Blog Post

Who's to Blame for Mortgage Morass?

2007-09-12T00:29:00Z

Start with the Feds and end with the consumers, but there's a lot of blame in between when it comes to who is responsible for the subprime mortgage morass. Read More...(read more)

10 Tips For Buying a Fixer-Upper

2007-09-05T08:02:00Z

Daily Real Estate News l September 4, 2007 Buying a basically sound house and updating the cosmetics is a profitable thing to do in almost any market. But be careful what you buy or it may end up costing you later on. Here are 10 tips to consider when selecting a fixer-upper: 1. Purchase homes that are at least 30 percent below the market value of comparable nearby homes. 2. Choose a location with low crime rate, good schools, and quiet streets. There isn't anything you can do to cure a poor...(read more)

Brokers' Group Revisits Effects of Mold on Real Estate

2007-07-26T23:49:00Z

When mold issues are uncovered in a building, whether residential or commercial, there is a perception that the structure has become unfit or unusable. In addition, there are costs of litigation with tenants, purchasers of property or persons who claim to have been injured. Read More...(read more)

Seven Steps to Credit Score Makeover

2007-07-19T08:49:00Z

Your credit report is a sort of fiscal fitness report. There are seven steps to take toward improving your credit worthiness. Read More...(read more)

Preapproved or Prequalified: What's the Difference?

2007-07-16T21:49:00Z

Daily Real Estate News l July 16, 2007 Confusing prequalification with preapproval can mean disappointment for both a home seller and a buyer. Real estate experts say that it's smart to urge buyers to become preapproved by their lender - not just prequalified. For a buyer to obtain a bona fide preapproval, he must submit a loan application with the necessary documentation and fee. After the lender verifies and analyzes the application, it will notify the applicant of how money he can afford to...(read more)

Dispute Letter Harming Your Credit?

2007-07-13T21:01:00Z

Writing dispute letters about your account may not help to increase your credit score. Everytime a letter is sent disputing your account it will be recorded as "pending investigation". Read More...(read more)

5 Good Questions Buyers May Not Think to Ask

2007-06-25T23:14:00Z

Daily Real Estate News l June 25, 2007 First-time home buyers have a lot to think about, and sometimes they don't consider all of the factors that will impact their enjoyment of their new home. A handful of recent home buyers in St. Louis say what they wish they would have asked buying a property. The issues they raise are valid concerns for anybody buying a home practically anywhere: * For pet owners: How welcome and comfortable will my pet in this home? Are there any restrictions and is there...(read more)

What Your Homeowners Insurance Does, Doesn't Cover

2007-06-17T08:49:00Z

What you think your homeowners insurance policy covers and what it really covers could cost you hefty, out-of-pocket expenses -- when you can least afford them. Read More...(read more)

Legislators to Mortgage Brokers: Put Customers First

2007-05-24T17:19:00Z

Mortgage brokers are coming under increased scrutiny as home mortgage defaults rise. Some legislators are seeking to impose a fiduciary duty on brokers to put their customers' interests first, as lawyers, real estate professionals, and financial planners generally are required to do with their clients. But many mortgage brokers are opposed to this idea. "The mortgage broker does not represent the borrower," says Chris Holbert, president of the Colorado Mortgage Lenders Association....(read more)

Buying Foreclosures "Not for the Novice"

2007-05-22T08:46:00Z

No doubt a foreclosure purchase can be a good way to save money or buying a house , but if you don't know what you're doing the ordeal can smother you under a shroud of financial losses. Read More...(read more)

Top 10 Tax-Friendliest Cities

2007-05-11T17:36:00Z

Daily Real Estate News May 11, 2007 A recent survey by the District of Columbia government identified the metro areas that take the smallest tax bite. The survey looked at the tax burden for families in the largest city in each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. The D.C. government in its survey accounted for local income, sales, real estate, and car/personal property taxes for couples at various income levels. The survey' s rankings provided below from Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine...(read more)

Top 10 Counties for Millionaire Residents

2007-05-02T20:09:00Z

The number of U.S. millionaire households has risen to a record high of 9.3 million as of mid-2006, up 5 percent from 2005, according to TNS Global annual Affluent Market Research Program. The millionaires' mean net worth, not including their primary residence, is $2,167,167 with investible assets of $1,442,841. Their median age is 58 and 45 percent are retired. Forty six percent of millionaire households own investment real estate such as a second home, third home, rental properties and undeveloped...(read more)

When Your Neighbor's Trees Are On Your Property

2007-04-29T16:27:00Z

Almost always, a peaceful solution is available that does not have to be destructive. As long as your neighbor is cooperating, solving this problem is easy and inexpensive. Read More...(read more)

Top 10 Foreclosure Markets

2007-04-24T23:00:00Z

Foreclosure continues to be a serious concern for many U.S. home owners. Indeed, according to a recent survey from Yahoo Real Estate and Harris Interactive, 22 percent of home owners are at least somewhat concerned about the possibility of foreclosure due to their inability to meet monthly mortgage payments.

But Americans remain bullish on real estate. In fact, 37 percent of all U.S. adults would be at least somewhat interested in buying a house in foreclosure.

Here is a list of the 10 metro area markets where mortgage delinquency rates increased the most between the fourth quarter of 2005 and the first quarter of 2007, according to Equifax and Moody's Economy.com. The following list also includes the percentage increase in foreclosures for each area during that period.

1. Modesto, Calif.: 3.9 percent

2. Stockton, Calif.: 3 percent

3. Merced, Calif.: 2.8 percent

4. Port St. Lucie-Fort Pierce, Fla.: 2.7 percent

5. Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Fla. Metropolitan Division: 2.5 percent

6. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif.: 2.5 percent

7. Vallejo-Fairfield, Calif.: 2.4 percent

8. Las Vegas-Paradise, Nev.: 2.3 percent

9. Atlantic City, N.J.: 2.2 percent

10. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla.: 2.2 percent

Source: Dow Jones Business News, Ruth Mantell (04/23/07)

Lake Tahoe: 'The Bubble Isn't Bursting'

2007-04-13T23:35:00Z

The average price of a single family home in Lake Tahoe, Nevada reached $1.4 million in March, up 20% from the first quarter of 2006, according to a report prepared for Chase International.

"Lake Tahoe is unlike any other market," says Susan Lowe, corporate vice president for Chase. "When it comes to single family homes in Lake Tahoe, the bubble isn't bursting. Instead, these properties continue to show steady appreciation."

The biggest increase in the price of single family homes was recorded on the lake's east shore - the Nevada side of the lake. Prices there rose 67 percent from $1.5 million to $2.4 million in March, according to the report.