What does the luxury homebuyer have in common with an inexpensive home shopper? Value. Since the real estate bubble burst, buyers from millionaires to civil servants all expect a good value. And, they also desire the milder winter weather in the South. Value means something different to each person—a lot of it depends on your [...]

Summer is winding down, the cooler air is coming in, and soon there will be the burdens of tax bills, old man winter keeping you inside and another year gone by wondering when you’ll be able to escape it all and head south for that ideal retirement or second home spot.
If you’ve never been to [...]

How much can I afford?
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. This involves getting your credit report and FICO scores and investigating the type of mortgage that’s best for you. Shop around for the best rates and programs.
What kind of home do I want (the ‘wish list’)? What kind of home do I need?
Make a wish list [...]

In the midst of one of the worst economies the U.S. has seen, how could it be one of the best times to build a new custom home?
People are finding that retiring and building a new home brings enjoyment and hope for a new, wonderful life. Taxes and cost of living will continue to rise [...]

It’s easy to see only crisis with current economic conditions. But as with most change, there is also opportunity. If you’re contemplating retiring to a warm, sunny place, now is an opportune time to do so.
Interest Rates Are Very Low
The Federal Reserve has cut rates in an effort to simulate the economy. Low interest rates [...]

Smaller, Energy-Efficient Homes Fueled by Tax Credits Increase 2009 Home Sales
Gone are the days of the McMansions. In the current economy, bigger doesn’t necessarily equal better. Smaller homes have made a comeback, but discerning buyers haven’t sacrificed quality for quantity. What today’s best-selling homes may lack in square footage, they make up for in amenities, [...]

Editor’s Note
by Dave Robertson
What do U.S. retirees want in a new home? In September, the Met Life Institute and the National Association of Home Builders surveyed 1,522 families nationwide, over age 55. While 62% plan to age in place and not move, 26% are undecided about adding a home or moving, and 12% (where Live [...]

There are more than 650 of them in the United States—and there’s one in the state where you live. Together, they hold more than $35 billion in combined assets. Each year, they give more than $2.6 billion, collectively, in local grants. The most curious fact: You may have no idea they exist. They’re community foundations, [...]

• How much can I afford?
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. This involves getting your credit report and FICO scores and investigating the type of mortgage that’s best for you. Shop around for the best rates and programs.
• What kind of home do I want (the ‘wish list’)? What kind of home do I need?
Make a [...]

America is on sale. And while the “Land of the Free” is certainly far from free, the cost of buying a piece of America today couldn’t be more attractive. Nowhere is that statement arguably truer than Florida.
Of course, nobody needs to be told it’s a fantastic time to buy property in Florida, a highly desirable Sun [...]

When buyers have the upper hand due to a large inventory of homes on the market, it’s essential that sellers prepare properly. Taking the time to craft a smart sales plan that involves a little extra effort can yield healthy financial returns, even in a less-than-stellar market.
Here are some ways to maximize your home’s profit potential:
Price It [...]

Perhaps you’ve been considering a second home purchase but hate to make a huge investment for what may amount to only a few weeks of usage per year. You might want to consider fractional ownership.
When Steve Dering, founding partner of DCP International, initiated the concept of fractional ownership communities more than a decade ago, he was inspired by [...]

Many of the best communities in the Southeast are featured within the pages of Ideal Living magazine. A picture may speak a thousand words, but nothing can compare to actually visiting a community and experiencing the lifestyle you’ve dreamed about.
This year, the Live South Real Estate Show, sponsored by Ideal Living magazine, is taking a [...]

NEW YORK (Reuters) — Demand for mortgages to buy homes and refinance loans bounced from seven-month lows last week, with average 30-year borrowing rates unchanged, the Mortgage Bankers Association said on Wednesday.
The industry group’s total loan applications index rose a seasonally adjusted 10.9% to 493.1 in the week ended July 3, after slumping the prior [...]

Source: msnbc.com news services. See original article here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31521098/ns/business-stocks_and_economy
PARIS – A severe U.S. recession will bottom out this year, but any recovery will be weak due to anemic markets and shrunken consumer wealth, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said on Wednesday.
“In this environment, a considerable degree of economic slack, especially in the labor [...]