Last-minute provision would require many small construction firms to provide health insurance to all employees. Hannah Schroder, HousingZone Contributing Editor December 22, 2009 HousingZone In an attempt to garner the votes needed to pass a massive health care overhaul before Christmas, Senate Democrats have included a last-minute provision targeting the construction industry that the National Association of Home Builders calls unfair. The provision would require many small … [Read more...]

  Actually, it is neither.The truth is it is actually a lender’s market!  It is also true that to a degree it has been a buyer’s market for most of the country.  This occurs when the supply of homes for sale exceeds demand, creating a situation where homes take longer to sell and where prices become more negotiable in favor of the buyer.  There is a new phenomenon in today’s real estate market.  This phenomenon is affecting today’s buyers, especially those buyers who are highly … [Read more...]

Fannie Mae calls its latest REO home sales program "First Look", which clearly favors "owner occupants" and penalizes real estate investors!   That's because the "first look" at all of Fannie's new REO listings, starting this month, will now go to home buyers who plan to occupy the units they purchase, or to local public agencies participating in "neighborhood stabilization" or community development programs. When Fannie lists foreclosed houses for sale through a participating real … [Read more...]

Durham at No. 5 on magazine’s list of best places to live   Durham has won the attention of U.S. News and World Report. The Bull City has been placed fifth on the magazine’s Best Places to Live 2009 ranking released Tuesday. The magazine praised the town’s rebirth as a medical and tech hub for its strong performance, saying: “Once a tobacco town, Durham, N.C., has evolved into a world-class center of all things advanced.” Albuquerque, N.M., topped the list, which was determined … [Read more...]

Raleigh is #1 in the country ! Charlotte is #3 in the country! U.S. migration may be down overall, but these vibrant metro areas are still attracting newcomers. In Depth: 10 Cities Where Americans Are Relocating Unemployment is on the rise, credit is tight, and consumers aren't spending--which means they aren't picking up and moving much either. Very few places in America saw significant population growth in 2008. But the buzzing metropolitan area of Denver bucked that trend. Its … [Read more...]

Fannie Mae makes an announcement today to raise the number of financed investment properties back to ten. Since October of 2008, Fannie Mae had lowered the number of financed properties a borrower could have to four. Starting again March 1st, 2009, the limit will go back up to 10 properties. This is BIG news to the real estate investor. I think we all knew that going down to four financed properties was too aggressive of a move. Fannie Mae sites it’s reason for the change as a means to … [Read more...]

Todays interest rates are keeping the dream of home ownership alive and well.  Coupled with the surge in refincing activity,  bankers and mortgage brokers are working overtime to keep up with demand. Now is an excellent time to reduce your mortgage payment! As a service to all visitors to this site, you can check on todays mortgage rates and apply for a mortgage online.  Just click on the Low Rate Home Financing link on the right side of the page. … [Read more...]