 | How Does Your Home Compare to Others
on the Market?
 Real estate agents use comparable sales or "comps" (properties recently sold in the area) to see what the market bears for a listing price or value range marketing.
But what makes a home a good comp? A few things must line up in order for the agent to utilize the comp to justify your listing price. The same neighborhood, school district, similar street and, of course, similar housing features and size. If these things align, then a comp can be used to provide a current estimated value of your home.
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| | Mortgage Rates
U.S. averages as of January 29, 2011:
30 yr. fixed: 3.98%
15 yr. fixed: 3.24%
1 yr. adj: 2.74%
View current rates
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Ideally, using a comp from a home that is the same model in the same subdivision is key. Even better is if a sold comp closed escrow very recently. Taking comps from many weeks or months before can weaken the comp.
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Housing at Forefront
of Concerns With
Presidential Election
 As the race for the 2012 Presidential Election gets rolling, a new survey from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows what is on voters' minds.
Topping the list of concerns for voters is the importance of homeownership and the ease of obtaining it. The survey showed that American voters "strongly value homeownership and would oppose efforts to weaken or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction or diminish a federal role to help qualified home buyers obtain affordable 30-year mortgages."
Neil Newhouse, a partner and co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies, reports, "The American electorate is sending a clear message that owning a home remains a cornerstone of the American Dream and preserving a federal commitment to homeownership is essential to maintain a thriving middle class and get housing and the economy back on track."
Recent studies have backed this statement showing the ripple effect the housing market can have on other economic sectors. Housing invigorates
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Why Buy a Home Now?
 You've probably heard it all over media outlets. "Affordability is at an all-time high." "Interest rates are below 4.0 percent!" The question remains, however, why buy a home? What do these proclamations actually mean for you?
Let's look at these claims. Affordability is at an all-time high. This is calculated by a ratio of median household income to median home prices for any given area.
According to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) this record level is around 73 percent of all new and existing homes. To put this number into perspective, before recent years' developments it was rare to see the HOI go above 60 percent.
"With interest rates at historically low levels and markets across the country beginning to improve, homeownership is within reach of more households than it has been for nearly two decades," said Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Reno, Nev. "However, tough economic conditions -- particularly in markets that experienced major changes in house prices and production — as well as extremely tight credit conditions confronting home buyers and builders continue to remain significant obstacles to many potential home sales."
Some areas are fairing better than
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View All Listings by visiting my website at www.TheWheatonTeam.com
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Homes and New Babies
 Welcoming a new baby into a household can be both exciting and terrifying. How do you know that your home will fit a child's growing needs? Is it safe and practical for an infant? These are both important questions to ponder as you prepare your current space or look for a new one.
First, there are simple safety precautions all parents should take. Be sure to put plugs in all outlets. Babies are fascinated by things that are at their level and this includes electrical outlets. Keep unsafe areas, such as slick floors and stairs, off-limits by using safety gates. Today's models are adult-convenient with easy, but child-proof, latches to free up adult movement.
One of the biggest hazards in a home can be water. Be sure that any fountains, koi ponds, or swimming pools are carefully watched or covered. It takes only inches of water for a child to drown.
Local Market Conditions
Daily News and Advice
Read about the events shaping the Real Estate market today, find current interest rates, or browse the extensive library of advice and how-to articles written by some of the top experts in Real Estate. Updated each weekday.
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