Mortgage Rate Information at bankrate.com

Under the links section, I've added one to bankrate.com's mortgage section. This is a great site with up-to-date information on the rates currently available from different lenders. There is also a lot of information for potential home buyers. The site is a great resource, not only for mortgage information, but also for auto loans, credit cards, savings and checking accounts, and more. Check it out!

Lilly's 5 Steps to Condo Success

Article from the Boston Globe detailing 5 steps to success from William Lilly, "the Condo King."

From the article:

2. Don't be afraid to make low offers on a number of properties. You will find sellers that will negotiate right away or at some time in the future.

Seems like one common mistake for beginners is to have the mentality that 'if I make a low-ball offer, it's not going to be taken seriously, so why bother?' But, really, why not bother? The worst case scenario is that your offer won't be taken seriously. Big deal! No harm done and you can look for the next deal. Cast a wide net, you're bound to catch something.

More problems for Habitat for Humanity

I came across this article detailing more of the troubles facing Habitat for Humanity. It's really too bad because they have done some amazing work in providing low income housing. I had heard previously about the problems skyrocketing property taxes have been causing Habitat homeowners, but this article seems to indicate that the organization itself may have lost some of their focus recently.

Cooling Market?

More signs of a condo market that is cooling off. Article originally for the Wall Street Journal.

From the article:

In markets such as Las Vegas, Miami, Phoenix, San Diego and Washington, D.C., where investor activity had been heated, fewer people are competing to buy properties as an investment, real-estate brokers and housing analysts say. Some investor-owned properties are returning to the market for sale. With the pace of price appreciation slowing, some investors who were betting on quick profits are instead being squeezed.

If you've been wondering whether you still have time to jump in the condo market and make a quick buck, now might not be the best time.

The Beginning

I track stories about real estate in my spare time. Might as well share.