EYE ON INTEREST RATES  there is so much discussion in the media about interest rates and the economy.  Click on the title text to visit a leading website with the current interest rates and lots more.

Getting the Best Interest Rate: Part I The first thing in locking in the best interest rate is to not fog everything up comparing everything under the planet from the number of days to the Summer Solstice to the Construction Spending numbers released later this month. The biggest culprit in rate confusion? Comparing different loan programs.FULL STORY ->>

National Mortgage Pricing Study: Brokers Are Cheaper At Least For Subprime Applicants. Do you pay less for a home mortgage when you apply through a mortgage broker, or is it cheaper to apply direct to a lender? The answer -- at least as it applies to home buyers with less-than-perfect credit -- may surprise you. FULL STORY ->> 

Budgeting For Household Expenses Means More Than Mortgage Payment
The new year has begun, and this is a great time to look at the true cost of your housing to see where you may need to budget extra spending for upkeep or be able to slice your budget. When a buyer shops for a house, the lender generally will take into account 28 percent of income to be used for the mortgage payment.

FULL STORY ->>

 ***** "Investors Corner"*****

1. 6 units in Hollywood asking $869,000 (1) 3+2, (1) 2+1, (3) 1+1 and one bachleor.  6752 sq ft lot. 2 units delivered vacant. Individually metered. Built in 1964.

2. 2555 Coolidge Ave Los Angeles 90064 asking $575,000 920 sq ft 2 bedroom home on 45x120 lot built 1941 Hardwood floors 47 days on market and counting

3.  5 units in Portland, OR asking $430,000 2 duplexes and one large traditional style home on one tax lot. Zoned and approved for adding additional 5 units. Plans for building are included in purchase. All units are fully rented and duplexes have been remodeled inside within the last year. New roof Oct 04  ½ acre lot 7% Cap rate

See below for the (3) real estate related "links of the month" 

1. Search for commercial real estate across the United States www.loopnet.com
2. Calculate Moving Costs http://www.homefair.comhomefair/calc/movecalcin.html
3. Wall Street Journal’s Real Estate Section on the Web is a great information source  http://www.realestatejournal.com/