Consumer Financial Information & Resources » Real Estate

The World’s Most Expensive Cities For Expats

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 04:22:00 +0000

A new study reveals the cities that cost the most for foreign-based companies and individuals.

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Middle-Of-Nowhere Mansions

admin — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:22:23 +0000

Ultra-high-end homes are on the market for tens of millions in Door County, Wis., and other unexpected spots. What are they doing there?

Continue reading here: Middle-Of-Nowhere Mansions

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The New Homebuyer Tax Credit Won’t Die –Should It?

admin — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:18:57 +0000

The government has given buyers using the credit another three months to close sales, and the initiative is being imitated on a smaller scale by states and private companies. But some think the market would be better off if we laid it to rest for good.

Read more from the original source: The New Homebuyer Tax Credit Won’t Die –Should It?

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Weekly Mortgage Rate Pulse from LendingTree Reports Rates Remain at Record Low

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:35:09 +0000

LendingTree Network Offered Mortgage Rates as Low as 4.125 Percent…

Mortgage rates remained flat this week, according to the LendingTree Weekly Mortgage Rate Pulse, a snapshot of the lowest and average mortgage rates available within the LendingTree network of lenders.

On August 10, lenders on the LendingTree network offered mortgage rates as low as 4.125 percent (4.26% APR) for a 30-year fixed mortgage, 3.625 percent (3.86% APR) for a 15-year fixed mortgage and 3.00 percent (3.45% APR) for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). Rates for all product types remained flat week-over-week.

Average rates offered by lenders on the LendingTree network were 4.50 percent (4.69% APR) for 30-year fixed mortgages, 4.07 percent (4.39% APR) for 15-year fixed mortgages and 3.45 percent (3.70% APR) for 5/1 ARMs. Rates for 30-year fixed mortgages and 5/1 ARMs dropped week-over-week while rates for 15-year fixed mortgages increased two basis points.

Full article: Weekly Mortgage Rate Pulse from LendingTree Reports Rates Remain at Record Low

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Fed Moves to Stimulate Sluggish Economic Recovery

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:09:00 +0000

Fed Vows to Keep Interest Rates at Record Low Levels…

The Federal Reserve Board scaled back its expectations for the economy Tuesday, vowing to keep interest rates at record low levels and taking a small measure to stimulate a recovery that has lost steam.

The Fed said it will reinvest proceeds from mortgage and other debt that it owns in longer-term Treasury debt. Economists said the measure could stimulate some borrowing by lowering long-term interest rates.

But interest rates have been at or near record lows for months and have failed to achieve the kind of strong recovery most economists would have expected given the severity of the recession that began in December 2007.

“It’s been a half-speed recovery at best,” said PNC Bank chief economist Stuart Hoffman.

He called the Fed’s decision to reinvest proceeds from its debt portfolio “a subtle change.” Some economists argue the Fed should provide a stronger stimulus by purchasing more debt.

Full article: Fed Moves to Stimulate Sluggish Economic Recovery

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Personal Giving and the IREM Foundation Go Hand in Hand

admin — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 21:44:28 +0000

Michigan Chapter No. 5 Voted to Commit to an Unrestricted Gift of $100,000…

The IREM Foundation relies upon the generosity of its members to provide funding for core programs. Over the years IREM Members have been asked to support the foundation by including a donation with the annual IREM dues renewals, responding to an annual appeal letter or supporting annual fundraising events.

In the past, only checks or credit cards were accepted for donations. As of 2008, members can make a pledge to the foundation through installments or by electronic funds transfer. The foundation also has the ability to accept and sell a gift of stock.

Donor Recognition

On behalf of the foundation, all donors will receive a 2008 foundation Donor Recognition Pin through their chapter. IREM Foundation Historic Support Recognition Pins are given to thank donors for ongoing annual support as well as special events and other foundation fundraising activities. These white gold CPM[R] or ARM[R] pins, with various stones, are presented at the IREM Foundation major donor reception during the IREM fall meetings.

