Homes101 Real Estate News

Homes101 Real Estate News
Consumer real estate news featuring articles on market conditions, hot buying and selling issues and more.

Real Estate Outlook: What's in Store for 2009?
What will the new year bring for housing and real estate? It's easy to look at all the negative economic news in the headlines and say - there's no sign that 2009 is going to be any better than 2008.
Study Says Land Transfer Tax Unfair and Wasteful
The City of Toronto's Land Transfer Tax (LTT), introduced last year, "has had punishing effects on the Toronto housing market, reducing transactions and lowering average prices," says a study by the C.D. Howe Institute. It also says that there's no advantage to using an LTT instead of simply raising property taxes, but there is plenty of downside to this type of tax.
Long-Term Rates Fall for Ninth Consecutive Week, Setting Another New Low
McLEAN, VA -- 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 5.10 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending December 31, 2008, down from last week when it averaged 5.14 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.07 percent. The 30-year FRM has not been lower since Freddie Mac started the Primary Mortgage Market Survey in 1971.
Washington Report: Who Chooses Appraisers?
It's shaping up to be one of real estate's surprise hot potato issues for 2009: Who chooses appraisers when houses are sold and financed?
Condo Trends: New Orleans Continues Recovery With Condos
Unlike many of the condo markets in the south, prices for a condominium in New Orleans is outpacing 2007 levels, according to data from the National association of Realtors. The median price of a condominium in the city of blues is up 7.7 percent compared to the 3rd quarter in 2007. This is the third consecutive quarter that prices have beat out last year s numbers for the metropolitan area.
Museum-Quality Tile Artwork Can Add Value To Your Home
When it comes to adding tile to a home, a lot of us head to the local warehouse stores to choose from a variety of selections. Using tile in a home for artwork can enhance homeowners' surroundings while adding value and bringing home a museum-quality artwork look.
Pull Up Stakes, Move Where Home Prices Grow
Americans are staying put more then ever, but when they do move many of them do so for housing-related reasons, say, to buy a new home or find a better neighborhood.
Investor Report: Fannie Mae and Florida Condos
If you're looking to buy an investment condo at a great price in Florida, you just might want to get your loan application nailed down and in before January 15th.
Businesses Believe in Green Building Benefits, according to Report from McGra...
While building 'green' may still cost more upfront, many building industry professionals realize that the health benefits, employee productivity, and the overall positive impact to the environment far outweigh the initial fees. Better yet, environmental responsibility and green building eventually will lead to lower operating costs and increased revenue for building operators and owners. A new report by industry giant McGraw-Hill Construction backs these assumptions, showing an increase in the perceived value of green building among architects, engineering firms, contractors and owners over the last three years, especially the financial benefits.
HOA Welcome Committee
Homeowner associations were fashioned after the villages of an earlier time where leadership consisted of a volunteer mayor and council. HOAs today have a similar volunteer board of directors. The complexion of the village has changed, but the organization is pretty much the same. The biggest challenge is how to get volunteers to serve.

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