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.)

Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey in which the long term mortgage rates dropped for the third week in a row... Frank Nothaft, its Vice President and chief economist says, "The market is switching its focus between the strength of the economy and the fear of inflation. Thus, although mortgage rates have dropped the last few weeks, that doesn't necessarily, indicate a trend."

That said, "April's mortgage rates are currently lower than those of the previous month. And lower mortgage rates will undoubtedly have a positive influence on housing activity."

These days everyone is talking about the housing bubble. Is it going to burst, and if so, when? Well, in a new study conducted for Merrill Lynch, 76 percent of baby boomers intend to keep working, and earning, in retirement and 70 percent of those plan to stay in their own homes when they retire. With these millions of baby boomers as nonsellers, it only stands to reason, that there should not be any great bubble burst.

In the future, there may be some softening in the marketplace, but experts have been saying this for years and somehow prices seem to keep going up.

The apartment market out west stalled during the first quarter this year, extending a longer than expected flat rental market that can't seem to find enough tenants to justify rental increases. If you are looking to rent an apartment from Texas to California, you should have plenty of products to pick from, and in many areas, you can actually negotiate some rental rates.

Realty Times' Market Conditions Reports

The real estate market in La Pine, Oregon, is hot! We've asked our local Realtor experts to explain what's going on. Could it be low interest rates, the hot California market, or simply the fact that Bend is a very cool place to live? Pick your reason, but it all adds up to the same result. Real estate is moving like hot potatoes, home shoppers and Realtors are working hard to keep up with the pace. Much of the demand is not only for the high-end market, but across the board, and it's coming from out-of-state markets. Most of the buyers are coming from California. Bottom line advice to those about to embark on a journey into the Central Oregon real estate market -- if you're buying, get ready to act fast, and if your selling, start packing.

Over in Omaha, Nebraska, the demand for higher end residential homes has slowed slightly, but homes in the price range below $250,000 are still moving at a good pace. The rise in interest rates means that Buyers can afford less home now than even two months ago. Our local Realtor experts are encouraging sellers to be aware of this trend and price their home accordingly. There is a demand for larger lots, with larger homes, that is not currently being met, but a couple of developments are trying to remedy that portion of the market.

Switching over to Layton, Utah, our experts there tell us that the market has improved in the existing homes, and with the increase of prices of building lots and materials, the market has picked up in the existing home arena. The new home market is still very active despite the increase in prices. Many new subdivisions are popping up continually, making various locations available to choose from. If you want to live close to Salt Lake but can't afford the prices, Layton is your best bet. Layton is a short drive to Salt Lake and you have all the things right there in Layton to meet your needs.

This week, Realty Times TV viewers asked:

Jen from Kansas asks: I'm buying a new house and it looks as though the builder will not have the house completed by, or on, the closing date. I had a 60 day lock-in on a good mortgage rate; it now looks as though I will be paying a higher rate because of the contractor's delay. Do I have any recourse with this?

Answer: Please review your purchase agreement. If it's in the builder's usual form -- a form which will favor the builder -- there is likely to be language which, both sets a closing date and then gives the builder the right to delay closing because of labor shortages, weather problems, a materials deficit, etc.

Tom from Detroit asks: I am attempting to buy my first house. I am buying into a seller's market, or so I am told, and every day that passes I pray for the market to fall, and not just fall but crash. Local sellers constantly ask for $20,000 -- $50,000 over their homes appraised value. Is it smart to wait this out, and if so how long will this keep up?

Answer: Local markets are, well, local. Sellers can only get high prices if buyers are willing to pay premiums, and that's plainly the case in your area. How long will the seller's market continue? No one knows. But a better approach is to look at your income and determine how much you want to pay and what you need. That way, if the market falls you'll won't be overextended.

Susie from Nebraska asks: We're getting ready to buy a house. This is a gorgeous home in terms of design and space. However, the hardwood floors are badly damaged and need replacing, and several repairs need to be done. This will cost us a huge amount of money, at least 10 percent of list price. We're trying to negotiate so that these damages are taken into account to bring the price down. If the sellers agree to this lower price, how does this impact the future resale value of the house?

Answer: It doesn't. Homes are for sale at today's market values. What someone paid in the past is irrelevant. No buyer would pay a higher price because the seller overpaid, and in the same manner, no buyer will get a discount because a seller bought many years ago at a low price.

Published: May 6, 2005

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Blanche Evans is the award-winning senior editor of Realty Times, the Internet's leading independent real estate news service. She is featured daily on the Realty Times Video Network in the "Realty Viewpoint" segment. Blanche has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate" by REALTOR Magazine, and has been twice recognized as a "notable." In 2005, she was named "Top Reporter Covering the NAR" by Delahaye-Bacon's. Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. To contact Blanche, email her at . For more articles by Blanche, click here.