Today’s Top Story – Consumer

Optimism Grips Homeowners: 81% Think Home’s Value Will Increase or Stay Same in Next 6 Months

RISMEDIA, August 19, 2009-American homeowners are much more realistic about their own homes' values than they were one year ago, but are more optimistic

Gender Differences Abound in the Home-Buying Process

RISMEDIA, September 1, 2009-It often seems as though men and women are from different planets, but every day millions of couples navigate through day-to-day and even life-altering decisions. Because a home is the biggest purchase most people will make in their lifetime, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC surveyed 1,000 individuals to discover how much men and women differ in the home-buying process.

As Credit Deadline Approaches, Race Is On for First-Time Buyers

RISMEDIA, August 17, 2009-(MCT)-First-time buyers are searching for homes with a growing sense of urgency, worried that time is running out

Unsold Mansions Bedevil Florida Builders

RISMEDIA, August 14, 2009-(MCT)-An advertisement for million-dollar homes in Orlando's Baldwin Park neighborhood shows a woman soaking in a tub under the caption: "Not as rich as you used to be? Luckily, the good life has never been more affordable." ...

U.S. Foreclosure Activity Increases 7 Percent in July: RealtyTrac

RISMEDIA, August 13, 2009-RealtyTrac® (www.realtytrac.com), a leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, has released its July 2009

Home Values Flatten in Short Term; Yearly Declines Shrink, but High Rates of Foreclosure, Negative Equity Expected to Delay True Recovery

RISMEDIA, August 12, 2009-Home values in the United States posted their 10th consecutive quarterly decline, falling 12.1 percent year-over-year,

Is the Pipeline Clogged for Refinancing Homeowners?

RISMEDIA, August 11, 2009-(MCT)-Borrowers are waiting an unusually long time to close on mortgage refinance loans because thinly staffed banks can't handle surges in volume when rates dip, mortgage experts say. Also, lenders are giving applications closer scrutiny and requiring more documentation of income and assets to avoid repeating past mistakes. This has further crimped the pipeline, as have new appraisal rules that add a layer of red tape for many loans.

Homebuyers Gain Edge with Internet Searches

RISMEDIA, August 10, 2009-(MCT)-In the colorful, centuries-long history of house hunting, when have so many buyers come to the table

The Clock is Ticking – Taxpayers Need to Act Fast to Take Advantage of Temporary Tax Breaks

RISMEDIA, August 7, 2009-If the first half of 2009 is any indication, taxpayers have their work cut out trying to keep up with available tax

A Winning Strategy – 5 Keys to Short Sale Success

RISMEDIA, August 6, 2009-Given the current foreclosure situation throughout our country, now, more than ever, is an opportunity for

Pending Home Sales up for Fifth Consecutive Month

RISMEDIA, August 5, 2009-Pending home sales are up for the fifth consecutive month, the first time in six years for such a streak, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in June, rose 3.6% to 94.6 from an upwardly revised reading of 91.3 in May, and is 6.7% above June 2008 when it was 88.7. The last time there were five consecutive monthly gains

Treasury Announces Home Price Decline Protection Incentives

RISMEDIA, August 4, 2009-As part of an ongoing effort to expand relief to struggling homeowners, Treasury released the Supplemental Directive

Realtors Urge First-Time Buyers to Act Quickly, Tax Credit to Expire Soon

RISMEDIA, August 3, 2009-The New Jersey Association of Realtors (NJAR) is encouraging those considering buying a home for the first time to act quickly,

New Home-Appraisal Rule Brings Turmoil to Real Estate Industry

RISMEDIA, July 31, 2009-(MCT)-When David and Penny Mann decided it was time to move to a retirement community, their real estate agent told them that in this rough market, it could take months to sell their downtown San Jose Victorian. So they were thrilled to receive back-to-back offers in the first week, and they accepted the first offer of $560,000, from an enthusiastic young couple buying their first home.

Top 7 Reasons Why Buying Is Better Than Renting

RISMEDIA, July 30, 2009-Christine Van Tuyl and Margaret La Grange, an award-winning mother-daughter team with Prudential California Realty

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