CNNMoney.com Reports Rise In New Home Sales

CNNMoney.com reports a surprising rise in new home sales in November. Sales are still well below the record breaking 2005 sales, but are 7 percent higher than July sales, which were the year's lowest so far.

New home inventories remain high, but November sales indicate a bottoming out of the new home market.

Interested in buying a new home? Visit my website to search all new home listings in central New Jersey.

BankRate.com Mortgage Tips

With 2007 just around the corner, BankRate.com has recommended 7 smart moves for those who have a mortgage or are thinking about getting one.

1. Review your mortgage -- does it still fit your circumstances?
2. Watch out for reset.
3. Don't pay the minimum on an option ARM.
4. When you get a mortgage, shop around.
5. Make an extra payment.
6. Think about getting mortgage insurance instead of a piggyback loan.
7. Be skeptical.

Read the full story...

Tax Deduction For Mortgage Insurance

The 109th Congress has approved legislation that will make mortgage insurance tax deductible in 2007. This insurance is charged on private and government mortgages if the down payment is less than 20 percent. It is one of those fees that is just throwing money away for the borrower, but required by the lender. Starting in 2007, the mortgage insurance premium can be treated like mortgage interest on your tax return. Full story...

New Jersey 14th Healthiest State

Reuters.com released the United Health Organizations annual state-by-state report ranking America's health. New Jersey ranked fourteen this year, up one from 2005.

The report weighed such factors as prevalence of obesity, smoking, infectious disease, cardiovascular deaths, infant mortality, child poverty, immunization rates, workplace deaths and auto deaths in determining rankings.

Overall, Americans were healthier in 2006, but continue to lag behind many other nations in infant mortality.

New Jersey's strengths included low percentage of children in poverty, high rate of high school graduation, low prevalence of smoking and low infant mortality rate. Challenges for New Jersey are limited access to prenatal health care and high incidence of infectious diseases.

Minnesota ranked as the healthiest state and Louisiana came in last. Read full report...

5 Tips For Selling A Home In A Buyer's Market

For the past few years, seller's have been in control of the real estate market, calling on the shots. All buyer's could do is say, "How high?" With the current transition to a buyer's market, homes are staying on the market longer and buyer's have regained some of their negotiating power.

BankRate.com has a great article for seller's with tips on how to sell in a buyer's market. The tips include:

1. Prepare yourself mentally for what you're about to go through.
2. Get ready for picky buyers.
3. Educate yourself about your neighborhood's real estate market.
4. Hire an inspector.
5. Consider paying the buyer's discount points.

If you are thinking about selling your home, the article is worth a full read! Then visit my website or give me a call. I'm here to help with all your real estate needs.