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Feb

20
2007

Web apology

By Bradley Inman, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.
JetBlue CEO David Neeleman goes to the [YouTube] airways to apologize.  more...

New feature

By Bradley Inman, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.
Here is a resource that may come in handy. The InmanWiki now has RSS feeds for nearly 100 real estate blogs and the list is growing rapidly. If you are feeling un-informed, check here for local color, big-picture commentary, pitches...  more...

Stats, lies and real estate

By Glenn Roberts, Jr., Tuesday, February 20, 2007.
The real estate industry is awash in real estate statistics. There are regular reports from government agencies such as the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Industry trade groups such as the National Association...  more...

Recovery

By Bradley Inman, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.
We are repeating our Audio Conference call on "How to use the InmanWiki". Our InmanWiki site suffered major indigestion during our last audio call. We were red all over at Inman News that day. Join us, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeze.  more...

How To Sell A Home At Night: Curb Appeal After Dark

By elatedclients@sellsiusrealestate.com, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.
Landscape lighting, or nightscaping, is curb appeal after dark. When installed by trained professionals using various lighting techniques, it adds a whole new dimension to a home. Here are a few of the uses of this unique landscaper's art: Illuminate...  more...

$350k for a sand grab

By Bradley Inman, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.
The Hamptons have an allure that is un-matched -- Malibu, Monte Carlo, Palm Springs, none of these hot spots can hold a candle to the hoopla, expense and the be-there-to-be-seen scene in this mega-rich NYC summer escape place. My pal...  more...

Younan's Thanksgiving Tower purchase makes history

By Inman News, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

Younan Properties Inc. today announced it has completed its largest single-asset acquisition since the firm's founding with the purchase of the 50-story Thanksgiving Tower in Dallas, Texas.

The acquisition, the price of which was not disclosed, comprises 1.4 million square feet of class A office space located at 1601 Elm St.  more...

Pinnacle Foods finds space near Chicago

By Inman News, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

GVA Williams recently represented Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. in a 645,964-square-foot warehouse lease in Effingham, Ill., for an undisclosed amount.

The developer, Agracel Inc., will assist with a complete conversion of an existing printing plant into an upgraded, food-grade distribution facility located on 45.5 acres. Agracel also plans to expand the existing building by an additional 108,000 square feet for an expected move-in date this summer.  more...

100,000 square feet sold in Passaic

By Inman News, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

The Kislak Co. Inc. recently completed the sale of a 100,000-square-foot mixed-use facility in Passaic, N.J., for $12 million.

Neither the buyer's nor the seller's identity was disclosed.

The property, located at 629-657 Main St., comprises approximately 20,000 square feet of retail and 80,000 square feet of office space. The site also features a 500-car parking garage, the top floor of which is designed as a playground for the Passaic County School System.  more...

Open house guide, where are you?

By Inman News, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

Editor's note: The following excerpt, contributed by Inman News Publisher Bradley Inman, is from the new Inman News Blog. Now it's easier to participate in the blog by leaving comments. To give feedback on this post and join the discussion, click here.

Open house guide, where are you?  more...

Builder confidence highest since June '06

By Inman News, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

Buyer demand boosted home builder confidence five points in February to its highest level in eight months, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).

Based on a monthly survey that measures builder perceptions and expectations for home sales, the index climbed to 40 in February from a reading of 35 in January.  more...

Welcome to the new Inman News Blog

By Inman News, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

Inman News is excited to announce the launch of our new and improved Inman News Blog. Now it's easier to get the inside track on the real estate industry with an easier-to-read format and added functions.

The new Inman News Blog includes links to our guest contributors' blogs, as well as an easy-to-use search box, topic categories, and posts sorted by months.  more...

Is $350 a fair price for home inspection?

By Barry Stone, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

Dear Barry,

I am quite disgusted with the home inspection industry. Before buying my home, I hired the inspector who was recommended by my agent. First of all, $350 is a lot of money to pay someone just to flush the toilet and inform me that there are rust stains on the bottom of the kitchen sink. What's more, the inspector referred me to a structural engineer just because of a tilted foundation pier in the crawlspace. Couldn't I perform my own basic inspection with some sort of checklist and then, if an item appears faulty, call a licensed contractor? --Gloria  more...

Condos: the good, the bad, the ugly

By Robert Bruss, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

If you want to avoid costly mistakes when buying a condo, co-op or townhouse, "Tips and Traps When Buying a Condo, Co-op, or Townhouse, Second Edition" by Robert Irwin explains virtually all the potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. This easy-reading book is filled with many examples from the author's experiences with these unique types of housing, which require more than just casual investigation.  more...

Can title to reverse-mortgaged home be placed in living trust?

By Robert Bruss, Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

DEAR BOB: After much research, my husband, who is now 74, decided to get a senior citizen reverse mortgage on our home. Since I was only 60 at the time, I quitclaimed my interest in the house to him because I was too young. We chose the reverse-mortgage line of credit and have withdrawn only as much as our savings would cover if my husband dies. I know I could get a reverse mortgage, as I am now 62, but our question is whether our house will have to go into probate court when my husband dies since I am no longer on the deed. How can we avoid this because our home is our biggest asset?  more...