Real Estate

Real Estate News

Recession Takes Its Emotional Toll on Cities

The economic downturn could lead to higher crime, divorce, alcohol and drug abuse, depression, and suicide

• Slide Show: America's Unhappiest Cities

Best Affordable Suburbs in the U.S. 2009

BusinessWeek ranked the best affordable suburbs in the U.S. state by state. The overall winner? Pewaukee, Wis. Which is the winner for your state?

• Slide Show: Best Affordable Suburbs 2009

Home Prices Post Biggest Drop in 21 Years

The S&P/Case-Shiller National Home Price Index saw an 18.2% decline in the last quarter of 2008, and the 20-city index fell 18.5% in December alone

Bank of America Works Out Countrywide Mortgages

But BofA's huge effort to keep consumers in their homes does not necessarily offer safeguards against redefault

How Banks Are Worsening the Foreclosure Crisis

How the banking industry is undermining efforts to keep people in their houses

• Slide Show: Where Foreclosure Has Hit Hardest
• Plus: What's Holding Back Mortgage Modification?
• Podcast: Behind the Story

Boomtown Slowdown

Since 2000, hundreds of communities across the U.S. have seen unprecedented growth in new homes and income. Will they be able to survive?

• Slide Show: America's Biggest Boomtowns

How Far Will Housing Prices Fall in 2009?

A Berkeley economist predicts that mounting job losses could push home prices down an additional 7% this year

Even Once-Strong Housing Markets Stumble

Formerly resilient areas like Charlotte, N.C., and Boston are struggling, according to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index

Rents Drop Nationwide as Vacancies Spike

Good news for renters as landlords are forced to offer discounts to keep their properties occupied

• Slide Show: Metros with the Biggest Rent Drops

Home Mortgage Foreclosure Relief Gathers Steam

Citigroup's endorsement has the financial-services industry fighting harder against a "cramdown bill" to let homeowners fight foreclosure

• Plus: Battle Lines: Who Calls the Shots on Bankruptcy and Mortgages?

America's Best High Schools

A state-by-state look at the best-performing high schools in the U.S. Does your child already go to one?

• Slide Show: America's Best High Schools 2009
• Plus: GreatSchools Helps Find Great Schools

Mortgage Rates Fall to Record Lows

Rates are at their lowest level in decades, but mortgages remain elusive for most homeowners and hopeful buyers

Inside the House of the Future

Green technology, wireless connectivity, and less ostentation are just some of the newest home-building trends

Mortgages: What You Need to Know in 2009

Mortgage rates are at historic lows and may be poised to go even lower next year. It's a great time to buy a home—if you can

• Plus: 2009 Real Estate Forecast: Troubles Spread

States in Worst Budget Trouble

Is your state going broke? The economic crisis has gutted state coffers, forcing governors to raise taxes, slash services, or both

Real Estate Winners and Losers 2008

While some markets saw home values slide by as much as 40%, others rose. They weren't all wealthy enclaves either. Working-class Utica, N.Y., was up 7%

• Slide Show: The Best and Worst Housing Markets of 2008

Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Now?

Today's new, lower rates could drop even further, says mortgage maven Keith Gumbinger. If you've got a jumbo ARM, you might want to wait

Housing: What the Experts See Ahead

An economist, consultant, academic, and fund manager try to locate the bottom of the market

Earning More, Commuting Farther

In the 15 largest U.S. cities, the more money you make, the more time you spend commuting to work

• Slide Show: How Far Would You Commute for $100,000?

Small Towns with Big Money

From summer resorts to wealthy suburbs, a look at the most expensive small towns in the U.S.

• Slide Show: The Most Expensive Small Towns in America

Where Would You Relocate for a Job?

A recent survey identifies the 20 cities where Americans would most want, and least want, to relocate

• Slide Show: America's Most and Least Favorite Cities

FHA-Backed Loans: The New Subprime

The same people whose reckless practices triggered the global financial crisis are onto a similar scheme that could cost taxpayers tons more

• Podcast: The Subprime Wolves Are Back
• Plus: 'Help' Can Be Costly

Trading Down Is the New Real Estate Reality

For many people who once only dreamed of a $1 million home, today a $500,000 home is looking pretty good

• Slide Show: How Much Home You Can Buy for $500,000

The Star of a Real Estate Reality Show Takes a Housing Hit

Speculator Jeff Lewis of Bravo TV's Flipping Out scrambles to regroup in the downturn

The Best Places to Raise Your Kids

A Chicago suburb beats out thousands of other communities around the U.S. as the best, most affordable place to raise kids

• Slide Show: The Best Places to Raise Your Kids 2009

Citigroup to Help At-risk Borrowers Stay in Homes

The bank says it won't move against borrowers who want to stay in a principal residence and have enough income to make payments

Campus Condos: The Payoff Is Shrinking

The calculus of owning off-campus housing has changed as home sales have slowed and expectations of fast appreciation have disappeared

• Slide Show: Smart Buys in College Towns

From Park Avenue to Park Slope

If your net worth has taken a hit, it might be time to relocate. Where are you going to go?

