Consumer real estate news featuring articles on market conditions, hot buying and selling issues and more. http://www.homes101.net/news/ en-us Homes101 Copyright © 2010 Homes101 and partners. All rights reserved. 2010-02-09T05:00:00-00:00 http://www.homes101.net/news/n4972 It's a fairly rare event, but now and then most of the important economic directional signs go positive, and this is one of those weeks. Realty Times 2010-02-09T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.homes101.net/news/n4973 When you buy anything in a panic, you create lots of room for regret. Buy real estate in a panic and you may lose more than you gain. Realty Times 2010-02-09T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.homes101.net/news/n4971 Real estate took some whacks in the new 3.8 trillion dollar Obama budget presented to Congress last week, but there were some helpful proposals for housing as well. Realty Times 2010-02-08T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.homes101.net/news/n4968 The Urban Land Institute predicts there will be two major changes beginning in this new decade in our country that will affect the housing market. Realty Times 2010-02-05T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.homes101.net/news/n4969 McLean, VA -- Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS)in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.01 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending February 4, 2010, up from last week when it averaged 4.98 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.25 percent. Realty Times 2010-02-05T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.homes101.net/news/n4970 You've probably heard that the Obama administration's budget sent to Congress last week emphasizes helping small businesses around the country, but you may not know that it also includes lots more potential financing opportunities for purchasers, owners and rehabbers of commercial real estate. Realty Times 2010-02-05T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.homes101.net/news/n4965 The FHA just announced tighter guidelines (January 20). Insurance premiums increased from 1.75 to 2.25 percent. Seller concessions are limited to 3 percent, down from 6 percent and new borrowers with a FICO score below 580 will need a 10 percent down payment instead of the 3.5 percent now required. GASP! We have a choice. We can choose to support what they are trying to do, or we can complain loudly and keep the buying public confused. Realty Times 2010-02-04T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.homes101.net/news/n4966 It's not easy turning a potential foreclosure into a successful affordable mortgage modification -- from either side of the table. Realty Times 2010-02-04T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.homes101.net/news/n4967 [Note: To follow is an excerpt of a radio show interview conducted by Peter L. Mosca, host of Income Property Investment Talk dot com, with Richard Juge, CCIM, 2010 President of the Institute, and President of RE/MAX Commercial Brokers, Inc. in Metairie, Louisiana and broker/owner of a RE/MAX office in Mandeville, Louisiana. Richard discusses how the CCIM's education, networking, and technology services and products, or what he calls "the power tools," serve as an invaluable resource to the commercial real estate owner, investor, and end user. To listen to the show archive or download an MP3, go to www.IncomePropertyInvestmentTalk.com/010610.] Realty Times 2010-02-04T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.homes101.net/news/n4964 On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2009, the Senate by a 60 to 39 vote approved the Patient Protection And Affordable Coverage Act (H.R. 3590). A large bill, as most have undoubtedly heard, was made a bit larger as language requiring small construction firms with more than five workers provide health care coverage or face stiff fines was, according to the National Association of Home Builders, "slipped into the Senate health care legislation at the last minute." That language, more commonly known as the Merkley amendment, requires that employers in the construction industry with over $250,000 in payroll or more than five workers provide health insurance for their employees or pay a penalty. Realty Times 2010-02-03T00:00:00-05:00