Full article: Personal Giving and the IREM Foundation Go Hand in Hand

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5 Easy Fixes to Spruce Up Your Home

admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 01:04:40 +0000

Cheap Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home…

Whether you are trying to sell your home or simply want to tackle some of those projects you’ve been putting off for a while, here are some home improvements you can make that have big impacts and are relatively inexpensive, giving you the biggest bang for your buck.

1. Add A Touch of Paint
Painting is always the first thing real estate professionals will tell you when suggesting ways to improve the look of your home. And they’re right, a touch of paint can completely transformed a room. Avoid dark colors, as this will make the room appear to be smaller than it is, and try to use a lighter shade of paint that goes with the summer season. Check this site out to help you choose a color.

Get the Best Rates On Home Mortgage Loans and Refinancing Loans

2. Replace Unsightly Flooring
Take up that linoleum from your kitchen and bathrooms and lay down either tile or wood. Decide which look compliments your house the best and either take your time doing it yourself, or hire a flooring company to get it done quickly, often within a few days. Replacing old carpeting is a great idea too. Your carpet can trap odors, dust mites, and a variety of allergens. If keeping the house, spend the extra dollar to replace your carpet with a quality product, if selling your house, replace the carpet with a mid-grade product.

3. Replace Your Windows
If you have old windows in your house, you not only have unattractive windows, but you have windows that are losing a significant amount of heat and air conditioning. Most states and local utility companies offer incentives and rebates for replacing old windows with energy efficient ones. Check for the new government run program Cash for Caulking to see which upgrades you can get rebates on.

4. Landscaping and Touching Up the Yard
Cut back bushes, pull out weeds, remove overgrowth, and rake up the leaves. This alone can give your yard a whole new look. Go the extra step and plant new trees, bushes, and flowers to fill voids around the yard. Add stepping stones, a fountain, bench, or some other garden accent to boost your home’s appeal even further. Check out these five cool small yards.

5. Paint Outdoor Features
Add color to your window and door frames, exposed wood framing, your porch, and your mailbox. One expert says to go with calm colors that go well with the home’s exterior paint; however sometimes a contrasting color helps make the home stand out even further. We’ll let you decide, the point is that this is very effective and doesn’t cost much. Check out this site on a “how to”.

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Hottest Real Estate Markets

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:05:45 +0000

25 Best Places to Buy A Home in America…

CNNMoney.com recently published an article that features growing towns and cities with affordable homes and promising jobs.

1. Deerfield Beach, FL
Median price of a home: $67,000
Median annual family income: $56,519

With the housing market crash effecting Florida worse than most states, affordable waterfront property is now a reality. For around $400,000 buyers can find three-bedroom beachfront homes in a town that offers residents pristine beaches.

http://www.trulia.com/FL/Deerfield_Beach/
Deerfield Beach Homes for Sale

Research the Best Rates on Home Loans at LendingTree.com

2. Lafayette, IN
Median price of a home: $82,210
Median annual family income: $60,643

As in many areas of the Midwest, Lafayette homebuyers get a lot of house for their dollar. Large, very luxurious homes can be found for under a million and for under $100,000, buyers can find three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes in great neighborhoods.

http://www.trulia.com/IN/Lafayette/
Lafayette Homes for Sale

3. San Antonio, TX
Median price of a home: $78,627
Median annual family income: $55,958

San Antonio is a continuously evolving city that has managed to diversify its economy, allowing for plenty of jobs. Buyer can choose from many four-bedroom, single-family homes starting at around $140,000.

http://www.trulia.com/TX/San_Antonio/
San Antonio Homes for Sale

4. Deltona, FL
Median price of a home: $80,473
Median annual family income: $56,907

House hunters are promised to find homes that offer a lot of value as home prices are now down to about half of what they were at the height of the market. With large attractions in nearby Orlando, including Walt Disney World, jobs are plentiful.

http://www.trulia.com/FL/Deltona/
Deltona Homes for Sale

5. Spring, TX
Median price of a home: $112,062
Median annual family income: $75,412

Located just 20 miles north of Houston, Spring is quickly growing along with its neighbor. Boasting nearly 50,000 residents, home buyers will find very affordable, very large homes, such as five-bedroom homes for around $250,000 and three-bedroom starters for only $50,000.

