U.S. Monthly House Price Index Increases .7 percent

U.S. house prices rose 0.7 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from September to October, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s monthly House Price Index. The previously reported 0.7 percent decrease in September was revised downward to a 1.2 percent decrease. For the 12 months ending in October, U.S. prices fell 3.4 percent. The U.S. index is 14.5 percent below its April 2007 peak.

The FHFA monthly index is calculated using purchase prices of houses backing mortgages that have been sold to or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. For the nine Census Divisions, seasonally adjusted monthly price changes from September to October ranged from -2.3 percent in the East South Central Division to +2.1 percent in the East North Central Division.

Monthly index values and appreciation rate estimates for recent periods are provided in the table and graphs on the following pages. Click here for complete historical data.

For detailed information concerning the monthly HPI, please see the HPI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). The next release will be on Jan. 25, 2011 and will include data for November.

$20,470

That is the estimated savings for each home built in South Carolina due to the efforts of the Government Affairs Team of the HBA of South Carolina during the 2010 legislative session.

The Home Builders Association influences government on all levels. Our goal is to protect affordable housing and needless regulatory costs, which ultimately trickles down and effects everyone who works in the home building industry. Below are just a
few of the bills we influenced:

Fire Sprinkler Bill. Stopped the passage of the fire sprinkler bill, which would have mandated the installation of fire sprinklers in all new homes built beginning in 2011.
Annual Benefit: More than $100 million

Permit Extension Bill. Passed the permit extension bill, which prevents the wholesale abandonment of already-approved projects
by extending the term of the permits for a set period of time as the economy improves.
Annual Benefit: $15 million

Home Buyer Tax Credit. Supported the home buyer tax credit bill, which helped to reduce housing inventories, stabilize home values, and increased housing demand.
Annual Benefit: $146 million

The estimated savings for each home built in South Carolina due to the efforts of the government affairs team during the 2010 legislative session: $20,470

HBA of South Carolina is in Business to Keep You in Business.

South Carolina to gain one additional seat in Congress

The U.S. Census Bureau released state-by-state population data from the 2010 census. South Carolina will add one seat in Congress beginning in 2012, bringing its total representation to nine—seven in the House of Representatives, two in the Senate.

South Carolina's population grew by 612,000, to 4,625,364, between 2000 and 2010, at 15.3 percent growth rate.

Read the entire report at GSA Business by clicking here.

Swamp Rabbit Trail Needs Community Help to Seek Grant

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a biking and walking path built along a former railroad corridor with the support of the Greenville Hospital System. The trail runs from the north end to the south end of the county and may someday become a part of a larger trail network.

The trail is applying for a grant from the Pepsi Foundation to fund development of trail crossing safety devices.

Community support is needed to qualify for the $250,000 grant. Voting ends December 31. Currently the trail is in 76th place. You can help put the trail in first place. Take 10 seconds to vote, and vote every day.

Click here to vote online.

Businesses and families from around the world are attracted to the Upstate and Greenville because of the quality of life and outdoor activities our community offer. The Swamp Rabbit Trail is an important component of our community's quality of life.