31 January 2007 17:15
Bigger Houses Bring Big and Costly Energy Problems
SAN FRANCISCO — Despite higher natural gas, electricity and heating oil prices, consumers continue undaunted in their quest for bigger homes with features such as five bedrooms and three-car garages. With location on home buyers' minds, e...
Existing Home Sales Post Unexpected Gains
WASHINGTON — Sales of existing homes unexpectedly rose last month as a warmer than usual winter boosted demand in many parts of the country, but a slack demand in some areas produced what one analyst called a "tale of two cities." (R...
Fw: Home-Price Indexes to Launch
BOSTON — Homeowners and real estate investors nervous about a bursting of the housing bubble will soon have new tools to hedge against a pullback in home prices. (Read More) Source: Washington Post
Rent or Buy? Markets Reach New Equilibrium
During the real estate boom of the past five years, many area renters anxious to enter the caffeinated market before it was too late stretched and searched and scraped to become homeowners. (Read More) Source: Washington Post
Flipping cases of homes drop 77% since '99, report says
A month after Gwendolyn Moore bought her first home, the roof started to leak. Then she learned that her monthly mortgage payments would jump from $500 to $700 and that her interest rate would grow each year. (Read More) Source: Baltimore Sun
Millions face squeeze on mortgages
Many borrowers can expect large payment increases as interest rates reset Millions of Americans who stretched themselves financially to buy homes face a painful adjustment — some could even lose their houses — as monthly payments on adju...
Real Estate Mailbag
Q: DEAR BOB: I have decided to sell my home so I can afford to move to a nice nearby assisted-living residence. My two-bedroom home, built in 1938, has become a bit run-down. However, it is in a good neighborhood where most homes have been remodeled...
New-home sales take a tumble
New-home sales fell by the biggest amount in almost nine years last month while home prices declined for a fourth straight month, raising concerns that the once high-flying housing market could be in for a rougher-than-expected landing.  (Read ...
When Remodeling No Longer Adds Up
MILWAUKEE — No more remodeling for the Nowakowskis. Over the past 20 years, they've redone a lot — windows, floors and added a master suite — in their Greenfield, Wis., house. Each project has brought their once-tired house in ...
Millions face squeeze on mortgages
Many borrowers can expect large payment increases as interest rates reset Millions of Americans who stretched themselves financially to buy homes face a painful adjustment — some could even lose their houses — as monthly payments on adju...
Agents Falling Short On Disclosure
A lawsuit in Silver Spring, Maryland is focusing fresh light on a growing problem: Real estate agents are failing to disclose whom they represent in transactions — even where state laws require them to do so in writing at their first subs...
A Good Accountant, a Real Estate Investor's Ally
Q: I own a four-unit rental building and am trying to understand the tax rules so that I can prepare my tax return. I would prefer to use one of the tax services on the Internet, rather than pay for an accountant. Can you provide me with the basics?...
Rise in late mortgage payments tied to hurricanes
Late mortgage payments climbed to a 2 1/2 -year high in the final quarter of 2005 as Gulf Coast homeowners struggled with fallout from the hurricanes and lofty energy prices along with rising interest rates squeezed the budgets of others across the ...
Research facts when shopping for house
Getting Started Finding your dream home is exciting, especially if you're a first-time buyer. But in today's real estate market, it pays to shelve your emotions and look hard at the facts.(Read More) Source: Baltimore Sun
Buyer beware of those first impressions
It's easy to be won over by a well-staged house, but keep an eye out for the tip-offs of potentially costly problems, such as drafty windows, cracked walls and wavy siding. (Read More) Source: The Seattle Times: Real Estate
Mortgage rate falls slightly
Rates on 30-year mortgages, which had jumped to the highest level in 2 1/2 years, edged down this week to an average 6.34 percent. (Read More) Source: Baltimore Sun
Professional house flippers are making hay with their homes
By Carol Lloyd A few years back, when I was shopping for a home, I met an interesting family who were a walking embodiment of the special status afforded homeowners. We met at the open house of a ramshackle Victorian in Alameda with a sprawling backy...
Revealing too much worries buyer
A reader writes: "In shopping for a home, how much should I tell my real-estate agent about myself and my financial situation? For example, should I reveal…" (Read More) Source: The Seattle Times: Real Estate
Americans optimistic over housing prices
Americans remain confident that housing values will continue to flourish and that the high-flying U.S. market will come in for a smooth… (Read More) Source: The Seattle Times: Real Estate
The Perfect Real Estate Agent, Do they exist?
When selecting a real estate agent, you’ll have questions, which will need decisive answers. Finding the best agent that works for your desires may be difficult as all agents work differently. Some simple questions and facts can be very helpful. Real...
Agent isn't necessary to prepare sale forms
A reader writes: "If a buyer and seller don't want to use a real-estate agent, how can they prepare documents and where can they do it? Can they prepare the…" (Read More) Source: The Seattle Times: Real Estate
To many, house buy is impossible dream
Purchasing a home in Maryland has become so expensive that it is beyond the buying power of the average earner Housing prices have risen so much faster than wages in Maryland that the average home is out of reach of the average worker — and, i...
31 January 2007 17:00
Agent isn't necessary to prepare sale forms
A reader writes: "If a buyer and seller don't want to use a real-estate agent, how can they prepare documents and where can they do it? Can they prepare the…" (Read More) Source: The Seattle Times: Home Forum
What Explains the 'Aha' Moment
Buyers often unknowingly seek out spaces that are physically evocative of havens from their childhood, psychologists say. (Read More) Source: NY Times
30-year mortgages highest since '02
Rates on 30-year mortgages jumped to the highest level in 3 1/2 years this week, driven higher by inflation worries in financial markets. (Read More) Source: Baltimore Sun
