Appraisals help lender, but you pay for it - 2004-03-06
Dear Steve:
When should a real estate appraisal be done? Who orders it? How do they function?
-- Annie Up

Dear Annie:
The home appraisal is generally ordered by a lender as part of the final approval process of a mortgage loan application, although appraisals can be used for such things as estate planning, tax assessments and dispute resolutions.
Read the full story at Bankrate.com

NEW HOME BUYERS PRICED OUT - 2004-03-06
First -time buyers have been pushed out of the housing market in 80 per cent of UK towns.

People on average wages can no longer afford to buy in 531 of the 667 main centres, says a report.

First-time buyers paid an average of £112,541 last year - 17 per cent more than in 2002, says the Halifax, the country's biggest mortgage lender.
Read the full story at Mirror