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Selling residential property has become quite tough these days. Moreover, in the winters, due to the cold, dark and unpredictable weather, property selling becomes further more difficult.  Selling off property during the summer season is far easier compared to the winters.

If you're thinking of buying a home, then I personally think that this is the best time to do so as this is still a buyers' market. The low prices and low mortgage rates are here to remain for some more time. Those who wanted to refinance their home for quite sometime now, can also go for it now as the rates are quite low now.  Some of the housing and mortgage trends you can expect to see in the first quarter of 2012 are listed below:

Have you moved to US and looking for an apartment to take on lease? If yes, then you should know that it may be difficult for you to do so without a credit record. However, it doesn’t mean that you cannot get a suitable apartment to stay. Go through this article to know how you can take a suitable apartment on rent without a credit record or even before you get your Social Security Number or SSN.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) opened the 2012 electronic tax return filing season on 17th January, 2012. This is a reminder to the taxpayers that the best way to get quick refunds and tax returns is to e-file their taxes.  It should be noted here that tax returns can be e-filed in the following three ways:

With the start of a New Year, most of us have a New Year's resolution in mind. Why don't we take a resolution to save money? I guess that will be a better New Year's resolution compared to anything else. Here are some of the ways by which you will be able to save money this New Year:

Started by Governor Robert Bentley, Hardest Hit Alabama (HHA) is foreclosure prevention program which aimed at mainly helping the homeowners who were unable to return to work after the April 2011 tornadoes. As per this program, those who apply and qualify for this mortgage assistance, will either receive $15,000 per household or may receive assistance of up to 12 consecutive payments. Around 900 people have received assistance about the Hardest Hit Alabama mortgage help program.

In a recent announcement, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have decided that they will suspend all evictions during the holiday season especially from December 19, 2011 to January 2, 2012. It has been also announced that if the property is occupied, the foreclosure attorneys will suspend the eviction for the time being so that the homeowners will be able to spend their holiday season in a better manner. However, it remains a fact that this decision won’t change the pre or post foreclosure processes.

Mortgage fraud has been a significant problem for past few years. It has been noted that in the year 2010, there was an estimated loss of around $3.2 billion due to mortgage fraud nationwide. It is expected to exceed in the year 2011. Combating mortgage fraud is a priority for all of us in order to improve the housing market.  You can be a target of mortgage fraud if you own a home or are planning on purchasing a home or are attempting to short sale or foreclose it.

In a recent development, the U.S. House and Senate have voted in order to increase the mortgage limit for FHA loans to $729,750. This will help the homeowners to get higher and cheaper loans. Currently, the loan limit for FHA conforming loan is $625,500.

Voting in favor of the bill:
The house voted 298 to 121 in favor of the bill. However, it is to be noted here that around 101 Republicans voted against the bill. The Senate, on the other hand, voted 70 to 30 in favor of the bill.