Washington — The Treasury Department and the IRS today have issued guidance (Notice 2006-26) on the certification that homeowners may rely on when they claim credits for purchases that make their homes more efficient.

Austin ranks among top markets for apartment investors
Apartments in Austin are expected to be a hot commodity for real estate investors over the next two years as rental and occupancy rates rise.

If you are purchasing or building a home on a property that was unimproved, meaning a vacant lot, you need to pay close attention to how your lender sets up y0ur escrow account.

With little improvement expected next year in housing affordability, mortgage bankers are predicting a surge in 40-year mortgages, which are becoming increasingly popular because of their lower monthly payments.

The desire to get into the real estate market has pushed up demand for condominiums and brought prices up as well. Experts forecast the same pressures will keep buyers willing to share land to have homes of their own.

The Texas economy is strong and is likely to outperform the national economy this year, Dr. Mark G. Dotzour, chief economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, told local business leaders Wednesday.

Condos have been the big story in multifamily housing in the past year, representing half the new multifamily units built. They’re likely to continue to be a major factor in many markets, according to Jerry Starkey, president and chief executive officer of WCI Communities of Bonita Springs, Fla., speaking at a press conference at the International Builders’ Show.

Credit remediation is a subject consumers often face with fear and trepidation, and for good reason. With the exception of recognizing that the best score wins, the average home shopper knows very little about the whole credit scoring process. Sub-prime borrowers who are eager to move into A-Paper territory often find themselves at a loss when trying to find ways to upgrade their credit history. The good news is there are ways to improve less-than-perfect credit scores and obtain a loan for the home you really want.

There is a great debate within the inner-mortgage circles these days. Should we, as loan professionals, encourage clients to borrow as much money as possible? Or would consumers benefit more if we helped them to understand the advantages of 15-year amortization schedules and pre-paying principal? Let’s examine the pros and cons of both strategies.

The 2005 residential real estate market was filled with anticipation of the real estate ‘bubble.’ Though we’ll only see a correction, home buyers and sellers made some mistakes that those looking to buy or sell in 2006 can put to good use in their transactions.