CNN has named Merrillville, Indiana as an affordable housing market with a median home price in 2009 of $122,309 and a median family income of $71,739 per year. The town is pretty close to Chicago and Lake Michigan. All in all, a good market to buy a house. 

The first summer in a new home can prove to be an adventure. In fact one of the struggles new homeowners have in a new house is figuring out the right items to buy for summer and paying for it. 

A lot of media and news outlets are reporting interesting news about the current housing market. One article from the Associated Press says home buyers should really save up for a 20% down payment. The same article puts mortgage pre-approval down on the list of "first steps." The problem is that the article is a bit misleading. Sure, 20% down will work. However, home buyers have some great low down payment options available in today's housing market.

Home appraisals can be one of those things home buyers get tripped up about during the buying process. In fact, we've talked about home appraisals and why they're needed before. The fact is, they're good for buyers, sellers and everyone involved. But they can also be frustrating when an appraisal comes back with required repairs.

"What is your interest rate?" may not the best question to ask a lender. At least don't make it your only question. It's a very popular one, and an important one - but it's one of many and it's not always the most important one. For one thing, the housing market is still seeing historic and near-historic interest rates right now. Mortgage interest rates are at some of lowest prices we've ever seen, and they're low at all lenders.

The east side of Michigan has a great reputation as a manufacturing community. Detroit has lead the way for auto makers for years and years. But did you know other communities over near Michigan's thumb have other reasons for living there?

How can a parent help their adult child buy a home? One way is to help with the down payment. Several mortgage loan options allow for a relative to help with cash. Some parents know this, and want to know more about helping their kids. 

The HomePath Renovation mortgage process can turn out to be a long and confusing process. But it doesn't have to be a terrible experience. As with any home buying journey in today's housing market, the key is to start at the beginning: mortgage pre-approval.

If you've been in an apartment (or you're living in one now) the chances are very high that you have an odd neighbor. Maybe you even have an awkward neighbor. It's one of the things that makes for a great story someday when you can say, "One time I had this neighbor..." But for now, that awkward or odd neighbor just might be driving you nuts.

Home buyers in the market for a duplex often find homes in need of updating. That could mean a kitchen remodel, replacing an old furnace or bringing the house up to code. whatever the remodel need, coming up with the cash can be daunting, and maybe even turn away prospective buyers.