If you missed it, check out last week's Isthmus article on Madison's neighborhood secrets: The obscure restaurants, hidden green spaces, tucked-away shops and assorted oddities that make Madison unique.
Read all of Isthmus article on Madison's Neighborhood Secrets
This interactive map shows where Wisconsin ranks among other states in terms of home foreclosures and unemployment.
Read all of Where Wisconsin Ranks in Home Foreclosures and Unemployment
This is an interesting article on the "6 biggest mistakes homebuyers make." It's worth a read.
Read all of Homebuying Mistakes
Four years after home prices hit their peaks, CNNMoney looks at how 330 metro areas have fared including Racine, Fon du Lac, and Janesville, Wisconsin.
Read all of America's Most Overvalued Cities
CNNMoney.com reports that February home prices posted their first year-over-year increase since December 2006. Home prices inched up 0.6% compared to February 2009 according to the S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city index, with nine of the 20 cities showing gains.
Read all of Home Prices On the Rise
All home buyers want the lowest mortgage rate possible when applying for a home loan, because it directly translates to a smaller payment each month. And who doesn’t want to shrink their monthly expenses? But how does one obtain a low rate on a mortgage loan and, for that matter, why is it important in the first place? These are the subjects we will discuss in this tutorial for first-time home buyers.
Read all of Getting the Best Mortgage Rates in the New Economy
If you plan to buy a home in the near future, you should be researching the various components of homeowners insurance. Why? Because you’ll need to have a policy in place by the time you close on the house. In fact, your lender will require you to provide proof of insurance on closing day. This article offers a solid introduction to the world of homeowners insurance. We will cover several key concepts you need to understand before you start shopping for insurance.
Read all of 5 Key Concepts of Home Insurance
Home equity loans remain one of the most popular financing tools among homeowners. It can give you quick access to cash by leveraging the equity (or ownership) you have in your home. It can be an effective way to finance a home renovation, education costs, or even a second home. But these loans also get a lot of homeowners into trouble each year, and in the worst-case scenarios they can even result in foreclosure and loss of the home.
Read all of Home Equity Loans - 3 Common Scams to Avoid
It’s safe to say that almost everyone in America has seen or heard a commercial for free credit reports. Watch an hour of national television anytime during the day, and you’re virtually guaranteed to see a commercial about credit reports. But did you know that most of the offers for the so-called free reports are actually lures to sell other products?
Read all of Free Credit Reports Online - The Real Source
Beginning a home search can be a somewhat disconcerting task. Perhaps the biggest question many first time homebuyers have is where to begin the process. Some people begin by looking at real estate magazines or websites, while others call real estate agents right off the bat. The process varies.
Read all of Buying Your First Home - Where Do You Start?
Are you planning to buy your first home in the near future? If so, you should reading up on homeowners insurance as well. Your mortgage lender will require you to have a home insurance policy prior to closing day. In fact, you’ll probably have to bring the policy with you when you close on the home.
Read all of 10 Things You Should Know About Homeowners Insurance
What types of information make up my credit score, and how will it affect me when I try to buy a home? This is a frequently asked question among people buying a home (especially first-time buyers), so it’s worth a thorough examination in this article. In fact, the first half of this question pertains to consumers in general, because everyone can benefit from knowing the “ingredients” that make up a credit score.
Senate has voted 98-0 to extend and expand the current 1st time buyer tax credit of up to $8,000. This new bill is being voted on by congress today (November 5, 2009).
If the new bill is passed it will extend the 1st time buyer tax credit out until June 30, 2010 and will expand to current home owners who have owned their residence for 5 years or more and will allow them to qualify up to a $6,500 credit.
All purchase agreements must be written and accepted prior to April 30, 2010 and the closing must take place on or before June 30, 2010. This is most likely the last extension of all tax credits for real estate and it does have some guidelines. First, any single person filling taxes must make under $125,000 per year or if filling joint taxes you must make under $225,000 per year. This only applies for owner occupied properties and will not qualify for a vacation home or 2nd or 3rd home of any sort. The property must also have a sales price of $800,000 or less.
Please check back to be updated on a regular basis by visiting www.MadisonRealtyGuy.com
