The government’s Home Affordable Refinance Program was all set to end next month, September 30, to be exact, but that’s not the case anymore.

For-sale-by-owners tend to sell their homes for lower prices than homes sold through traditional agents via the MLS, and in many cases below the average differential represented by the prevailing commission rate, according to a new study by Collateral Analytics.

You're probably familiar with the online realty marketing giant Zillow because of its voluminous home sale listings and its controversial "Zestimate" property valuation feature.

But you may not know this: Zillow is in hot water with the federal government over alleged violations of anti-kickback and deceptive practices rules.  SANTA BARBARA LIVING - REAL ESTATE DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN THESE ACTIVITIES. 

Are you considering investing directly in rental real estate? With many people increasingly concerned about both stock and bond market valuations, you're not alone. First, let's take a look at some of the benefits of becoming a landlord:

Still renting? You must have a good reason. Although, we're not really sure what it is. With rents continuing to rise across the country, interest rates staying around historic levels, and new loans lowering down payment requirements, it just makes sense to take the leap to homeownership.

Analysts anticipate a slowdown for the economy in the latter half of 2017, with housing having less bearing on growth due to constraints in supply, according to Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research (ESR) Group’s recently released Economic and Housing Outlook for July 2017. The Outlook maintains the economy will grow 2.0 percent over the course of the year, but also projects a delayed key interest rate hike.

Foreign home-buying in the U.S. leaped 49 percent to $153 billion in the last year, a record high in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Profile of International Activity in U.S. Residential Real Estate, recently released for 2017. The boost came as activity from Canada exploded to $19 billion, with buyers from China, India, Mexico and the UK also contributing considerable volume.

Falling mortgage rates and rising home values are a tasty combination for homeowners, but millions are not biting because of the hassle of a refinance.