Home Buying and Financing Articles

The Nation's Hottest Housing Markets - This is interesting because it shows home appreciation throughout the US and the average US home appreciation.  It lists stats for the quarter, 1 year, 5 years and since 1980.  Further down the page is a link for finding this info on specific metro areas.  It's fascinating to see the trends.  Well, that and to see that it might not be very long before my husband and I can ditch the PMI that it leaching onto our mortgage payment.

Equity Loans:  More popular, but more confusing - This discusses how refinancing is going to drop while home equity loans and home equity lines of credit will increase.  It explains what the differences are between a home equity loan, a HELOC and a refinance.

The Even More Graspable, and Risky, American Dream - Ever hear of a housing bubble?  This article is a good example of why people think that in some areas, like near Los Angeles, there is definitely one that should burst.  And let's talk about some creative financing!  The family in the article bought a home that is 6x their annual salary.  The loan was 100% of their home's value, it's adjustable rate and the mortgage payment is >50% of their monthly salary.  This is a disaster waiting to happen.