The housing market continues its deep decline. But even while we are approaching the worst time in history for the housing market since the famous Great Depression, some Judges are actually taking one for the home owner’s team.

Apparently with the huge number of foreclosures being issued by the lenders, lots of mistakes are happening on the paperwork. In fact, some foreclosures are even trying to be pushed through the court system before the lender even has the right to foreclose on it.

Judges in many states are getting in on the act and dismissing these foreclosures causing the plaintiffs to go back and fix the errors or questionable information and then resume the process. Unfortunately, this won’t help every state because only some states require that the foreclosure process even go through the legal system.

However, the states that do require it and have some on the ball Judges working for them, may not see as much of an increase in foreclosures as the rest of the country will.

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The real estate market is far from booming but if you are still interested in making your way forward in that market there are still some possibilities out there. While the single home family market may be deep in a downslide, other types of real estate sales are remaining constant or actually increasing a small amount.

For instance, rural markets are remaining steady and in some cases beginning to rise. With environmental concerns in the forefront and the increasing need to get away from some of the crime and complexness of life in the city, country real estate is well received.

Interestingly, foreign real estate and the dock markets are still increasing.

Another type of real estate that is actually rising in its use is the good ole timeshare. Remember how we all used to dislike them! Well, the tables seem to be turning and these less expensive alternatives are being rethought.

It seems that it will be the bankers that may be taking the hit to pull approximately 400,000 homeowners out of foreclosure by allowing them to refinance into affordable, government-backed loans.

By reducing the amount that is owed on the home, the banks will be taking a loss on the loan. The banks are initially agreeing to stick to this plan but it is hard to say if they will actually follow through on what they are saying now. There doesn’t seem to be much incentive for them to comply with the program.

They may be forced to comply if the housing market continues to decline. With lawmakers already pushing for this to begin, if the market continues to decline there will be even more pressure on the banks to take the losses. If they don’t, many people are going to be faced with paying mortgage payments that have doubled or lose their homes.

You might be used to the smell and the shedded hair, but it's new to your guests. This goes for you, too, small dog people. Because they do. Never fool yourself into thinking your pets Do not stink. Bad yards make the neighborhood look bad and bring property values down, plus they're an eyesore.

You'll get the whole neighborhood quietly hating you, making passive aggressive comments, and then one morning you wake up to find the whole block cleaning up your yard, as you stand on the porch in your robe with bed head. Every street has one, but Do not be that guy! Do not be the person who doesn't take care of your yard. You've got to keep the money you put into your house realistic compared to the average price of houses that are similarly sized in your immediate area; otherwise it is extremely difficult to get your money's worth. However, you need to keep your remodeling within the general costs of your neighborhood.

Now you might have so much money that you just need to get rid of it, and if so, might we recommend a few charities that do some good work? Do not remodel too much. Not a good idea. Same as with number one, except that you have the added danger of getting electrocuted.

Do not do your own electrical. Of course, if you like the texture of pocketed space, more power to you, but also more cost to you. The reason not to do this is simple: The cost per square foot of this improvement is so high that you might as well opt for a more sizable addition at a much lower cost per square foot. Bump-outs are when you move a wall out a few feet just for a little extra space (like a bay window, but to a greater degree).

Do not do bump-outs. However, if you are doing it yourself, you need to ask an engineer or a solid contractor. Certainly, if you are working with a quality contractor, this professional will know which walls can come down and which can't. Do not remove walls between rooms without knowing if it is load-bearing.

Plus we just wanted to let you know that we didn't miss this one. But, you'd be surprised. Now we know what you're saying, anyone who cares enough about their house to read an article about things you shouldn't do to them already knows not to do this. Do not park in the yard. Plus, if you mess something up, water gets everywhere and might ruin a great many things.

It's not so much that houseowners can't do this or can't learn, but most houseowners are not familiar with the safety requirements laid out in the Uniform Building Code (UBC). But even if you are an ambitious and skilled DIYer, just leave this one to the pros. If you already know how to do it, then this is just a list of the top seven things you shouldn't do. Do not do your own plumbing.

Our apologies if you've already done one of these (or several). Of course Do nots include set it on fire, paint it all black and take off the roof are givens, but we've come up with the top eight items to be avoided that many people already do.  The list for things you should do to your house are endless -- change furnace filter, clean gutters, leave a faucet running when it's freezing out -- but there are likewise many things you shouldn't do.

"Now that I've decided that I want to be a home owner, where do I start?"

So you've decided to purchase a property...now what? Well, the first step is to analyze your credit worthiness, assess your overall financial situation, explore your financing options and obtain a lender letter. This is the first and probably most important part of the process.

• Do you know what your credit score is?
• Do you know if you're viewed as favorable, mediocre or high risk to a lender and how that directly effects your interest rate and which of the 250+ loan options you qualify for?
• Do you know how much of a down payment you will need?
• Do you know how much you truly have to put down once you factor in closing costs and Paid-Out-Of-Closing Items?
• Do you know what information and paperwork you will need to provide the lender before they can qualify you?

You should consult a reputable and experienced lender to get a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) in order to answer these and other questions as well as obtain your lender letter. The GFE will also break down all of the costs associated with the purchase of a home including the interest rate of the loan and your monthly payment of Principal (P) and Interest (I). You will need to factor in Taxes (T) and Home Owner's Insurance (I) in order to come to your final monthly payment (PITI) and lenders will typically ask you for that information prior to providing you with a GFE. You can get tax information on any property off of public records sites (the County or State you are looking to move to) or the lender or your Buyer's Agent can research that for you.

