If you talk to any real estate agent you’ll hear the same mantra: it’s a great time to buy a home. Realtors said it in 2001 when home prices were climbing steadily, they said it when prices peaked in 2005, and they continue to say it today. So what’s the real answer? There a couple …

In further signs that the housing market is finally recovering after three years of turmoil, new data shows that home sales have increased and mortgage rates have again dipped below 5 percent. According to mortgage company Freddie Mac, the average for 30-year fixed rate loans was 4.94%, down from 5.05% last week. These low home …