By Samantha Peterson, Monday, July 12, 2004. Editor's note: The Internet has been a partner in the home ownership explosion of the last decade, prompting anyone with a computer to find his or her perfect home. In this special three-part series, we explore some of the more unique homes people have found online. These are homes that, pre-Internet, would've been difficult, if not impossible to find. more...
By Inman News, Monday, July 12, 2004. Last month, I finally carved an "Internet presence" by creating my own Web site. It seemed like a wise thing to do, considering all those reports that say more than 80 percent of all consumers now search the World Wide Web before choosing a home or selecting a real estate agent. But in its first 30 days of full operation, my site garnered exactly one (O-N-E) outside visitor. Most of the others were friends and family members who simply wanted to see what the site looked like. more...
By Inman News, Monday, July 12, 2004. Fair Isaac Corp. on Monday announced preliminary financial results for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2004 and revised guidance for its fourth fiscal quarter ending Sept. 30, 2004, both of which are lower than previous guidance. The company expects total revenues of $173 million to $175 million for the third quarter, lower than the previous guidance range of $185 million to $189 million. more...
By Inman News, Monday, July 12, 2004. Valocity, a national appraisal network that was formerly known as Appraisal Forum, has expanded to offer coverage in all 50 states and in every metropolitan statistical area, company officials announced today. more...
By Inman News, Monday, July 12, 2004. The Mortgage Bankers Association today announced the appointment of one of the country's top experts on RESPA as a senior director and regulatory counsel in the group's government affairs department. Ken Markison is retiring from the federal government after a long federal legal career, having most recently served as U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development assistant general counsel for government-sponsored enterprises and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Because of his experience, Markison is also an expert on regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. more...
By Inman News, Monday, July 12, 2004. Long-term mortgage interest rates were lower Monday, and the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yield fell to 4.44 percent. The 30-year fixed-rate average slipped slightly to 5.66 percent, and the 15-year fixed-rate fell to 5.08 percent. The 1-year adjustable was unchanged at 3.35 percent. The 30-year Treasury bond yield slipped to to 5.2 percent. Rates are current as of 7:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. more...
By Robert Bruss, Monday, July 12, 2004.
If you want to know how to add market value to your home by making profitable improvements, perhaps before putting it up for sale, be sure to read "101 Cost Effective Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home" by Steve Berges. The author, a 25-year home builder and real estate investor, shares the facts about which home improvements are most profitable and which probably won't increase your home's market value more than their cost. more...
By Barry Stone, Monday, July 12, 2004.
By Robert Bruss, Monday, July 12, 2004.
DEAR BOB: Two months ago, I bought a house through a "buyer's agent." Her contract says she represents me. However, when negotiating the price and the terms regarding defects found by my professional home inspector, it became very apparent "my agent" was really working for the seller. She did not present the inspection report or my revised offer to the sellers. I did not find out until it was too late to walk away. It cost me several thousand extra dollars. As a "buyer's agent" she was paid a share of the listing agent's sales commission so there was a conflict of interest. more...
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