If you are unsure as to which lender to use or who is reputable and experienced, here are some suggestions:

• If you are a member of a Credit Union, check with them. Their rates and closing costs are usually very competitive.
• Check with your banking institution. They may offer incentives to those who have an extended banking history with them and/or a certain minimum daily balance.
• Check with your coworkers, friends or Buyer's Agent to see who they have dealt with in the past and their experience with them.
• Speak with two to three lenders and getting three different GFEs for comparison purposes. Make sure that you speak with them all within a span of one to two weeks. They will each pull your credit and it will hurt your credit score if they are too far apart.

But don't confuse these suggestions with just "buying down the rate" to get a better rate. Yes, it does get you a better rate, but if you don't live in the property for more than 7 years, what you save each month with a lower rate may not outweigh what the cost of the point was.

Once you receive the GFEs from the two or three lenders you've checked with, make sure to compare them side-by-side. You can do this with your financial planner, friend or family member who has bought five to ten or more properties in the last several years or your Buyer's Agent. Understanding the entire GFE is key to knowing whether it just looks like a good deal or if it really is a good deal.

One thing that is intangible is the service and performance of the lender. Sometimes, if it's too good to be true, it is. The lowest quote may not always be the best one. What if it looks good, but the lender is sloppy, procrastinates or just doesn't have a good work ethic and your loan isn't ready come settlement date? Well, there are no current laws holding lenders accountable and YOU pay the price.

That's right...if the lender screws up and the loan docs are not ready or the lender pulls a bait and switch with higher closing costs or a higher interest rate and you don't want to move forward with the purchase of the home, you will be in default of the contract and may lose your earnest money deposit, etc. This is why it is so important to work with a reputable and experienced lender.

Sounds scary, but it really isn't. Seventy percent of Americans are home owners, which means that 210 million people have had to obtain some sort of financing and went through a similar process as you. And if you're informed and have people on your side looking out for you, you should have no problem.

If you wish to get a list of information you will need to provide a lender, a rough estimate of what you can afford and further information on financing and what to look out for, refer to The Buyer's Guide To The Home Buying Process. The Financing section provides information on interest rate tables, lender's calculations, maximum monthly debt ratios, a check list of items to provide the lender, etc.

 You may get a better price by dealing directly with the owner, because he or she will probably be anxious to avoid having a foreclosure on the credit history. During pre-foreclosure you will be able to negotiate directly with the home’s current owner, and have an opportunity to get a really close look at the home’s condition. When To Buy While it’s possible to buy beachfront foreclosures at any time between pre-foreclosure and the foreclosure auction, the time to act is really during the pre-foreclosure period. The banks or lending institutions benefit from having the homes reoccupied because they no longer have to pay to insure or maintain them, and buyers benefit because they can get into beachfront homes which would otherwise be beyond their means.

 Because banks holding title to beachfront foreclosures are motivated to have them reoccupied as soon as possible, buyers can often purchase beachfront foreclosures for surprisingly low prices. Like all foreclosures, beachfront foreclosures will usually sell for a price significantly discounted to their fair market value. Discounts To Market There is no difference between a beachfront foreclosure and any other kind; all foreclosures happen when a bank or other lending institution assumes possession of a name after its owner has failed to stay current on the mortgage payments for a long enough time. Beachfront foreclosures do exist, and for those willing to be patient until one comes onto the foreclosure auction market, can be the opportunities of a lifetime. But for those who are willing to make an effort to find their perfect place in the sun, searching through lists of foreclosure properties in the hopes of finding beachfront foreclosures can mean a dream come true.

  The idea Life that life’s a beach may seem like a fantasy to most people, simply because a life at the beach is simply beyond the means of most of us.

Whether you are buying or selling a property, many people employ the services of a real estate professional. This person's duty is to offer help, professional expertise and generally make the real estate experience easier for you by guiding you through the process.

What Is The Difference Between An "Agent" and a "Realtor?"

The words 'real estate agent' and 'Realtor' are used interchangeably but there is actually a difference between the two. A real estate agent is salesperson licensed by the state, and given legal permission to represent consumers in the sale of, or purchase of homes on the open real estate market.

A Realtor is a real estate professional who is an active member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) - a key supporting real estate organization. The NAR offers ongoing education, legal information, contractual updates, information on governmental regulations affecting the real estate industry, etc. Realtors might consist of appraisers, property managers, loan officers, and brokers. Therefore, not all Realtors are real estate agents.

Is One Better Than The Other?

Some Realtors have lots of success in helping consumers, while some Agents struggle to satisfy their clients. At the same time, many Agents can be extremely efficient, while some Realtors can find themselves unsuccessful. Association with any national organization can't guarantee anything. Some people prefer Realtors because they have a preference due to the national accreditation of NAR. Also, all Realtors must comply with the standard set by NAR, which in part gives the client some additional assurance of ethical conduct.

What Are The Qualities Of A Great Real Estate Professional?

It's important that you select a qualified agent that you feel comfortable working with. Choose a person who has worked with someone you know, or a person who has a positive reputation within the community. A high quality real estate professional will make your transaction as smooth as possible and be forthcoming and honest about the details. That person will ask you questions, listen to your answers and recognize what you'd like to accomplish. Then will guide you towards obtaining your goal in a strategic, organized and successful way.

Author: Ms. Temple Schneider; Realtor, entrepreneur and passionate Co-Founder of American Agent Online Corporation.

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Also Check Out: Virginia Real Estate

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