Considering a short sale?

Is it really a good deal?

Patience. That's the key to short sales. If your in the real estate market, and you're considering a short sale. Here's five things to consider. Finish

Home prices up nationally, down in Pacific

Down .9 percent in the Pacific

Home prices were up 1.7 percent nationally in January compared to December. However, in the Pacific region, prices were down .9 percent. Overall, in 2008 home prices declined 21.1 percent in the Pacific region. More...

Add value to your real estate with government help

Need a new water heater or air conditioner?

So you aren't going to qualify for any bailout money or a mortgage modification? You could still find yourself claiming some bailout cash if you plan to upgrade your home with any of a number of products that enable increases in energy efficiency. For example, if you are replacing windows, adding a new AC unit or a water heater, for instance, you could claim a 30 percent tax credit up to $1500 for your effort.

Have bigger plans, such as adding solar panels to your roof? The credits are even far greater (more).

First time home buyer tax incentives

Are you ready to buy your new home?

If yes, then in this economic climate you should make certain to take advantage of every opportunity afforded. And, as a first time buyer, you qualify for special tax incentives if you buy a home this year. Unfortunately, ensuring that you receive the tax credit isn't as simple as it seems. Read more....

Mortgage modification guidelines

Do you qualify

Are you living in your home right now, but finding it harder and harder to keep up with your mortgage payments? Perhaps, if you could just lower your rate, you'd have the ability to keep up? However, since you owe more than your house is worth, you can't refinance?

If so, check out this article on the guidelines for qualifying for a government-backed mortgage modification.

You can afford $20,000 more house today

Time to buy?

Diana Olick reported on CNBC yesterday that today's home buyers can afford $20,000 more home today than this time last year. Thanks to lower mortgage rates, price drops, etc, the deals in real estate are better than ever.

Of course, have we really bottomed? Then again, will rates eventually go up?

The real estate market is still a crap shoot.

4.0 percent for all US mortgage holders?

Why not?

Just watching CNBC and a guest suggested a 4.0 % mortgage for all Americans with a mortgage. I like it. Isn't this the kind of transparency and simplicity that politicians should strive for? Besides, isn't this the best way to treat the mortgage mess?

West coast housing revised upward for December

Up 2.4 %

Hey, the real estate market is picking up in California, kind of. Thanks to foreclosures and the Chinese citizens picking them up at bargain rates, the California real estate market appears to be nearing a bottom. And, for buyers, home affordability has never been more affordable according to the National Association of Realtors.

Have you Zetabid on a foreclosure?

I've been following the Los Angeles real estate market for a long time, but I've never been involved in the foreclosure game. However, considering the massive amount of foreclosures that are hitting the Southern California real estate market, I'm considering it.

Have you ever used Zetabid? I'm looking for some Zetabid experiences.

Anybody used to Zetabid to purchase a foreclosure recently. Did it work out well?