When it comes to buying a house, most people focus first on what's going on inside the house. The size of the kitchen, the number of bedrooms, closets, storage, etc., are all top concerns. But, according to a recent survey from the National Association of Realtors, access to outdoor …

New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development show new home sales at an 8-month high in March. Sales were 5.8 percent above February's rate and 15.6 percent higher than at the same time last year. The March results were the second best …

No two paths to homeownership are exactly the same. There are too many variables for that to be true. But though there are many different paths, there are a few common factors that play a role when first-time buyers decide to purchase a house. According to a recent survey from …

New data from the National Association of Realtors shows sales of previously owned homes rose 4.4 percent in March and are now at their fastest pace since February 2007. Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist, said the gains were led primarily by increases in the Northeast and Midwest but the overall …

The real estate market is constantly evolving. What is true one day may not be the next. For example, this past winter many forecasts for the upcoming spring season predicted buyers might be scared off by rising interest rates and a lack of homes for sale. However, now that spring …

When builders feel confident, they build more homes. And, as more homes are built, the housing market becomes more balanced. In other words, how builders feel about the market for new homes is an important factor in whether prices rise or fall and what buyers and …

Home buyers, through the years, tend to value the same things. It makes sense. Though styles may vary and specific preferences may change, at the end of the day, we all want the same things out of our homes. Generally speaking, it all comes down to storage, space, and a …

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Applications Survey, mortgage rates were mostly down last week. Rates fell for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages. Rates for jumbo loans were unchanged from the week before. The decline brought …

Historically, townhouses were the city homes the wealthy used when they needed to be in town for social events. These days, however, they're popular with a wider array of buyers and there are a number of reasons why. First off, their small footprint and vertical design means they require less …

This year's housing market depends a lot on whether or not current homeowners decide now's the time to put their home up for sale. With inventory low in many markets, home prices have been climbing and causing affordability concerns for buyers. But there are two ways to relieve upward …