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A view of the real estate bottom

By Inman News, Thursday, February 5, 2009.

About 100 of the nation's 381 metro areas have experienced house-price declines of 20 percent or more since the market's peak, with some markets experiencing declines of 50 percent or more, according to data presented today by Moody's Economy.com.

Moody's Economy.com economists and analysts believe that the drastic declines may conclude this year, though, according to a Reuters report.  more...

Renter fears fees if lawsuit fails

By Janet Portman, Thursday, February 5, 2009.

Q: I'm an African-American and a tenant at our small apartment complex. I believe my landlord has discriminated against me in several ways, including giving only me a rent hike (yet many other tenants paid the same rent for the same kind of unit), and refusing to upgrade my kitchen when he refurbished all of the other units on this floor. I want to pursue this, but I am afraid that if I lose, I'll have to pay the landlord's court costs, which I cannot afford. Is there any way I can check out my rights without this risk? --Luther L.  more...

No replacement for face time

By Teresa Boardman, Thursday, February 5, 2009.
Image courtesy Teresa Boardman

I offer my buyers a service that is kind of old-fashioned. I present all offers on homes in person. The agents in my market who know me expect it; the agents I have never worked with are caught off guard by it. The new agents don't know how to respond so I have to explain the process.

The way it works is that I meet with the listing agent and the sellers and go over the offer.  more...

'Vision of Home': Don't buy without it

By Tara-Nicholle Nelson, Thursday, February 5, 2009.

Q:I think I might be too picky!I have just started house hunting for my first home. I know people who bought the fourth or fifth home that they saw, but my Realtor has shown me more than 30 homes and I still haven't seen "the one" yet. Am I being unreasonable?

A: The real question as I see it is whether it is possible to be too picky when you are buying a home. My answer? It is, but it's pretty tough, and I don't think you are there yet. It sounds like you are experiencing some anxiety and uncertainty about the process of selecting your home. There are some perspectives and tools I'd like to share with you to transform your experience of the process.  more...