There’s good news for homeowners, as home values are reaching their highest levels since the 2008 recession. According to figures from the National Association of REALTORS®, prices are up 3.2 percent year over year in the northeast, over 12 percent in the west and nearly 7 percent in the south. The losses from the recession have already been, or are close to being erased in nearly 20 percent of metro housing markets studied by Zillow. Researchers there say prices in more than

While it might be tempting to borrow whatever amount of money your lender is willing to give you, it’s important to think carefully about how much you’ll actually need to borrow in order to purchase a new home. From the down payment to taxes to insurance and interest rates, there are many factors to consider when making this important, life-changing decision. Contrary to popular sentiment, there is no standard formula for accurately calculating the specific dollar amount you