Homebuyer Tax Credit Information

As part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, a First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit is now available. But, this limited-time tax break ends in mid-2009. A homebuyer tax credit has been available for first-time homebuyers in Washington, D.C. for many years, and now first-time homebuyers nationwide can take advantage of a similar benefit. Information on who is eligible for the credit and how to take advantage of it--a must-know for REALTORS®--is available in the PDF below.

Homebuyer Tax Credit Information (328 K PDF)

Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (2008)

NAR's most popular survey report details the demographics, properties, search details, and financing vehicles of today's home buyers and sellers.
Intro and Highlights (600 MB PDF) | Purchase Report

NAR Member Profile (2008)

This study breaks down the economic, demographic, education, tenure, agency relationship and compensation of REALTOR® members.  In addition, this report takes an in-depth look at office affiliation, type of firm, as well as the use of the Internet and technology. 

Highlights (2.49M PDF)  | Purchase Report

Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (2007)

NAR's most popular survey report details the demographics, properties, search details, and financing vehicles of today's home buyers and sellers.
Preview Package (600 MB PDF) | Purchase Report

Profile of Buyers' Home Feature Preferences (2007)

This study details the home features consumers value and how these features affect home purchasing decisions.
Highlights (112K PDF) | Presentation (2.4 MB PPT) |
Talking Points (22K PDF) | Purchase Report

Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (2006)

NAR's most popular survey report details the demographics, properties, search details, and financing vehicles of today's home buyers and sellers.
Preview Package (2.9 MB PDF) | Purchase Report

Profile of Second-Home Owners (2006)

This study looks at the characteristics and behaviors of owners of vacation homes and investment properties.
Highlights (52K PDF) | Purchase Report

Profile of Second-Home Buyers (2005)

This study provides insights into the purchasing decisions and plans of buyers of vacation homes and investment properties.
Highlights (52K PDF) | Purchase Report

Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing (2006)

This 16-page paper looks at how homeownership leads to positive social outcomes. It examines not only the ownership of homes, but also the impact of stable housing.
Full Report (141K PDF)

FSBO Facts

This brief overview of facts about the For-Sale-By-Owner (FSBO) market comes from NAR's 2006 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.
Summary | Purchase Report

Impact of Hurricanes on Housing and Economic Activity: A Case Study for Florida (2006)

This report examines how the exceptionally strong hurricanes along the Gulf Coast affected home sales and the economy. The 32-page report was commissioned by the Florida Association of REALTORS® and prepared by NAR Research.
Executive Summary | Full Report (256K PDF)

Buying a Condominium: It Makes Dollars and Sense (Brochure)

This trifold brochure explains in easy-to-read language why buying a condominium is often easier and less expensive than renting. Sold in packs of 100 as a tool for agents to present and market to first-time condominium buyers.
Purchase Brochure

Why Rent When You Can Buy (Brochure)

This trifold brochure, available in English and Spanish, is sold in packs of 100 as a marketing tool for first-time buyers. Mortgage interest deductions, mortgage principal accumulation, property tax deductions, and home appreciation are described in an easy-to-interpret format that strongly supports the decision to buy a home.
Purchase English Brochures | Purchase Spanish Brochures

Community Acceptance of Affordable Housing

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (June 2004) This report discusses ways to overcome the "Not in My Backyard" (NIMBY) syndrome and gain acceptance for affordable housing.
Research Brief (595K PDF) | Executive Summary (227K PDF) | Full Report (775K PDF)

Mobility, Residential Location and the American Dream

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (March 2004) This study examines the location, mobility, and homeownership choices of whites and minorities in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
Research Brief (642K PDF) | Executive Summary (314K PDF) | Full Report (438K PDF)

Priced High on a Hill: A Study of Housing Affordability in San Francisco

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (November 2003) This study looks at how developers and advocates for affordable housing are making headway in San Francisco, one of the most expensive housing markets in the country.
Research Brief (561K PDF) | Executive Summary (195K PDF) | Full Report (1.9 MB PDF)

Intra-metropolitan Mobility, Residential Location and Homeownership

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (March 2003) This study highlights how homeownership choice, location, and mobility interact in white, African-American, Asian, and Hispanic households.
Research Brief (544K PDF) | Executive Summary (293K PDF) | Full Report (438K PDF)

A Review of Existing Research on the Effects of Federally Assisted Housing Programs on Neighboring Residential Property Values

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (October 2002) This study reviews research on how the presence of subsidized housing affects property values.
Research Brief (537K PDF) | Executive Summary (177K PDF) | Full Report (653K PDF)

New Orleans Affordable Housing Case Study

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (October 2002) This report examines several case studies that illustrate complexities and successes of meeting the housing needs of underserved households.
Research Brief (467K PDF) | Executive Summary (166K PDF) | Full Report (813K PDF)

Assessment of Endangered Species Act Enforcement on Real Property Values: A Case Study of Three Washington Counties

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (October 2002) This study presents several statistical models that measure the impact of the Endangered Species Act on property values.
Research Brief (466K PDF) | Executive Summary (611K PDF) | Full Report (954K PDF) | Maps (6.8MB Power Point presentation)

Housing Wealth Effects: Housing’s Impact on Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Distribution and Consumer Spending

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (November 2005) This study looks at how quickly consumers spend their housing wealth versus their stock wealth.
Full Report (608K PDF) | Release

Real Estate Versus Financial Wealth in Consumption

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (March 2003) This study estimates the impact of changes in financial and housing wealth on levels of consumer spending.
Research Brief (942K PDF) | Executive Summary (537K PDF) | Full Report (642K PDF)

Housing: An Investment and a Piggybank for Spending

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (December 2003) This study examines how households save and spend their housing wealth, compared with other investments. The study reviews the ease of borrowing against home value through mortgages or lines of credit to finance consumption.
Research Brief (563K PDF) | Executive Summary (239K PDF) | Full Report (361K PDF)

Overview of Recent Developments in Residential and Commercial Property Insurance

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (July 2003) This overview examines the sharp rise in residential and commercial property insurance premiums. It examines market structure and performance indicators to quantify price and availability trends.
Research Brief (549K PDF) | Executive Summary (300K PDF) | Full Report (817K PDF)

The Value of Housing Characteristics: A Meta Analysis

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (May 2005) This study compares many prior studies to determine whether earlier results can be applied to the broader housing market. It looks at how the values of housing characteristics vary due to location or time-specific attributes.
Research Brief (618K PDF) | Executive Summary (607K PDF) | Full Report (756K PDF)

The Composition of Hedonic Pricing Models: A Review of the Literature

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (December 2003) This study summarizes findings from previous research and provides a high-level overview of the numerous characteristics that make up a home's value.
Research Brief (567K PDF) | Executive Summary (607K PDF) | Full Report (756K PDF)

The Value of Housing Characteristics

An academic study by the National Center for Real Estate Research (December 2003) This study uses a detailed data set from property sales in the Philadelphia area to assess how various attributes affect a home's value.
Research Brief (569K PDF) | Executive Summary (344K PDF) | Full Report (962K PDF) | Summary Table (86K PDF)