National Mortgage Professional reports that the 2013 housing market will be marked by steady — but not rapid — improvement. In particular, owner-occupied remodeling is benefiting from new household formation and a corresponding rise in consumer confidence. According to the magazine, though, that growth will be offset somewhat by a number of ongoing challenges, including tight underwriting and faulty appraisals. And National Association of Home Builders chief economist David Crowe says that while single-family home sales are pegged for a 20-percent gain this year, the segment has a lot more ground to make up, considering that it currently is at just 40 percent of a normal market. | Read More