Home mortgage rates and real estate news - CNNMoney.com

BofA offering up to $30K for short sales

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:37:33 EDT

Bank of America is offering some struggling homeowners payments of up to $30,000 if they sell their homes in a short sale and avoid ending up in foreclosure.

George Lucas proposes affordable housing plan

Wed, 16 May 2012 07:56:47 EDT

The film emperor may be striking back. For 25 years, filmmaker George Lucas tried to persuade his Marin County, Calif., neighbors to let him build a digital production studio on his ranch there, but the area's residents thwarted the plan.

Park Ave. co-op sells for record $52.5M

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:18:15 EDT

A recent sale in New York's famed 740 Park Avenue apartment building marked the highest price ever paid for a co-op in the city's history.

Unique home in the Jersey woods

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:12:20 EDT

One of America's most flamboyant private residences lies in the woods of northwest New Jersey. It's the personal vision of artist and craftsman Ricky Boscarino and reflects his eccentric world view.

Redo your roof the right way

Fri, 11 May 2012 06:30:26 EDT

It's hard to imagine a less enjoyable way to blow $5,000 to $15,000 (or more) than putting on a new roof.

Artist's habitat in the Jersey woodlands

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:16:26 EDT

Ricky Boscarino is a sculptor, painter and jewelry maker whose biggest art project for the past 23 years has been his home on five quiet acres.

Another record low for mortgage rates

Thu, 10 May 2012 10:49:26 EDT

Mortgage interest rates hit new lows this week as both the 30-year and the 15-year fixed-rates fell, according to a weekly survey by Freddie Mac. It was the second consecutive week that rates broke records.

Housing: The one bailout America could really use

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:20:23 EST

Laurie Goodman is an apolitical number cruncher who has spent most of her 28-year career out of the public view, studying the minutiae of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) for big investment banks. She's long been a star among Wall Street insiders, however. She holds the record for the most top rankings for fixed-in-come research from the trade bible Institutional Investor.

10 housing markets set for double-digit price gains

Wed, 09 May 2012 13:28:03 EDT

Ten hard-hit housing markets will record double-digit price increases through 2013, according to a report Wednesday.

Consumer bureau targets predatory lending

Thu, 10 May 2012 04:55:41 EDT

The federal government is considering a new set of rules on mortgage origination that it says would make the process simpler and more transparent for borrowers.

7 questions for your next real estate agent

Wed, 09 May 2012 06:29:34 EDT

After four years of sleepy sales during the traditionally busy spring and summer homebuying seasons, real estate experts are forecasting a pickup.

For sale: $50M Lake Tahoe compound with vanishing garage

Fri, 04 May 2012 08:25:31 EDT

When Internet millionaire Tom Gonzales was putting together his elaborate family compound on the shores of Lake Tahoe, he had one big concern: Where to put some of the most valuable cars in his 400-car collection.

Mortgage rates hit record lows

Thu, 03 May 2012 11:59:06 EDT

Average rates for both 15-year and 30-year fixed mortgages fell to new all-time record lows this week, according to a report released by Freddie Mac Thursday.

Selling America's bunkers

Thu, 03 May 2012 11:43:27 EDT

Edward Peden and Dianna Ricke-Peden built their dream home in an unusual location -- an old underground missile bunker in rural Kansas.

Buying a home won't get much cheaper

Thu, 03 May 2012 11:48:52 EDT

Buying a home may never get any cheaper than this. Several housing experts are predicting that this year will be the last chance for bargain hunters to cash in on the best deals of the weak housing market.

Airbnb: More than a place to crash

Wed, 02 May 2012 17:02:35 EDT

Simon Property CEO: Malls are alive and kicking

Thu, 03 May 2012 08:14:14 EDT

People have been hyping the death of the mall for the last two decades, but it's not happening anytime soon, said Simon Property Group CEO David Simon.

Homeownership falls to lowest rate in 15 years

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:27:07 EDT

Homeownership in the U.S. fell to its lowest rate in 15 years during the first quarter as more delinquent borrowers lost their homes to foreclosure, forcing many to rent.

6 ways to get a great mortgage deal

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:06:22 EDT

Finding an affordable house is no longer a problem but qualifying for a mortgage can be. Six tips to getting a mortgage and a good rate.