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Trulia widget promotes localized listings on Topix Premium Content

By Matt Carter, Wednesday, April 16, 2008.
Trulia widget

Listings aggregator Trulia has developed another widget the company says will help it tap into the "long tail" of visitors to hyperlocal sites by promoting listings tailored to geographic location.

Trulia's new dynamic widget is scheduled to launch today on Topix, a Web "news community" that rounds up links to news stories and blogs, and helps users find and discuss them at the local level.  more...

Tenant learns true meaning of 'free rent'

By Janet Portman, Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

Q: My daughter, a single mom with two small children, had just gotten out of an abusive marriage three years ago when friends invited her to place a mobile home on a piece of their property. The landowners gave my daughter a signed declaration that she would never have to pay rent and would never be evicted. On the strength of this declaration, she was able to purchase a mobile home. The sellers told her that without the declaration, she would not have qualified for the mobile home purchase.  more...

Upon death, father wants no title problems for kids

By Benny Kass, Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

Q: My mother died a couple of months ago, and my dad wants to make sure that title to his house is in his name. How do we determine the status of title? Dad wants to make sure that upon his death, his three children will not have any problems regarding the house.

A: First, while I am sure that your motives are pure, you have to remember that the decision on where to distribute your dad's assets when he dies is his -- and his alone -- to make.  more...

Barking dog pushes renter to breaking point

By Helene Lesel, Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

Q: I'm currently living in a rental apartment. My neighbor's dog has been barking excessively, especially at night. I've reported the problem to the property management office, but they said there is nothing much they can do except send out notices to the neighbor. Is that true? What are my rights with regard to this issue? Is there anything I can do to resolve this issue other than going to the property management office? Please advise.  more...

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Recession: A great time to buy!

By Glenn Roberts Jr., Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

While housing sales are slumping nationally, the monthly Reuters/Zogby Index released today found that most of a group of 1,049 likely voters believe it is a good time to buy a home.  more...

Realtor group says no to consumer rebates Premium Content

By Glenn Roberts Jr., Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

The New Jersey Association of Realtors is opposing legislation that would allow real estate brokers and agents to provide cash rebates or other gifts to buyers and sellers.

Members of the state's Real Estate Commission, a regulatory agency that enforces licensing law in the state, has considered the legislation but hasn't yet announced a position.  more...

S.F. Bay Area deals top $18M

By Inman News, Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

NAI BT Commercial this week announced the sale of two San Francisco Bay Area properties for an aggregate sales price of more than $18.9 million.

In the first deal, NAI brokered the off-market investment sale of a 55,000-square-foot, six-story office building located at 851 Burlway Road in Burlingame. Mehrdad Elie, a private investor, paid $13 million, or $236 per square foot, for the property, which was sold by Westate Ventures.  more...

Sale of Galaxy Office Park completed

By Inman News, Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

Transwestern Investment Co. LLC recently announced the acquisition of Galaxy Office Park in Concord, Calif., on behalf of an equity fund.

The fund, Aslan Realty Partners III LLC, paid an undisclosed amount for the complex, which comprises 173,000 square feet in two four-story buildings.

At the time of sale, the class A property was 89 percent leased.

The seller's identity was not disclosed.  more...

Manufacturer sheds L.A. digs

By Inman News, Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

Vibra Finish Co., a nationwide supplier of vibratory media and mass finishing supplies, has sold a 41,536-square-foot industrial building for $5.3 million in Sylmar, Calif.

The recently refurbished industrial building, located at 12840 Bradley Ave., served as the former West Coast headquarters for Vibra Finish Co.

Situated on 75,359 square feet of land, the building features executive offices with private bathrooms, a fenced yard, and is located near five major freeways.

Anderon Holdings LLC purchased the facility.  more...

Housing starts, permits hit lowest rate since 1991

By Inman News, Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

Housing starts and building-permit authorizations in March fell to the lowest adjusted annual rate since 1991, and the rate of single-family starts and building permits dropped for the 12th consecutive month, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today.  more...

Angry renters say 'hell no!' to government bailout

By Jessica Swesey, Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

"I'm doing the responsible thing, saving my money until I can afford a home. Sigh."

Those words come from someone named "Stephanie T." in Berkeley, Calif., and are displayed at a Web site, AngryRenter.com, which as you might've guessed is a site formed by angry renters who are protesting any government bailouts for house flippers and banks.  more...

Refis lead increase in mortgage applications

By Inman News, Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

Home loan application volume rose 2.5 percent last week as interest rates across all loan types declined, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported today.

According to the trade group, the seasonally adjusted increase was led by a 5.2 percent gain in the index that tracks refinance applications, and was offset slightly by a 0.8 percent decrease in the purchase-loan index.  more...

Real estate rates rise overnight

By Inman News, Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

Long-term mortgage interest rates increased Tuesday, and the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yield rose to 3.6 percent.

The 30-year fixed-rate average climbed to 5.73 percent, and the 15-year fixed rate gained to 5.31 percent. Meanwhile, the 1-year adjustable rate rose to 5.72 percent.

The 30-year Treasury bond yield was up at 4.44 percent.

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