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	<title>Houston North</title>
	<link>http://www.houstonicon.com</link>
	<description>Real Estate market trends, analysis &#38; commentary, investment strategies &#38; opportunities, local community info, and new construction close-out shouts - based in North Houston.</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:13:08 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>The Woodlands Home Sales Rising in 2010</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Home sales in The Woodlands just keep climbing, despite a slow Greater Houston market. For the second quarter of 2010, our local market beat 2009 numbers for sales activity and price growth.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.houstonicon.com/the-woodlands/860/the-woodlands-home-sales-rising-in-2010</link>
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		<title>The Woodlands Homes Sales Strong in Q1 2010</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
In this market report, we investigate The Woodlands home sales statistics for the first quarter of 2010 - as compared to the first quarter of 2009. We&#8217;ll look only at single-family home sales (no condos or town homes), and we&#8217;ll compare to Q1 of 2009 unless otherwise noted.
The Woodlands home sales showed impressive gains across [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.houstonicon.com/the-woodlands/807/the-woodlands-homes-sales-strong-in-q1-2010</link>
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		<title>The Woodlands Homes Report</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Single-family home sales in The Woodlands gained some momentum at the end of 2009, but how did the year's performance stack up against 2008? Some of The Woodlands Villages finished ahead, most stayed at par, and a few struggled throughout the year. The Woodlands Homes Report for 2009 is a detailed look at our local market from the village perspective, complete with analysis and commentary from Icon Real Estate in The Woodlands.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.houstonicon.com/real-estate-market-insight/743/the-woodlands-homes-report</link>
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		<title>Condominium Financing Update</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Policies, procedures, panic…OH MY! Following the 2009&#8217;s overcompensation trend, financing just got a bit more complex in the condominium market. Or, should I say condominium catastrophe?!?   In this week’s entry, we will focus on the new hurdles that stand between a mortgage team (buyer and mortgage professional) and the prize: mortgage financing for [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.houstonicon.com/find/home-buying/708/condominium-financing-update</link>
			</item>
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		<title>Do You Qualify For The Home Buyer Tax Credit?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The 2010 home buyer credit is great news for both first-time buyers and repeat home buyers, and it's in effect until June 30th, 2010. The full credit for repeat buyers is $6,500, while the first-time buyer credit is available at $8,000. This incentive is a legitimate credit (not a deduction), and it does not have to be paid back. Find out what it is, how it works, and if you qualify.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.houstonicon.com/find/home-buying/692/do-i-qualify-for-the-home-buyer-tax-credit</link>
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		<title>New Homes Market Insight: Builder Price Reductions</title>
		<description><![CDATA[New Home Buyers: Houston Home Builders are offering price discounts of 5% to 30% this summer! Sound ridiculous? It's the reality of the 2009 New Homes Market in Houston. Find out how we got here, what to expect, and how to find the best deals.<!-- ckey='2C9BFFA3' -->]]></description>
		<link>http://www.houstonicon.com/find/home-buying/472/new-homes-market-insight-builder-price-reductions</link>
			</item>
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		<title>Mortgage Rates Drop! What Does it Really Mean for Home Buyers?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Mortgage rates drop by a full 1% since early November. What does that translate to for home buyers? Just about a 10% reduction in monthly mortgage obligation. Or for some buyers, it means they can afford to finance around 11% more home. Take a look at the real implications of the recent rate drop. 8J4AMQJU4W8E]]></description>
		<link>http://www.houstonicon.com/find/home-buying/208/houston-real-estate-interest-rate-trends</link>
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		<title>Explaining The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008&#8217;s $7500 Tax Credit &#8220;In Layman&#8217;s Terms&#8221;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Many of you reading this may be familiar with the recent passing of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.  You may click here to read my previous blog posting to get a basic understanding of how this newly passed law effects you. One of the major provisions provides a $7,500 tax credit to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.houstonicon.com/find/home-buying/147/first-time-home-buyer-tax-credit</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Major FHA Overall Means the Days of 100% Financing Are Finally Over, For Now&#8230;.</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s official, as of Oct. 1 2008, the beloved days of 100% financing are now dead. President Bush signed historic legislation on July 30th that boosts mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and authorizes a $300 billion expansion of Federal Housing Administration loan guarantee programs. The mortgage industry has seen significant changes over [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.houstonicon.com/find/home-buying/83/fha-financing-changes</link>
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