Hello. My name is Erik Martin and I am a reporter for a nationally syndicated real estate section published weekly in newspapers across the country (see past examples at tinyurl.com/rewejm). I’m looking to interview mortgage/lending professionals, realtors/agents, and other housing experts for the following article: SOARING NEW HOME SALES: WHY PURCHASES AND PRICES ARE UP AND WHAT IT MEANS TO PROSPECTIVE BUYERS AND SELLERS. April new home sales surged to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 619,000, the highest level in more than eight years, according to a joint release of New Residential Sales data by the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development on May 24 (details at census.gov/construction/nrs/pdf/newressales.pdf ). This was a 16.6% jump from the upwardly revised March rate of 531,000, and was 23.8% above April 2015, when the estimate was 500,000. This article would delve deeper into the news, what's behind the strong sales, how these numbers could affect consumers seeking to buy or sell a home soon, as well as include tips for both. Below is a list of questions I’m seeking answers to. I can either conduct a phone or email interview (with the latter, please email me back full-sentence written responses that I can use as quotes). My deadline is noon central time, Tuesday, June 7.
QUESTIONS:1. What’s important/significant about the latest news that home sales are up 16.6% (per the http://www.census.gov/construction/nrs/pdf/newressales.pdf report)? Was this unexpected/surprising to you or other experts? Why/how?2. What is behind the strong sales and increase in prices? What factors are driving these trends?3. Are you aware of any more recent data/reports you can share that indicate rising home sales rates and rising prices?4. How can/will these numbers affect consumers seeking to buy or sell a home soon?5. What tips would you provide to buyers to help them be more successful in finding and buying a home at a fair price today, considering the latest home sales/higher price news?6. What tips would you provide to sellers to help them be more successful in getting a higher price and selling their homes faster today, considering the latest home sales/higher price news?7. Any other thoughts, tips or suggestions on this topic? 8. What is your full name, title, company, city/state location, and email address?
Keywords
mortgage/lending professionals, realtors/agents, housing experts
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