real estate and housing news

The Federal Reserve rate cut is good news for borrowers with home-equity lines of credit, and savings could show up as soon as the next monthly statement. But in a twist, the Fed cut could boost rates down the road for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages.

The housing market is going into a deeper chill, and consumers are starting to shiver.

The gloomy prediction was brought by Mortgage Bankers Association. The slowdown in housing has become a primary cause in the slowing of the national economy and it is not clear that whether we have seen the full impact of the credit shock.

Economists offer dour outlook for housing prices and construction, citing continuing credit crisis - weakness is likely to persist into 2009.

Even with a boost from holiday spending, the U.S. economy looks shaky, thanks to slumping housing prices, Wall Street woes and debt-laden consumers. How bad could it get?

The hoped-for saviors of the U.S. housing market could use some first aid themselves.

December reading of U.S. builders' sentiment comes in at record low for third straight month.

With the market gyrating and real-estate prices tanking, deciding what to do with a windfall isn't exactly easy these days. Anyone carrying high-interest credit-card debt should pay it off. After that, the choices get tougher. You could scoop up some beaten-down stocks or battered high-yield bonds, figuring they'll rebound. Or you could play it safe and pay down your mortgage.

From mortgages to refinancing and home equity lines of credit -- it's getting harder for people to qualify for a loan. And that makes your credit score even more vital.

The Royal Bank of Scotland has advised clients to brace for a full-fledged crash in global stock and credit markets over the next three months as inflation paralyses the major central banks.

Home buyer tax credit is raised to $15,000. WIth the great mortgage rate and the tax credit like this, maybe it is time for the potential buyers on the sideline.