Although the housing recovery continues to roll in most parts of the U.S., there were fresh signs last week about the bumps ahead.
Without question, the latest unemployment and new layoff numbers represent the biggest impediments in the way of a full, vigorous recovery in home sales and prices. Though some economists say the recession either [...]
February 1, 2010
Savvy investors are always the first to jump in a potentially profitable housing market and a new survey indicates things are heating up.
More than 12 percent of homebuyers today plan to purchase a home as an investment, compared to less than half, only 5.6 percent, just seven months ago, according to a recent Move.com Homeownership [...]
January 20, 2010
Sure you can lose weight, get in shape, launch a business or find a new job.
But haven’t you also procrastinated long enough about buying a home?
How long has it been since you upgraded your home with a new roof, spiffed up landscaping or pulled some other home improvement?
And that post-World War II ranch home of [...]
January 11, 2010
Even the grumpiest, grinchiest economist would have to admit that New Year’s 2010 looks a whole lot more positive for real estate and housing than things did last year at the same time.
You may remember that dark and scary time. We had just come through the Wall Street financial panic, but it wasn’t yet clear [...]
January 6, 2010
A government-incentivized program that acknowledges that not all homeowners are able to afford and keep their homes is intended to expedite the short sale process.
“The push right now is for servicers to avoid foreclosure and the push is coming not only from The Obama administration and the Treasury but also from the owners of the [...]
January 4, 2010
If the latest numbers on credit card delinquency is any indicator, U.S. consumers are starting to get a handle on their credit card debt.
The Associated press reports: “The decline is significant because of its timing. Delinquency rates usually rise in the third quarter from the prior period as people spend on summer vacations and back-to-school [...]
December 16, 2009
With all the talk about the price and value of real estate these days, you might be wondering how you know when it’s a good time to jump on the bandwagon and buy a new home. While some people have no problem knowing when it is a good time to move into a new home, [...]
December 3, 2009
$8,000 Tax Credit For New Home Buyers
As of Friday, November 6, 2009, President Obama has signed an extension & expansion of the popular first-tim homebuyer tax credit.
Must not have owned a home for the past 3 years to qualify as a first time buyer.
The extension takes the current tax credit and moves the deadline from [...]
November 11, 2009
$8,000 First time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance
*The $8,000 tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
*The tax credit does not have to be [...]
October 30, 2009
Rumors are flying and we have been fighting for the first time homebuyers credit to be extended. Well, looks like we may have won the battle!
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate is expected to act later this week to extend a popular tax credit for first-time homebuyers that is scheduled to expire at the end [...]