A recent report of existing-home sales for the month of December shows the trend of increases continues marking the third month of increases.

A significant number of Americans are trying to fix their saving habits, according to a survey from Country Financial, which could change the landscape of the housing market this year.

CoreLogic recently released a report that projects the economy may be stronger in 2012 than it was in 2011, which could lead to increased homebuyer sentiment.

Investors making low-ball cash bids on homes for sale nationwide are keeping residential prices down, according to the Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance HousingPulse Tracking Survey for December.

The housing market slump has shown some recovery in the last year and sources say many buyers and sellers are torn on believing that now is a good time to become a homeowner.

Low mortgage rates and home prices have made buying a home extremely affordable during the past several months. A recent report finds that conditions in many parts of the U.S. are better than those in any other part of the English-speaking world.

In wake of the housing bubble burst, the foreclosure market has gone through some notable changes, CNNMoney reports.

Home sales, including condominium transactions, increased in Florida to end 2011, according to a report from Florida Realtors.

January was the fourth-straight month in which builder confidence rose in the United States, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

With continually improving home sales, the brief spike in apartment vacancies could soon be a thing of the past, according to CNBC.

A recent study shows that standards for down payments set by federal regulators may prevent creditworty borrowers from getting mortgages and purchasing homes.

Record-low mortgage rates offer many homeowners a great opportunity to refinance their home loans and take advantage of smaller interest rates.

A recent study by HomeGain shows that homebuyers who purchased their residences for less than $75,000 are the most satisfied with their investment.

In the fourth quarter of last year, foreclosure activity reached its second-lowest point since 2007 in California, according to a report by the real estate information firm DataQuick.

The Government Accountability Office released a report showing that the current situation regarding appraisals has some issues, and the National Association of Home Builders has discovered similar findings in its own analyses.

Multiple congressmen from California have requested the White House to deal with the foreclosure situation nationwide more efficiently.

A recent survey from USA Today found that many economists feel that the strengthened economic growth which occurred to end 2011 will slow slightly, but improvement will still occur this year.

After two consecutive weeks of solid increases in mortgage applications, home loan requests dipped markedly during the week ending January 20, a report shows.

Though the Federal Housing Finance Agency's House Price Index for November slipped modestly from a year earlier, it improved slightly from October's level.

A recent index for pending home sales for the month of December shows that buyers stopped buying during the holiday season.

A group of real estate professional admit to missing the mark on their predictions for the housing market in 2011, buy feel that the momentum gained in the economy toward the end of the year will help repair the industry in 2012, says the Foreclosure News Report.

Whether someone lives in a home or a condominium, a bad neighbor can kill the value of their property, according to The Seattle Times.

Many banks are believed to be ready to process a substantial number of foreclosures during 2012, and this may be a further suggestion that homebuying may be more attractive this year, according to FoxBusiness.

Following the State of the Union address, the National Association of Home Builders released a statement that commends the proposals mentioned by President Barack Obama that would help families avoid falling into foreclosure.

While some housing markets across the country are beginning to see improvements after the housing market slump, some continue to perform poorly.

A growing number of Realtors are gaining confidence in their ability to sell homes based on current housing market and economic factors, reports the National Association of Realtors.

A recent survey from the Society of Human Resource Management showed that many human resources professionals think their employees are affected by financial concerns.

The National Association of Realtors recently released a report showing that home sales declined month-over-month, but were improved year-over-year in December.

RealtyTrac recently announced that sales of homes in a stage of foreclosure declined during the third quarter of 2011.

Collected housing market data shows that mortgage originations and delinquencies continued a downward trend during the month of December.

A recent report shows that the number of new-home sales during December fell below the figure from the previous month.

A recent series of surveys shows that many homeowners are concerned about their home's value and say government assistance could help the recovery of the housing market and the economy as a whole.

Currently, homeowners are able to walk away from their properties with few financial consequences, but starting in 2013, delinquent borrowers will have to start paying taxes on the remaining balance of the debt that is forgiven by their lender, MarketWatch reports.

Speaking in New York, Federal Reserve Bank of New York President William C. Dudley stated the hefty economic growth that occurred in the final quarter of 2011 is unlikely to be matched throughout the first half of 2012.

Consumer sentiment rose from a month and year earlier, the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Survey of Consumers shows, as confidence in the market improved during the first month of 2012.

Amid improvements in various facets of the housing market during recent weeks, mortgage rates finally climbed considerably, rising from record-low territory, reports Freddie Mac.

The U.S. Departments of the Treasury and Housing and Urban Development recently announced a proposal to use government money to help improve incentives regarding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The economy may be making improvements, albeit slowly according to The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index for the month of December.

Existing-home sales rose in December which may suggest an improving housing market, according to a report completed jointly between Harris Private Bank and BMO Economics.

A precursor to the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, the Fiserv Case-Shiller Indexes show an improved mortgage payment to median income ratio and historic lows for home prices and loan rates are making the market more affordable.

Numerous troubled homeowners and those nearing foreclosure cannot relocate for available jobs because of mortgages and default properties, as the market continues to benefit buyers rather than sellers, a report details.

One finance firm says that many Americans are focusing on better money management and financial recovery in 2012, but still have the opportunity to make smart investments.

While some state officials are against the recently proposed mortgage settlement, many homeowners are left wondering about the details of the possible $25 billion deal between lenders and homeowners.

While current mortgage rates have led many to refinance their homes to save money, some experts say paying your mortgage off faster is a smart financial decision.

Industry experts and prospective homebuyers alike say that early 2012 might be a good time to purchase property due to low mortgage rates and affordable prices, says MarketWatch.

The homeownership rate in the United states declined during the fourth quarter of 2011, according to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently met with Congress and explained that the organization plans to complete the new mortgage rule by the summer.

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis recently released data showing personal income increased during the month of December.

A recent report from housing research firm Metrostudy showed that the final quarter of 2011 witnessed a decline in single family housing starts.

A report from credit ratings organization Equifax showed that a large portion of Americans were able to cut down their personal debt during 2011.

Residential home sales in the state of New York never recovered after a slow start last year, as they finished below 2010 figures, according to a report from the New York State Association of Realtors.

New data of home prices for the end of 2011 show that home prices continued a downward trend as the number of foreclosures continues to hinder a recovery of the housing market in 2012.

In an analysis of recent housing market news, CNBC reports that while media outlets continue to say it is a buyer's market, many potential homeowners aren't buying.

In a sea of housing market news about underwater homeowners, data shows that home loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs have the lowest amount of serious delinquency and foreclosures in the mortgage industry.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Florida real estate market attracted a significant amount of international homebuyers, according to a report by Point2Homes.