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Housing Research

The Housing Research Center is a consumer resource loaded with expert information on buying, selling and investing in real estate with insight on the many facets of being a home owner.

Find the latest news on the evolving mortgage crisis, and information on navigating through the troubled waters of the home owners insurance market. In addition, a fixer upper king of nearly 20 years reveals his secrets and insights to help you avoid making big mistakes.

Buying Real Estate

The good new is it's a buyer's market in most areas throughout the country and interest rates still remain relatively low. Arm yourself with knowledge to take advantage of the current marketplace.

Success Selling Real Estate

It's a whole new ball game when it comes to selling real estate in today's highly competitive marketplace. Get tips to help you sell.

Lifeline for Troubled Homeowners

There is hope out there for troubled homeowners in risk of foreclosure. A private Cincinnati, Ohio company has a program called, "Cash for Clunker Mortgages" and it offers a way for homeowners to stay in their homes without being foreclosed.

Obama Pledges $1.5-Billion in Aid

Under a new federal aid program President Barack Obama pledged $1.5-billion to help the five states most heavily impacted by the real estate crash.

Foreclosures Hit New High, But Not Every Where

An annual year end report shows a record 2.8 million U.S. properties had foreclosure filings filed against them in 2009, representing a 21% increase in the number over the previous year.

Calls for Appraisal Reforms Rise

In an effort to fix part of the system that triggered the real estate crash a coalition of real estate industry related organizations is banding together to reform appraisal practices.

Short Sale Madness

The number of "short sales" is unlikely to have any real impact on the housing market.

Congress Nets $354-Million

Congress raked in $354-million at the height of the boom, repealing the law that triggered the crash sending home prices lower.

Finding Value

Finding your value system in real estate is a 4-step process to start.

Saving Money on Your Next Move

A little planning goes a long way when moving from point A to point B. Moving tips to help you from breaking the bank.

Groovin' to 60s Prices

There's no denying the 1960's were a great era, but is America falling back to 60s home prices? Kevin Chiu examines the likelihood.

Restoration Leaves Morality Behind

The calculus between walking away from hefty deposits – or closing on a rapidly depreciating property in the midst of a global credit crunch at 2005 or 2006 prices – has proven clear. Walking away typically makes the most financial sense.

Homeowners Get Tax Credits

The Obama administration’s $787-billion bail out program and will save homeowners thousands of dollars.

Protecting Your Credit

Due to the credit crisis mortgage lending guidelines are tighter than ever before, which makes protecting your credit score more important than ever before.

Walk-Aways on the Rise

As the number of foreclosures rise in the deteriorating economy homeowners are walking away from their homes at historic rates.

Bums No Longer

As the nation's housing crisis worsens more homeowners are choosing to freely walk-away from their homes as values sink deeper and the social stigma associated with defaulting on a mortgage is disappearing.

Next Big Boom not Till 2020+

As a result of the credit crisis a boom in the majority of the nation's housing markets won't develop until at least sometime after 2020.

Exchanging Homes Growing

Trading homes for vacation and other purposes is growing.

Pitfalls and Promises

New Urbanist communities are about to celebrate their 30th anniversary. But changes in the marketplace pose challenges for their survival.

Home Inspections Crucial

With hundreds of thousands of homeowners being forced to sell, home inspections may be more crucial than ever.

Homestead Protections are Available in 27 States

One of the most misunderstood aspects of real estate is Homestead protection and it could save your home from creditors. Find out the difference between "Homestead Exemption" and "Homestead Declaration" and which one will save your home.

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