'Smart' States: New England Tops; Low Scores In West, South
Braced for both bouquets and brickbats, the unflappable Morgan Quitno Press is at it again, this time naming the smartest states along with states where, well, educational conditions aren't as bright as they could be. FULL STORY->

30-Year FRM At Highest Level In Six Months
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.03 percent, with an average 0.6 point, for the week ending October 13, 2005, up from last week's average of 5.98 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.74 percent. This is the highest the 30-year FRM has been since March 31 when it averaged 6.04 percent. FULL STORY->

One-Stop Shopping Serves Consumers and Real Estate Companies
Gone are the days of single-product real estate companies. The company that offers only sales support and consulting for consumers is a company that will have a difficult time competing in the future real estate industry, according to a study from Clareity Consulting in Scottsdale, Ariz. FULL STORY->

Arlington, Virginia, Sees Strong Local Job Market
If you are considering moving to the Washington, DC area, Arlington should be number one on your list of places to consider, say local Realtors. FULL STORY->

It Takes Two to Get a Remodeling Job Done
A contractor and a client should first decide whether they can work together before they sign a contract. FULL STORY->

Portland, Oregon: Less Rain Than You Think
Portland is a wonderfully livable city with mild climate, friendly people and a wide variety of things to do. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Market: What Hurricane?
Mother Nature who? Real estate speculators, buyers and sellers are moving full speed ahead in storm ravaged areas as the economic impact of the storms will likely spare the real estate market -- even in the most devastated areas. FULL STORY->

NAR Says Housing Forecast Looks Stronger
The forecast for home sales has trended up as the year progressed, fueled lately by added demand resulting from the impact of recent hurricanes, according to the National Association of Realtors. FULL STORY->

The Two Faces of Chromium
Some things in life are both good and bad. Stuart Lieberman expains that Chromium is one example. FULL STORY->

Everything's A Little Sweeter In Sugar Grove
Tremendous residential and commercial growth is on the horizon for this charming town as several new areas are being developed. FULL STORY->

Stretching The FEMA Hurricane Housing Grant
Displaced Gulf Coast residents with federal housing grant money can look to major Texas cities as locations where than can best stretch their funds for shelter, according to a unique survey. FULL STORY->

Your Lender May Be Watching
Don't think you can sneak a second or third mortgage by your primary lender. Now, mortgage stakeholders have a new tool to root out the existence of subsequent financing that adds a significant element of risk to their investment in your property. Lew Sichelman has the details. FULL STORY->

Ask the HOA Expert
Readers write in about their own HOA issues. Richard Thompson has the answers. FULL STORY->

The Tumble on Wall Street
While there are no end to the worries about a possible housing bubble, Wall Street has been in the dumps all year. Peter G. Miller comments. FULL STORY->

Vacation Rental Investment 'Type' Crucial as Location
Location is paramount when choosing a vacation rental investment property, but the type of property you choose can also impact your bottom line -- for better or for worse. Consider your options. FULL STORY->

The City of Angels: Los Angeles

Canadians Need Long-Term Energy Strategies

Ask George & Chuck: Questions from Consumers

Housing Counsel: Swapping Properties -- What is "Like Kind"?

A "World City": Miami, Florida

Guaranteed Good Faith Estimates the Remedy to Settlement Sheet Shocks?

Fraud Outbreak Expected In Gulf Coast Region

Customer Service Growing Trend in Home Building

$34.4 Billion Hurricane Katrina A Record Disaster

30-Year FRM At Highest Level In Six Months

Real Estate Careers Cost More Than You Think

Austin, Texas: Come Discover the Wealth

And the Survey Shows -- Everything Is Okay

Omaha, Nebraska, Offers Neutral Market

What Do Mixed Messages Mean for Canada's Housing Market?