Wednesday, January 28, 2009

House & Home: Style Ideas to Help Sell Your Home

Ideas for how to spruce up your listings and information on the latest trends.

In today’s competitive market, sellers need every edge they can get. Our special House & Home feature covers the style and design trends you need to know.

2009 House & Home Guide

Source: http://www.realtor.org/

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Facing Foreclosure? There is Help Available!

Worried About Foreclosure?

If you feel like you may be in danger of facing foreclosure, the time to call 888-995-HOPE™ is now - Homeowner's HOPE™, a counseling service provided by the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, can work with you to find a solution. The sooner you call, the sooner you can regain your peace of mind. Remember, you're not alone, millions of people across the United States have trouble with their mortgage every year. Since 2002, their counselors have provided advice and education to more than 300,000 homeowners.

888-995-HOPE™
Homeowner's HOPE™ Hotline
24 hours a day / 7 days a week

Before you sell your redemption rights to an investor or walk away from your home, contact a neutral party that can explain the foreclosure process and guide you in making decisions. Whether you choose to hire an attorney, talk to a HUD approved housing counselor, hire a Real Estate Agent or seek other advice, don't delay! Time is of the essence!

Homeownership Preservation Foundation Fact Sheet

Friday, January 23, 2009

Good News for Wichita Housing

Home sales in Wichita hit their lowest point in five years in 2008 but rebounded in December from a shockingly bad November.

Residential sales fell to 10,039 homes in 2008. That's down 15.9 percent from 2007 and the lowest point since 2003, according to statistics released by the Wichita Multiple Listing Service and Wichita State's Center for Real Estate.

But here is the good news:

Source: Wichita Eagle, Wednesday, January 21, 2009, by Bill Wilson

Thursday, January 22, 2009

2008 MLS Statistics

SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS MLS, Inc.
MLS STATISTICS
Report For Full Year 2008
as of 1/12/09

Statistics

Source: South Central Kansas MLS, MLS

Friday, January 16, 2009

Homeowners Urged - Sell Short, Refinance, But Try Not to Lose Your Home

Every day, more people slip into the foreclosure whirlpool and spiral downward toward the day they may have to leave their home. What should you do if you are on the verge of getting a foreclosure notice?

Find Out Here

Source: RISMEDIA, January 16, 2009, By Jerry W. Jackson

Friday, January 9, 2009

Mortgage Rates Fall to Record Low

Average rates on long-term mortgages fell to the lowest level since at least 1971, when Freddie Mac started keeping track.

Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) says the average 30 year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 5.01 percent this week, the 10th straight weekly decline and the fourth consecutive record low. Since October, 30 year mortgage rates have dropped nearly 1.5 percent, shaving about $184 off the monthly payment on a $200,000 loan.

Read Full Story

Source: Wichita Business Journal - by the Washington Business Journal Staff Reporter, January 9, 2009

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Residential Home Sale Statistics

Report for November 2008

MLS Statistics

Source: South Central Kansas MLS

Friday, January 2, 2009

Home Buyer Tax Credit: How It Works

First-time home buyers in 2008 can take an income-tax credit on their purchase, thanks to passage in Congress earlier this year of the first-time home buyer tax credit.

The definition of first-time home buyer is generous. To get the credit, the home buyer cannot have owned a home in the previous three years. The home must be a principal residence and purchased between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009.

Read Full Article
Source: realtor.com, December 29, 2008