10 Best Cities to Live, Work, Play
Where are the best cities in the country to live, work, and play? Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine did its best to answer that question in its 2008 Best Cities report. Kiplinger says it looked for strong economies and abundant jobs, a reasonable cost of living, and lots of fun things to do.Kevin Stolarick, research director at the Martin Prosperity Institute, a think tank that studies economic prosperity, worked with the magazine to make the top 10 selections. "Our formula highlights cities not just with strong past performance, but also with all the ingredients for future success," he says. Here are the cities selected:
Houston
Raleigh, N.C.
Omaha, Neb.
Boise, Idaho
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Austin, Texas
Fayetteville, Ark.
Sacramento, Calif.
Des Moines, Iowa
Provo, Utah
Source: Kiplinger (07/01/2008)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
4 New Rules for Home Buyers
Surviving and thriving in the real estate market these days means following a whole new set of rules. Here are four imperatives for those who want to master the home-buying game.
1. Gaming the market doesn’t work. There's a chance that the home you buy today will be worth less next year. So instead of trying to time the market, drive a hard bargain for a home you really love.
2. Real winners get the lowest mortgage rate. Financing is getting more expensive. Celia Chen of Moody’s Economy.com predicts rates will hit 7 percent in mid 2009.
3. Jumbos are a big bargain. A new law temporarily allows Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to buy mortgages as big as $729,750, which is keeping the jumbo rates down. The deal disappears at year-end.
4. Good schools count. Neighborhoods with highly rated schools are holding their value better than most, according to a recent study by real estate site Trulia.com.
Source: Money Magazine, Amanda Gengler (05/27/08)
1. Gaming the market doesn’t work. There's a chance that the home you buy today will be worth less next year. So instead of trying to time the market, drive a hard bargain for a home you really love.
2. Real winners get the lowest mortgage rate. Financing is getting more expensive. Celia Chen of Moody’s Economy.com predicts rates will hit 7 percent in mid 2009.
3. Jumbos are a big bargain. A new law temporarily allows Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to buy mortgages as big as $729,750, which is keeping the jumbo rates down. The deal disappears at year-end.
4. Good schools count. Neighborhoods with highly rated schools are holding their value better than most, according to a recent study by real estate site Trulia.com.
Source: Money Magazine, Amanda Gengler (05/27/08)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
What do you find most frustrating on today's real estate market?
Is it the lending/mortgage options which are changing constantly?
Is it being afraid that your house will not sell or stay on the market for more than 120 days?
Not understanding the foreclosure process?
Is it being afraid that your house will not sell or stay on the market for more than 120 days?
Not understanding the foreclosure process?
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