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Opportunity grows in slowing real estate market Premium Content

By Glenn Roberts Jr., Monday, January 2, 2006.

Big real estate companies may look to get bigger in 2006, while powerful demographic trends should buoy the real estate market despite softening, say executives at some major real estate brokerage companies.

"I think we're going to have a good real estate market -- on the heels of a great real estate market," said Bob Moles, chairman of Intero Real Estate Services, a brokerage company based in Cupertino, Calif.  more...

Beware of real estate debt elimination schemes

By Jack Guttentag, Monday, January 2, 2006.

Q: "A firm called Success Trust & Holding LLC has offered, for $4500, to make my mortgage payments for three years, at which point my mortgage will have been completely paid off. In addition, they will pay me an amount equal to the value of my house at that time. Comments?"

Among the early mortgage payoff schemes I have looked at in recent years, this is perhaps the most outrageous.

The STH plan makes other early payoff plans look benign in comparison. The others ask you to pay them for showing you how to accelerate the repayment of your mortgage with your money.  more...

Real estate listing requirements now more detailed

By Dian Hymer, Monday, January 2, 2006.

For years, sellers have been in the driver's seat. Now the tide has turned. Sellers are no longer calling the shots. However, sellers who take a proactive approach to selling their home can still have an edge in the new selling environment.

It's a given that sellers who expect to sell for top dollar need to have their homes in prime condition. But, bringing about a successful sale has to do with more than just looking good.

Today's buyers are sophisticated and they are cautious.  more...

Is reverse mortgage income taxable?

By Robert Bruss, Monday, January 2, 2006.

DEAR BOB: I especially enjoy your articles about senior citizen reverse mortgages. I have clipped and saved them. I am a 65-year-old widow and own my home valued around $550,000. I would like to do some remodeling and am thinking of taking a reverse mortgage lump sum for about $50,000. What will that do to my income tax situation? I also own four rental properties and have a comfortable retirement income. Will the reverse mortgage put me in a higher income tax bracket? – Judith H.

DEAR JUDITH: A reverse mortgage will have no effect on your income taxes.  more...

Realtor forecast for 2006 Premium Content

By Janis Mara, Monday, January 2, 2006.

Inman News asked industry professionals from around the nation to give us their own market forecasts for 2006. Here's a sampling of what they had to say.

Jeni Temen
Realtor
Dickson Realty
Reno, Nev.

1. What do you expect in your market next year?

I think it's going to be good. We have a special deal in our area – Californians are moving here. The market is leveling a little bit, but not going down.

2. What are you worried about?

Nothing to be worried about yet.

3.  more...

Lead generation site CEO a wannabe card shark

By Inman News, Monday, January 2, 2006.

Niki Scevak, CEO of Homethinking, was an analyst with JupiterResearch advising media firms on strategy and planning for online advertising before he founded lead generation site Homethinking this year.

Before 2003, Scevak was based in Sydney, Australia, where he led JupiterResearch's coverage of emerging media and telecommunications, and managed INT Media Group's stable of technology newsletters and events.

Prior to joining JupiterResearch, Scevak co-founded The BookmarkBox, a Web-based bookmark manager and community search provider that was acquired in January of 2000 by New  more...