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TurnHere partners with WellcomeMat

By Inman News, Sunday, August 17, 2008.

Online video companies expand real estate offerings
TurnHere Inc., an online video solutions platform, today announced a partnership to become a trusted video production partner for WellcomeMat, an online video management platform where site members market properties and local businesses. As part of the initial relationship, TurnHere will provide at least 250 local neighborhood videos for WellcomeMat's new video search product.  more...

When mortgage is sold, strange things can happen

By Jack Guttentag, Sunday, August 17, 2008.

"I bought my house in June. In October, I made my mortgage payment to XYZ Mortgage as usual. A few weeks later, the payment was returned with a note saying that my mortgage had been sold to ABC Mortgage. However, when I contacted ABC, they said they had no record of my mortgage. I have not made my payment for October or November, and my December payment will shortly be due. I have an escrow account for the payment of taxes and insurance, but I just received an overdue notice from the tax department ... What should I do?"  more...

Don't wait until selling to make repairs

By Dian Hymer, Sunday, August 17, 2008.

Home maintenance ranks low on many homeowners' priority lists. When the washing machine breaks, you might fix it to keep from having to go to the Laundromat. But, if there's no pressing need, home maintenance chores are often put off.

In the current soft real estate market, homeowners may be less inclined to pay money to make repairs around the house. However, the key to preserving the value of your home is keeping it in good condition.  more...

With buyer lined up, who needs an agent?

By Benny Kass, Sunday, August 17, 2008.

DEAR BENNY: I plan to sell my house and have already found a buyer and believe we can come to agreeable terms. Do I need a real estate agent or should I just retain an attorney? --Katherine

DEAR KATHERINE: I know that the real estate industry will send me letters objecting to my response, but because you have already found a buyer, I see no reason to spend 6 percent, 4 percent or even 3 percent of the sales price on a real estate commission. Any real estate attorney can assist you with the negotiations with your potential buyer, and can easily -- and clearly at a much lower cost -- prepare the purchase and sales contract. The attorney can also give you guidance throughout the entire process.  more...

The dog days of real estate

By Alison Rogers, Sunday, August 17, 2008.

So the dog -- a fairly big black Lab -- threw up in the lobby five minutes before the potential buyers were supposed to show up. I swear I was nice about it. "I'm a real estate agent and I've got someone coming to see the apartment," I said to the dog's walker, a girl of about 16 who looked like she'd never seen dog vomit before.

"Do you mind if I just fold the rug over a little bit before they come in?" I asked, adding, "I don't think it'll make it harder to clean up."  more...