Posts with tag homebuying

By Marilen Cawad With interest rates at record lows, it's hard to ignore the constant "buy now" real estate pitches. If you're renting and thinking now is a good opportunity to see what house you can afford, you are probably also thinking about what you may have to give up to buy that house. In a survey released by... Continue Reading »

By Jerry Kronenberg BOSTON -- With mobile phones, mobile computing, Foursquare and GPS, Generation Y seems like it's always on the move -- but where should its 20- and 30-something members be moving to? Move Inc., parent company of Realtor.com and other relocation-oriented Web sites, recently assessed dozens of... Continue Reading »

By Meredith Galante The ultra-high-end real estate market is sizzling in spite of a weak general housing market, meaning if you're in the market for a trophy home, now's a good time to sell. But buying a home with a price tag of more than $3 million can prove to be a bit trickier than navigating the run-of-the-mill... Continue Reading »

Almost a third (31.4 percent) of homeowners with mortgages are underwater, according to the 2012 first-quarter Zillow Negative Equity Report, yet 90 percent of them are current on their mortgages and continue to make payments. Deciding whether to "stay and pay" on a home that's worth less than you owe is a tough financial... Continue Reading »

By Les Christie Buying a home may never get any cheaper than this. Several housing experts are predicting that this year will be the last chance for bargain hunters to cash in on the best deals of the weak housing market. With home prices down 34% nationally since 2006 and mortgage rates at historic lows, homes have... Continue Reading »

Serious about buying a home? It's important first to know your finances, get a solid grasp on the kind of loans available, and acquaint yourself with some homebuying strategies. Here are five essential steps to getting a sure-footed start on shopping for your first home. 1. Know what you can... Continue Reading »

WASHINGTON -- Fixed mortgages were mostly flat this week after hitting their lowest levels in decades. But few Americans are able to capitalize on them. Freddie Mac says the average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage stayed at 4.22 percent for the second straight week. The rate hit 4.15 percent two weeks ago, the lowest... Continue Reading »

Real estate agents and brokers say turmoil in financial markets is planting doubts in the minds of some would-be homebuyers even as it signals opportunity for others. Plunging stock prices initially sparked by the downgrade of the U.S.'s long-term debt rating and reinforced by lingering fears of a European debt crisis... Continue Reading »

While paying down the mortgage is undoubtedly one of the largest financial burdens many Americans have to contend with, it's certainly not the only long-term investment homeowners need to consider. This is particularly true for homeowners nearing their 60s, for whom financial investments made today can have a lasting... Continue Reading »

If you're hearing a lot about short sales these days, it's no surprise. As home values have declined, the number of short sales has exploded. In September 2010, 12 percent of all U.S. real estate transactions were short sales, according to tracking by the National Association of Realtors. So what is a short sale? It's a... Continue Reading »

In a competitive buyer's market like the one we're in today, home staging is more important than ever. A successful staging can make the difference between a house that moves fast for the right price and one that languishes on the market unsold. But a handful of common mistakes can hamper the best home staging efforts. If... Continue Reading »

With the available inventory of homes in today's market, you might want to take a look at "new construction", which is a new property being offered by a home builder. Wondering if one of these is right for you? Here are some pros and cons you should consider. Continue Reading »

It's not hard to get advice when you're in the market for a new home, but often real estate trends and quick tips get passed off as a gospel in this "historic" housing market. And there are a few -- let's call them inconvenient truths of home buying -- that you often won't hear because they don't apply to everybody. But... Continue Reading »

When Chris M. decided to list his home in upstate New York and move closer to Manhattan to ease his wife's commute to her new job, he ran into a major hurdle: "There was no consensus among the agents we spoke with about what our house was worth," he said. The solution? Hire a local appraiser to handle the job of evaluating... Continue Reading »

San Francisco resident Mike S. thought he had a handle on the costs associated with home buying. Down payment -- check. Mortgage -- check. HOA dues -- huh? "The dreaded homeowner association dues," as he calls them, would add hundreds of dollars to his monthly nut, an outlay he hadn't figured when he calculated his home... Continue Reading »