To Entice Borrowers, Banks Sweeten Home-Equity Offers

To Entice Borrowers, Banks Sweeten Home-Equity Offers
Rising short-term interest rates have slowed the growth in home-equity lending a popular way for homeowners to turn rising property values into extra cash. In response, lenders are cutting rates and adding lock-in options.

Can Co-Owners Get a Break On Taxes When Uses Differ?
Jane Hodges offers advice to a reader on the tax implications of sharing a home used as a primary residence by one owner and a vacation home by the other.

Discount Real-Estate Brokers Spark a War Over Commissions
A fight between Cleveland's real-estate establishment and a scrappy discount broker shows the tough tactics underway as the industry's traditional model of commissions comes under attack and the Web brings increased competition.

Home Sellers Use Blogs To Market Their Properties
Some homeowners are using this new online medium to make their properties stand out among traditional real-estate listings. The sites allow sellers to give tours of their houses in a more personal forum.