Homestore could pay millions more for former execs' legal costs

Homestore, the National Association of Realtors-affiliated company that operates several Internet-based home-search sites, including Realtor.com, will likely be forced to pay much of the $6.3 million that a former executive is seeking to pay his legal defense costs, the company has acknowledged in financial statements.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and U.S.  more...

Bloggers to descend upon October NAR convention

The tape recorders will be rolling, the camcorders will be recording and the blogs will be flowing at the National Association of Realtors conference in San Francisco this October, as an independent "blog squad" reports on the proceedings.  more...

Coldwell real estate expands in Florida

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in Florida announced that it has acquired the assets of Home Team Realty East in Hollywood, Fla.

Home Team Realty East is located at 4935 Sheridan St., just a short distance from Coldwell Banker's office at 3319 Sheridan St. The two offices will merge and operate from the 3319 Sheridan St. location under the banner of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Inc.  more...

Real estate tech tools for this century

The real estate industry is embracing technology, using new tools to deliver on tried-and-true ideas more efficiently, according to a new report from the Real Estate CyberSpace Society.

The report, "Real Estate Tech Tools for the Twenty-first Century," includes three briefings from Rick DeLuca, Sandy Teller and Bruce Fealk that spell out successful ways for real estate professionals to apply the latest in technology without losing old-fashioned business values.  more...

Long & Foster steps up relocation business

The Long & Foster Cos. is investing in the development and growth of its global employee relocation division, Long & Foster Relocation Management Solutions, and announced a few changes to the division last week.  more...

Real estate loan officer charged with theft

A loan officer in Tacoma, Wash., is accused of stealing more than $8,500 in fees designated for an early-mortgage-payoff program and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The Financial Crimes Unit of the state Attorney General's Office has filed charges against J. Anthony Hansen, 42, of Tacoma, for one count of first-degree theft and six counts of second-degree theft and a warrant was issued for his arrest.  more...

Real estate developer plans major condo-conversion project

A developer today announced plans for the largest apartment-to-condo conversion project in Florida.

Marathon Asset Management LLC and investment group Marathon Real Estate announced that they will convert a 1,006-unit rental apartment community about four miles away from downtown St. Petersburg into a 912-unit condo development.

Marathon Real Estate, in partnership with the Robert Martin Co. and Prospect Capital Group, acquired the 88-acre apartment complex, which has three miles of seawall.  more...

Near-record real estate sales heat up Toronto

The resale housing market in Toronto, Canada, recorded the second-highest number of transactions ever in the month of July, the Toronto Real Estate Board reported.

With 7,387 single-family homes transacted last month, sales were up 1 percent over the 7,329 sales recorded in July 2004, TREB President John Meehan said.

Neighborhoods outside Toronto's city center showed some of the strongest numbers for the month.

In Richmond Hill, sales of detached homes fueled an 18 percent gain over July 2004, with its North area seeing an increase of 21 percent.  more...

Overnight real estate rates resume climb

Long-term mortgage interest rates were higher Friday, and the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yield rose to 4.39 percent.

The 30-year fixed-rate average increased to 5.42 percent, and the 15-year fixed-rate gained to 5.03 percent. The 1-year adjustable was up at 3.79 percent.

The 30-year Treasury bond yield increased to 4.58 percent.

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