Today's Real Estate News and Advice

Updated: May 9, 2008

 Real Estate Outlook: State of the Economy
Are figures really rosier than reports are making out? Columnist Kenneth Harney explains what's really happening in the U.S. economy this week. FULL STORY->

Hot Market: Seeing The Smoke Before The Fire
Several markets across the country are starting to heat up -- if you know what to look for. Take across Florida -- prices are depressed, sales are down in the double digits compared to a year ago, while foreclosures and short sales rule. However, it's turning and the smoke is starting to rise before the flame ignites. FULL STORY->

Regional Report: Northeast
Our market experts in the Northeastern United States are trying to put a positive spin on what continues to be a downward-trending market. FULL STORY->

Keep Cool Starting From The Top
With summer coming and temperatures rising quickly, many people are already turning the air conditioner on. But did you know that what's atop your home may or may not be helping you stay cool? FULL STORY->

Google Desktop: A Free Easy, Time Saver
Often we discover by accident an incredibly timesaving tool, which we COULD have been using for years in our computer work, but just had not known about. Well, you will bless the day that you learned here about this true time saver. FULL STORY->

Ask Realty Times
Can my builder lower prices -- after I bought? Can my mother-in-law limit my interest in a home I am buying with my husband? How can I protect myself against mortgage fraud? Peter G. Miller looks at the week's most interesting questions for Realty Times. FULL STORY->

Realty Viewpoint: Show HomeBuyers How Rewards Outweigh Risks
Realtors, builders and sellers need to convince buyers that now is a good time to buy, the industry also has to go one step further - prove to buyers that purchasing real estate is a sound investment. FULL STORY->

Little Movement in Mortgage Rates Seen This Week
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.05 percent with an average 0.3 point for the week ending May 8, 2008, down very slightly from last week when it averaged 6.06 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.21 percent. FULL STORY->

Interest Rate Update
Today's Interest Rates from Realty Times are based on a 30 year amortization rate, with good credit and no origination fees. With no major economic news today to report, mortgage rates are stable. FULL STORY->

Investor Report: Traditional Credit Sources Squeezing Pipeline
Investors who got used to easy money during the boom years - helped along by Wall Street, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and private mortgage insurers - need to adjust to some sobering new realities: Their traditional sources of credit are squeezing the pipeline. FULL STORY->

Regional Report: West
In looking at reports from the Western United States Real Estate market, it's a mixed bag as usual from our crew of on-the-ground market experts. FULL STORY->

Market Conditions: Phoenix, Arizona
Market expert Susan Kessler is reporting some low sales figures for the Greater Phoenix metro area. FULL STORY->

Is This Foundation Issue New?
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Fall in Love With What You Do: Six Ways to Fuel Your Business With Passion and Purpose
Some of the greatest minds in business have expounded the merits of loving what you do for a living. Yet all too often -- somewhere between idyllic childhood dreams and the reality of everyday work -- many people lose their passion. They deny the drive that could lead them to greatness and instead find themselves either chasing the dollar or following the path of least resistance. Don't let that be you. Not now, not ever. FULL STORY->

Successful Browsing For Housing
Browsing for housing online isn't just about fat bandwidth and interactive content. DotHomes.com says using a studied approach to home shopping online is more important. FULL STORY->

Guess What? Predatory Lending Is Not A Crime
There's lots of talk about predatory lending, but the reality is that predatory lending is not a federal crime. Columnist Peter G. Miller explains. FULL STORY->

Condo Trends: Reserve Funds Dirty Little Secret?
The State of Washington will be only the sixth state in the Union to require condominium associations to disclose their financial stability. FULL STORY->

Interest Rate Update
Today's Interest Rates from Realty Times are based on a 30 year amortization rate, with good credit and no origination fees. Conflicting economic reports have mortgage rates in a quandary with no move up or down. FULL STORY->

Realty Viewpoint: Just What We Need - Another Housing Index
Now that home prices have dropped nationwide, but only in a little over half the major markets, for the first time in 68 years, home price indexes are sprouting like weeds in the front yards of foreclosures. FULL STORY->

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