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Jan

7
2008

Siesmic rumblings in SoCal title industry

By Matt Carter, Monday, January 7, 2008.
Last month, California's Alliance Title threw clients (not to mention its own employees) for a loop by closing the doors of its offices without warning. Today, I've been checking out rumors that Mercury Companies Inc. -- the parent of Alliance...  more...

Real estate agent, columnist battles leukemia Premium Content

By Glenn Roberts Jr., Monday, January 7, 2008.

Dian Hymer, a veteran Realtor in the San Francisco Bay Area and a nationally syndicated real estate columnist, has dispensed advice and assistance to colleagues, competitors and consumers alike for decades. Now, her life depends on the aid of others.

An agent in the Oakland-Piedmont, Calif., office of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Services who has worked in real estate since 1977, Hymer is in remission from leukemia.  more...

STAG Capital announces Kentucky, Georgia deals

By Inman News, Monday, January 7, 2008.

STAG Capital Partners today announced the acquisition of more than 1 million square feet of warehouse and manufacturing space in Kentucky and Georgia.

Unidentified entities sold the properties for an undisclosed price.

In Danville, Ky., STAG purchased a 781,440-square-foot building on 59.4 acres of land at 1355 Lebanon Road. At the time of purchase, the property was leased to Wausau Paper Corp. and Panasonic Home Appliance Co.  more...

Retailers secure leases at New Jersey mall

By Inman News, Monday, January 7, 2008.

Six leases have been signed at the Wayne Towne Center in Wayne, N.J., a 700,000-square-foot shopping center that is currently being redeveloped.

The new leases at the property, owned by Wayne Towne Center Associates LLC, include 70,000 square feet for sports retailer Dick's Sporting Goods; 19,000 square feet for shoe retailer DSW; 2,500 square feet for Mexican grill Chipotle; 7,700 square feet for restaurant Olive Garden; 7,300 square feet for restaurant Bahama Breeze; and 4,500 square feet for restaurant Fresh City.  more...

TIC investors unload multifamily asset

By Inman News, Monday, January 7, 2008.

Triple Net Properties LLC recently sold an Asheville, N.C., apartment complex on behalf of tenant-in-common investors for an undisclosed price.  more...

Real estate rates dive overnight

By Inman News, Monday, January 7, 2008.

Long-term mortgage interest rates were down again Friday, and the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yield dipped to 3.87 percent.

The 30-year fixed-rate average sank to 5.57 percent, and the 15-year fixed rate slid to 5.11 percent. The 1-year adjustable rate was down at 5.38 percent.

The 30-year Treasury bond yield edged up to 4.38 percent.

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

Mortgage market recovery hinges on investors

By Jack Guttentag, Monday, January 7, 2008.

(This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Read Part 2, "Subprime relief plan's major flaw.")

The financial crisis we are currently in will probably enter the U.S. record book as the second worst in the last 100 years. The worst was in the early 1930s when thousands of banks failed and the mortgage market shut down entirely.  more...

How to divvy up mortgage-interest tax deduction

By Benny Kass, Monday, January 7, 2008.

DEAR BENNY: I purchased a townhome in January 2005 with a very low, interest-only loan, and have been paying approximately 20 percent extra towards the principal each month. My fiancée moved in about 15 months ago and has been paying $600 a month. The monthly interest-only payment is $1,600. Recently we decided to double the monthly payment in addition to paying an extra $10,000 towards the principle to lower the interest portion of the monthly payment. My fiancée has asked about taking advantage of the interest deduction on her tax returns.  more...

Is selling home in today's market worthwhile?

By Dian Hymer, Monday, January 7, 2008.

Generally, existing-home sales have declined broadly over the past year. Some economists don't see a significant improvement in the home-sale market happening for perhaps another year or so. However, according to a report issued by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in November 2007, home prices in most metropolitan areas rose or were stable in the third quarter of this year. Some markets even showed modest gains compared to a year ago.  more...