Sales of new homes rose last month to the highest level in more than a year as strong activity in the South made up for weakness in the rest of the country.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34145680/ns/business-real_estate/

  Home sales rise to highest level in 2.5 years - Real estate- msnbc.com Source: www.msnbc.msn.com Home sales far exceeded expectations last month, surging to the highest level in two and a half years as first-time buyers rushed to take advantage of an expiring tax credit.

Rates on 30-year loans fall below 5 percent - Real estate- msnbc.com Source: www.msnbc.msn.com Rates for 30-year home loans dipped below 5 percent this week after rising for three straight weeks. Anchorage Alaska Real Estate

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Declining Inventory Sign of Stabilizing Market Source: www.realtor.org Industry experts say declining home inventory is a good thing, but it doesn't necessarily mean prices will rise soon. Anchorage Alaska Real Estate

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by Victoria Brink & Associates

This Month In Real Estate Special Edition

This Month In Real Estate (US) SPECIAL EDITION: The Updated 2009 Homebuyer Tax Credit Source: www.youtube.com This Month in Real Estate provides expert opinion and analysis on real estate trends across the nation. Anchorage Alaska Real Estate

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http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/5-reasons-to-buy-a-home-during-holidays-1.aspx?ic_id=nwsltr_mtgrlest_20091112

5 reasons to buy a home during holidays

By Tracey C. Velt • Bankrate.com

Add 'new home' to your shopping list 1 of 7

While you may think it's crazy to tackle the huge task of homebuying during the schedule-jammed holiday season, the holidays are actually a great time to find real estate deals in today's new economy.

"This year in particular may be different than other years," says Beth Tyler, a broker with Long & Foster Real Estate in Annapolis, Md., who says the economy has boosted many sellers' motivation to sell.

"Interest rates are at an all-time low, prices are greatly depressed and inventory is plentiful," says Nick Burrafato, broker/owner of Florida HomeGallery Real Estate in Orlando, Fla.

"The holiday season is a particularly good time for first-time homebuyers to find a home," says Rich Hayden, senior loan officer for HomeFirst Mortgage Corp. in Alexandria, Va. "But get prequalified with a mortgage broker or lender early. The typical turnaround to close a home is 30 (to) 60 days, so it's best to get started right away."

"The housing market appears to have reached a floor through the June to September period," says Steve Murray, editor of REAL Trends, a real estate industry publication.

"December home sales usually make up about 8.1 percent of total annual home sales," he says. The peak months are May, June, July and August -- each nearly 11 percent of annual home sales. The only months lower than December are November, January and February.

Here are five reasons the 2009 holiday season promises to be filled with better-than-usual home bargains:

Anchorage Alaska Real Estate

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Anchorage Alaska Real Estate News - Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group - Brink & Associates Anchora Source: www.akbrinkteam.com Anchorage Alaska Real Estate News from Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group - Brink & Associates Anchorage Real Estate.

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Most buyers choose to drive by your home first before wanting to set an appointment to view. An attractive yard that is free of debris will gain interest quickly. Make sure that trees are trimmed and that your home can be seen from the street. Have the grass mowed, trimmed and edged. Walkways should be swept. Clean away all debris. Remove parked cars or RVs. When in season plant flowers to add color.

Remember, if the buyer does not like the outside, that person simply drives on to the next house. Get your home ready for drive by traffic and give folks something extra nice to look at.

Call us today for a no-nonsense, no obligation assessment of your homes value and let me show you the key factors in obtaining a top dollar sale on your home! We would definitely like to help you in any way we can! For more tips visit www.AKBRINKTEAM.com

Anchorage real estate market is moving ahead! We do have new financing restrictions coming up on condo's beginning October 1st. This will cause a few hiccups, As of now the restrictions are you have to have more than 75% owner occupancy( for conventional loans), be approved on the FHA and or AHFC housing list( First time homebuyers) You will still as I know now be able to sell VA. If you are going to be selling give me a call to inform you of all changes and how to get past them the best we can to get it sold. For current regulations give me a call or send me an email.

America's top 10 tax-friendly cities

By Kiplinger's

It's not what you earn, it's what you keep that often dictates your standard of living. With that in mind, take this quick tour of the ten cities in the nation that have the lowest overall tax burden. These cities came out on top (er, at the bottom, really) of the 2007-2008 District of Columbia Tax Rates and Tax Burdens Survey for the largest city in each state, plus D.C.

1. Anchorage, Alaska

Income tax: $0
Property tax: $2,572
Sales tax: $0
Auto tax: $165

Click Below For Article

http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=18956823#1