Real Estate Related Articles

A majority of Americans recently surveyed say now is a good time to buy a home. That's no surprise, given that record-low mortgage interest rates and bargain home prices are boosting affordability.


But selling a home? That's a different story.

According to 71% of the 1,000 people surveyed by Fannie Mae in December, now is a good time to buy a house. But only 11% think it's a good time to sell. Click here for a very pertinent story from the Wall Street Journal.

Refinancing Gets Even More Attractive

From the Wall Street Journal, January 4, 2012

Homeowners who have resisted the urge to refinance their mortgages until now could be rewarded for their willpower. Mortgage rates have fallen to new lows—and banks are rolling out incentives to win businessMac or Fannie Mae, and borrowers need to be mostly current on payments.  Want to read the rest of the article? Click here

Mortgage Rates End Year Under 4%

Average fixed mortgage rates in the U.S. over the past week finished the year near all-time lows, with the 30-year home loan at 3.95%. According Freddie Mac's weekly survey of mortgage rates, the rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has been at or below 4% for the past nine consecutive weeks and only twice in 2011 did it average above 5%.  Like to read the rest of the story? Click here

Housing Slump Was Deeper

From the Wall Street Journal, 12-22-2011

The housing slump was deeper than initially estimated but new data indicate that the worst of the downturn may have passed. The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday it over-estimated home sales by 14.3% between 2007 and 2010, meaning that 2.9 million fewer homes sold during those years than thought earlier. Click here for the rest of this informative article!

When Your Vacation Home Becomes Everybody's Vacation Home

Sure, a vacation home on the water or in the mountains sounds like a great idea...until it becomes a crash pad for your friends. Click here for a funny...yet poignant article! LOL