Today's Real Estate News and Advice

Updated: September 3, 2010

 Modest Inflation Expectations Allow Mortgage Rates to Once Again Set New Record Lows
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), and for yet another week, fixed-rate mortgages reached record lows, as did the 5-year adjustable rate in this survey. FULL STORY->

The Law of Difficulty
The Law of Difficulty basically says this: The harder the task, the fewer the people who will try to accomplish it. FULL STORY->

Clean Crawlspace May Increase Home Sale
The name makes it sound like a place that you crawl in; however, most of us would probably rather pass on the crawl or even a walk-through of this area because of the lack of cleanliness. A crawlspace is typically a shallow area beneath your home between the soil and first floor. It can be very useful and even enticing to buyers if it’s kept up. On the other hand, a crawlspace can become a refuge for unwanted creatures, fungus, and termites. FULL STORY->

Most Homebuyers Have No Regrets
Even in the face of stagnant - or sliding - home prices, an overwhelming 90 percent of homeowners say they don't regret buying their current home, according to a new study by Bankrate, Inc. FULL STORY->

Maintain an Organized Entryway
The goal of homeowners everywhere should be to have not only functional, but beautiful entryways. FULL STORY->

HOA Crystal Ball
It doesn't take a fortune teller to predict that common elements are going to wear out and it doesn't take a crystal ball to predict that HOAs are going to need money and a plan to fix them. So why do so many HOAs fail to properly plan for these predictable events and expenses? FULL STORY->

HOA Crystal Ball
It doesn't take a fortune teller to predict that common elements are going to wear out and it doesn't take a crystal ball to predict that HOAs are going to need money and a plan to fix them. So why do so many HOAs fail to properly plan for these predictable events and expenses? FULL STORY->

Most Homebuyers Have No Regrets
Even in the face of stagnant - or sliding - home prices, an overwhelming 90 percent of homeowners say they don't regret buying their current home, according to a new study by Bankrate, Inc. FULL STORY->

Maintain an Organized Entryway
The goal of homeowners everywhere should be to have not only functional, but beautiful entryways. FULL STORY->

Disgruntled Short Sale Buyers Moving To "New" Homes
Columnist David Fletcher talk about competitive prices, dependable closings, and less stressed reasons for a move. FULL STORY->

Making The Case For Lost-Property-Value Claims In The Gulf Oil Disaster Zone
Real estate properties along the Gulf Coast oil disaster zone are expected to suffer value losses ranging from 10 to 30 percent or more, but some efforts are afoot to help property owners mitigate those losses. FULL STORY->

Rural Housing Incentives
The landscape of American has changed over the years. As population levels grew, so changed rural and urban demographics. FULL STORY->

Saving for a Home in Canada
For most Canadians, a home is much more than a financial investment -- it's a lifestyle choice. If you're ready to get into the real estate market but don't know if you can afford it, here's what you need to know. FULL STORY->

When Should an HOA Be Able to Restrict an Owner's Right to Rent Out His Unit
Is it fair for an HOA (Homeowner Association) to prohibit or restrict a unit owner from renting out his property? Should there be a law about this? In California, these issues are currently being argued in both the legislature and the courts. In some other states the issues may already be settled; in others the debate is no doubt going on. FULL STORY->

American Savings
It's a trend that started decades ago. Even former President Jimmy Carter, in his 1979 "Malaise" speech, warned of its effects if Americans continued on their path. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Outlook: Mixed Figures
With sharp drops in sales of existing and new homes plastered over the front pages and leading the nightly newscasts, it's no wonder the real estate doomsayers on Wall Street have been working overtime. FULL STORY->

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