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Today's Real Estate News and Advice
Updated: August 20, 2008
Builders Doing Their Part to Help Consumers Take Advantage of Tax Credits
The recently passed Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 helps first-time homebuyers enter the housing market in a number of ways, like offering a tax credit of 10 percent of the cost of the home, not to exceed $7500. Builders are doing their part to stimulate activity at a time when sales activity is beginning to pick up pace. FULL STORY->
HOA Reserve Funds Investment Policy
Investing reserve funds prudently produces enormous fruit to the homeowner association. The difference in interest yield over 30 years can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Interest earnings reduce the amount of contributions required of the HOA members. So, it behooves the board to establish and closely monitor a good reserve fund investment policy. Here is a sample which can be adapted to your use. FULL STORY->
GTA Resale Housing Remains Stable in August
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) resale housing market remained stable throughout the first half of this month, Toronto Real Estate Board President (TREB) Maureen O'Neill announced today. FULL STORY->
Successful Blogging for Real Estate Agents – Don't be DORKY!
The corporate-inspired announcement letters we send to our friends and family when we go into real estate. Are they really out best option? Columnist Jennifer Allan talks about why its important not to be predictable. FULL STORY->
Washington Report: Industry Critics and RESPA
It's no secret in Washington that RESPA reform -- that's the acronym for the real estate settlement rules that govern all home sales and financings -- is a hot potato that nobody seems able to handle. FULL STORY->
Condo Trends: Las Vegas Home Sales Increase Following Months of Drop
Is the slump over for condo sales in Las Vegas? Having been designated as one of the leading foreclosure cities in the United States several times this last year, sales are edging up and prices holding steady. FULL STORY->
Selling your Home Vacant or Furnished?
There is a consistent debate among home sellers and realtors alike as to which scenario Vacant or Furnished will bring you higher priced offers? This question is often overlooked by sellers due to the inconvenience of putting off the physical move till after a home sells. After all, individuals want to get their lives back to “normal” as quickly and “conveniently” as possible, especially if children are involved. FULL STORY->
Long-Term Mortgage Rates Relatively Unchanged and Mixed Economic and Housing News; ARMs Fall Slightly
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.52 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending August 14, 2008, unchanged from last week when it averaged 6.52 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.62 percent. FULL STORY->
Don't Overlook The Garage When Getting Your Home Ready To Sell
There's a lot of talk about curb appeal being the driving force drawing buyers into your home. It makes sense. If the house looks a mess from the outside, what buyer would want to set foot inside? FULL STORY->
Online Transaction Management: Bringing Buyers and Sellers Closer to Their Real Estate Transaction
Statistics reveal consumers are ready, willing and able to use their computers to obtain information via the Internet when looking to buy or sell a home. They are searching the internet for homes for sale, seeking neighborhood and school information, obtaining mortgage and pre-qualification information, researching sale prices and even applying for a mortgage online. FULL STORY->
Investor Report: Hidden Tax Pitfall
Here's a tax alert for real estate investors who use popular tax-free exchanges: The recently signed federal housing legislation contains a hidden zinger that could cost you thousands of dollars if you don't plan around it. FULL STORY->
Market Conditions
While our Condo expert, M. Anthony Carr, might be singing the praises of condos in such areas as Las Vegas (who saw an 18% jump year over year for July) and New York City, the condo market itself has seen some hard times this year. FULL STORY->
Roost Study Alludes To Power Of Words
Words are power when it comes to searching for a home, according to a recent study from a new browsing for housing Web site that tracked the most common words consumers used when searching for homes. They aren't the same words real estate agents most often use when crafting listing descriptions. FULL STORY->
Cut Energy Bills by Turning Apartment Buildings into a Computer
How does thebuildingmonitor.com allow investors and property owners to save significant dollars on their energy bills? Peter Mosca's interview with Mike Klein shows us just that. FULL STORY->
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