Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.57 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending July 8, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 4.58 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.20 percent. This rate is yet another all-time low in Freddie Mac’s 39-year survey.

It is essential for a Champion Agent to operate on a solid platform from which to train their Buyer's Agents. My belief has always been that a Champion Agent works predominantly with Sellers. However, they must acquire the skills to work with Buyer leads first, so they can select only the cream of the crop of prospects.

Park the car and put on the walking shoes. Homebuyers are ranking a home's walking distance to schools, stores, neighborhood parks, and more as high on the list of influences to buy a home. Buyers are interested in purchasing a house that allows them to get around without the car.

iPhone/iPod Touch apps come with the convenience of having your home, mortgage and real estate market information at your fingertips, but beware of requests for personal information.

Peter L. Mosca, host of Income Property Investment Talk dot com, shares Part II of his radio show interview with Frank McKinney, author of "Burst This! Frank McKinney's Bubble-Proof Real Estate Strategies," how has during his 25-year career, not only survived but thrived by taking a contrarian approach and making his own markets.

This column comes to you direct from the state of Florida, where you can easily find a wide selection of commercial assets and condominiums by the bulk load. You can also compete with a large flock of cash buyers who are no longer circling, but are swooping in to make offers on choice assets at bottom prices. That is the problem.

Company has indicated a willingness to settle builder claims.

Inflation trends remain subdued and the pace of recovery raises questions of sustainability.

The improvement is due to non-market forces, including government intervention, an analyst says.

Most believe housing remains key over the long-term and would buy regardless of tax credit.

Prices have another 3-5 percent to fall over the next two years, Barclays thinks.

The jury is still out on the extent to which the market will continue to see new issuances.

Fannie Mae will give buyers until June 30 to participate in a rebate program. Participants receive 3.5 percent of the final sales price to be used for closing costs or selected appliances.

Casual investors in commercial real estate are likely to exit the sector as debt becomes more expensive.

Sales volume fell 70 percent in 2009, and property values within an hour's drive of the U.S. border have declined 40 percent from their peak, according to industry experts.

Applications increased 7.4 percent last week as the end of the home buyer tax credit approaches, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The rule requiring buyers to repay the credit if they move within three years has also been waived for qualifying members of the U.S. military, foreign service, and intelligence communities if the government orders the transfer.

As government program ends, the Treasury Department estimates that the credits helped 1.8 million people buy homes, though two-thirds went to people who would have bought homes anyway.