UrbanTurf Chicago

House Hunters Have Choices To Get a Good Deal as Market Revives

Don DeBat — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:00:45 GMT

House hunters don’t have to have a degree in rocket science to realize that residential real estate is destined to come roaring back as soon as employment improves. The question Chicagoans are asking is: Where should you buy to get the best deal in the coming residential revival? Keep reading »

Short Sale Can Be a Smart Buyer’s Affordable Route to Homeownership

Don DeBat — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:30:12 GMT

There’s a tsunami of foreclosures underway in the nation’s housing market, and Illinois has the dubious distinction of being near the peak of the wave. One technique Chicago homeowners facing foreclosure should consider is a short sale, a process which Fannie Mac & Freddie Mae have recently made more efficient. Would-be home buyers can also benefit from short sales. Keep reading »

Record-Low Home-Loan Rates Could Begin Creeping Higher by Late 2012

Don DeBat — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:30:23 GMT

This year the benchmark 30-year rate has held below 4 percent in all but one week. But forecasters say the rate honeymoon is coming to an end. Freddie Mac’s April U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook expects 30-year fixed-rate mortgages to gradually increase in the second half of 2012 to about 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent by the end of the year. Keep reading »

Buying Is More Affordable Than Renting with Rent-to-Own Programs

Don DeBat — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:00:46 GMT

If you are an apartment renter who just received that spring rent increase letter from your landlord, now may be the time to consider buying a home, townhome or condo, real estate experts advise. Keep reading »

Spring Developer Incentives Spark New-Home and Condo Sales

Don DeBat — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:30:13 GMT

Housing experts say the Rip Van Winkle-like new-home and condominium market will gradually awaken by the end of 2012 after more than five years of slumber, and developers are offering attractive incentives this spring to help market inventory units that are ready for immediate move-in. Keep reading »

Apartment Hunting Tips for Chicago’s Booming Spring Rental Market

Don DeBat — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:30:43 GMT

The forecast for the spring apartment rental market in the Chicago area is looking sunny, analysts say. Here are some apartment hunting tips from Reside Living to make your spring rental search easier. Keep reading »

Wall Street Big Wigs Buying Up Foreclosures

UrbanTurf Staff — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:15:35 GMT

A few Wall Street firms are lining up to buy up foreclosed properties with the intention of renting them out, The Wall Street Journal reported this morning. Keep reading »

FHA-Insured Loans Will Cost More After April 1st

Don DeBat — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:00:07 GMT

The honeymoon is over for home buyers who utilize Uncle Sam’s low-down payment, federally insured FHA home-loan program. Keep reading »

Mortgage Rates Below 4 Percent For Three Months

UrbanTurf Staff — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:00:30 GMT

Long-term mortgage rates dropped this week, and have now been below 4 percent for three straight months. Keep reading »