A Guide for First Timers Making
That First Big Home Purchase
Follow these four steps to see if you're ready to become a homeowner.

European Landscape Designers
On Their Outdoor Furniture Picks
Summer officially starts next week. We take a look at what might be the hottest design objects for the garden in Europe this year.

Housing Starts Decreased in May,
But Building Permits Swung Higher
The number of new dwellings begun in the U.S. fell 2.1%, the first decline in four months. The permit increase was larger than expected and is seen as a promising sign for future construction.

Where Housing Prices Are
The Most Likely to Fall
In this week's survey of news, we look at cities where homes are the most overvalued, the effect of school test scores on how much you may get for your house, why your neighbor wants to snoop at your open house and bogged-down sales in San Francisco.

BUY/SELL TACTICS
How I Sold My House In Just Six Days

HOME & GARDEN
Utility Companies Offer New Ways To Monitor Your Energy Use

MARKET TRENDS
Home Builders' Confidence Falls To the Lowest Level in 16 Years

Economists See Housing Slump Enduring Longer Than Expected

What You Don't Know About Real Estate May Cost You

Getting the Price Right On Home Value Sites

Home Prices to Drop Further, But Recovery May Be Ahead

Who Needs a Computer? Getting Home Values Via Cell Phone

After just six days, columnist Jane Hodges finds a buyer for her house. Plus follow the steps that led to her home sale. See slideshows of her new home and the one she just sold.

See a slideshow of two Italian castles that hosted King Louis XII of France and Benito Mussolini.

Nancy Keates chronicles her decision to tear down her home and build anew. Read her latest column, post your views on her project on the Teardown Diary discussion board or view a slideshow of her house.

Nicolas Retsinas, director of Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, on the cooling real-estate market, plus where prices are rising.

Home remodeling -- Do it yourself, or call in the pros?

Why new luxury homes are selling well, appliances for the impatient cook and whether you should you wait to buy.

Doing your homework before buying a vacation home; shopping for a home from cellphone.

Avoiding paying income taxes on both homes when owning houses in two different states. Plus, the wisdom of home inspections.

The backlash against gated communities, wines for barbecues, reducing junk mail and more.

Tips on selling your home in a tough market and cutting back on household expenses.

Why house hunting is often a battle of the sexes. Plus, high-tech options for monitoring your home.

Homeowners are waging a tax rebellion, writing a home listing, and verifying that your house's value is listed accurately on home-value Web sites.

June Fletcher on handling low-ball home bids; Dana Mattioli on using photos to sell your house.

Read our special coverage of articles on prepping your home for the spring selling season.

Wall Street Journal reporter June Fletcher answers reader questions in her weekly "House Talk" column. Email June your question or post a response on the House Talk message board.

Readers Comment on the real estate market.
"It looks like everyone is happy! The bulls are celebrating because there were record sales and the bears are celebrating because home prices have dropped by double digits and real estate is beginning its decline to more reasonable valuations." Read more.

My Investment: Learn about individuals' real-estate triumphs and mistakes.

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