Be gone the evil house spirits

I haven't used this word since I was about seven years old, but the house that we just purchased and are remodeling had the "cooties."I even had to look up how to spell it.

It's funny that when you tell people that you just bought a house with cooties, everyone gives you a sympathetic eye. It's not unheard of here in Los Angeles. If the walls could talk, etc.  more...

California real estate affordability drops to 15-year low

The percentage of households in California able to afford a median-priced home fell to 18 percent in June, a 9 percentage-point decrease compared to the same month a year ago, according to a report released today by the California Association of Realtors.

The June Housing Affordability Index, which dropped to its lowest level since November 1989, declined one point compared to May, when it stood at 19 points.  more...

Real estate construction safety lands on Web

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a Web page containing information and tips specifically related to safety and health for workers in the residential construction industry. The Web site was created with guidance and assistance from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).  more...

Second-unit bill clears California Senate committee

A California bill that aims to increase the housing stock by easing the construction of second housing units got a stamp of approval from a Senate committee Tuesday. The California Association of Realtors sponsored the legislation, Assembly Bill 2702, which was introduced by state Assemblyman Darrell Steinberg, (D-Sacramento).

The bill passed with a 7-3 vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  more...

Prudential gains Illinois real estate brokerage

Prudential Real Estate Affiliates today announced a merger with Northern Illinois-based Visions Realty, which now will operate as Prudential Visions Realty.

Prudential Visions Realty is located at 2020 Route 12, Suite M, and will serve customers in the northern McHenry and Lake counties, including such cities as Spring Grove, Richmond, Johnsburg, McHenry, Fox Lake, Antioch, Lakemoor, Wonder Lake and Woodstock.  more...

Real estate refinancings leap nearly 21%

Mortgage refinancings jumped nearly 21 percent last week, with overall mortgage applications increasing 11.9 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly survey.

The MBA seasonally adjusted purchase index increased by 6.2 percent to 467.1 from 440 the previous week. The seasonally adjusted refinance index increased by 20.9 percent to 1,982.7 from 1,640.5 one week earlier.  more...

Overnight mortgage rates nudge lower

Long-term mortgage interest rates fell slightly Tuesday, and the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yield slipped to 4.2 percent.

The 30-year fixed-rate average dipped to 5.45 percent, and the 15-year fixed-rate slipped to 4.87 percent. The 1-year adjustable was down at 3.23 percent.

The 30-year Treasury bond yield dropped to 5.01 percent.

Rates are current as of 7:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.  more...