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Greenspan smiles on housing

By Lou Barnes, Friday, February 27, 2004.

Thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages continued to hover near 5.5 percent for the lowest-fee packages.

This week's economic data were overshadowed by the mega-reports due on Monday from the purchasing managers' association and next Friday's news of February payrolls. There may have been a predictive glimmer in the Conference Board's confirmation that consumer confidence fell hard in February, as confidence is heavily influenced by job market conditions. If that pattern holds, then February will have been another thin month for payrolls.

Alan Greenspan had a big week.  more...

FSBO listings sink in buyer's market Premium Content

By Bernice Ross, Friday, February 27, 2004.

(Part four of a five-part series. See parts 1, 2, 3 and 5.)  more...

Real estate tax breaks uncovered

By Robert Bruss, Friday, February 27, 2004.

If you own a house, condo or cooperative apartment, you might be among the millions of homeowners who unintentionally forget to claim all the tax deductions to which you are entitled.

Just in case you haven't figured it out, Uncle Sam encourages home ownership by awarding special tax breaks not available to non-owners. That's why 68 percent of U.S. households involve homeowners. This result isn't an accident. It's carefully planned government tax policy.

Purchase Bob Bruss reports online.  more...

FrameSaver to the doorjamb rescue

By Paul Bianchina, Friday, February 27, 2004.

Wood and water do not typically make for a good combination, and one place that's particularly evident is around exterior doors. The bottom of the exterior doorjambs, which often sit directly on top of concrete patios or wood decks, are subject to extremes of moisture and insect damage. As a result, it's not long before these vulnerable areas can really begin showing damage, and the more rain-, snow- or moisture-laden the climate, the worse the problem can be.  more...

'Ultimate Family Home' solves space, interaction problems

By Katherine Salant, Friday, February 27, 2004.

Every home builder is keenly interested in the opinions of potential home buyers. Many run focus groups to help them figure out what the next new thing that will translate into zillions of sales will be. But the builders never talk to the buyers' children, even though their opinions can greatly influence a purchase.  more...