Watch out for falling home prices

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Despite signs that the real estate market might be lurching forward, prices are expected to fall further this year and next. The average home price in the United States will fall by about 6% by September 2011, according to a joint report between Fiserv and Moody's Economy.com. And that's after plunging more than 27% in the past three years.

Foreclosure filings up and down... what is going on?

"First, the good news: Foreclosure filings dropped nearly 10% between December and January. That's a total of 315,716 notices compared to 349,519 in December, according to RealtyTrac, which issues a monthly report on foreclosure activity." CNNMoney.com

Where your time & money is best spent when remodeling

"According to a study from Remodeling magazine, the average return on value for an upgrade declined from 87% in 2005 to 64% in 2009. But these six new rules will help you maximize your return on your remodeling investment." CNNMoney.com

Update on Obama's Loan Modification Plan

Okay, we promised to keep you updated on President Obama's HAMP, so here's an article from CNNMONEY.com summing up the latest news. "The new policy will make it harder for troubled homeowners to start the process, but it should make it easier for them to qualify for permanent assistance under President's Obama foreclosure prevention plan."

You can now file for your $8,000 tax credit

1st time homebuyers can now file for their $8,000 tax credit using new form 5405.

How to: Invest in REITs

"Most financial advisers suggest you should have a good 5% of your portfolio in real estate now."

Update on Obama’s HAMP

On Thursday Treasury Assistant Secretary for Financial Stability, Herbert Allison, at the House Financial Services hearing said “We're not satisfied yet with how this program is unfolding”. Even though foreclosure filings have fell 8% from November many home owners are still in need of help. So far only about 4% have been able to receive permanent modification assistance under Obama’s $75 billion “Home Owner’s Modification Plan”. Reasons for this include the lack of home owners making monthly payments and turning in the necessary paperwork to complete their modification plans.

Home Values Decline

2009 reports show US Homeowners have lost nearly $500 billion in home values overall, but that’s still better than last year. The biggest losers were the Los Angeles, Chicago and New York metro areas at a collective $159.4 billion loss in home values. In contrast, Metro Boston, Providence, R.I., and Denver gained $46.4 billion in home values all together. So where will this lead the direction of home values in your area? Unfortunately, this is something which is hard to predict. There are many factors which figure into this equation such as; home equity (negative and positive), (un)employment, living wage jobs, etc.

US Treasury Department calls together banks and mortgage servicers

Banks and mortgage servicers assembled in Washington today to discuss speeding up the nation’s foreclosure prevention efforts. With the yearend near, many are under the gun to meet deadlines for permanent mortgage modifications. Currently, the banks have a December 31 deadline to make trial modifications permanent. There are about 375,000 homeowners at risk of default. Are you or someone you know at risk? We’d like to hear your thoughts regarding the “Home Affordable Modification Plan” or HAMP.

Many Home Owners Are Choosing To Stay Put In This Market

We are optimistic here at Fuquay Varina Real Estate and do our best to help our client’s get their homes sold. Unfortunately, some are still struggling in this market. In a new report from CNNMoney.com, they discuss how many home owners, are choosing to stay put and remodel their homes instead of moving. In fact, 20% more of home construction funds are going to home improvements, compared from the same time last year.