Bond Yields Push Mortgage Rates to Highest Level in Seven Months (7/28/2009)
Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.59 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending June 11, 2009, up from last week when it averaged 5.29 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.32 percent. The last time the 30-year FRM was higher was the week ending November 26, 2008, when it averaged 5.97 percent.
Full Story: Click Here

Investor Report: Undervalued Property (7/28/2009)
One of the keys to successful real estate investing has always been to buy undervalued property -- and avoid anything that's way overpriced.
Full Story: Click Here

Drop in Housing Prices Still Occurring but Market Activity Increasing (7/28/2009)
Experts aren't saying the end of falling house prices is over; however, market activity is increasing in some areas and affordability continues to be the key critical factor for those wanting to buy a home
Full Story: Click Here

Government Programs Worth the Effort But Check Details (7/28/2009)
Canadian property owners may be tempted to ignore tax credit and other government-backed financial programs because, in comparison to billion dollar bailouts, they seem to involve trivial amounts. PJ Wade encourages real estate owners to cash in on opportunities for short- and long-term benefits
Full Story: Click Here

Real Estate Outlook: Mortgage Rates and Inflation (7/28/2009)
Most of the key economic indicators for real estate continue to be at least moderately positive - home sales are up, prices are stabilizing or up, unsold inventories are down, and even new unemployment filings are down slightly
Full Story: Click Here

Selling Home May Be Influenced by What Buyers Can't See (7/28/2009)
It's not always what buyers can see in a home that causes them to want to buy it or not. Sometimes it's the way the home feels
Full Story: Click Here

Buyers: Know What You Need to Know in Making a Contract offer (7/28/2009)
Be it the real estate market in 2009 or any other real estate market for that matter, the structure of a real estate purchase contract offer can be the difference in it being accepted or rejected
Full Story: Click Here

Real Estate Outlook: When Signals are Mixed (7/28/2009)
The key to understanding what's happening for housing and real estate right now is to remember this: In a recovery that's just getting going, don't expect all the economic arrows to point the same way at any given moment
Full Story: Click Here

Can Trees Help Sell Your Home? (7/28/2009)
The population of the U.S. nearly doubled from 1950 to 2000 but with that growth our water demands more than tripled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The government predicts that there will be water shortages in 36 states by the year 2013. That's disappointing news to homeowners who love their green lawns and think that they add value to their homes. The good news is that a yard can still look attractive and yet use less water to maintain its beauty
Full Story: Click Here

Washington Report: Home Valuation Code of Conduct (7/28/2009)
Critics of Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's controversial new appraisal rules ratcheted up the pressure before the July 4 congressional recess with the introduction of bipartisan legislation that would mandate an 18-month moratorium on the “Home Valuation Code of Conduct.”
Full Story: Click Here

Internet Helps Rent Homes (7/28/2009)
Forbes.com has published its report on America's Best and Worst Cities for Families. These are metros where people have enough money for everyday living and places where families' daily budgets take a chunk out of their incomes
Full Story: Click Here

Washington Report: Controversial Legislation (7/28/2009)
Hearings and debate continued almost non-stop last week on Capitol Hill as House leaders pushed controversial legislation to create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency with far-reaching powers affecting mortgages and real estate
Full Story: Click Here

Real Estate Outlook: Positive Growth (7/28/2009)
There was an important piece of economic news last week that has HUGE significance for real estate and housing, but it got minimal coverage on TV and in print. The Conference Board's Index of Leading Economic Indicators, widely acknowledged as the most accurate predictor of future activity and output in the U.S. economy, rose by almost a point in June
Full Story: Click Here

Your Front Porch May Help Sell Your Home (7/3/2009)
Selling your home from the entryway is similar to the concept of curb appeal. Here are a few tips to help you increase the exterior appeal of your home before you place it on the market
Full Story: Click Here