RealtyTrac recently reported that short sales outpaced foreclosure sales in 2012 by a 3-to-1 margin. While foreclosure sales accounted for 11% of all sales — a 13% drop from 2011 — short sales made up 32% of all sales last year, a 5% year-over-year gain. In the fourth quarter of 2012, foreclosures sold at a 39% discount while the price for short sales was 23% below market.

January’s home sales report was all full of good news. The National Association of REALTORS reported that existing home sales rose slightly by 0.4% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.92 million, up from a downwardly revised figure of 4.90 million in December 2012. New home sales were up 16% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 437,000 — its highest level in four and a half years and the largest percentage increase in almost 20 years. The pending home sales index during the month of January increased 4.5% to 105.9, its highest level since April 2010, just before the homebuyer tax credit expired.

After proposing more stringent lending requirements on those who wish  to take out government-backed loans, Freddie Mac announced it earned $11 billion last year, its first annual net increase since 2006 (just before the housing bubble’s peak). The lender also announced a net income of $4.5 billion in Q4 2012, making it the fifth consecutive quarter of profits. Donald Layton, Freddie Mac’s CFO, credited the earnings to a turnaround in the housing market, citing higher home values and fewer mortgage delinquencies.

Speaking of Freddie Mac, the organization stated that the average rates on fixed-rate mortgages fell to near-historic lows. The 30-year fixed mortgage fell from 3.56% last week to 3.51% this week. During that time, the average rate for a 15-year fixed mortgage fell slightly from 2.77% to 2.76%. Meanwhile, the average fee for 30-year and 15-year fixed rates stayed the same at 0.8 point.