Interest Rates on the Rise

If you're in the market for a new home, you already know that interest rates are on the rise. According to experts, they're hovering around 6% nationwide.

I found an interesting video clip from NBC's Today Show this morning that gives some great insight into where rates may go from here. And, more importantly, what home buyers need to consider when shopping for homes.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/36549153#36549153

When you're done watching, come back and see some of the great homes for sale in North Iowa. We have fsbo's in Mason City, Clear Lake, Humboldt, plus acreages, too!

http://www.northiowaforsalebyowner.com/

Do It Yourself Projects (b-4 putting the house up for sale)

As spring approaches, many homeowners are getting ready to put their homes on the market. But before you put a 'for sale' sign up, you want your house to be in tip-top condition. Especially in a market where home values aren't what they used to be.

You might think that some projects, like fixing a hole in the wall, require a hired professional. Not necessarily so. Here are some great tips from The Today Show on NBC.

http://www.today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/34877449#34877449

Once your house is ready, visit http://www.northiowaforsalebyowner.com/ where we can help you market your home on the internet.. a tool 80% of homebuyers are using!

Clear Lake Woman Finds Dream Home on NorthIowaFSBO.com

It's funny how the Internet and NorthIowaFSBO.com can make things happen for homeowners so quickly! I wanted to share what one Clear Lake woman recently told me. Her name is Emily Forsyth. She and her husband have been looking for a new home. So she turned to the Internet.

"I just Googled 'Clear Lake For Sale By Owner' and your website came up. I checked it out and our dream home was on there!", said Emily.

Less than two months later, Emily and her family are living in their new home.

NorthIowaForSaleByOwner.com can help you find or sell a home by offering a great advertising and marketing medium. All you pay is a small monthly advertising fee to be on the site. Plus, use as many pictures and as many details as you like. And the beauty of buying or selling FSBO is you don't have to pay up to 7% in a realtor's fee. Check us out at http://www.northiowaforsalebyowner.com/

Local Lender on 2010 Housing Market

One of the things I like to do for people who visit northiowafsbo.com is to gather information about the housing market and make it available right here in one conventient spot. I try to do that by gathering information from sources online as well as talk to local experts.

Pat Thompson is a local lender at Farmers State Bank in Mason City. He's hopeful, but realistic about 2010.

"2010 will hopefully be a stable year. I don’t see rates doing anything drastic. Home sales by units I think will be stable and maybe slightly increase. As far as home values, I don’t think we are out of the woods yet. Still a lot of good deals out there which is great for those capable of buying but I ultimately think that the overall home values may still suffer and/or not rebound because of the deals being made now."

By mid-January 2010 it is estimated sale prices in Mason City fell an average of 5-percent during the 4th quarter of 2009.

http://http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2010/01/15/news/latest/doc4b5003f8d7a99438558809.txt#vmix_media_id=9300077

This article from CNNMoney.com reveals many insiders aren't forecasting a rise in national home prices for 2010. It cites three main reasons: a coming flood of foreclosures, rising interest rates and the eventual end of the tax credits.

http://http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/31/real_estate/home_price_drop/index.htm?postversion=2009123106

FSB's Pat Thompson has this to say about the article. "Depressing, but interesting. I agree with the article, but I do think that extremes that we feel in our local markets are far less than nationally."

Clear Lake Home For Sale By Owner

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This Clear Lake home has four bedrooms, is a short walk to the lake, downtown and Clear Creek Elementary! Updated kitchen, plus new furnace and AC! Must see!

Check it out on northiowaforsalebyowner.com or click here!

http://www.northiowafsbo.com/property_for_sale/1100_5th_avenue_south/index.html

One in Twenty Looking to Buy

If you're in the market to sell your home, here's an interesting article recently posted on USAToday.com. It states that 1 in 20 people are looking to buy a home next year. Granted, every market is local. But it gives you a feel for what you may expect.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-11-11-home-buying-poll_N.htm

Tax Credit Extended for First-Time and Current Homeowners

A popular $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, which was set to expire at the end of this month, has been extended until June of 2010. Plus, the new provision includes a $6500 tax credit for existing homeowners who buy a new place after living in a home for at least five years. It's all part of a stimulus package overwhelmingly supported by the House and Senate and signed by President Obama today. Read more details in this article by USAToday.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-11-06-tax-credit-signed_N.htm