New York Times monthly feature: What You Get for $580,000

Property Values

What You Get for ... $580,000

The living and dining area has concrete floors and views over White Rock Creek.

By MIKE POWELL

Published: July 27, 2010

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MSNBC Reports: Mortgage rates drop to New Record low

Mortgage rates set new low again

National average for a 30-year fixed loan is at 4.54 percent

 

Mortgage rates dropped to the lowest level on record for the fifth time in six weeks, making homebuying and refinancing the most attractive in decades for those who can get loans.

Freddie Mac says the average rate for 30-year fixed loans this week was 4.54 percent, down from 4.56 last week. That's the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971.
The last time home loan rates were lower was during the 1950s, when most mortgages lasted just 20 or 25 years.
The rate on the 15-year fixed loan dropped to 4 percent, down from 4.03 percent last week and the lowest on record.
Rates have fallen since the spring. Yields on U.S. Treasury bonds have dropped as jittery investors seek safer investments. Mortgage rates tend to track yields on Treasurys.

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MSNBC Real estate Video Report: Beware Of Co-Signing a Loan

Co-Signing a Loan can be very bad news...

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Local Family wins "Living Like Mad Men" Competition -Washington post

With Silver Spring home, family wins Washington Post's Mad Men Look contest

By Elizabeth Razzi

Special to The Washington Post
Saturday, July 24, 2010

"It's the first time in our lives we've been hip. And it came to us -- we didn't go to it," said Melissa Talley, 51, winner of The Post's Mad Men Look contest.
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NBC Washington Reports: More Help For Homeowners in Trouble

Homeowners Hope for Mortgage Help

Thousands of struggling homeowners, hoping to get a break on their mortgage payments, started lining up outside the Washington Convention Center early Friday morning.

They were waiting for the start of the Save The Dream tour. The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America has brought together lenders, financial counselors and homeowners in danger of losing their houses.
Over the next week, many homeowners will be able to negotiate lower interest rates. Some may also be able to lower the principal on their homes.Click Here for Full Article

HGTV's Bang for your Buck

About This Show

Granite countertops or a custom, mosaic backsplash? Hardwood floors or stone tiles? We are bombarded with so many beautiful home renovation ideas, not only is it difficult to decide what we want, but it's hard to determine which choices provide the greatest return on investment. Bang For Your Buck has the concrete answers on remodeling value and how to get the most out of any renovation budget.

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CNN Money Reports: Bankruptcy Instead of Foreclosure

Bankruptcy can save your house from foreclosure

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Slick TV commercials and online ads tell delinquent borrowers that they can save their homes by filing for personal bankruptcy. But is it true -- or just too good to be true?
True!
Bankruptcy can bring foreclosure proceedings to a halt, end harassment from debt collectors, and give borrowers time to make up missed payments and reorganize their finances. In some cases, bankruptcy can also help mortgage borrowers save their homes permanently.

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