Up to 180,000 home buyers will lose their tax credit through no fault of their own if Congress fails to pass an extension to the home buyer tax credit by June 30 when the closing deadline expires. Included in that number are thousands of home buyers in every state of the union, from 390 in Wyoming … [Read more...]

Existing-home sales remained at elevated levels in May on buyer response to the tax credit, characterized by stabilizing home prices and historically low mortgage interest rates, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Gains in the West and South were offset by a decline in the … [Read more...]

Home decor is undergoing a delicate change, thanks to the weakened economy and the trend toward smaller but better-quality homes. As houses are downsized, homeowners are forced to make do with less space and fewer possessions, and in this uncertain economy, many homeowners are reluctant to spend … [Read more...]

Monitor closely energy consumption. Track and cut waste. Use auto-setback thermostats and automatic light switches. Savings can be dramatic.   Used office furniture stores or office equipment leasing companies typically have quality desks to sell at reduced prices; quality filing cabinets might … [Read more...]

The taxpayer-funded Home Affordable Modification Program, or HAMP, is the centerpiece of the nation's foreclosure prevention effort. But it doesn't work for many people. For example, Bank of America estimated in April that more than half its 1.44 million delinquent mortgage customers weren't … [Read more...]

One of the Best Investments As a fairly general rule, homes appreciate about four or five percent a year. Some years will be more, some less. The figure will vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, and region to region. Five percent may not seem like that much at first. Stocks (at times) … [Read more...]

More than nine out of 10 home buyers use the Internet as a search tool, and Realtors® at the Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo here this week are engaged in ways to improve and enhance consumers' online real estate experience. "The Internet has helped transform the real estate … [Read more...]

The National Association of Realtors® today expressed thanks on behalf of America's homebuyers to three Senators for introducing a measure to extend the present home-buyer tax credit closing deadline to Sept. 30. They are Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sens. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., … [Read more...]

The National Association of Realtors® applauded the House for overwhelming passage of FHA reform legislation that would allow the Federal Housing Administration to adjust monthly premiums on mortgage insurance. This bill, H.R. 5072, FHA Reform Act of 2010, would strengthen the FHA loan insurance … [Read more...]

THE KITCHEN DRAWER Stow away that pizza rolling slicing thing and all those other items you bought for less than $5.99 that you just knew you would always use and put them in storage. Whenever you use one of the items, put it back in the drawer. At the end of the month, with the exception of the … [Read more...]