Signs of a recovering market! Private equity firms are looking at the U.S. housing market as a source of investment profits in the years to come from different angles, including distressed properties, home builders and other ancillary sectors. Big Investment firms and hedge fund managers are  snapping single-family residences from real estate owned (REO) bank portfolios at prices much lower than what small investors and first-time home buyers could expect to find.  As with any other recovering market, investors with fast access to cash and ample credit lines stand to gain the most from bargain opportunities. Real estate analysts expect to see increased activity from Wall Street investors who will be watching the foreclosure inventories like hawks in the months to come. Read more of this Niche Report article HERE.

The recovery in the housing market continues to pick up steam, as home prices posted the biggest percentage gain in more than two years. This latest rise comes as the housing market has shown numerous other signs of recovery in recent months. The improvement in housing market fundamentals has helped to lift the pace of both home sales and home building. But even with the latest rise in prices, the S&P/Case-Shiller index is still down 29% from the peak reached in June 2006. Read more of this CNN Money article HERE.

When the housing market imploded in 2007 and took the economy with it, experts said the real estate market would never look the same again. Homebuyers can expect a more competitive market in 2013, and should start the mortgage lending process at least three months before they plan to start seriously looking because experts expect the process to take several months under new lending standards. Still shudder at the thought of investing in real estate? It’s time to reconsider. HERE’S WHY