Check out this article from REALTOR Magazine- http://www.realtor.org/rmohome_and_design/articles/2008/0812_costvsvalue_2008

It is nice to know that even in a rough economy, those little extra updates and remodels really do pay off in the resale of your home!

Just what you want to hear: Foreclosure rates have reached an historically high number. It’s depressing. The one bright side to this dismal fact is that if you are a buyer, there is no time like the present to find your dream home! Or, in my case, your dream money pit.

This article in USA Today lays down the facts and statistics of where we are in the housing market roller coaster.  http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-06-10-may-home-foreclosures_N.htm

To see what is going on within your own neighborhood, check out this link – it narrows down foreclosures by county:  http://chronicle.augusta.com/stressmap.