Housing Outlook is More Upbeat

Courtesy of Julie Schmit, USA Today

Optimism is building that the housing industry is nearing a bottom — finally.

Home sales and home building are forecast to rise this year after sliding steeply the past five years in housing’s worst downturn since the Great Depression.

Recovery is expected to be slow, and home prices are widely expected to fall this year. But investors are betting on the start of an upturn, bidding up home builder stocks and causing them to outperform the broader stock market.

Chief executives are more positive. JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon said last week that housing is near its bottom but could stay there a year. Stuart Miller, CEO of home builder Lennar, said the market has started to stabilize because of low prices and record-low interest rates. Continue reading

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Fabulous Views in Fountain Hills

Traditional sale!  Well loved, well maintained, this home is delightful!  Situated on a beautiful corner, view lot, this home enjoys fabulous mountain views & twinkling city lights (& the fountain!).  Generous room sizes!  Bright and cheerful, two bedrooms and a den w/closet (could be a used as a bedroom) two baths. The laundry room is huge (washer/dryer incl.) with room for projects. All on one level, the open living space flows beautifully (with wet bar) great for entertaining. Wood burning fireplace in living room. Backyard features covered patio and beautiful pool.  Front yard landscaping is picture perfect w/beautiful, mature plantings. Large side-entry garage (3C) has ample built-in storage. Additional driveway parking. Refrigerator, dishwasher, 2 water heaters all 2 years new.

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Vacant Homes: 8 Ways to Make Sure They’re Maintained

By: Mariwyn Evans
Published: September 30, 2010

Living near a vacant home doesn’t have to mean putting up with overgrown grass and unshoveled snow. Does your community use these eight common local laws, programs, and regulations to force owners to maintain vacant homes?

With the foreclosure crisis, you may have noticed a vacant home or two on your block. Rather than see the home free-fall into disrepair, push local officials to take action before the untended house lowers the value of your own home.
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5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale

By: G. M. Filisko
Published 2010-02-10 11:12:47
Working to get your home ship-shape for showings will increase its value and shorten your sales time.

Many buyers today want move-in-ready homes and will quickly eliminate an otherwise great home by focusing on a few visible flaws. Unless your home shines, you may endure showing after showing and open house after open house—and end up with a lower sales price. Before the first prospect walks through your door, consider some smart options for casting your home in its best light.
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Avoid Foreclosure Rescue Scams

By: Donna Fuscaldo
Published: January 15, 2010

With foreclosure rescue scams widespread as more homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments, be smart if you seek help.

A record high 2.8 million properties were hit with foreclosure notices in 2009, putting even more Americans at risk of facing foreclosure rescue scams. Homeowners who fall behind on mortgage payments need to tread carefully when seeking assistance, since foreclosure rescue scams come in many guises. A day spent researching legitimate options, from a mortgage modification or principal forbearance to a short sale or deed-in-lieu, could keep you from becoming a scam victim.
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Foreclosure Counselors: What They Can and Can’t Do

By: G. M. Filisko
Published: August 4, 2010

Foreclosure counselors can make the difference between losing your home and keeping it. Here’s how they work and how to choose one.

If you’re facing foreclosure, your foreclosure counselor will be a key part of your foreclosure team. As you start looking for one, however, you need to know what exactly they do, what they don’t do, and how to choose one who’s legitimate and qualified.

What a foreclosure counselor does
•    Reviews your finances
•    Helps you establish a budget
•    Explains your non-foreclosure options, such as loan modification, short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure; helps you navigate the process with any chosen option
•    Advocates on your behalf with lenders and loan servicers
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6 Tips for Choosing the Best Offer on Your Home

By: G. M. Filisko
Published 2010-02-10 11:32:13

Have a plan for reviewing purchase offers so you don’t let the best slip through your fingers.

You’ve worked hard to get your home ready for sale and to price it properly. With any luck, offers will come quickly. You’ll need to review each carefully to determine its strengths and drawbacks and pick one to accept. Here’s a plan for evaluating offers.
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Home Inspections 101

According to a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) in 2001, 97 percent of home buyers who received home inspections believe they received a good value for their money. A home’s history gives it character and charm, but also takes a toll.

Over time, roofs sag, mortar cracks, and furnaces lose efficiency. Beyond this normal wear and tear, older homes can harbor mold, water damage, termites, or other structural threats that can cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix.
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Homeowners Insurance Checklist

A home is the single biggest investment most Americans will ever make. Protecting that investment is not just a legal responsibility, but the smartest move you can make. Here are 7 tips for getting the most out of your homeowners insurance for the smallest premium.

1. Research Early and Often
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Dos and Dont’s of Homebuyer Incentives

Evaluating Homebuyer IncentivesBy: G. M. Filisko
Published 2010-09-01 08:57:14

Homebuyer incentives can be smart marketing or a waste of money. Find out when and how to use them.

Incentives such as a new grill out on the patio can set your home apart from the competition. Image: Weber-Stephen Products Co.

Be sure you’re sending the right message to buyers when you throw in a homebuyer incentive to encourage them to purchase your home.

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