Rates for 30-year home loans dropped below 5 percent this week after rising for three straight weeks. The average rate fell to 4.98 percent from 5.03 percent a week earlier, mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday. Rates had hovered below 5 percent for nearly a month until inching upward two weeks ago. They hit a record low of 4.78 percent in the spring, but are still attractive for people looking to buy a home or refinance. What a perfect time to buy!  Low rates, tax incentives and l... Read Full Story

It looks like the first-time homebuyer tax credit has helped boost signed sales contracts for the 8th straight month!  It's estimated that between 200,000 and 400,000 additional sales will have been made because of the credit.  How exciting for real estate markets everywhere! Increased pending sales are a forward-looking indicator since contract signings precede actual closings; they typically take place two to three months later. Although some contract signings fall through, a jump... Read Full Story

This is definitely the time to take advantage of these great tax credits!  Senators agreed Wednesday to extend a popular tax credit for first-time homebuyers and to offer a reduced credit to some repeat buyers. The tax credit provides up to $8,000 to first-time homebuyers but is set to expire at the end of November. Senators agreed to extend the existing tax credit for first-time homebuyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current home... Read Full Story

If you are looking to buy a home in the Indianapols area or central Indiana, but you don't have a down payment, ask your lender about USDA financing.  It is geared to address rural housing, so it wouldn't be available in highly populated areas.  However, it has some major benefits!  The two biggest advantages are:  1)  You can have 100% financing; 2) Your rate could be lower than the going rates for FHA or conventional rates!  Call me at 846-3277 to find out spec... Read Full Story

With so many first-time home buyers applying for home loans you might want to konw what to do when you don't fit the mold for a typical buyer. Some thinks that might cause you to break the mold would include: being at your job for less than a year, showing a few late payments on your credit report, or being self-employed. Here are some tips on dealing with some special mortgage loan situations: A Problem Appraisal: Sometimes an appraisal comes in lower than you agreed to pay for it. If the ap... Read Full Story

If you're like me, then I'm sure you love lounging outside with good friends and a glass of wine on a warm, summer night. For myself, this generally means curling up on my front porch with my husband and a few friends from the neighborhood.I have been blessed to have incredibly close relationships with my neighbors, as they are some of my closest friends, and I have always been a strong believer incamaraderie between those who live near us.Whether or not you spend your weekends with your neig... Read Full Story

Home shopping for first-time homebuyers it's an exciting, albeit nerve-wracking, experience. If you're like others in the market for their first home, you probably have in mind exactly how your soon-to-be home will look. But it's important not to fall into the bad decorating, dingy walls and dirt-bare back yard equals bad-home trap. If you don't see past the hideous wallpaper, funky light fixtures and avocado green carpeting, you may miss out on a home with great potential. And, if you're loo... Read Full Story

This isn't something I usually write about but now that school has started I thought it would be useful to know which frozen pizzas are the best (in my opinion.) Since school is back in session time that was there to cook dinner just doesn't seem to always be there anymore. Vegetable Pizzas: 365 Mediterranean Pizza ($5, 13.5 oz, Whole Foods) This pizza is loaded with feta cheese, spinach, and kalamata olives. American Flatbread Sundried Tomato and Mushroom Pizza ($12, 16.2oz) This pie has a l... Read Full Story

With a new coach the Indianapolis Colts are gearing up for the kick off of the 2009 season. Here is their preseason and regular season schedule: Preseason: 8/14 Minnesota 7:30pm 8/20 Philadelphia 8:00pm 8/29 @ Detroit 1:00pm 9/3 @ Cincinnati 7:30pm Regular Season 9/13 Jacksonville 1:00pm 9/21 @ Miami 8:30pm 9/27 @ Arizona 8:20pm 10/4 Seattle 1:00pm 10/11 @ Tennessee 8:20pm 10/25 @ St. Louis 1:00pm 11/1 San Francisco 1:00pm 11/8 Houston 1:00pm 11/15 New England 8:20pm 11/22 @ Baltimore 1:00pm ... Read Full Story

If your buying a home or thinking about buying a home these tips will help make your house hunting experience rewarding. 1) Location, location, location. You've heard it before and it really is true. Location is crucial. How far do you want to commute to work? How are the schools and shopping centers in the possible location? 2) Make a list. Do you know what you really want and need in your new home? You'll save many hours if you have a nice list of things you want to look for ahead of time. ... Read Full Story