5/26/2011 8:00:00 AM
Housing affordability rises to record level
Nationwide housing affordability during the first quarter of 2011 rose to its highest level in the more than 20 years it has been measured, according to National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) data released today. ...
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5/19/2011 9:36:00 AM
Freddie Mac rolls out summer promotion
HomeSteps, the real estate sales unit of Freddie Mac, launched a nationwide sales promotion for its inventory of foreclosed homes. The HomeSteps Summer Sales Promotion offers up to 3.5 percent for the buyer’s closing costs and a $1,200 selling agent ...
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5/11/2011 12:15:00 PM
Property insurance bill goes to governor
Florida lawmakers sent a sweeping property insurance rewrite to Gov. Rick Scott yesterday. It includes a number of insurance-backed efforts but doesn’t give the industry all it asked for, including a provision to allow them to drop sinkhole coverage ...
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5/4/2011 6:11:00 PM
Homebuyers shun ‘fixer-uppers’
About 87 percent of first-time homebuyers prefer a move-in ready property, according to a Coldwell Banker survey, which has real estate agents encouraging sellers to spruce up their homes before putting them on the market. “It seems buyers will pay a ...
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4/27/2011 7:16:00 PM
Homeowners can get low-rate loans for energy upgrades
Many U.S. homeowners are now eligible for up to $25,000 in federally insured loans to make energy-efficient upgrades such as adding insulation, sealing ducts or replacing windows. Consumers with good credit scores, manageable debt and some equity in their ...
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4/19/2011 7:51:00 PM
Foreclosure relief program launches in Florida
A $1 billion program expected to help 40,000 Floridians stave off foreclosure opened statewide Monday, setting off a first-come, first-served rush for government-aided mortgage payments. The Florida Hardest Hit Fund program, administered by the Florida Housing ...
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4/13/2011 7:16:00 AM
Rate hike for Florida homeowners with State Farm
Florida regulators have approved an average rate hike of 18.8 percent for Florida homeowners covered by State Farm, according to state documents filed on April 8. The higher rates, which are less than the 28 percent boost State Farm sought, will take effect ...
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4/7/2011 9:11:00 AM
Watch for red flags that may get you audited
With a growing federal deficit and pressure from Congress, the number of audits from the IRS is increasing – could your tax return be at risk? According to Bankrate.com, the IRS says that individual income tax returns reporting higher adjusted gross ...
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3/30/2011 7:43:00 AM
Ignorance is not bliss on home coverage
Your homeowners insurance policy probably isn’t something you review as often or as closely as bank statements or tax documents – but staying in the dark can cost you, experts say. Nearly a third of consumers polled by MetLife last June didn’t ...
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3/24/2011 10:29:00 AM
Buyers ready to snatch bargains this spring
Bargain prices on housing combined with low interest rates below 5 percent may bring the real estate market its busiest spring season in years, economists say. Distressed sales continue to put downward pressure on home prices, which may lure more buyers off ...
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