With the economy improving slowly but mortgage rates holding to record lows, the housing market is showing signs of life again. Kiplinger is forecasting that sales of existing homes will rise about 3% this year, while prices nationally will be flat overall, increasing slightly in some areas. But the record slide in real estate values that started in 2007 may finally have hit bottom.

If you're a would-be buyer, now may be a good time to take advantage of the market before selling prices begin to creep back up in your city or town.

The median sales price of all existing homes in the U.S. rose to $177,400 in April, a 10.1% increase year-over-year, according to Realtor.org. To help provide some perspective on how far your home-buying dollar will stretch, here are nine properties on the market (as of June 1, 2012) for about $300,000. We chose that price point because, as you'll see, $300,000 buys a lot of house in many parts of the country, less so in some metropolitan centers.

What $300K Buys You Now

Square footage: 2,362

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3

Acreage: N/A

Listed for: $290,000

The real estate market in this area has taken a drubbing -- it ranked second on Clear Capital's latest Home Data Index report behind Milwaukee for lowest-performing metro area housing markets. This two-story classic is actually a free-standing condo, that is, a single-family home without ownership of the surrounding grounds or property. That's a plus for homeowners who don't want or can't shoulder the responsibilities of mowing lawns and raking leaves. Built in 2005, it has hardwood floors throughout the first level, a fireplace and an unfinished basement. There's also a small patio area in the backyard and a two-car garage.

Columbus, Ohio

Square footage: 2,150

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Acreage: 0.15

Listed for: $300,000

With an average yearly temperature of 75 degrees and beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, retiree haven Naples proclaims itself the "Golf Capital of the World." This home is in the Emerald Lakes neighborhood, which has a mix of condominium and single-family homes. Built in 1989, it has a backyard patio area with a lake view, as well as a two-car garage. The community has two heated pools, a lakeside clubhouse, a fishing pier, and three tennis courts.

Naples, Fla.

Square footage: 750

Bedrooms: 1

Bathrooms: 1

Acreage: N/A

Listed for: $269,000

Buyers looking for a living space larger than the typical cramped Manhattan studio (that doesn't cost a million dollars) have hope. This top-floor apartment is in Inwood, the northernmost neighborhood on the island of Manhattan. It has an eat-in kitchen with a window and updated appliances, four closets and hardwood floors in the living room and bedroom. A similar one-bedroom/one-bath unit sold for a few hundred dollars less in this same coop in December. The building was constructed in 1948, is pet-friendly and is about three blocks from New York's historic Inwood Hill Park, which is the city's oldest remaining natural forest land, dating back to the 17th century.

New York City

Square footage: 3,919

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 4

Acreage: 0.22

Listed for: $299,500

This traditional-style, two-story brick home in the suburbs of Dallas–Fort Worth has plenty of upgrades. Built in 1986, it comes with a new roof, an updated kitchen with granite countertops and new appliances, new carpet and updated bathrooms. There's also an outdoor swimming pool, a patio area covered by a pergola and an electronic gate for privacy in the backyard.

Carrollton, Tex.

Square footage: 1,500

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 3

Acreage: N/A

Listed for: $299,000

Built in 1990, this two-story townhome is 17 miles from Midtown with an average commuting time of 30 minutes to New York's Penn Station. It has hardwood floors throughout the first floor and carpeting on the second level, where both bedrooms are. There's an eat-in kitchen with pendant lighting and modern appliances, an additional dining area adjacent to the living room, and a balcony big enough for a small table and two chairs. It also comes with an assigned parking space.

Montclair, N.J.

Square footage: 2,669

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Acreage: 0.12

Listed for: $289,000

This Pueblo-style single-family home built in 2003 has the look and feel of traditional homes built by Native Americans living in the arid Southwest. The house is in a gated community and has a fireplace, two-car garage, covered patio and Southwestern gravel landscaping. The average listing price for a four-bedroom home in Albuquerque is $379,426, according to Realtor.com, so this property is priced well below market value.

Albuquerque, N.M.

Square footage: 2,940

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Acreage: 0.50

Listed for: $299,900

Close to Lake St. Catherine in the Big Easy, this single-level waterfront property in the Venetian Isles neighborhood has crown molding, a modern kitchen with updated appliances and countertops, and a fireplace. It comes with an enclosed patio space that leads directly outside to a boat dock. There’s also a driveway that fits up to three vehicles.

New Orleans

Square footage: 1,630

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 1

Acreage: 0.10

Listed for: $295,000

Built in 1928, this Tudor-style single-family home in the Emerald City has an eat-in kitchen, hardwood floors throughout the main living area and in the bedrooms, an unfinished basement and a backyard complete with a deck. It's also near a bus line that provides access to nearby shopping, bike trails and a community center. The property last sold for $310,000 in 2006.

Seattle

Square footage: 3,229

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 4

Acreage: 0.29

Listed for: $275,000

Looks can be deceiving. Take this ranch-style home: Located about 11 miles from Salt Lake City, it is much bigger inside than it appears from the outside. There's an eat-in kitchen, a family room, a theater room and a finished basement. It also has a fenced backyard and a two-car garage. West Valley City has a population of about 130,000 residents and is the second-largest city in Utah.

West Valley City, Utah

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