Today's Real Estate News and AdviceUpdated: August 29, 2003Fixed-Rate Alternatives Get More Attractive ARMs and interest-only loans aren't without risks, but the leveraging vehicles do look more and more attractive as interest rates rise. Broderick Perkins reports. FULL STORY-> Home Buyers Not After Lower Interest Rates Higher interest rates haven't stopped the housing market juggernaut because most buyers are not as concerned about monthly mortgage payments as they are about other more personal matters. FULL STORY-> British Columbia Realtors Dispute Leaky Condo Study Realtors in British Columbia slam a recent study that says B.C. buyers are unwittingly buying damaged condominiums because disclosure documents are ineffective. Jim Adair has the details. FULL STORY-> Divorce Can Complicate Mortgage Plan Home buyers in the process of a divorce may want to wait until it's finalized before applying for a mortgage. Henry Savage explains why you may have difficulty receiving lending while going through divorce proceedings. FULL STORY-> Burbank, California: Entertainment Capital Retains Small Town Roots While some of the biggest names in entertainment have located corporate offices to Burbank, California, the town hasn't responded by getting as unaffordable as some other California communities, and it is working hard to retain its small-town appeal. FULL STORY-> Things To Consider When You Add-On Say you've outgrown your living quarters and like where you live, but cannot afford the larger houses in your neighborhood or your community. If you need more room but want to stay put, here are some things to consider before expanding your house. FULL STORY-> Las Vegas' Summerlin Community Runs Low On Land The gigantic master-planned community of Summerlin in Nevada's Las Vegas Valley is so popular, say local agents, that there is little new home inventory to choose from, pressuring both new and existing home prices skyward. FULL STORY-> Reverse Mortgage Surge Comes With Caveats The number of reverse mortgages may have already passed an annual record this year prompting advocates to advise cash-poor older homeowners to consider all the options to obtain extra cash. FULL STORY-> July Existing-Home Sales Smash Record Driven by strong market fundamentals, existing single-family home sales rose to a record monthly pace in July and prices increased at a double digit rate from a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors®. FULL STORY-> Ask The HOA Expert Our Board President’s wife is paid for cleaning the clubhouse and the President owns a landscape company which is performing landscape services for our homeowner association. Are there any concerns we should have with this arrangement? FULL STORY-> California Dreamin'? If California is so hot, as a new Harris Poll seems to indicate, why is it that more folks are heading out of the Golden State than are coming in? Can you say "high housing costs?" Lew Sichelman has the details. FULL STORY-> Both Interest Rates And Home Sale Reports Pointing Up Interest rates have risen since June, and yet sale reports continue to show a strong housing market. Meanwhile, plastic building blocks are becoming more common and safer gas water heaters are appearing in the marketplace. Peter G. Miller reports. FULL STORY-> Long Island's North Shore Communities Report Strong Seller's Market Huntington, Syosset, and Cold Spring Harbor have different personalities as communities but all are enjoying a strong seller's market, according to local Realtors. FULL STORY-> Canadians May Be Their Own Worst Enemy The media seem intent on making us feel increasingly vulnerable, but in most Canadian neighbourhoods, things are not as bad as we are afraid they might be. PJ Wade suggests true security lies in changing our views on security. FULL STORY-> What To Do When A Contractor Scams You Or Does A Shoddy Job When it comes to finding a good contractor, it's important to do your homework to find a reputable professional. But sometimes things can go awry and you're left wondering if you have any recourse. You do. Michele Dawson explains. FULL STORY-> Sacramento, California Still Selling Real Estate Despite Election Woes Sacramento is the capital of California, and the hotseat of local government where a recall of its governor is in progress. But that hasn't slowed the housing market, say local Realtors. FULL STORY-> More Real Estate News and Advice... Website powered by iHouse2000  
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