Texas Real Estate Blog & Market News - April, 2012

Where the Global Homebuyers are Flocking

The U.S. may still be struggling its way out of a recession and real estate lull, but many investors from all over the world are snatching up U.S. properties at bargain-basement prices. Although most parts of the country are not appealing to foreign investors, there are a number of large markets that are quite appealing and plenty of real estate that’s incredibly attractive. This usually means tourist areas, where sun and fun and beautiful beaches can be found.

The San Diego-based real estate data analysis company, DataQuick, has identified the top 10 markets where foreign homebuyers are buying U.S. properties:

1. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.

2. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla.

3. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla.

4. North Point-Bradenton-Sarasota,…

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Why Buying Makes More Sense than Renting in Some U.S. Markets

With today’s historic-low interest rates and real estate more affordable than it has been in years, now may be the time to consider whether it makes sense to rent anymore.

In fact, according to data collected by Trulia’s Rent vs. Buy Index, which gathers information on asking prices for rental units and homes across the country, it is now more affordable to buy than rent in a whopping 98 out of the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the country. Even the largest markets of New York, Los Angeles and Boston are kinder to home buyers than renters.

Homeownership is More Affordable than Ever

Rent prices continue to rise across the country or, at the very least, remain stagnant, while homeownership is becoming more affordable than ever. Although this…

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Why it Pays to Concentrate on the Kitchen

When selling your home, you may begin to wonder what exactly will catch the eye of potential home buyers. Although, of course, this may differ from buyer to buyer, there is one area of the home that you simply can’t go wrong remodeling or sprucing up for sale. And that’s the kitchen.

Kitchens today are where the family gathers. It is, in fact, the heart of the home and it has the ability, time and time again, to sell a house.

Today’s kitchens must represent today’s buyer, and they must have the wow factor. They must be a place to entertain, to unwind, and to spend a family meal together. They must have superb finishes, high-quality appliances, and plenty of cabinetry. They often play just as big of a role as the family room or great room, and many…

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Credit Standards Relaxing For Home Buyers

Loosening credit standards may be coming to the rescue for home buyers everywhere. Most economists agree that the one overriding factor why home sales haven’t rebounded in many parts of the country is because lenders are still making it too difficult for many homeowners to secure home loans.

Although the average credit score needed to secure a home loan currently hovers around 700, which is where it has been for some time, more banks are loosening up their standards in other areas, such as how much money they will lend borrowers. Banks, in fact, are lending amounts of up to three and a half times the salary to borrowers (for example, if you make $50,000, you can expect to be approved for a loan of up to $175,000, although this amount may vary depending…

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