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The booming real estate market has allowed many Americans to become “equity rich.” They may not have a lot of cash on hand, but they might have equity in their homes worth several hundred thousand dollars or more. Unfortunately, this increase in home wealth has spawned an equally booming business in equity theft, as more and more thieves find increasingly clever ways to con homeowners out of their equity, their homes, or both. One clever new scam involves companies that promise to completely “eliminate” a homeowner’s mortgage. For a fee of a few thousand dollars, these companies claim that a homeowner can have a free and clear title to their home without paying off the remaining debt. How does this scam work?

Becoming the owner of a house can be a proud moment, but one should understand that it brings with it a lot of responsibilities. The most important things are maintenance, capital or finances, bills, and the process of increasing the home’s value so that it also becomes a good capital investment in the long run.

After two years of 20 percent appreciation, the Wilmington NC real estate market took a healthy breather in 2006, helping Wilmington to avoid the crash felt by other hyperactive markets such as Las Vegas and Southwest Florida. Over the past 12 months, New Hanover County transitioned from a sellers’ market to a buyers’ market, wrapping up with over 10 months of listing inventory available and setting the stage for a stable 2007.

Nationally, existing-home sales are expected to rise gradually in 2007, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors®. In Wilmington NC, home sales are also expected to increase slightly as spring nears and sellers adjust to the new market, according to Broker/Realtor CB Johnson.

If you are thinking about getting a post-bankruptcy Washington mortgage refinance, there has never been a better time than right now. Property values in the state are at an all time high, especially in areas surrounding Seattle. This means that you should have no problem getting the loan you need, even if you plan on getting cash-back at closing.

Washington Mortgage Refinance Rates
Rates in Washington are extremely low, averaging only 5.64 percent on 30 year loans and 5.38 percent on 15 year loans. This is one of the main reasons why it is the perfect time to refinance. Even with a bankruptcy on your credit report, you stand a good chance of lowering your mortgage rate, and in turn, lowering your monthly mortgage payment. You will also have a much easier time affording a loan.