- Best And Worst Home Improvement
- From Forbes.com, the right add-ons can make the difference in a tough market:
That means that if your kitchen cabinets and appliances lag behind those of the guy next door, an investment of $40,000 to update the room completely will likely be made back and then some when it comes time to sell.
- 2007-07-02
- The most affordable U.S. housing markets
- From CNNMoney.com, the Midwest leads with the most affordable homes:
The top 13 markets were all located in the Midwest region. Cumberland, Maryland ($81,000, 86.8 percent), representing the South, was the highest ranked city in the rest of the United States. Elmira, New York ($69,000, 86.7 percent) was close behind. The most affordable western city was Pueblo, Colorado ($115,000, 76.3 percent).
- 2007-07-02
- Housing Inventories Grow In Major U.S. Markets
- The Real Estate Journal looks at the increasing number of homes on the market in 18 metropolitan areas:
The biggest increases in inventory last month were in metro areas where prices generally have continued to rise. Inventory was up 9.2% in the Seattle area and 6.5% in the San Francisco Bay area. Inventories have been lean in those areas in recent years, pushing up prices, but supply now is catching up with demand.
- 2007-07-05
- Buyers, mortgage brokers walk a tightrope
- From US News, getting a mortgage is going to be harder and you'll have to wait longer:
Loans requiring no down payment have been affected most, lending officials agree. Firms have raised the minimum credit score needed to receive a fully financed loan -- to 620 from 570 -- and they are taking a closer look at job security, stable income and past history of delinquencies.
- 2007-07-09
- Get your dream deck
- From This Old House, some pictures of decks to get you started:
Putting a deck on your house is perhaps the easiest way to increase your living space. It's a solid investment in a home's equity, so carefully consider how your deck will look and perform over the long term.
- 2007-07-09
- Home prices expected to rebound in 2008
- From the Associated Press, after a home price drop in 2007 there is an expected increase for 2008:
Existing-home prices are expected to gain 1.8 percent to a median of $222,700 in 2008 after a 1.4 percent decline this year to $218,800, the according said. The median new-home price should rise 2.2 percent to $222,700 next year after a 2.6 percent drop to $240,100 in 2007.
- 2007-07-15
- Offsetting the cost of Gov. Crist's green initiative
- From the Herald Tribune, the Governor wants to make new homes 15% more efficient, but builders are worried about extra costs:
“The sticker price … is somewhat irrelevant because the monthly cost of ownership comes down” as a result of lower energy bills, said Ross. “Builders for too long have been focused on the upfront cost, and buyers, following the lead, look at the sticker price. But it is the cost of the ownership” that counts.
- 2007-07-15
- Homeowners Who Go Green Face Neighbors' Objections
- From the Real Estate Journal, even after you decide to go green you'll have to get everyone else's approval too:
As "green"-minded homeowners move to put in new energy-efficient windows, solar panels and light-reflecting roofs, they are bumping up against neighbors and local boards that object, saying the additions defy historic-district regulations, will look ugly or damage property values.
- 2007-07-15
- America's Fastest-Growing Suburbs
- From Forbes.com, the California suburbs are seeing incredible growth with cheaper homes than nearby cities:
Rounding out the top 10 fastest-growing suburbs after Lincoln were four Phoenix suburbs: Buckeye, Surprise, Goodyear and Avondale; Plainfield, outside of Chicago; Beaumont, outside San Bernardino, Calif.; Frisco and Wylie outside of Dallas; and Woodstock, outside of Atlanta.
- 2007-07-24
- States where you'll pay the most (and least) for your mortgage
- From Bankrate.com, New York pays the most in origination and closing fees:
A resident of New York City getting a $200,000 mortgage would pay an average of $3,830 in origination, title and closing costs, according to the survey of lenders. On the other end of the scale, an Indianapolis resident would pay $2,339 for the same loan, or 39% less.
- 2007-07-29
- Living Life Like Eloise: More Hotels Add Condos
- From Real Estate Journal, in order to offset costs hotels are adding condos to become profitable like the Ritz Carlton in Dallas:
...the new property isn't just for tourists or businesspeople. It will come with 166 Ritz-Carlton-brand condos and four lavishly appointed homes the developers call "freestanding manors." Condo residents will be able to enjoy the hotel's spa, room service and other amenities. Crescent is including the condos because the amount the Ritz-Carlton will charge for visitors -- about $450 a room -- isn't enough for the company to make money.
- 2007-07-29