Five Reasons to Buy a Home Now
Little by little, the housing market is improving. Below are six reasons why it is still a good time to buy a home: Read More

Now is a Good Time to Remodel
The time is ripe to make those remodeling dreams reality. Homeowners who contact contractors now to bid on and schedule remodeling work on their homes will have the edge on getting the best bids. Contractors want to get a pipeline of jobs lined up for the coming months; they win by getting the work they need, and you win by getting the project done a good price. Read More

Enhance Your DIY Projects- Join a Club!
In the midst of this recession, homeowners are joining Do-it-Yourself (DIY) clubs to get needed tasks completed. Read More

Recent Survey Shows Americans Still Eager to Purchase
A recent survey conducted by Move, Inc. shows that upwards of twenty-five percent of adults state that they plan to buy a home within the next five years. Of those surveyed, one half would be first-time home buyers. Read More

February Home Sales Driven by First-Time Buyers
In a recent report released by the NAR (National Association of Realtors) figures show that sales of existing homes increased throughout the month of February, largely from purchases made by first-time home buyers. In general, home sales activity continues to run relatively soft as the market continues to be impacted by additional layoffs and more potential buyers waiting to see how the recent passage of the economic stimulus package affects the market. Read More

Freddie Mac Asking For Help....Again
Mortgage giant Freddie Mac, suffering from the current US housing crisis, announced Wednesday it will request over $30 million in Federal Aid. This after it posted an enormous loss last year in excess of $51 billion. Freddie Mac joins the other mortgage giant, Fannie Mae who recently requested almost $16 billion in aid after losing more than $59 billion last year. Both companies were seized by the government in the fall and are vital to the overall health of the national real estate market. Combined, the two own or guarantee over 50% of the nation's mortgages. The Treasury Dept. has promised aid for the companies up to 400 billion dollars. Many experts predict the companies will remain under the government's control permanently. Read More

New Tax Credit Available to Qualified Home Buyers!
If you are a potential home buyer and are currently on the fence about whether or not to buy, read on. Read More

Loan Limits on FHA, FNMA, and FHLMC in San Diego Return to 2008 Limits
In 2008, loan amounts up to $697,500 were insured by FNMA (Fannie Mae), FHA (Federal Housing Administration), and FHLMC (Freddie Mac). That amount was dropped down to $546,250 on loan closures which took place after January 1 of this year. Read More

The Home Owner Affordability and Stability Plan: How it can help you
The Obama administration has recently created a new plan intended to assist homeowners who are faced with foreclosure. The plan is called the Home Owner Affordability and Stability Plan. This new plan offers a lot of assistance to homeowners who are in or are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. The plan helps families who are currently delinquent on their payments, it offers assistance to those who are current, yet their homes have devalued to the point of being dangerously upside-down in the value of their loan, and it also offers aid to those who desire loan modifications, before they get in trouble. Read More

Six Reasons to Purchase a Home in 2009
1. Real Estate cycles typically last ten years. The most recent bottom of the market years were 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1990. The last market upswing began in 1998, and hit its peak in 2005- just seven years into the cycle. Given the state of our current cycle, the market should have bottomed-out and should be on its way to a more normal market. The NAR (National Association of Realtors) has reported increases in home sales from November to December of six point three percent. From December 2007 to December 2008, an overall increase of two point one percent was seen. These numbers reflect a modest rebound of the market. Read More

Strong Opinions Shared by Former Fannie Mae CEO
When the Federal Housing Finance Agency put both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship in 2004, Dan Mudd was ousted from his position. Read More

Home Resales on the Decline at End of Last Year
The number of Americans who signed on to purchase previously owned houses fell far short of predictions in January as the housing crisis worsens entering its fourth year. The pending homes resales index 7.7 % after a gain of nearly 5% in December according to a spokesperson for the National Association of Realtors. Read More

Real Estate Market On the Rise
In many areas across the country housing sales are seeing a dramatic increase as prices continue to decline. One city in California, Fairfield saw a 226% rise in home sales last quarter as compared to '07 as the average sales price fell 19% to $179k according to American CoreLogic, a housing data analytics company. Many 1st time buyers are entering the market now. Read More

Mortgage Bankruptcy Bill Passes House
Legislation which allows bankruptcy judges to extend the terms of, trim interest rates , and in turn lower the principal owed to lenders by bankrupt borrowers was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, March 5. Read More

Many Californians feel Abandoned by Recent Foreclosure Plans
As it stands, the current foreclosure relief program drafted by President Obama's administration limits refinancing help to homeowners which owe more than one hundred five percent of what their homes values are. Read More

Recent Survey Shows American Dream is still Alive and Well
It appears that the classic American Dream of homeownership has been undeterred by the present slowdown of the housing market. Both current homeowners and potential home buyer alike agree. Read More

Obama's Tax Credit Designed to Encourage First-time Home Buyers
President Obama signed a bill this week which includes a provision to encourage families to buy their first homes. It calls for a tax credit of $8k or 10 percent of the home's value, whichever is less. The credit can be claimed on the 2008 or 2009 tax return. The really nice part of this credit is that it is 100% refundable, meaning if you’re already due a refund, the $8,000 will be added to it. Read More

Fannie Mae to Draw from Federal Line of Credit
Feeling the impact of the struggling US housing Market, Fannie Mae reported Thursday it would have to dip into its 200 billion dollar federal line of credit after suffering a loss of nearly 59 billion in 2008. They also said that an end to their troubles does not appear close at hand. Last quarter, Fannie Mae claimed 25.2 billion in losses which represents a per-share loss of $4.47. Slightly lower than their third quarter loss, it is the sixth straight quarter in which the financial giant reported a loss. Read More

Obama Budget Plan Places MID at Risk
The NAR (National Board of Realtors) reports that there is a provision in President Obama's budget outline which would place a limit on the MID (Mortgage Interest Deduction). This limit would impact every home owner with a mortgage in the U.S. Read More

Survey Shows: Americans Want new Transit Options over New Roads
A recent survey which was sponsored by both the NAR (National Association of Realtors) and an organization named Transportation for America asked Americans if they wanted to see more transit options/improvements implemented or additional roads built. The results showed an overwhelming majority desired to have more transit options. Read More

Limits Released on FHA and Conforming Loans
Based on changes enacted last week as part of the economic stimulus legislation, the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development has recently released new FHA and conforming loan limits. Read More

Resurgence Evident in South Coast of California's Home Market
With entry-level homes in the area averaging over 750 thousand the South Coast California market is showing signs of a resurgence. The area has a chronic shortage of entry-level homes such as townhouses, condos and small two and three bedroom homes. Read More

New Tax Credits Aim to Encourage Home Buyer
Now is a good time for prospective home buyers. In addition to the existing federal tax credit of eight thousand dollars for those purchasing their own home, California has passed legislation allowing an additional credit of 5% of the home’s value up to ten thousand dollars to home buyers, be it their first home or not; and is available to all home buyers regardless of income. The new tax credit will be available from March of this year to March of 2010 to anyone purchasing a new home in which they will be the first to reside. Read More