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 current examples at gmnews.com/?s=%22by+erik+j.+martin%22). I’m looking to interview realtors/agents, mortgage/lending professionals, and other housing experts for the following articles: THE CHALLENGES BUYERS AND HOMEOWNERS FACE DESPITE A STRONG HOUSING RECOVERY: According to The State of the Nation's Housing report recently released by the Joint Center for Housing Studies (available at jchs.harvard.edu/sites/jchs.harvard.edu/files/jchs_2016_state_of_the_nations_housing_lowres.pdf), the national housing market has regained enough momentum to provide an engine of growth for the U.S. economy, with robust rental demand continuing to drive the housing expansion, and sales, prices in new construction of single-family homes on the rise. Despite these positive signs, however several obstacles continue to impede the housing recovery – including eroding affordability of rental housing, continued pressures on homeownership, and the growing concentration of poverty. This article would explore the major findings of this new report (including the staggering finding that the number of renters dedicating at least half of their income toward housing hit a record high of 11 million people in 2014), what the findings mean to prospective buyers and homeowners, and how they can overcome some of these challenges in order to afford and own a home. 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 9 a.m. central time, Friday, July 8.
QUESTIONS:1. What are the major findings of the State of the Nation's Housing report recently released by the Joint Center for Housing Studies that got your attention—especially findings that indicate obstacles are continuing to impede the housing recovery?2. What do these findings—especially the obstacles—mean to homeowners prospective buyers? How does it affect them today?3. Why do these obstacles to homeownership persist today—including eroding affordability of rental housing, continued pressures on homeownership, and the growing concentration of poverty? What other obstacles to homeownership and a robust housing recovery can you identify?4. How can homeowners and buyers overcome some of these challenges today in order to afford and own a home? What do you recommend they do/pursue?5. What is your prediction: will these challenges/obstacles improve over time, or get worse? Why?6. Any other thoughts, tips or suggestions on this topic?7. What is your full name, title, company, city/state location, and email address?
Keywords
realtors/agents, mortgage/lending professionals, housing experts
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