Friday Five: Housing Markets, Buyers Adjust to New Normal

Home sales rise, foreclosures fall, and the latest national flood insurance deadline looms.

In our Friday Five roundup of top housing news, we look at a return to traditional home sales: With rents on the rise across the country, many are taking advantage of low prices and short sale opportunities to trade in their lease for a mortgage. Also this week, we begin the countdown for national flood insurance reauthorization, which is set to expire at the end of May 2012.

Why Renters are the Next Mortgage Crisis

If you’ve been wondering if you should be renting rather than owning, consider this expert’s view.

Buyers of High-Priced Homes in a Bind

Buyers of High-Priced Homes in a Bind

By Julie Schmit, USA TODAY

Time is short for some buyers and owners of more expensive homes to get the best terms on mortgage loans.

Starting Oct. 1, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will cut the size of loans they buy from lenders. That will force many future borrowers into more expensive and harder-to-get jumbo loans.

30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate Hits Record Low

30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate Hits Record Low

Mortgage rates posted mixed results this week, but the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rates fell to a record low of 4.41%, according to Bankrate.com. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.43 discount and origination points. The previous record low of 4.42% was set in October and November of 2010.

7 Things to Consider Before Buying a Fixer-Upper (mp3) Real Estate Radio

7 Things to Consider Before Buying a Fixer-Upper

Renovating a fixer-upper house is often harder than it seems. Here are seven things to keep in mind before you invest in a money pit.

Click here to listen -- Download (mp3) ?

Mortgage Rates Dip Further

Mortgage Rates Dip Further

Mortgage rates declined for a third straight week, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate now 4.45%, with 0.45 discount and origination points, according to Bankrate.com. The record low of 4.42% was set in October and November of 2010.

Mortgage Rates Plunge to 9-Month Low

Mortgage Rates Plunge to 9-Month Low

Renewed economic worries had mortgage rates falling sharply, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate now 4.54%, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.39 discount and origination points.

June Existing-Home Sales Slip, but Prices Stabilize

June Existing-Home Sales Slip, but Prices Stabilize

Owning a Home is Top Priority for 70% of Renters

Owning a Home is Top Priority for 70% of Renters

Home Sellers’ Pain is Buyers’ Joy

Home Sellers’ Pain is Buyers’ Joy

By Joe Taschler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

July 5 — There are bargains hidden in the wreckage of the nation’s housing market collapse.

Just ask Jim and Kristin Moscicke.

They just closed on the purchase of a condominium in Pewaukee in the same development where they had wanted to buy three years ago.