With inflation, everything in life seems to be more expensive these days: health care costs continue to go up, gas prices are up, and so on. However, in the housing market, it’s actually less expensive to buy a home than it has been in years. Prices are down, and interest rates continue to decline. Talk to your Realtor about the cost difference between buying a home versus renting. You’ll be surprised! ~Anthony
Today’s news that may be of interest to you:
Freddie: Plunging Mortgage Rates Smash New Records
The MReport.com | September 29, 2011
Mortgage rates again smashed records Thursday by falling to new lows as investors continued to flee Europe, buying up safer U.S. Treasury debt, keeping interest rates low, and setting up all-time highs for housing affordability, according to Freddie Mac. Finance Web site Bankrate.com differed by posting slight upticks for the benchmark 30- and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages.
Pending Sales Prompt Concern
The Wall Street Journal | September 29, 2011
A gauge of future home sales fell in August to the lowest level in four months, underscoring the challenges facing the hobbled housing industry.
Fed’s Twist May Prompt Bigger Turn
The Wall Street Journal | September 30, 2011
“Operation Twist” might be more powerful than many investors expect. Some strategists believe it could in some ways do as much – or more – for the bond market than its predecessor, known as QE2.
Cash-Short, U.S. Weighs Asset Sales
The New York Times | September 30, 2011
Like Americans trying to raise quick cash by unloading their unwanted goods, the federal government is considering a novel way to reduce the deficit: holding the equivalent of a garage sale.
Rich and Famous are Mere Mortals in Soft Real Estate Market
USA Today | September 29, 2011
As the threats of a double-dip recession and another swoon in financial markets linger, high-end homes stretching from Beverly Hills to Park Avenue languish on the market.
Banks to Make Customers Pay Fee for Debit Card Use
The New York Times | September 30, 2011
Banks are imposing new charges on their customers to make up for the revenue they expect to lose because of a cap on what they can charge merchants for debit-card transactions.
Nevada Announces New ‘Foreclosure Fraud Reform’ Law
DSNews | September 29, 2011
A new “Foreclosure Fraud Reform” law will go into effect in Nevada October 1.
From the National Association of Realtors®:
USC Lusk Center: Real Estate Job Picture Improves
Real estate is seeing a jump in job opportunities for young real estate professionals and an overall improving job market for the industry, according to a new report.
More Investors Bypass ‘Flipping’ for Renting
The days of flipping houses for big profits have all but vanished in many markets as more investors see bigger profits in rentals.
Anthony V. Carollo / President
Stewart Title of Spokane
606 W. 3rd Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Telephone: 509.328.7171
Direct Line: 509.321.3939
Direct Fax: 866.652.8834
acarollo@stewart.com
Please remember to choose Stewart Title of Spokane on your next transaction!