• Slide Show: Recession Relocations

Foreclosures: Feds to the Rescue?

Banks may be required to offer interest rate relief for strapped homeowners. But it's unclear who will qualify and if the plan would put a dent in foreclosures

The Housing Crisis Spreads to China

Beijing is scrambling to loosen credit even as home prices plummet, buyers reconsider, and developers flee

Will Demand for Solar Homes Pick Up?

Builders find the savings from cheap power is making solar homes more attractive

The Worst U.S. Condo Markets

From Miami to Manhattan and across the country, the once-hot condo market is in freefall

Some Cities Will Be Safer in a Recession

Cities with a strong presence in health care, education, law, energy, and the government will feel the impact of a downturn less

• Slide Show: The Best Cities for Riding Out a Recession

The Feds' Next Step After Rescuing Banks

Many argue that after the $250 billion bank capital injection the government must then stem the surge in foreclosures

Vultures in Miami's Real Estate Market

They're flocking to the city to make lowball, all-cash offers for batches of properties

States with the Worst Budget Shortfalls

California needs to be bailed out to the tune of $7 billion. Find out which other states are close behind

Towns That Could Be Hit Hardest by the Financial Crisis

The upheaval shaking Wall Street will hurt privileged enclaves as well as working-class neighborhoods from coast to coast. Find out which will fare the worst

• Slide Show: Towns That Will Be Hit Hardest by Financial Crisis

Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods: Great Buying Opportunities

Want to know where the next hot real estate markets will be? Watch where the artists are living now

• Slide Show: Buy Now While They're Cheap

Even in the Most Expensive Zip Codes, Prices Are Down

Home values in enclaves such as Beverly Hills and Greenwich have slipped, but houses are still far from a bargain for most buyers

• Plus: The Most Expensive Real Estate Markets in the U.S.

Where Homes Are Selling Fastest

But even real estate in the best Zip Codes are spending longer on the market than in 2007

• Slide Show: The Fastest-Selling Housing Markets in the U.S.

Affordable Housing Exists, If You Know Where to Look

Most Americans can't afford housing as easily as they once did. Take a look at where the most and least affordable homes can be found

• Slide Show: America's Most and Least Affordable Housing Markets

Vacation Homes Without All the Expense

If you're in the market for a vacation home, falling home prices and desperate landlords make it a great time to rent

• Slide Show: Why Buy When You Can Rent?

Strong Rental Markets in a Weak Economy

Foreclosures are up, and home prices are down nationwide, but in many metro areas the rental market has improved since 2007

• Slide Show: Where Rents Increased and Declined Sharply This Year

The Unraveling of the Suburban Fringe

Most of the overbuilding during the housing bubble took place in outer-ring suburbs. They are also likely the places to be hit worst by the downturn

• Slide Show: Big Price Drops in the 'Burbs

Are Downtowns in Danger of Going Downhill Again?

Many ambitious programs to revitalize downtowns of cities across the U.S. could stall as the economy slows

• Slide Show: Downtowns in the Downturn

Are You in the Best City for Your Job?

A high salary goes only so far if the cost of living is even higher. If you want your dollar to go further, maybe it's time to relocate

• Slide Show: Best and Worst Cities for Your Job

Slide Show: The World's Best Places to Live 2008

Mercer Consulting's annual roundup of the global cities with the best quality of life is here, and Zurich once again comes out on top. The best place in the U.S.? Honolulu at No. 28

Are You Overpaying for Where You Live?

As the economy stumbles, even residents of affluent suburbs are feeling pinched by basic costs that never bothered them before

• Slide Show: Most Expensive Suburbs to Live Now

Best Houses of the Week

Mass. Appeal

• Slide Show: Best Homes in Massachusetts

Vermont Values

• Slide Show: Best Homes in Vermont

Great Estates in the Granite State

• Slide Show: The Best Homes in New Hampshire

The Maine Thing

• Slide Show: Best Homes in Maine

Real Estate Lists

The Best and Worst Housing Markets 2007

Where New Homes Are Selling Worst

How Housing is Holding Up Around the World

Countries with the Most Millionaire Households