Archive for September, 2009

Class Struggle: 10 Ways to Pick the Right Public School District

We say we are buying a house. But for most of us parents, the house is not the whole story. It is the local public school we are investing in, and sometimes it can be a very daunting financial and personal decision.


First-Time Canadian Homebuyer: a walkthrough, day 3 – NuWire Investor

First-Time Canadian Homebuyer: a walkthrough, day 3NuWire InvestorIt is also increasingly common for properties to be sold via For Sale By Owner (FSBO, often pronounced Fizz-Bo) websites as well (www.welist.com and …


Bank Failure Friday Returns To Town: Georgian Bank, GA's 6th Largest Lender, Fails

From the AJC : Regulators on Friday closed troubled Georgian Bank, which has suffered huge losses this year tied to the deteriorated real estate market.


Harney: Will Congress extend the wildly popular $8,000 homebuyer tax credit?

Will Congress extend the wildly popular $8,000 homebuyer tax credit beyond its Dec.


U.S. Home Sales fell in August

Sales of existing U.S. homes fell 2.7 percent in August after four consecutive month of gains, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday.


Real Estate Survey: Tax Credit Not A Factor In Most First-Timersa Decisions

Lawmakers are considering extending the first-time homebuyer tax credit another year in an effort to further boost the real estate market.


California unsold home pool dwindles, sales speed

The unsold inventory index — which indicates the number of months needed to deplete the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate — in August was 4.3 months, compared with 7 months for the same period a year ago, according to a report Friday by the California Association of Realtors.


First time buyers rush to get grants

REAL estate agents listed auctions in record numbers to attract buyers on the last weekend of the boosted first-home owners grant, but a property investment group has warned young people will be hit hard by rising interest rates.


When Paying Off a Mortgage Is Not a Good Idea

Q Looking at the numbers, it seems to be a good idea to pay off my mortgage. We have nine years remaining on a 15-year term at 5 percent and we owe $106,000. My home equity line is at prime. We plan to stay in the house for three to four more years. I know [...]


FHA's Refusal to Seek Bailout Met With Skepticism

The Federal Housing Administration’s assertion that it will not need to ask for a bailout even though its loss reserves are eroding was met with skepticism Friday from the agency’s longtime critics.