Despite falling interest rates, some consumers are still hesitant to buy a home.

For the second week in a row, mortgages to purchase properties fell despite interest rates falling. According to a survey by the Mortgage Bankers Association, mortgage interest rates fell from 4.90 percent to 4.83 percent for a 30-year fixed-rate purchase loan with a 20 percent down payment …Full Story

Despite sliding interest rates, few home buyers are coming out to play. (Photo: iStockphoto)

Although interest rates have dropped to a five-week low, there has been a potentially unsettling surprise in the numbers.

The Mortgage Bankers Association weekly survey said the average interest rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate loan with a 20 percent down payment was 4.90 percent for the week ending Nov. 6 …Full Story

Stranded move-up buyers are watching for the tide to rise. (Photo: iStockphoto)

Anyone who has been looking to buy an entry-level house can likely share stories of losing the battle in a war of multiple bids. Outside of a few hardest hit areas, the entry-level market is nothing if not robust.

A big reason is the pent-up demand that was created by quickly appreciating home prices. Although homeowners cheered when the price of their home increased, there were many others who groaned, knowing that home ownership was that much farther from their grasp …Full Story

Spring 2010 may bring a perfect storm of falling demand, inflated home prices, rising interest rates and disappearing capital. (Photo: iStockphoto)

Although there are some glimmers of hope that a real estate turnabout is just around the corner, it seems just as likely that the coming spring could bring a storm of epic proportions …Full Story

Many people are hoping they'll qualify for the expanded home buyer credit. (Photo: iStockphoto)

Last week, President Barack Obama signed the “Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009,” which extends the $8,000 tax credit available to “first-time” home buyers and adds a tax credit of up to $6,500 for repeat or move-up buyers. The tax credits are available to those who purchase a primary home, and aren’t available to buyers of investment or vacation homes …Full Story

The bill to extend the tax credit for homebuyers is now on President Barack Obama's desk. (Photo: Associated Press/J. Scott Applewhite)

The bill to extend the $8,000 tax credit to first-time home buyers and open the program to move-up buyers easily cleared the House of Representatives by a 403-12 vote Thursday. The House vote came a day after the Senate passed the measure 98-0 …Full Story

The Federal Reserve may increase interest rates. (Susan Walsh/Associated Press)

Sometimes news with the biggest potential impact finds little interest. So, it wouldn’t be surprising that most of America took little, if any, notice that the U.S. Government has wrapped up its seven-month orgy of bond buying that totaled $3 billion.

So what does that have to do with mortgage interest rates? …Full Story

Gen Y buyers don't want a long commute to work. (Photo: iStockphoto)

From where Raffi Arslanian sits, Generation Y is the perfect home buyer. The architect and developer has 20 years experience designing and building commercial and residential properties, but turned his focus to Generation Y in the past five years. He tailors his units in northern New Jersey to these buyers—who Cyberhomes finds are increasingly picky and still want all the finer things in life. And despite the downturn in the economy, he says his units are still selling out.  …Full Story

The Homebuyer Tax Credit is getting more support on Capitol Hill. (iStockphoto)

The current First-time Homebuyer Credit will end on December 1,which Realtors say has produced a spike in business. Unlike the 2008Housing and Economic Recovery Act, the 2009 version does not requirethe buyer to pay back the credit, which has made it much more popular …Full Story

The IRS is dubious of more than 90,000 first-time homebuyer tax-credit claims. (Photo: iStockphoto)

How far would you go to claim the $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit? The tax credit is available to "first-time" homebuyers who purchase a home by the end of next month.

Many of our blog's readers have written in saying they would do almost anything to qualify for the credit, and would even purchase a home they're not totally thrilled about to get the credit …Full Story