Daily Real Estate News | December 28, 2009 |

Remodeling and decorating trends in 2010 are likely to reflect the fact that many home owners are settling in for the long haul. Here are some ideas for updating homes and gardens from decorators and leading real estate practitioners: Environmentally sensitive furniture. Natural fibers, sustainable woods, and recycled products are key to attracting environmentally concerned buyers. Classic neutral colors. Deep gray browns and gray blues, muted beige, and chalky white will be particularly popular shades, Pittsburgh Paints predicts. Backyard gardens. First Lady Michelle Obama (more…)

Daily Real Estate News  |  December 23, 2009  |  
The economy grew 2.2 percent in the third quarter. The U.S. Commerce Department had previously estimated a 2.8 percent growth rate. Officials attributed the discrepancy to consumer caution, saying that consumers simply didn’t spend as much. (more…)

Daily Real Estate News  |  December 22, 2009  |  
Existing-home sales rose again in November as first-time buyers rushed to close sales before the original Nov. 30 deadline for the recently extended and expanded tax credit, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – rose 7.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.54 million units in November from 6.09 million in October, and are 44.1 percent higher than the 4.54 million-unit pace in November 2008. Current sales remain at the highest level since February 2007 when they hit 6.55 million.
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Daily Real Estate News  |  December 21, 2009  | 
In some parts of the country, borrowers with good credit are more likely to be able to borrow 95 percent of the purchase price than they were just a few months ago. (more…)

Daily Real Estate News  |  December 17, 2009  |  
Despite a slow market and a slight decrease in the resale value of most remodeling projects, REALTORS® report that the smartest home improvement investments may also be some of the least expensive. Results from the 2009 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report show that small-scale exterior projects are the most profitable at resale, according to estimates by REALTORS® who completed a recent survey.

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Daily Real Estate News  |  December 16, 2009  |  

Home buyers and home owners who are refinancing are increasingly enthusiastic about 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages. (more…)