Real Estate News - Seattle Area Feed Informer http://feed.informer.com/images/fd.gif http://feed.informer.com/ http://app.feed.informer.com/digest3/YZMMJBDCRY.html Respective post owners and feed distributors http://feed.informer.com/ When it comes to the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, it seems there's a new program every week to help tap that money today. Here are some good tax-planning strategies that you can apply now. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009413490_taxcredit05.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009413490_taxcredit05.html?syndication=rss? Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:03 GMT Critics charge that a new system is fostering the use of appraisers willing to work for low fees and who are willing to conduct home appraisals far outside their typical areas of activity, leading to low-ball appraisals that can hurt builders, real estate agents, consumers and lenders. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009412092_harney05.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009412092_harney05.html?syndication=rss? Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:02 GMT After a recent spike in mortgage rates, some consumers have been wondering whether they've missed their chance to refinance into an ultra-low rate. Fear not: While the conforming 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has been bumping around the mid-5 percent-range, it's possible that rates could continue to fall. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009413484_mortgageshopping05.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009413484_mortgageshopping05.html?syndication=rss? Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:57 GMT Tailored to the owners' way of life, smaller "jewel box" homes suit a variety of demographic groups, including newlyweds, young professionals, empty-nesters and retirees — the last two a fast-growing segment of the population. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009413481_jewelboxhomes05.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009413481_jewelboxhomes05.html?syndication=rss? Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:56 GMT The federal government's Home Affordable Refinance program is designed to help homeowners refinance their mortgages, even if they owe slightly more than their home is worth. B ut it applies only to loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and the rules are complex. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009413486_refinancingmaze05.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009413486_refinancingmaze05.html?syndication=rss? Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:54 GMT As of Wednesday, visitors to nearly all of the Web sites that show Seattle-area home listings were able to find most upcoming open houses. http://www.seattlepi.com/local/407778_openhouse02.html?source=rss Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Real Estate http://www.seattlepi.com/local/407778_openhouse02.html?source=rss? Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:41 GMT Sales prices of Seattle-area homes edged up 0.23 percent in April from the previous month, the first rise in the closely watched Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home-price index in a year. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009402285_caseshiller30.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009402285_caseshiller30.html?syndication=rss? Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:51 GMT The price of a typical Seattle-area house has risen from one month to the next in just two of the past 21 months -- April 2008 and April 2009 -- according to a prominent national index. http://www.seattlepi.com/local/407726_housing30.html?source=rss Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Real Estate http://www.seattlepi.com/local/407726_housing30.html?source=rss? Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:48 GMT A key housing index shows a clear trend that home price declines are moderating. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009401274_aphomeprices.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009401274_aphomeprices.html?syndication=rss? Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:44 GMT The number of homeless people in King County is increasing and the number of people who need help to stay in their homes is going up as well as the deep economic recession continues. http://www.seattlepi.com/local/407717_homeless30.html?source=rss Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Real Estate http://www.seattlepi.com/local/407717_homeless30.html?source=rss? Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:24 GMT Seattle Times reporter Eric Pryne has received an award from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for his story about developers moving into neighborhoods along the light-rail line on Martin Luther King Way. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009390931_pryneaward27.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009390931_pryneaward27.html?syndication=rss? Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:52 GMT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389568_noharneyalibi28.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389568_noharneyalibi28.html?syndication=rss? Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:17 GMT Click on the attached chart to see the average Seattle-area rates for 30-year fixed and 15-year fixed mortgages. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389848_mortgagechart28.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389848_mortgagechart28.html?syndication=rss? Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:16 GMT Despite their training, foreclosure counselors, such as Marlene Santiago, find it tough to handle the stress of homeowners struggling to keep their homes. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389565_foreclosurecounselors28.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389565_foreclosurecounselors28.html?syndication=rss? Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:46 GMT Mortgage applications in the U.S. increased a week ago for the first time in a month as purchases climbed, adding to evidence the market is stabilizing. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389567_mortgageapplications28.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389567_mortgageapplications28.html?syndication=rss? Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:42 GMT Thousands of Americans who have generally kept up with their mortgages are still in danger of losing their homes because they let their homeowner-association dues slide. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389563_assocforeclosures28.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389563_assocforeclosures28.html?syndication=rss? Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:41 GMT Realtors and mortgage experts will answer questions and provide information about programs aimed at helping buyers at 1,600 open houses this weekend in King and Snohomish counties. The program, taking place in more than 75 cities, was organized by the Washington Association of Realtors. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389571_rebrownbox28.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389571_rebrownbox28.html?syndication=rss? Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:39 GMT More than a million payment-option adjustable-rate mortgages will reset to higher rates in the next four years. For some homeowners, payments could jump from $98 a month to $3,500 a month, sparking a new round of foreclosures and threatening the housing recovery. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389569_optionarms280.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389569_optionarms280.html?syndication=rss? Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:27 GMT The recession has meant landlords are more lenient about taking tenants with pets. To make sure all parties are happy with the arrangement, renters should read pet policies closely and be ready to pony up more money for their pets. And if roommates are in the picture, renters should be ready to smooth over any pet introductions. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389573_rentwithpets28.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009389573_rentwithpets28.html?syndication=rss? Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:22 GMT Is the historic U.S. housing market crash close to being over, or is the end still far, far away? While sales finally seem to be stabilizing... http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009380879_homepriceqa250.html?syndication=rss The Seattle Times: Real Estate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2009380879_homepriceqa250.html?syndication=rss? Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:28 GMT