Real estate professionals report that first-time home buyers are flooding the sale market, pressed to finalize a deal before the federal government’s $8,000 tax credit offer expires on Nov. 30. Because mortgage approvals, residential inspections, and other steps in the buying process typically take about two months, buyers hoping to take advantage of the incentive [...]

WASHINGTON — At least the market for new homes isn’t getting worse, and that’s the first step to getting better. In fact, the overall economy is getting a small boost as more buyers walk into model houses ready to sign contracts and builders hire workers to pour foundations and pave roads. Construction of single-family homes [...]

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin. 2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter [...]

1. Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income. 2. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list. 3. Select where you want to live. Compile a list of three or four neighborhoods you’d like to [...]

It’s Important to Understand Your Relationship with Your REALTOR® It’s important to understand what legal responsibilities your real estate salesperson has to you and to other parties in the transaction. Ask what type of agency relationship your agent has with you: Seller’s representative (also known as a listing agent or seller’s agent) A seller’s agent [...]

Expert: Recession over, slow recovery ahead But UNC Charlotte expert says the official ruling may be 2 years away, and that N.C.’s recovery will be slow. By Jefferson George jgeorge@charlotteobserver.com Posted: Wednesday, Jun. 03, 2009 More Information N.C. job losses The forecast of 123,500 job losses this year by UNC Charlotte’s John Connaughton is more [...]

Best Cities:  For Jobs Stable employment and new career opportunities give these cities an edge. From Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, July 2009 What a difference a year makes. Last summer, the energy and finance sectors of the economy seemed to be thriving, and manufacturing was going strong.Today, many cities are relying on government programs, universities [...]

NAR: Existing-Home Sales Jump Existing-home sales rose in April with strong buyer activity in lower price ranges, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Existing-home sales — including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops — increased 2.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.68 million units in April from a downwardly revised pace of [...]

Daily Real Estate News | May 29, 2009 | HUD: Tax Credit Can Be Used on Closing Costs FHA-approved lenders received the go-ahead to develop bridge-loan products that enable first-time buyers to use the benefits of the federal tax credit upfront, according to eagerly awaited guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [...]