REAL ESTATE

Mortgage Rates Plunge to 3.75%, Lowest Level Since May

Filed under: Buying, Financing, Refinancing ZillowThe weekly mortgage rate chart illustrates the average 30-year fixed interest rate in six-hour intervals. By Lauren Braun Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed loans fell this week, with the rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgages at 3.75 percent, down 8 basis points from the same time last week. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped Friday, then hovered around the current rate for the rest

Mortgage Rates Plunge to 3.75%, Lowest Level Since May

Filed under: Buying, Financing, Refinancing ZillowThe weekly mortgage rate chart illustrates the average 30-year fixed interest rate in six-hour intervals. By Lauren Braun Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed loans fell this week, with the rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgages at 3.75 percent, down 8 basis points from the same time last week. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped Friday, then hovered around the current rate for the rest

Special Report: Multitude of local authorities soak Illinois homeowners in taxes

The 53-year-old insurance manager gets a real estate tax bill for 20 different local government authorities and a total payout of about $7,000 in 2014. Then there is Wauconda Road and Bridge, not to be confused with Road and Bridge, Wauconda Gravel, or with Wauconda Special Road Improvement and Gravel unit – all three of which have imposed separate taxes on her and the village’s other homeowners.

Special Report: Multitude of local authorities soak Illinois homeowners in taxes

The 53-year-old insurance manager gets a real estate tax bill for 20 different local government authorities and a total payout of about $7,000 in 2014. Then there is Wauconda Road and Bridge, not to be confused with Road and Bridge, Wauconda Gravel, or with Wauconda Special Road Improvement and Gravel unit – all three of which have imposed separate taxes on her and the village’s other homeowners.

How to Protect Yourself on Short-Term Rental Sites

Filed under: Lifestyle, Renting Shutterstock / Cheryl CaseyThe gorgeous pictures of a property online might not be exactly what it looks like, or might not be the same place at all. By Vera Gibbons While short-term home rental sites such as Airbnb and HomeAway have made finding and listing vacation properties and alternative lodging fast, easy and convenient both for hosts and guests, there are risks involved for both parties.

Trump says won't be 'throwing punches' in U.S. Republican debate

Donald Trump, the man to beat in this week’s first televised Republican presidential debate, said on Sunday he does not plan to attack his rivals and downplayed expectations for his performance, saying “I’m not a debater.” The combative real estate mogul will take center stage at Thursday’s debate among the 10 top-polling candidates as he leads the 17 candidates vying to represent their party in the November 2016 election. Trump

3 Ways to Write a Tempting Offer When Buying a Home

Filed under: Buying, Financing Shutter_M/Shutterstock By Erika Napoletano You’ve found it: the house of your dreams. In fact, you went home last night and played a little game of Where Does the Sofa Go? But before you can say “home sweet home,” there’s an offer to be made — and it has to be accepted before you can move that sofa into the living room. While these three tips don’t

Canada's RioCan says to explore sale of U.S. portfolio

Canada’s largest real estate investment trust RioCan said on Friday it is exploring a potential sale of its assets in the United States, valued by analysts at between $2 billion and $2.25 billion. The company, which acquired most of its assets on the cheap in the midst of the global financial crisis, said it has benefited from the growth in the value of its U.S. portfolio and the cash flow