Trulia has produced a remarkable map that shows how strong--or weak--the real-estate market is in every zip code of the country.



A very cool interactive map; however be warned that it might be dated unless Trulia is updating it on a regular basis. Nevertheless an interesting look at the real estate market.

Mortgage lenders including Wells Fargo & Co. and Bank of America Corp., the two largest, have raised the minimum credit score on FHA-insured loans that they will buy to 640 from 620. About 6.3 million people fall within that range, according to FICO, which created the formula for the ratings.

A welcome change but it will not help the housing market to recover quickly. However, it may deny potential homebuyers who in the first place were risky customers anyway.

"Just how much should Uncle Sam do to help Americans buy their own homes? For 70 years — and for the last 15 in particular — the answer has been: Whatever it takes.

Now, policymakers are pausing to reconsider."

Government's role in promoting home ownership is being reconsidered after the housing market crash. Perhaps a little diversification of subsidies into other sectors of the economy will not hurt.

"A new app for the iPhone 3GS, that allows the user to locate nearby property development proposals just by pointing their mobile at a home, is likely to send shudders through potential vendors and landlords."

Reducing information symmetry is always a good thing. What sends shudders through the potential vendors and landlords is good for the consumers. It'll keep them honest.

Location, Location, and Location is a cliched yet true virtue for real estate especially commercial. Also, check out the Restaurants with the Best Views in the sidebar of the link.

"Exacting buyers are upending the battered real estate market, agents and other experts say, leading to last-minute demands for multiple concessions, bruised feelings on all sides and many more collapsed deals than usual."

Existing home sales fell in December, the month after a federal tax credit was slated to expire.

But the deadline had been extended until April 30 and with even more potential homeowners qualifying.

Before you rush out to claim your extra cash, take a moment to make sure you're not in the housing market for the wrong reasons.

The ones with short commutes are faring better than places with long drives into the city.

Search for Real Estate, Homes for Sale, Apartments for Rent, Houses for Rent, Sublets, and Roommates

Economist Gary Becker showed that couples experiencing any unexpected, drastic rise in net worth are at risk of divorce.

Quite an interesting discussion in the comments.