Real Estate Roundup

Crye-Leike up for global award

Crye-Leike Realtors announces that the company has been named a nominee for the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Diamond Award. Only 15 of the 700 member real estate firms worldwide received a nomination.

“Our Relocation Specialists are to be especially recognized for their tireless efforts working with this global community of independent real estate providers to take care of clients who are moving across the country or across the globe,” said Harold Crye, co-founder and CEO of Crye-Leike.

As a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, Crye-Leike can assist people relocating to any community in the United States or abroad, with services including spouse employment aid, mortgage assistance, household goods move management and more.

The winner of the award will be announced during the annual awards gala April 11 during the group’s annual conference in Boca Raton, Fla.

Home sales gain seen in late 2008

The volume of existing-home sales is expected to hold steady through late spring, with a gradual recovery during the second half of the year as the mortgage situation improves in highcost areas, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said many buyers have been waiting for higher mortgage loan limits.

Existing-home sales are forecast to remain flat around an annual level of 4.9 million in the first half of the year before improving to a 5.8-million pace in the second half.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forwardlooking indicator based on contracts signed in January, held at a stable level of 85.9, unchanged from December, but was 19.6 percent below the January 2007 reading of 106.8.