Victoria Brink

Rates on 30-year loans fall below 5 percent - Real estate- msnbc.com Source: www.msnbc.msn.com Rates for 30-year home loans dipped below 5 percent this week after rising for three straight weeks. Anchorage Alaska Real Estate

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Declining Inventory Sign of Stabilizing Market Source: www.realtor.org Industry experts say declining home inventory is a good thing, but it doesn't necessarily mean prices will rise soon. Anchorage Alaska Real Estate

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by Victoria Brink & Associates

This Month In Real Estate Special Edition

This Month In Real Estate (US) SPECIAL EDITION: The Updated 2009 Homebuyer Tax Credit Source: www.youtube.com This Month in Real Estate provides expert opinion and analysis on real estate trends across the nation. Anchorage Alaska Real Estate

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http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/5-reasons-to-buy-a-home-during-holidays-1.aspx?ic_id=nwsltr_mtgrlest_20091112

5 reasons to buy a home during holidays

By Tracey C. Velt • Bankrate.com

Add 'new home' to your shopping list 1 of 7

While you may think it's crazy to tackle the huge task of homebuying during the schedule-jammed holiday season, the holidays are actually a great time to find real estate deals in today's new economy.

"This year in particular may be different than other years," says Beth Tyler, a broker with Long & Foster Real Estate in Annapolis, Md., who says the economy has boosted many sellers' motivation to sell.

"Interest rates are at an all-time low, prices are greatly depressed and inventory is plentiful," says Nick Burrafato, broker/owner of Florida HomeGallery Real Estate in Orlando, Fla.

"The holiday season is a particularly good time for first-time homebuyers to find a home," says Rich Hayden, senior loan officer for HomeFirst Mortgage Corp. in Alexandria, Va. "But get prequalified with a mortgage broker or lender early. The typical turnaround to close a home is 30 (to) 60 days, so it's best to get started right away."

"The housing market appears to have reached a floor through the June to September period," says Steve Murray, editor of REAL Trends, a real estate industry publication.

"December home sales usually make up about 8.1 percent of total annual home sales," he says. The peak months are May, June, July and August -- each nearly 11 percent of annual home sales. The only months lower than December are November, January and February.

Here are five reasons the 2009 holiday season promises to be filled with better-than-usual home bargains:

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Anchorage Alaska Real Estate News - Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group - Brink & Associates Anchora Source: www.akbrinkteam.com Anchorage Alaska Real Estate News from Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group - Brink & Associates Anchorage Real Estate.

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