"Ask the Realtor" is a weekly column from the 3,500-member RealSource Association of Realtors, serving North Jersey.

The end of the federal tax credit for homebuyers is fast approaching. That means crunch time for parents who want to help their kids buy a place as inexpensively as possible. First-timers comprised 47% of all buyers last year, according to the National Association of Realtors.

There are signs that the economy is turning around, and one of the most important indicators is the housing market. The most recent figures from the National Association of Realtors show that existing home sales rose 7.4 percent in November 2009—up 44.1 percent compared to the year before. Thanks to the Obama administration’s tax credits, which were extended through April 30 of this year, first ...

There are signs from all over that the economy is turning around, and one of the most important indicators is the housing market. The most recent figures from the National Association of Realtors show

According to the Minneapolis Association of Realtors, pending home sales in the Twin Cities increased the week ending December 9th. However this is almost 8% less than the number of pending home sales this time last year. MAR cites the tax credit's initial expiration date combined with typical holiday slowdown.