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Real estate by the numbers Premium Content

By Alison Rogers, Sunday, August 24, 2008.

I work with words a lot, but I wouldn't love real estate the way I do if I didn't have a feel for numbers too. So over the past week, as I've been reading news stories, I've been making notes about some interesting numbers that have popped up here and there. Sometimes my curiosity would lead me to track down another number -- all data is as current as possible.  more...

Not married? Buy home as tenants in common

By Benny Kass, Sunday, August 24, 2008.

DEAR BENNY: My daughter and her boyfriend are thinking about buying a house and she is putting more of a down payment than he. Is this a good idea? --Doug

DEAR DOUG: I don't see any real problem with this arrangement, so long as your daughter and her friend enter into a written agreement spelling out their rights and responsibilities.  more...

Why do most lenders sell their mortgages?

By Jack Guttentag, Sunday, August 24, 2008.

"Why do most home mortgage lenders sell their mortgages instead of keeping them? I have a problem with negotiating my mortgage deal with one firm over a week, then having my loan sold to another firm that I did not select, and with whom I am obliged to deal for as long as 30 years. Is it possible for me to find a lender who will promise not to sell my loan?"  more...

Must I contract with agent showing open house?

By Dian Hymer, Sunday, August 24, 2008.

Buyers often find the house they ultimately buy on their own at an open house. Do they have to use the agent that was showing the open house?

Buyers should work with the agent of their choice. However, complications can arise when there is confusion about who is working with a buyer. It helps to understand the rules of the game.  more...

Trulia unveils blogging platform and mobile tools Premium Content

By Inman News, Sunday, August 24, 2008.
Screenshot of Trulia's Local News Feed

The latest batch of new features at real estate site Trulia.com includes a simplified blogging platform, mobile tools such as location-aware property searches that use your phone as a divining rod for area properties and information, and a "news feed" that provides customized property listings and other area-specific information -- including blog posts and other user-generated site content -- within the locations that visitors are searching at the site.  more...