New Homes: Cooking on Both Burners
If the trend has been for kitchens to extend into living areas, then doesn't it follow suit that outdoor spaces are morphing into kitchens? According to Hanley-Wood's CustomHomeOnline, one of the most popular new trends for custom homebuyers is to make big plans for outdoor entertainment. FULL STORY->
Mold Must Go: 6 Things to Know
What do you need know about mold to best serve your clients and keep yourself out of trouble? Columnist Steve Rodriguez explains. FULL STORY->
Loonie on Par With Dollar: How Much is Enough?
Canadians had a rude awakening when the Loonie first hit par with the American dollar in 2007. PJ Wade examines the basis for that rude awakening and explores how acting on it may help answer, "How much is enough for my future?" FULL STORY->
Buyers Or Listings: Which Is Worth More?
Which came first, the buyer or the seller? In different markets, should a Real Estate Professional concentrate on one more than the other? These questions have come up nearly 100 percent of the time when I'm doing training sessions in a tough market. And, it's always a tough market. FULL STORY->
IRS (and States) Target More Audits Of 1031 Exchanges
Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code allows a taxpayer to roll the gain from the sale of their Old Property over to their New, provided they do certain things which are detailed in the code. What most people don't understand is that Section 1031 is a "form driven" code section. This means that you must do exactly what the code section requires; if you don't your exchange will be disallowed if audited; you must dot the i's and cross the t's. FULL STORY->
Interest Rate Update
Today's Interest Rates from Realty Times are based on a 30 year amortization rate, with good credit and no origination fees. Early indications are that investors are again betting on Wall Street, pulling money out of mortgage bonds and into the stock market. FULL STORY->
Washington Report: Hope Now Alliance
You've probably heard critics on Capitol Hill complain that too many financially-stressed home owners aren't getting help from lenders to modify their loans, lower their rates or freeze them -- and keep them out of foreclosure. FULL STORY->
Interest Rate Update
Today's Interest Rates from Realty Times are based on a 30 year amortization rate, with good credit and no origination fees. Conflicting economic reports have mortgage rates in a quandary with no move up or down. FULL STORY->
Realty Viewpoint: Soft Market Conditions To Improve Mid-year
The National Association of Realtors expects soft market conditions to continue across much of the country but there's also plenty of reason to be hopeful that homebuying will pick up again by mid-year if not sooner. FULL STORY->
Green Living: Recycled Glass Is In
Consumers wanting a beautiful-looking home while also doing their part to protect the environment have myriad options for decorating their kitchen. And those looking to replace or install their counter tops should know, marble and granite are out and recycled glass is in. FULL STORY->
Market Conditions: Lake Arrowhead Mountain Area, California
Realtor Carol Banner has seen a drop in home sales in the Lake Arrowhead Mountain Area. But with four distinct seasons, lots of outdoor activities, Lake Arrowhead Golf Club and Lake Arrowhead Yacht Club, this Mountain Living community is very attractive to buyers. FULL STORY->
