Editor's note: The following information is adapted from this week's script for Realty Times TV. See Realty Times TV every Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on channel 223 (Dish Network), and on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on channel 227 (DirecTV).

In a speech delivered in Dallas, Texas, last week, David Lereah, chief economist for The National Association of Realtors, predicted the housing market would stay strong for another 10 years. Lereah's just written a new book called "Are You Missing The Real Estate Boom?", Doubleday. For anyone planning on buying a dream house this year, this is very good news.

According to the NAR, second home buyers make up a full one-third of the housing market, with about two-thirds of that market driven by investors. This is much higher than anyone previously thought, and is a good sign that the economy is considered to remain strong.

This week, our experts in real estate, Market Conditions Reporters told Realty Times TV viewers:

It's a strong sellers market in Tualatin, Oregon, right now. The average sales price is $263,700, and the median sales price is $240,000. Tualatin has a sellers market for homes under $400,000. According to our Realtor experts in the area, the market strongly favors sellers right now. In the past month, 30 homes have sold. With its close proximity to Portland, and a strong community atmosphere, it's no wonder that homes in Tualatin only stay on the market for an average of 30-40 days.

Worthington, Ohio, what a great community! The average days on the market according to our Market Conditions experts are only 50. If you find something there you like, you'd better grab it fast! Average list price is $248,000, average selling price is $242,000. Due to its convenience to everything in the central Ohio area, and great schools, Worthington continues to be in high demand. Realtors there anticipate a great year in the Worthington market.

The Albuquerque, New Mexico, metropolitan area continues to be a strong market. Realtors find that properties that are priced right, are on the market for no more than 60 days. Pricing continues to rise all over the metropolitan area, with "average" properties in the area valued at $100 per square foot the rule now, rather than the exception. The market has been very active for buyers and sellers, with many homes receiving multiple offers. Our expert Realtors there tell us the inventory is dwindling.

This week, Realty Times TV viewers asked:

Question: I brought a house with owner financing that I am still paying, can I buy a new house?

Answer: Yes, if you have full title, you can sell the present property to someone and buy a replacement home. However, your buyer would have to get their own financing unless, your owner "take-back" is assumable -- and that's unlikely. At closing, part of the sale price will be used to pay-off the owner financing in full, thus satisfying the debt. If you mean, can you buy another home and rent the one you now have, check the loan papers. Is there a "gotcha" clause which says that the loan must be paid off if you rent the property? Have an attorney, or legal clinic look at the loan papers for a specific answer.

Question: I am considering the purchase of a home however, I was told that the houses in this area were built on a landfill. Is there a way to find out if this is true?

Answer: Go to the community planning office, environmental office, or property records office -- you should be able to get a quick, and authoritative answer. As well, before buying, speak with the neighbors and ask if they have had any problems related to past usage.

Question: We're purchasing a home that has been rented on a month-to-month basis. We are having a difficult time with the tenant moving out. What can we do to speed up his vacating the house... no one seems to know?

Answer: This need not have been your problem. When purchasing investment real estate, if you do not want the tenants to remain on the property you must first look at the lease. Does the lease give owners the right to take back the property? When? With a month-to-month, lease tenants would typically be entitled to 30 days notice, more if possible.

Thus in making your offer, it could have required that the property be vacated 24 hours before closing, assuming closing provides time for sufficient tenant notice, so that you can have an unobstructed walk-through before settlement. By requiring an empty property you would be forcing the sellers -- not you -- to move the tenants. Speak with your broker or attorney for proper language -- and be sure to inquire about such issues as how the tenant deposit should be handled, damages, and rent control rules -- if any.

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Published: March 18, 2005

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