Foreclosures in Massachusetts up in October

BOSTON (AP) - Foreclosures in Massachusetts soared nearly 30 percent in October compared to the previous month, but are down slightly when compared to the same month last year.

Massachusetts home sales up for third straight month on first-time buyer tax credit

BOSTON (AP) - Home sales in Massachusetts rose for the third consecutive month in September as the median price continued to decline.

Foreclosures up 5% from summer to fall

WASHINGTON - The number of households caught up in the foreclosure crisis rose more than 5 percent from summer to fall as a federal effort to assist struggling borrowers was overwhelmed by a flood of defaults among people who lost their jobs.

Mortgage rates fuel re-fi boom

Every dollar counts in this economy.

Homeowners hustled last week to refinance their mortgages after interest rates fell below 5 percent for the first time since May.

Refinance applications climbed 18 percent from the previous week, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Wednesday, as rates on 30-year home loans dropped to their lowest level in four months to 4.89 percent.

Reports: Massachusetts housing market perks up

BOSTON (AP) - The number of home sales in Massachusetts rose slightly in August compared to the same month a year ago, as prices continued to fall.