Personal Finance Daily: Why would anyone buy a new house?

Personal Finance Daily SEPTEMBER 26, 2011 Why would anyone buy a new house? By MarketWatch Don't miss these top stories: Why would you buy a new home? Top gas sippers: An overdue look at economy Go back to school for free help Full ETF plate brings investing indigestion With such a large level of inventory in existing homes and a glut of foreclosures, why would anyone want to buy a new house? Well, there are some upsides to new construction, Amy Hoak writes in her Home Economics column. First, new homes are typically much more energy-efficient and that can be a big factor in future costs. Also, you don't have to cope with — or pay to repair — the deferred maintenance issues of older homes. Plus, there's that great new-home smell. — Anne Stanley , managing editor, Personal Finance Why would you buy a new home? Given the bloated supply of existing homes for sale, including a glut of foreclosures, there aren't many people willing to shell out a premium price for a newly built house. Read more: Why would you buy a new home? Rate drop spurs refinancings The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dipped below 4%, possibly triggering a refinancing boom for many of the same borrowers who already have taken advantage of rock-bottom interest rates. Read more: Rate drop spurs refinancings. Sales of new U.S. homes dip in August The sale of new homes fell in August for the fourth month in a row, indicating that the depressed U.S. housing market shows no signs of recovery. Read more: Sales of new U.S. homes dip in August. Top gas sippers: An overdue look at economy Toyota's Prius leads the list of fuel-stingy cars that also are top values. Read more: Top gas sippers: An overdue look at economy. Go back to school for free help. Need help with your start-up, but lack the funds to pay for it? Your local college or university may be able to provide a free alternative. Many schools have programs dedicated to assisting local or alumnus-owned businesses overcome challenges. Read more: Go back to school for free help. INVESTING Full ETF plate brings investing indigestion For the average investor, the broad menu of exchange-traded fund choices leads to confusion and paralysis. Read more: Full ETF plate brings investing indigestion. Gold: Is it time to call the top? The market gods tend to be jealous and vengeful and appear to take great pleasure in humbling the arrogant. So we know better than to say "I told you so" despite my recent warnings about a gold bubble, writes Charles Lewis Sizemore. Read more: Gold: Is it time to call the top? Why you should buy Europe now Going against the grain of conventional wisdom, London investment legend Crispin Odey sees European stocks as a bargain, writes Brett Arends. Read more: Why you should buy Europe now. ECONOMY & POLITICS Slim chance for Obama deficit plan: Moody's President Barack Obama's recently unveiled plan to shrink the U.S. budget deficit would be "credit positive" for the federal government, Moody's says, adding that the chances that it will be adopted are '"extremely small." Read more: Slim chance for Obama deficit plan. Fed's Raskin says more easing may be needed Just days after the Fed dusted off a bond-purchase shift program from the 1960s, a voter for that policy says more action by the U.S. central bank may be needed. Read more: Fed's Raskin says more easing may be needed. Get the latest news on our mobile site: http://www.marketwatch.com/m MarketWatch has sent you this newsletter because you signed up to receive it. To ensure you receive this newsletter in the future, please add marketwatchmail.com to your list of approved senders. Sent to: kumaresan.selva.blogger@gmail.com Unsubscribe | Subscribe Copyright 2011 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. MarketWatch, the MarketWatch logo, and BigCharts are registered trademarks of MarketWatch, Inc. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy (updated 6/26/07). MarketWatch - Attn: Customer Service, 201 California St., San Francisco, CA 94111