Back in 2007, America was experiencing a mini-baby boom. The recession brought that to a quick halt. As early as 2008, the country saw a significant drop in birth rates. Baby booms and busts do tend to follow economic cycles. But …
Real Estate Markets
The Latest Retirement Strategy: Become A Landlord
With interest rates at historic low levels, an adequate retirement-income stream has become difficult or expensive to secure. Increasingly, baby boomers say they will count on rental income to fill gaps.
Welfare Soars in Ritzy Suburbs
Housing Survey: Americans Pessimistic, but ‘Would Buy’ If They Had to Move
Pity the American consumer, especially when it comes to housing. A large proportion of those surveyed (43%) in a recent Fannie Mae poll about homeownership and the economy report that their expenses are “significantly higher” …
3 Ways to Get Help Selling Your FSBO Home
In 2010, some 9 percent of the homes sold in the U.S. were sold FSBO — For Sale By Owner — according to the National Association of Realtors. The fact that the strong majority of homes are sold by real estate agents is …
Real Estate Market Mystery: Record Low For Mortgage Rates, But Nobody’s Buying
Fact: 30-year-fixed mortgage rates dropped below 4 percent for the first time on record, according to Freddie Mac, which has tracked rates since 1971. Yet, the stats show that Americans have not responded by rushing to buy houses.
Car Collector Dream Homes
Henry Ford probably never envisioned that some day we would have garages so vast that the owner could park five, 10, even 20 cars in their house. Here are three homes TopTenRealEstateDeals.com found that are currently for sale …
Conforming Loan Limit Shrinks This Weekend — Will It Hurt the Already Beaten Down Market?
On Saturday, federally guaranteed loans — the limits on which were increased during the financial upheaval of 2008 to as high as $729,750 in some parts of the country — will be capped at $625,500. Homebuyers looking to …
The Grown-Up Homes of Teenage Stars
For years, it seems like those who became wildly successful early eventually grew up, developed a drug habit and tried to collect as many mug shots they could by age 30. But Hollywood now has a coterie of former child stars who …
Home Prices Rise Modestly in July on Seasonal Demand
Home prices rose in July, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index, and have now risen for four straight months. The bad news? Home prices generally rise in July, and they’re still down 4.1 percent year on year.
Lofts: The One Bright Spot in the Real Estate Market
Oh, a loft … who doesn’t want to live in a large empty space that can be customized to fit your needs? Loft properties can be especially appealing to empty nesters, whose aging knees may dictate a preference for …
How Nevada Became the Go-To State to Evade Taxes
Nevada rolled out the welcome mat in the 1940s for mobsters who transformed the sleepy town of Las Vegas into Sin City. Now, the Silver State appears to be welcoming a new generation of entrepreneurs looking for a legal haven for …