TheRepublic.com - Home buying News

US rate on 30-year mortgage rises to 3.51 pct.

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:41:17 -0400

WASHINGTON - Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages rose this week but stayed near their historic lows. Cheaper mortgages have helped the economy by spurring more home-buying and refinancing.

Romney buys 2 Utah houses, with horse barns

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:45:36 -0400

SALT LAKE CITY - Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his family have bought two adjoining houses with horse barns in a Salt Lake City suburb.

Judge: Pa. molester doesn't have to buy house

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:10:30 -0400

ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania - The parents of a young Pennsylvania girl sexually molested by a neighbor are facing a setback in their legal effort to force the man to buy their house.

4 homes approved for Pearlington buy-out program

Mon, 13 May 2013 04:07:13 -0400

PEARLINGTON, Mississippi - Hancock County's buy-out program has finally gotten off the ground.

One by one, homes in Calif. subdivision sinking

Sat, 11 May 2013 21:32:31 -0400

LAKEPORT, California - Scott and Robin Spivey had a sinking feeling that something was wrong with their home when cracks began snaking across their walls in March.

Conn. houses help NY superstorm victims recover

Sat, 11 May 2013 15:31:44 -0400

NEW MILFORD, Connecticut - Transplanted from New York City after Superstorm Sandy nearly killed him and his family, Guillermo Hernandez is counting his blessings in rural Connecticut. He misses the activity of the city he left behind but is grateful for the new start in his new home.

Real estate market improving in state

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:43:15 -0400

SPOKANE, Washington - The residential real estate market improved in the state for the third quarter in a row, according to a report released Thursday by the University of Washington.

Nevada foreclosure rate led nation in April

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:21:41 -0400

LAS VEGAS - After briefly falling from its long-held place as the nation's foreclosure king, Nevada chalked up the highest foreclosure rate in the country for the second straight month in April, a tracking firm said Thursday.

Former lawmaker's real estate deals not a gift

Mon, 06 May 2013 21:42:07 -0400

SACRAMENTO, California - A former lawmaker who resigned to take a job in the oil industry did not violate political gifting laws when he entered real estate transactions with a campaign donor who owns an oil-refining business, a state political watchdog agency announced Monday.

Burmese refugees flock to Iowa meatpacking town

Sun, 05 May 2013 12:51:23 -0400

COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa - The first Chin Burmese student arrived at Wilma Sime Roundy Elementary School three years ago, a smiling preschooler whose father often checked on his progress.

US housing perks up, but too few homes for sale

Sat, 04 May 2013 10:59:47 -0400

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan - Beth Heinen Bell and her husband, Christian - like a rising number of Americans - are ready to jump into the real estate market and become homeowners. Yet they're running into an obstacle that's keeping the national housing recovery in check: There aren't enough homes for sale.

Miss. high court upholds award in civil case

Fri, 03 May 2013 08:01:07 -0400

JACKSON, Mississippi - The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that Mona Cates must pay $41,495 to Elizabeth Swain for using her former companion's money to invest in property.

Orlando leads nation in home flipping profits

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:21:20 -0400

ORLANDO, Florida - Metro Orlando leads the nation in the profitability of flipping homes, according to a new report released Thursday.

Housing rebound is facing obstacle: Too few homes

Wed, 01 May 2013 11:29:36 -0400

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan - Beth Heinen Bell and her husband, Christian, are sick of renting.

US home prices up 9.3 pct., most in nearly 7 years

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:28:19 -0400

WASHINGTON - U.S. home prices rose 9.3 percent in February compared with a year ago, the most in nearly seven years. The gains were driven by a growing number of buyers who bid on a limited supply of homes.

Despite hurdles, Cuba real estate market buzzing

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:06:26 -0400

HAVANA - In some ways, Yosuan Crespo's real estate office resembles any you might find in New York, London or Tokyo. There are slick posters of hot properties hanging from the ceiling, a steady stream of hopeful buyers and sellers and a constant clack of computer keys.

Woman charged with embezzling $453K from employer

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:23:56 -0400

GREENBELT, Maryland - A Landover woman has been indicted on charges of embezzling more than $453,000 from her employer and using the money to buy a house in Africa, expensive electronics and jewelry.

Nebraska college buying home for president

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:18:04 -0400

HASTINGS, Nebraska - The new president of Hastings College will be moving into newly purchased home in June.

Pending US home sales reach 3-year high in March

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:02:38 -0400

WASHINGTON - The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes rose in March to the highest level in three years.

Watch Hill mansion sells for $17.75 million

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:23:06 -0400

WESTERLY, Rhode Island - There is some celebrity watching going on in Watch Hill.

Old Golden Palm casino in Vegas may reopen as bar

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:03:19 -0400

LAS VEGAS - Marvin Lipschultz's desk hangs a reminder of what the 3.5 acres of land below him could have been.

NJ couple accused of running travel scam for years

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:03:51 -0400

TRENTON, New Jersey - A southern New Jersey couple who ran eight travel companies over four years, opening and shutting them as complaints rolled in, have been charged with cheating hundreds of customers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by selling phony vacation membership packages and collecting fees in advance on supposedly free travel.

NJ couple accused of operating travel scam

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:27:37 -0400

TRENTON, New Jersey - A southern New Jersey couple who pitched phony vacation travel membership packages and collected fees for free airfare and cruise deals have been indicted, authorities said Tuesday.

New-homes sales rise 1.5 percent in March to 417K

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:05:06 -0400

WASHINGTON - U.S. sales of new homes rose in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 417,000. The increase added to evidence of a sustained housing recovery at the start of the spring buying season.

US home sales slip as supply remains tight

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:12:05 -0400

WASHINGTON - Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes dipped in March as the supply remained tight. But the sales pace remained ahead of last year's.