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The U.S. job market improved in January with 257,000 new jobs added last month, a bigger jump than many expected and a continuation of recent monthly trends.

Read more from BloombergCNN Money, Christian Science Monitor and MSNBC. Among the takeaways:

  • Wage growth is rising and marked its highest monthly gain since 2008
  • Job gains are across a variety of industries
  • Even though unemployment edged slightly higher to 5.7 percent, many economists said it could be a sign that more people are getting out and looking for work again.

In other headlines:

Chicago’s Andersonville makes Redfin’s list of hottest neighborhoods of 2015. Diverse housing options for first-time and repeat buyers, a charming local business environment and neighborhood festivals and events make Andersonville a neighborhood to watch this year, according to the real estate brokerage, Redfin.

If you are getting ready to buy a home, be sure to check whether you might qualify for down payment assistance. A study by Down Payment Resource and RealtyTrac found that as many as 87 percent of U.S. homebuyers could qualify for down payment assistance programs. Read more.

Easier mortgage terms seem to be catching on – Chicago Tribune

FHA’s Cost-Cuts Cause Loan Demand to Soar – Daily Real Estate News