Low-income homeowners who think they're stuck renting might be able to achieve home ownership through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Direct Loan program.
You can expect to pay 20% to 30% less for the millions of homes that are being sold because their owners defaulted on their mortgage than for comparable houses or condos with up-to-date loans.
With home prices down and mortgage rates near record lows, fall has turned into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a great deal on a house or condo.