The restoration of the single-family rural housing program that would guarantee home loans for rural buyers was passed by the Senate today and is on its way to President Obama.

The National Association of Realtors® has vigorously lobbied to restore funding for the rural program since last March, and hailed this development as a great victory for rural home buyers.

Sales of new single-family houses in June 2010 rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 330,000, up from historic lows in May, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The growth beat analyst expectations of 310,000 units in June after the rate plummeted to 300,000 in May. The June rate fell toward the larger end of economists' consensus range of 280,000 to 350,000 units.

The New York State Association of REALTORS, in partnership with the Siena Research Institute (SRI) released the first-ever quarterly New York State Consumer Real Estate Sentiment scores for the 2010 second quarter. Overall, the survey found New York consumers are negative about current real estate market, but optimistic about the future. They feel that it is a very good time to buy, but a poor time to sell. Selling prospects increase over the next year and buying remains positive, indicating high hopes for the future of the New York real estate market.

REAL Trends Housing Market Report 2nd quarter 2010 results

The Northeast region saw the greatest increase in closed housing sales comparing the 2nd quarter of 2010 to the same quarter of 2009. Unit sales were up 29.4 percent in the second quarter in the Northeast. The Midwest had the second biggest increase up 18.9 percent over the 2nd quarter of 2009. Nationally, units were up 17.5 percent in the 2nd quarter of 2010 over the same period of 2009.

Homeowners who want to sell but don't have a lot of cash to spruce up their properties might consider these tips from Bankrate.com for upgrading a property without spending a fortune.

Polish up the kitchen. Add new cabinet door handles, replace lighting and update the faucet set. Unless the cabinets are mica, give them a fresh coat of paint. Order new doors for kitchen appliances.

International home buyers are increasingly attracted to property in the U.S., according to the National Association of REALTORS®' 2010 Profile of International Home Buying Activity. Several factors, including the strength of the dollar, the value and desirability of U.S. real estate, and the emerging economic recovery, continue to drive international interest in owning a home in this country.