New law puts Colorado agents under regulators' thumbs

By Janis Mara, Thursday, January 12, 2006.

In order to renew her real estate license last November, Nancy Brauer, a Colorado Realtor with 27 years' experience, had to pay $60 more than in past years and drive 45 minutes to be fingerprinted, thanks to a new state law.

Compared to some folks, Brauer was lucky. Thousands of Colorado real estate brokers missed the Dec.  more...

New York real estate is big on brands

By Steve Viuker, Thursday, January 12, 2006.

NEW YORK – "Cautious optimism" were the words of New York City real estate brokers during a panel discussion at the Real Estate Connect conference Wednesday.

Willie Kathryn Suggs, the principal of Willie Kathryn Suggs of Harlem in New York, talked about the Harlem real estate boom. "It began in 1994 when we noticed the change. It really became crazy in the last three years.  more...

Real estate foreclosures jump 13.5 percent in December

By Inman News, Thursday, January 12, 2006.

RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosure properties, today announced that foreclosures increased 13.5 percent nationwide from November to December.

 

About 81,290 properties – a rate of one new foreclosure for every 1,422 U.S.  more...

Mortgage rates dip slightly, Freddie Mac reports

By Inman News, Thursday, January 12, 2006.

Freddie Mac today announced that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.15 percent, with an average 0.6 point, for the week ending Jan. 12, down from last week's average of 6.21 percent.  more...

New company focuses on paperless real estate transactions

By Inman News, Thursday, January 12, 2006.

Landata Systems Inc. and Stewart Realty Solutions, wholly owned subsidiaries of Stewart Title Co., will merge to form Stewart Transaction Solutions, company officials announced this week.

 

The new company combines Landata Systems, a company that has  more...

Real estate technology companies merge

By Inman News, Thursday, January 12, 2006.

A real estate software company has purchased Pocket Real Estate, a company that offers search capability of MLS property information through mobile phones and hand-held computers, company officials announced this week.

 

Borran Software, a developer of real estate transaction management systems, announced that it w  more...

Sotheby's real estate franchise network grows

By Inman News, Thursday, January 12, 2006.

Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates Inc.  more...

Report shows referrals important for real estate business

By Inman News, Thursday, January 12, 2006.

About 40 percent of all real estate firms participate in a referral program, while 20 percent of all firms have their own affinity programs to generate leads, according to a report released this week by the National Association of Realtors and Worldwide ERC, a relocation services industry trade group.

 

Advertising, firm affiliation and years of experience  more...

Most Home to provide lead generation program for Virginia Cook, Realtors

By Inman News, Thursday, January 12, 2006.

Most Home Technologies and Virginia Cook, Realtors have signed a two-year contract for Most Home's eTeam Response Services to be provided for the Texas firm's 11 offices and nearly 400 associates, the companies said Tuesday. more...

Overnight real estate rates mixed

By Inman News, Thursday, January 12, 2006.

Long-term mortgage interest rates were varied Wednesday, and the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yield gained to 4.46 percent.

The 30-year fixed-rate average rose to 5.68 percent, and the 15-year fixed-rate held at 5.25 percent. The 1-year adjustable was up at 4.5 percent.

The 30-year Treasury bond yield increased to 4.63 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...