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Intercepting the credit-default spiral

By Lou Barnes, Friday, January 9, 2009.

The Fed's purchases of agency MBS (mortgage-back securities) have succeeded in capping mortgage rates near 5 percent with the lowest fees (1 percent origination easily buys high-fours).  more...

Reconstructing the listing presentation Premium Content

By Bernice Ross, Friday, January 9, 2009.
Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumaxart/2136953043/" target=blank>lumaxart</a>.

Are you still working with an old, outdated listing presentation from the 20th century? If so, there's no better time than now to make the shift from doing listing presentations to doing "listening consultations."

Recently I was conducting a new agent training class. During the lunch break, the parent company did a webinar featuring four very successful new agents. Here's what one of the new agents advised the listeners on the call:  more...

Overwhelmed by kitchen floor options?

By Paul Bianchina, Friday, January 9, 2009.

The floor in your kitchen has to wear a lot of hats. It has to be able to withstand the rigors of lots of foot traffic. It needs to be water-resistant and be able to stand up to repeated cleanings. It has to be able to withstand grease, spills, drips and other indignities -- and it has to look good doing it!  more...

Downturn forces industry changes Premium Content

By Matt Carter, Friday, January 9, 2009.

NEW YORK -- The financial crisis and housing downturn are proving to be a catalyst for change in real estate brokerage, title insurance and lending that could accelerate if the downturn is prolonged.

For the most part, regulators and lawmakers should let the industry shake itself out rather than impose new conditions from above, a panel of experts said Thursday ...  more...

Experts predict major change for MLSs Premium Content

By Glenn Roberts Jr., Friday, January 9, 2009.

NEW YORK -- The idea of a national multiple listing service has moved out of the realm of science fiction and into the realm of serious discussion.

"I think it's only the political constraints and the human constraints that keep that from happening," said David Charron, president and CEO for Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, the largest multiple listing service in the United States. MRIS serves about 55,000 real estate professionals in the Mid-Atlantic region.  more...

Shocking conditions in college-town rental

By Janet Portman, Friday, January 9, 2009.

Q: My son just graduated from college and moved into a basement apartment in the college town. Last week while visiting, I came across pipes in his pantry that were wrapped with deteriorating asbestos -- powder and dust was all around and on the shelf. My son called the owner and it took her two weeks to get someone there to look at it. In addition, the oven coil does not work, the oven is filthy, the bathroom stinks, and the landlady won't do anything.  more...

Upside down on home? Don't panic yet

By Tara-Nicholle Nelson, Friday, January 9, 2009.

Q: I got an interest-only loan on my house three years ago, and while I still have two more years on this loan, my house is upside down on what I paid for it versus what I could sell it for today. Is there any help for people like me with a bad loan?

A: First things first. There is no such thing as a "bad loan"; there are just improper uses of loans.

I have never met a loan I couldn't envision a legitimate, proper use for. Don't believe the hype that says if you don't have a 30-year-fixed-rate mortgage your sky is necessarily falling.  more...

Coldwell Banker listings reach smartphones

By Inman News, Friday, January 9, 2009.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC this week announced that iPhone and BlackBerry users can now search the company's property listings in 28 countries at coldwellbanker.com.  more...