The Question of "When is a good time to buy real estate?"  Uncle Sam lowered rates = (residential home loan interest rate will remain low through 2012 and 2013). 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are less than 5 percent, yes less than five percent. During November, 2011, 30 year home loan interest rates dipped below four percent, these are unheard of rates. It's almost like free money, not to mention if you equate current low home prices or short sale opportunities.

Everyone wants the real estate market to get better: Real estate agents are selling less homes than they once were, taking a huge decrease in take home pay. Builders are selling about one-tenth as many homes as they were selling in 2005. Appraisers have recently taken blame for the housing crisis, for either over-appraising residential property or under-appraising homes. Consumer markets are also waiting impatiently for a rebound of their local real estate markets. Read more...

Smaller Homes to Grow in Demand, Surveys Suggest - The square feet of new homes is expected to continue its decline in future years. The National Association of Home Builders predicts that U.S. houses will average 2,152 square feet in 2015, which will be down 10 percent compared to last year. Read more...

3Q 2011 Westchester Putnam Home Real Estate Sales

The Westchester Putnam Association of Realtors, Inc. reports that the Westchester-Putnam real estate market enjoyed a welcome uptick in sales volume in the third quarter of 2011.

Real estate firms participating in the Empire Access Multiple Listing Service reported a total of 1,944 closed transactions in Westchester in July through September, an increase of 148 transactions or 8% from the same period last year.  Among the various property types in Westchester County, co-op sales posted the largest percentage increase, 18%.  The 160 Putnam County transactions constituted a 13% increase. These Westchester and Putnam County closings largely resulted from market activity during the late spring and early summer months. Read more...

Investors Raising Cash to Buy Government Foreclosures By Diana Olick- If only all the confidence swirling around the stock market today could find its way to potential home buyers across the nation; unfortunately it will take more than a little Greek bounce to right what's wrong in housing.

Foreign Real Estate Buyers push Manhattan Home Prices 2011

Taking advantage of a weak U.S. dollar and a beaten down housing market, foreign buyers helped push Manhattan home prices slightly higher in the third quarter, according to the city's top residential real estate agents. The average price for a condo or co-op in the city climbed to $1.42 million in the three months ended September 30, up 3% from the second quarter, according to realtor Corcoran Group. Read more...

Home Loan Interest Rates have never been cheaper, with the 30-year rate falling below 4% for the first time in history. Read more...