Central Ohio real estate sales hit monthly high

Central Ohio home sales in October grew approximately 0.1 percent from their year-ago level, while the average home price increased 12 percent, according to the Columbus Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service.

According to Skip Weiler, president of the Columbus Board of Realtors, there were 2,073 homes sold in October of 2004, compared to the 2,071 homes sold in October of 2003.  more...

Coldwell real estate brokerage grows in Colorado

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Denver, Colo., this week announced the acquisition of T.J. Professionals Inc. in Lakewood, Colo., which does business as Century 21 Professionals. The 60-associate firm will now operate under the banner of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

Chris Mygatt will continue in his role as president and chief operating officer for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Denver. Carlin and Susan Joslyn, owners of Century 21 Professionals, will be joining Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Denver as managing consultants.  more...

Task force wrestles with Las Vegas growth

A task force in the Las Vegas area is studying ways to manage the monumental growth in the region. Las Vegas has been one of the hottest housing markets in the country, with explosive price appreciation and rapid build-out in and around the city. As the metropolitan area expands rapidly, residents and community leaders are wrestling with the impact of this population gain.  more...

S.F. Bay Area real estate prices shatter record

San Francisco Bay Area home prices reached a new peak in October while sales activity continued to decline, a real estate information service reported.

The median price paid for a Bay Area home climbed to a record $524,000 last month, up 1.6 percent from $516,000 in September, and up 17.5 percent from $446,000 for October a year ago, according to DataQuick Information Systems.  more...

FTC passes final rule on consumer credit info disposal

The Federal Trade Commission has issued its final rule regarding the proper disposal of consumer report information and records under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

The final rule, similar to the proposed rule issued in April 2004, will become effective June 1, 2005. The final rule makes minor modifications to the proposed rule, including clarification of the definitions of "consumer information" and "disposal."  more...

California man sentenced for real estate fraud

A man in Contra Costa County, Calif., was sentenced Thursday to four years in state prison for securities fraud, forgery and theft that involved 11 victims and their home equity.

David Steven Scott was serving a suspended sentence for securities fraud when he advertised that he could help individuals clean their credit through his company, Advanced Financial Solutions.  more...

Overnight real estate rates fall

Long-term mortgage interest rates were lower Thursday, and the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yield fell to 4.11 percent.

The 30-year fixed-rate average slipped to 5.32 percent, and the 15-year fixed-rate dipped to 4.75 percent. The 1-year adjustable was down at 3.41 percent.

The 30-year Treasury bond yield dropped to 4.81 percent.

Rates are current as of 7:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Mortgage rate figures are according to Bankrate.com, which publishes nightly averages based on its survey of 4,000 banks in 50 states.  more...