Renters Lose Edge on Homeowners

Cost Gap Returns to Historical Norms in Some Markets as House Prices Drop...

Below, find a link to a great article from today's WSJ. It states that the relative cost of owning versus renting is swinging back in favor of homeownership in some U.S. markets.
"After two years of rapid home-price depreciation, the relationship between the cost of rental payments versus after-tax mortgage payments is tilting toward ownership in a number of metropolitan areas."

click here for the entire article : http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123552129423664663.html

HOW'S THE MARKET????...

It depends... Are you thinking of buying, selling, renting or investing??? Below are two articles from Sunday's NY Times Real Estate section. They both are necessary reads to answer your customers' questions....

“A Month Free? Rents Are Falling Fast”
In this challenging economic climate of layoffs and shrinking investments, there is a sliver of positive news: it’s a good time to be a renter in New York City.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/realestate/01cov.html?_r=1&ref=realestate

“For Home Buyers, More Bank Roadblocks”
Even if a prospective buyer has impeccable credit and reliable income, many banks are refusing to make loans if they don’t like what they find when they review the finances and bylaws of the building where the purchaser hopes to live.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/realestate/01loans.html?ref=realestate