With so many terms and definitions in the real estate market, it's hard to know what everything means. Would you rather be pre-qualified or pre-approved?

Pre-qualification is a summary of what you can afford. It's a “ballpark” figure based on a thorough snapshot of your financial health. At this stage, you are still subject to more vigorous final approval.

Pre-approval is proof to real estate agents that you are approved for a loan. It is based on verification of your income an...

When you are in the market for a new house, it's important to choose a Realtor that will listen to what you need and will use all the resources available to help you get the house you want.

The first thing to know is to be upfront and honest with your Realtor. The more information you give your Realtor, the more they will be able to find the home that you're looking for. Realtors have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a comprehensive database of past and present listings i...

Housing prices are low and the government is giving first-time homebuyers an $8,000 tax credit for buying. There is a deadline – the transaction must be completed by November 30, 2009. It usually takes 45-60 days to close a deal, so the time to buy is now.

"If you have the cash and a stable job, this is a perfect time to buy a house," said Ilyce Glink, author of "100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask.” "But people are running out of time.”

This credit amounts to ...

Utah State University in Logan, Utah has made the list of 25 safest college towns, according to the news and opinion website, The Daily Beast. USU is ranked 13^th of 4,000 colleges surveyed.

According to The Daily Beast, which quotes Morgan Quitno Press, Logan is ranked among the safest metropolitan areas in the country. The Daily Beast also quotes USU Police Chief Steve Mecham as saying the school's good faculty and safe community helps USU achieve such rankings.

The data used in the...

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a database of real estate listings in a specific area. The MLS allows sellers and buyers to exchange information on real estate. As part of a listing contract, a real estate agent will list information on a property so homebuyers and other agents can search and compare properties so both the buyer and the seller can get the most value for their money.

Homes in Logan and Cache Valley are listed with the MLS. Anyone looking to buy a home in Cache ...

More and more people are buying homes in Utah as more tech industry jobs come into the state. More job opportunities equal more people moving into the state. Also, Utah is a prime place to live because of the affordable cost of living. Many homebuilders also live in Utah. With all these things going for the area, Utah is a great place to buy a home.

Nestled in the Cache Valley, Logan, Utah espouses all of these traits of living in Utah. Close to shopping and Utah State University a...

Ever heard short sales but don't know how they work? 

A short sale is a pre-foreclosure sale when a home facing foreclosure – but not officially foreclosed on - is sold at a price less than the debt owed.  A buyer gets a great deal on home and a seller avoids foreclosure. 

A short sale buyer still needs to be prequalified for the purchase and have an agent already. 

In May, the US Treasury offered incentive for buyers to participate in short sales.  If borrowers meet the minimum re...