http://www.trulia.com/TX/Spring/
Spring Homes for Sale

6. Glendale, AZ
Median price of a home: $105,000
Median annual family income: $68,099

Glendale is a suburb of Phoenix and is a hot spot for sports. The home of the Arizona Cardinals and the Phoenix Coyotes has experienced much growth since these two professional teams came to town, and with that growth came an abundance of foreclosed homes, driving down prices, making single family properties very affordable.

http://www.trulia.com/AZ/Glendale/
Glendale Homes for Sale

7. Avondale, AZ
Median price of a home: $111,100
Median annual family income: $70,672

Avondale, another suburb of Phoenix, is quickly growing due to the affordability of homes in the area. A four-bedroom, 3,000 square-foot golf course home can be bought for around $280,000. Foreclosed homes are plentiful in Avondale too.

http://www.trulia.com/AZ/Avondale/
Avondale Homes for Sale

8. Bolingbrook, IL
Median price of a home: $155,000
Median annual family income: $96,792

At one time, Bolingrook was a small farming community, now the slow-paced town of roughly 70,000 is considered a distant suburb of Chicago. Four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes in the area are on the market for less than $200,000.

http://www.trulia.com/IL/Bolingbrook/
Bolingbrook Homes for Sale

9. Fishers, IN
Median price of a home: $174,296
Median annual family income: $108,086

Fishers has grown from around 7,000 residents in 1990 to 65,000 today, which includes several Indiana Pacers’ players. This growing community includes many large estates, homes of 10,000 square feet, are on the market for a very reasonable $1.5 million.

http://www.trulia.com/IN/Fishers/
Fishers Homes for Sale

10. Des Moines, IA
Median price of a home: $100,000
Median annual family income: $60,900

Des Moines is one of the few major cities in the United States to avoid impact by the housing bubble. Housing pricing haven’t fluctuated much, meaning homes on the market today are very reasonably priced.

http://www.trulia.com/IA/Des_Moines/
Des Moines Homes for Sale

11. Cedar Rapids, IA
Median price of a home: $120,500
Median annual family income: $71,466

As a ethnically diverse and culturally vibrant city, Cedar Rapids is an old city that is attracting a younger homebuyer. In 2008, flooding in the area led to the loss of over 300 homes, however this disaster had little to no impact on home pricing, keeping homes very affordable.

http://www.trulia.com/IA/Cedar_Rapids/
Cedar Rapids Homes for Sale

12. Spring Valley, NV
Median price of a home: $135,000
Median annual family income: $77,244

The population of Spring Valley, a growing city just west of the Vegas strip, has almost doubled between 1990 and 2000. And like most of Nevada’s cities which have seen explosive growth, many foreclosed homes have littered the area. Look for foreclosed condos and homes ranging from $30,000 to $150,000.

http://www.trulia.com/NV/Las_Vegas/
Las Vegas Homes for Sale

13.Warner Robins, GA
Median price of a home: $110,000
Median annual family income: $62,592

Warner Robins the town is named after a well known Air Force general. The town motto is “Every Day in Middle Georgia is Armed Forces Appreciation Day.” A typical single-family home cost around $110,000, which is very affordable considering the median family income.

http://www.trulia.com/GA/Warner_Robins/
Warner Robins Homes for Sale

14. Wichita, KS
Median price of a home: $115,138
Median annual family income: $64,889

Aircraft manufacturing from major companies, including Boeing, Airbus, Cessna, Learjet, and Hawker Beechcraft, has created many well-paying jobs in recent years. The housing market saw little effect from the crash and homebuyers can expect to find single-family homes starting as low as $200,000.

http://www.trulia.com/KS/Wichita/
Wichita Homes for Sale

15. Dale City, VA
Median price of a home: $163,000
Median annual family income: $90,719

Dale City, located approximately a thirty minute drive from Washington D.C., is a self-contained, ethnically diverse community first developed in the late 1960s. Homebuyers can expect to find many large four-bedroom homes on quarter-acre lots starting around $300,000.

