home buying: Home Prices Experience Biggest Annual Decline in 21 Years - 02/26/09 09:37 AM
The S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index plunged 18.2% during the final quarter of 2008, the biggest annual decline in the closely watched index's 21-year history. Separately, for the month of December alone the Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Index fell 18.5% compared with the previous December, also a record decline.
The seven … (3 comments)
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home buying: Toll Brothers’ Mortgage Protection Plan: Lose a Job, You can Still Buy a Home - 02/24/09 10:09 AM
Lately, it seems like every time I turn on the television or open a newspaper there's another big company announcing plans for massive layoffs. And for many people, the headlines have become their reality. I personally know a handful of people who lost their jobs this year and a … (2 comments)
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home buying: Two-thirds of Americans Support Home Buyer Tax Credit - 02/11/09 09:19 AM
The Senate yesterday approved an $838 billion economic stimulus bill that includes a $15,000 homebuyer tax credit. In addition, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner unveiled a multitrillion-dollar financial stability plan that includes $50 billion for foreclosure prevention programs.
Officials hope that the $15k tax credit - with no repayment … (4 comments)
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home buying: New Housing Radio Show Set to Debut - 02/10/09 08:37 AM
Call me old-school, but I like to listen to radio talk shows when I'm in my car. Over the last few years, the housing market boom then bust has been a topic that's dominated the airwaves. And for one new radio show, there's still plenty more to talk about.
… (1 comments)
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home buying: Homeowners Want More Energy and Water-Efficient Products - 01/27/09 09:08 AM
As the earth's natural resources continue to be depleted and energy costs across the globe continue to rise, more and more consumers are seeking green home products, especially those that focus on energy and water efficiency. And there is every indication that trend will only get stronger, according to home building … (3 comments)
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home buying: Retrofitting Older Homes to be More Green - 01/22/09 09:38 AM
Photovoltaic roof panels that harness solar energy create electricity for the home, heat water, and improve indoor lighting.
As the nation's home builders embrace green building in growing numbers, industry research indicates that even the most aggressive efficiency goals for new homes won't make a dent in overall energy consumption. … (6 comments)
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home buying: Foreclosure Activity Increases by 81 Percent in 2008 - 01/20/09 11:08 AM
RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosure properties, released its 2008 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report last week, which showed foreclosure activity increased 81 percent in 2008. According to the report, a total of 3,157,806 foreclosure filings - default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions - were reported on 2,330,483 … (5 comments)
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home buying: Homescape Web Site Changes Name to HomeFinder.com - 01/08/09 10:33 AM
I usually post a blog everyday on ActiveRain, but over the past few weeks I've been a bit busy preparing for some new changes at Homecape, so I apologize for my absence here on the AR. Below is a message from Tim Fagan, President of CV Real Estate (and my boss), about all the new … (2 comments)
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home buying: 5 Things Agents Should Avoid with Homebuyers - 12/19/08 12:22 AM
Over the past couple of weeks I've been helping a friend look around for a new condo here in the Chicago metro market. While he's currently just window shopping and hasn't entered into any serious talks with potential sellers, he's your ideal buyer - especially during this slow housing market. His … (97 comments)
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home buying: Foreclosure Activity Down in November - 12/15/08 09:49 AM
November was a classic good news bad news month for foreclosure activity. According to RealtyTrac's most recent U.S. Forelosure Market Report, which shows foreclosure filings - default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions - foreclosure activity decreased 7 percent in November from October, but jumped 28 percent from the … (3 comments)
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home buying: American Idol Fantasia Barrino Home In Foreclosure - 12/12/08 11:34 AM
I'm addicted to American Idol. That's right, I said it. Since the popular reality talent show first debuted in 2002, I have watched each choreographed moved and every off- pitch note religiously. And thanks to my ever growing collection of US and People magazines, I have faithfully followed the contestants as … (7 comments)
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home buying: Pending Home Sales Fall in October - 12/10/08 09:13 AM
Despite a rise in unemployment and falling retail sales, pending home sales remain in a stable range, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). NAR's Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in October, slipped 0.7 percent to 88.9 from an upwardly revised reading of … (1 comments)
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home buying: Historic Low Home Loan Interest Rates - 12/05/08 08:41 AM
The Federal Reserve's announcement last week that they would purchase $500 billion in mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac created a frenzy of refinancing activity across the country, according to the New York Times. The Times reported that refinancing activity accounted for 69.1 percent of … (4 comments)
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home buying: Home Prices Tumble to Record Lows - 11/25/08 10:37 AM
The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index tumbled a record 16.6 percent during the quarter from the same period a year ago. Prices are at levels not seen since the first quarter of 2004.
The monthly indices also showed record declines. The 20-city index fell by 17.4 … (1 comments)
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home buying: More Housing Aid Needed to Boost Economy - 11/19/08 09:50 AM
With Congress considering a return to Washington this month for another economic stimulus effort, the National Association of Realtors has proposed what they are calling a "four-point plan", which they want included in any future stimulus plan being put forth. The trade organization, which represents 1.2 million members across … (5 comments)
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home buying: The Double-Edged Sword of Foreclosures - 11/11/08 08:43 AM
The sales of foreclosed properties are having a noticeable impact on home prices and increased sales in major real estate markets across the United States. In August, 23 of the 25 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) tracked by Radar Logic's Residential Property Index experienced year-over-year home price declines, while … (3 comments)
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home buying: Reality Show Home Up for Sale - 11/10/08 08:48 AM
About three months ago, I blogged about an "Extreme Makeover" home in Georgia that succumbed foreclosure. The owners, Milton and Patricia Harper, used the house at 5489 Ahyoka Drive in Clayton County, GA, as collateral for a $450,000 loan, the Associated Press reported.
Records at the law firm handling foreclosures for … (4 comments)
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home buying: Homescape’s Green Initiative - 11/07/08 09:21 AM
Going green at home used to just mean separating the plastic and paper from the rest of the garbage. But in most households today, consumers believe that energy conservation is essential and the cost of green improvements is a significant factor in their home-buying decisions. For consumers looking for a home … (2 comments)
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home buying: The American Dream - 11/04/08 08:41 AM
Today's election day, and I'm feeling extra patriotic - even without sporting my American flag lapel pin. I got out of bed bright and early this morning to cast my votes for the next president of the United States and other candidates running for office in my area. But I'll keep … (2 comments)
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home buying: Back to the Future of the Housing Market - 10/30/08 08:49 AM
In the film, "Back to the Future," Marty McFly meets Doc as planned in the parking lot of Twin Pines Mall. Doc presents a DeLorean DMC-12 which he has modified into a time machine. As Marty videotapes, Doc explains the car travels to a programmed date and time upon reaching 88 … (8 comments)
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