Sixty-two percent of real estate professionals think home prices will stay the same in the next six months.

Last month, HomeGain, one of the first companies to provide free online instant home valuations, released the third quarter 2011 results of our nationwide survey of over 500 real estate professionals and 2,100 homeowners. Our survey asked their opinions on home values and what they thought of President Obama’s performance as President. On this blog we published the 3rd quarter 2011 national results as well as the complete 3rd quarter 2011 regional results, including commentary from real estate agents and brokers.

Recently, we released the California 3rd quarter 2011 home values survey data and the Florida 3rd quarter 2011 home values survey data, the 3rd quarter 2011 Texas home prices survey data , the 3rd quarter 2011 New York home prices survey data, the 3rd quarter 2011 New Jersey home values survey data, the Illinois 3rd quarter 2011 home values survey data, the Georgia 3rd quarter 2011 home prices survey data, the Arizona 3rd quarter 2011 home prices survey data, the Virginia 3rd quarter 2011 home prices survey data, the Colorado 3rd quarter 2011 home prices survey data, and the Massachusetts 3rd quarter 2011 home prices survey data. In the coming days we will be releasing home values survey data from North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania and other states.

Today we are releasing the Maryland home prices survey results.

Set forth below is the third quarter 2011 real estate professional and homeowner Maryland home prices survey data along with the 2nd quarter 2011 and the third quarter 2011 national home prices survey data. Click on each question to see complete results:

1. Have home prices increased, decreased or stayed the same in the last year?
2. On average, what do homeowners believe that their home is worth?
3. How do buyers feel that homes for sale are priced?
4. What is the average difference in price between what sellers believe their home to be worth and the amount at which the home gets listed?
5. What is the average difference in price between what a home is listed at and what a home sells for?
6. In the next six months, will the values of homes in your market increase, decrease or stay the same?
7. What percentage of homes for sale are foreclosures in your area?
8. What is the average home price in your area?
9. What percentage of your clients are first-time buyers?
10. How do you think Barack Obama is performing in his role as President?
11. If the Presidential election were today, who would you vote for?

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Today is the 4th anniversary of the HomeGain Real Estate Blog!

We’ve come a long way since 2007. Thanks to all of our contributors and readers for their support!

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On Monday October 17, 2011, Louis Cammarosano, General Manager of HomeGain, was a guest on the Real Estate Radio show on The Big Talker 1580 AM, hosted by Ryan Sloper.

Listen to the show.

Part 1 (16:11)

Louis gives his views on Occupy Wall Street. Louis notes the difference between being against capitalism vs being against corportism.   Louis notes that the difference of  someone getting  rich due to the dint of their efforts vs those who do well as a result of favors from the government or the Federal Reserve. Louis notes the marriage of Washington and Wall Street. Louis notes issues with the Federal Reserve. Louis notes that its not an issue of protesting Wall Street OR Washington, but both. Louis notes that the protestors need to get to the root cause of the problems on Wall Street.  Louis notes that OWS is a bit of media creation, noting that they have raised only $300,000 and that media attention creates more attention. Ryan notes that Obama’s job program was defeated. Louis notes that Obama’s program is a typical example of corporate/union cronyism as the money would go to special favors and probably wasted. Louis notes that the Obama’s job program was created to fail in advance as he would like to blame the Republicans for the poor job situation for not passing the  the job bill. Louis notes that even if the Congress were to cut spending, the Federal Reserve could still spend money in secret. Louis notes Ron Paul is the only candidate in favor of shutting down the Federal Reserve

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On Monday October 10, 2011, Louis Cammarosano, General Manager of HomeGain, was a guest on the Real Estate Radio show on The Big Talker 1580 AM, hosted by Ryan Sloper.

Listen to the show.

Part 1 (14:28)

Ryan notes the disconnect between where the media thinks interest rates are headed and where they actually are. Louis discusses investors attitudes towards Europe and notes that because the situation in Europe is uncertain that they rush to US dollar denominated assets which pushes interest rates lower. Louis notes that at some point the market will figure out that US treasuries are not really a good investment and that interest rates will head higher. Louis notes that because of the Fed policies and the perceived quality of US treasuries that US interest rates are artificially low. Louis notes that all things considered equal, interest rates are attractive now, especially long term mortgage rates. Louis and Ryan discuss the cost of home ownership vs renting.  Louis notes that everything is going up (consumer goods and rents) except interest rates and home prices. Louis notes that rents will rise in the coming years but that a low fixed rate mortgage will stay low over the next few year. Louis notes that you can lock in your lowest cost-shelter-by taking out a long term interest rate mortgage rate. Ryan notes that rate of home ownership is declining and notes that its not necessary to have a 70% home ownership rate.  Louis notes that a lot of people have lost their homes and that a new generation of potential homebuyers are not there because the younger generation is facing a high employment rate. Louis notes that the decision to buy a home should not be based on what the home ownership rate is but rather what your personal situation is.

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