http://www.trulia.com/VA/Dale_City/
Dale City Homes for Sale

16. Lincoln, NE
Median price of a home: $125,000
Median annual family income: $67,613

Home of the University of Nebraska this little big city is deeply rooted in college football and the university brings culture and entertainment to residents. The typical three-bedroom home in the area costs about $200,000 and there are many good deals to be had.

http://www.trulia.com/NE/Lincoln/
Lincoln Homes for Sale

17. Overland Park, KS
Median price of a home: $200,000
Median annual family income: $107,240

As the second largest city in Kansas, Overland Park has made more than one “best places to live” lists. The high median income is mostly contributed to the disproportionate number of Fortune 500 companies in the area. Very nice, three-bedroom homes are on the market for less than $200,000.

http://www.trulia.com/KS/Overland_Park/
Overland Park Homes for Sale

18. Joliet, IL
Median price of a home: $152,000
Median annual family income: $77,214

The recession in the early 1980s made this one-time steel town’s unemployment rate as high as 25 percent; however, since 2000 this town’s population has leaped 37 percent. Homebuyers will find great deals, such as 2,000 square-foot homes in the upper $100,000s.

http://www.trulia.com/IL/Joliet/
Joliet Homes for Sale

19. Huntsville, AL
Median price of a home: $140,000
Median annual family income: $68,755

Huntsville is a relatively large city with over 170,000 residents, many of whom are very well-paid scientists, technicians, and engineers working with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Like new single-family homes can be found for right around $200,000.

http://www.trulia.com/AL/Huntsville/
Huntsville Homes for Sale

20. Murfreesboro, TN
Median price of a home: $141,000
Median annual family income: $68,620

As a suburb of Nashville, Murfreesboro is the recipient of the city’s rapid growth. At any given time Murfreesboro is home to 23,000 students from Middle Tennessee State University. The market never showed signs of bubbling, and nice starter homes can be found on the market under $150,000.

http://www.trulia.com/TN/Murfreesboro/
Murfreesboro Homes for Sale

21. O’Fallon, MO
Median price of a home: $172,250
Median annual family income: $82,868

O’Fallon experienced much of its growth due to families fleeing St. Louis, about 35 miles to the east, as crime escalated and schools declined. As a very nice middle-class community, O’Fallon has many great deals on three to four bedroom homes, starting at around $150,000.

http://www.trulia.com/MO/O_Fallon/
O’Fallon Homes for Sale

22. Rogers, AR
Median price of a home: $124,483
Median annual family income: $59,658

Rogers has experienced a significant population growth over the past several decades, growing from just 11,000 residents in the 1970s to almost 60,000 today. As the corporate office home to the world’s largest revenue producing corporation, Wal-Mart, Rogers’ residents have seen the success trickle down to their communities. A large supply of homes has multiple options for all buyers.

http://www.trulia.com/AR/Rogers/
Rogers Homes for Sale

23. Fargo, ND
Median price of a home: $144,802
Median annual family income: $69,142

Low unemployment, only 3.5 percent in May, along with a nearly non-existent crime rate makes Fargo a great place to start a family. Home prices haven’t inflated, keeping three to four bedroom homes reasonably priced.

http://www.trulia.com/ND/Fargo/
Fargo Homes for Sale

24. Springdale, AR
Median price of a home: $115,951
Median annual family income: $55,210

Much of Springdale’s growth in recent years can be accredited to a large Wal-Mart satellite office and Tyson Foods being headquartered here. Over the past decade, the housing market has experienced moderate growth and homebuyers can find a nice starter home for about $125,000.

http://www.trulia.com/AR/Springdale/
Springdale Homes for Sale

25. Washington, NJ
Median price of a home: $204,450
Median annual family income: $94,398

Only 65 miles from New York City, the real estate market in Washington is much more appealing than, for example, prices in Manhattan. A 3,000 square-foot home in Washington can range between $300,000 and $350,000.

http://www.trulia.com/NJ/Washington/
Washington Homes for Sale

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