Home Prices Decline - AGAIN

According to a report released recently by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), national home prices, driven lower by a flood of foreclosures, plummeted in the third quarter by a record 9% year-over-year.

The median price of a single-family home fell in four out of five states. The national median price was $200,500, down 2.9% from the second quarter of 2008.

A flood of foreclosures has driven home prices down. As many as 40% of all sales made during the three months that ended Sept. 30 were short sales or properties repossessed by banks. These are eager sellers. The longer the banks hold the vacant homes, the more it costs them in maintenance, taxes and insurance.

Regionally, single family home prices were the most stable in the South, where they fell just 3.7% to $174,200. They dropped 5.5% in the Midwest to $159,900 and 6.5% in the Northeast to $267,700. In the West, the median price fell 21.4% to $266,300.

Obama on Fighting Foreclosure

During his campaign for the presidency, Barack Obama explained where he stands on many of the economic issues that matter most to Americans.

On foreclosures, Obama wants the government to step in to help homeowners facing foreclosure.

· Allow troubled homeowners to refinance to a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration.

· Require any financial institution participating in Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program to put a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures for homeowners "acting in good faith."

· Create a 10% tax credit for homeowners who do not itemize their taxes.

· Create a $10 billion fund to help victims of predatory loans.

· Authorize bankruptcy judges to reduce mortgage principal.

"…If the government can bail out investment banks on Wall Street, then we can extend a hand to folks who are struggling on Main Street." — Obama*

What do you think? Can the new President-Elect deliver on these campaign promises? We'd love to hear your opinion. Just use the "Comment" link below to sound off and tell us what you think.

Bad Insurance Buys

Modern life isn't cheap… so it pays to make sure you're not wasting money on anything. And that includes insurance. Are you paying for unnecessary insurance? Money Editor Stacy Johnson helps you find out in this short (1:26) video…

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Home Prices Expected to Fall Even More

Home prices are down 20% nationwide since their peak in July 2006, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index. Economist Nouriel Roubini of New York University, who accurately predicted the housing slide and credit crisis, expects another 20% decline in home prices in the next year. Patrick Newport of economic forecasting firm Global Insight projects a 15% drop.

The damage will likely hit even areas that have so far escaped many problems.

The action plan if you're selling:

• Wait it out

In 2010, real estate should be stronger, with fewer homes clogging the market. So if you can wait until then to sell, do it.

• Make your place shine

In many markets, sellers will face the toughest competition not from fellow homeowners but from banks and builders. Both will be willing to cut prices dramatically to sell a foreclosed or new home.

To convince buyers that your house is worth paying up for, make sure that it's in move-in condition (foreclosures almost certainly won't be). Point out unusual qualities like wide-plank floors or stained glass that cookie-cutter new construction lacks.

• Price it below market

Find out how much nearby homes fetched recently. Once you've figured out what a buyer might pay, price your house 5% below that.

Sound painful? A recent study by a New Jersey appraiser found that houses priced below market ended up selling for more than similar houses listed above market. That's because lower prices attract more buyers.

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Dollar Store Deals

A dollar certainly doesn't buy what it used to. But it can still fetch you a bargain or two, if you look in the right place. Money Editor Stacy Johnson explains… (video runs 1:33)…

Know of any other ways to save a dollar during these tough times? Share them with our readers by using the "comment" link below. We'd love to hear from you.