Condensed Episode Dallas - Todd and Cindy Davis

Todd and Cindy Davis have made it their mission to help those in need. After spearheading an effort to save a young girl from the streets, they welcomed her into their home, a parsonage on church grounds. Known for ministering to troubled youth, they once loaded buses with 300 children and brought them to church. Involved in the Dallas community through their church and other activities, Todd and Cindy have established a humble and giving family; but they've never established a home of their own. The Davis family mission has been to provide safe havens for those in need. After a lifetime of giving, they'll finally have a safe haven of their own.

Condensed Episode New Jersey - Tom and Luz Healey

Putting others' needs before their own has always been important to Tom and Luz Healey. Luz immigrated to the United States 13 years ago from Puerto Rico and hasn't forgotten her roots. She and Tom are both involved with Hope for a Healthier Humanity (HHH), a foundation committed to assisting Latin American and Caribbean families achieve improved access to quality healthcare. Luz travels extensively for HHH, often acting as a translator. Tom has worked in healthcare since 1987, and dedicates his free time to volunteering for HHH and the Knights of Columbus.

HomeTeam stepped up to the plate to help the Healeys with their American Dream – home ownership.

WABC Eyewitness News in New York

WABC Eyewitness News in New York interviewed HomeTeam's host Troy McClain and also previewed the New Jersey episode shooting locally last November

Seattle foreclosures increase in March

Default Research Inc., one of the largest real estate research companies', released a statistic confirming a 27% increase in home foreclosures for the Seattle area. What's surprising is that the research also shows Seattle as prime real estate despite the foreclosure increase and sub prime mess. King County is still growing rapidly, and was referred to as a "crown jewel" for buyers. If you can afford King, Pierce, or Snohomish County neighborhoods, it sounds like a great investment even with recent troubles. Several articles have eluded to the fact that the Seattle area is still a great place to buy even with a nationwide downfall. Any opinions or experiences to the contrary?

"Boosting" Credit Scores for Great Home Loan Rates: Good or Bad Idea?

So we all know it's hard to come by a really affordable home loan, especially if you have less-than-exceptional credit. New companies and websites are now offering to "boost your credit" temporarily to allow you to be approved for a great loan. It's important to understand how these companies are actually "boosting" credit, because all though it's not unlawful, it's not necessarily "honest" business either. You will be raising your credit for about 60 - 180 days on average, just enough time to be approved for a home loan you won't otherwise qualify for, while getting involved in a potentially hazardous situation. First of all, these companies are basically raising a credit score by adding an authorized user to a credit card. Sounds a little phony, but these companies have found a way to raise credit scores 50-250 points by adding good credit to bad. For example, one person with bad credit will score points on their credit as a user with great credit is added as a user to their credit card, usually a friend or family member.

You may be thinking.... What's the problem? Well, this loophole sounds enticing, but the appeal comes at a cost - it's just another inventive credit scam. It will only be a short time before lenders have taken further action beyond being aware of the scamming - putting you at risk as the loan-holder who deceptively "bought" an approval-worthy credit score. One state regulator has actually issued a "fraud alert" stating, "consumers, brokers and lenders that complete, submit or participate in the completion and submission of an application for credit that contains misrepresentations or false information are subject to administrative actions and potential criminal penalties by the state." Sure, first time buyers can get the loan rate they want, at the right price, but how long will it last before these companies, and eventually buyers "pay" for these deceptive practices against lenders. Is it really worth the cost?

To read more about this topic, visit: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2003654782_harney08.html

Getting Hip to Hot US 'Hoods

Appreciating property values usually indicate a hot spot for home buyers, and typically lead to growing popularity. In early March, BusinessWeek Online published a list of America's "up-and-coming" neighborhoods, the top ten US city 'hoods which are experiencing considerable growth. Determining factors associated with the top ten include a recent and rapid upswing in property values, alongside prime locations, but still affordable prices on average. Area perks such as great schools, improved crime rates, high employment, and access to public transportation have also made these 'hoods increasingly appealing to price-sensitive buyers.

Top Ten "up-and-coming" neighborhoods
1. Boston: Dorchester
2. Chicago: East Garfield Park
3. Denver: Civic Center
4. Los Angeles: Pico Union
5. Miami: Little River
6. New York: Kingsbridge Heights, the Bronx
7. Phoenix: Cashion
8. San Francisco: Mission Bay
9. Seattle: University District
10. St. Louis: Tiffany

Think these 'hoods are really hot or just hot-headed?

To read more on BusinessWeek Online, visit:

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/mar2007/db20070306_429975.htm?chan=search

The Top Ten Richest US Zip Codes

The richest zip codes in the United States have been identified, according to BusinessWeek Online. These zip codes had the highest appreciation in value since 2001, based on the median property values for that entire zip code.

The list is as follows, including zip code and median property value:

1. Greenwich, Conn. (06831): $2,983,000

2. Newport Beach, Calif. (92661): $2,500,000

3. Paradise Valley, Ariz. (85253): $1,850,000

4. Avalon, N.J. (08202): $1,687,500

5. Cambridge, Mass. (02138): $1,395,500

6. Glen Head, N.Y. (11545): $1,150,000

7. Islamorada, Fla. (33036): $1,150,000

8. Chevy Chase, Md. (20815): $1,043,000

9. Hinsdale, Ill. (60521): $950,000

10. Bellevue, Wash. (98004): $950,000

It may seem crazy, but median property values can really be this high for a single zip code! To read the article, or see pictures of these affluent US cities, visit: http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/04/0402_luxreapp/index_01.htm

Affording Seattle: home buyer affordability woes

An article posted yesterday, from Seattle Post Intelligencer online news (www.seattlepi.com) reads, "Average Seattle Worker Can't Afford To Live Here". The study finds the average salary for single Seattle-area residents is $52,000, which provides the opportunity to buy a $200,000 home. Seems about right you would think, since the rule of thumb is you can buy a home two and a half times your before-tax annual income. The problem however, and reason for lack in affordability is the existing high median prices for homes and condos. For the year of 2006, the average condo price was $289,950, much more than the $200,000 price tag most first time buyers can actually afford. What's more discouraging? For the Seattle-area family of four, the average annual income is $74,300, meaning they can afford a home worth about $280,000. The median price of a home in the Seattle area was $450,000, a whopping $170,000, 38% jump in cost! Most of these Seattle-area residents can't afford to buy near work, but still have an income too high to qualify for an assistance program. Seattle-area experts say we need a change, and maybe more single-family solutions, to avoid a potentially sticky situation.

First Time Home Buyers: Single Women Outnumber Single Men

The American dream of owning a home isn't just for married couples anymore. New research from the National Association of Realtors shows 22% of home buyers are single women, while only 9% are single men, less than half. Although married couples still account for 61% of home buyers, it is obvious the trends are changing. Reasons for the new home buying trends have been linked to an increased financial independence of American women. Several decades ago, a home loan wasn't necessarily available to single women living without a spouse, and unfortunately, the independence was sometimes less than admired by lenders. Now, single women have become a large part of home ownership in the US, and have been equally viewed as an emerging and prosperous market.