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Why Americans wait longer than ever to buy first homes Short of cash and unsettled in their careers, young Americans are waiting longer than ever to buy their first homes. The typical first-timer now rents for six years before buying a home, up from 2.6 years in the early 1970s, according to a new analysis…

Refinancing pushes mortgage applications up 3.6% U.S. borrowers took advantage of China's economic woes last week. As interest rates fell on concerns overseas, mortgage refinances surged. Total mortgage application volume rose 3.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending August 14 vs. the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).…

WHY NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO SPRUCE UP YOUR PATIO So you went all summer without prettying up your patio or making over your yard. And now the kids are going back to school, so playtime is over for a while. Well, there's always next year. Actually, you don't have to wait. Now is…

US housing starts approach eight-year high in July U.S. housing starts rose to a near eight-year high in July as builders ramped up construction of single-family homes, suggesting that the economy was firing on almost all cylinders. The Commerce Department report on Tuesday added to solid payrolls, retail sales and industrial output data in suggesting…

Boston says so long to housing freeze Boston real estate kicked into high gear this spring, after record-setting snows kept homes off the market and buyers inside. Home sales in Boston were up nearly 9 percent in June from a year ago, even as the inventory of homes for sale decreased, according to the Greater…

  It just got easier to get a jumbo mortgage The bank is easing the lending requirements for its jumbo mortgages, which tend to be loans in excess of $417,000 in many markets and $625,500 in more expensive areas. A potential buyer now only needs a credit score of 680 and a 15% down payment…

USE A REVERSE MORTGAGE TO BUY A NEW HOME The nation's median home price is up to $236,400 according to the National Association of Realtors. That's “6.5% above the year-ago price and above the peak price set in July 2006,” said USA Today. And whether that seems like a bargain or a bust depends squarely…

  WHAT A RISING MEDIAN HOME PRICE MEANS TO BUYERS The nation's median home price is up to $236,400 according to the National Association of Realtors. That's “6.5% above the year-ago price and above the peak price set in July 2006,” said USA Today. And whether that seems like a bargain or a bust depends…

BUYER'S ADVICE: DON'T WAIT FOR A BETTER DEAL Despite a hot economy, mortgage interest rates are near historic lows. Prices are still below where they were nearly 10 years ago. Home values have risen for over five years allowing homeowners to build equity. Unemployment is down to where it was before the recession. Prices are…

GREAT HOME UPDATES YOU CAN DO FOR UNDER $100 A sushi dinner. A Saturday night movie for four (with popcorn). A new pair of Nikes. They'll all cost you about $100. But wouldn't you rather put that money toward something that'll make you smile whenever you walk in the room? Take that 100 bucks and…