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Apr

24
2009

Free Webinar: Leverage the Power of Agent Teams

By Jeff Bernheisel, Friday, April 24, 2009.
Presented by: Market Leader and Inman News

Whether you're the leader of an agent team, part of an agent team, or thinking of forming an agent team, you'll love the information we have to share during our FREE "Leveraging the Power of Teams" webinar. Here is just a sample of the things you'll learn:

  • Learn what makes teams such a powerful selling force

  • Learn how to overcome growth obstacles and maximize your team's potential  more...

An economy on life support

By Lou Barnes, Friday, April 24, 2009.
Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brykmantra/76765412/" target=blank>brykmantra</a>.

Another week of odd calm ... at its heart a void of information from government. The economy is on life support, but the intentions of the physicians are unclear.

In the data details, nothing new. Mortgage rates still rattle in a very narrow, high-four range, held so low only by the Fed's massive buying. The stock market has shown some buoyancy, holding its ranges: Dow 8,000 and S&P 850.  more...

New-home sales sink 30.6% in past year

By Inman News, Friday, April 24, 2009.

The estimated sales pace of new single-family homes in March held almost level with the prior month, the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported today, though it was off an estimated 30.6 percent from the same month last year.  more...

Moffett back at Freddie Mac

By Inman News, Friday, April 24, 2009.

David Moffett, the former U.S. Bancorp executive who was named to lead Freddie Mac last fall after the company was placed in government conservatorship, is returning as a consultant in the aftermath of the death of another top executive.  more...

ARMs costlier than fixed-rate mortgages

By Inman News, Friday, April 24, 2009.

Demand for adjustable-rate mortgages has almost disappeared as long-term fixed-rate mortgages continue to be cheaper than ARM loans for the first time in 25 years of record keeping by Freddie Mac.  more...

Do's and don'ts of deck cleaning

By Paul Bianchina, Friday, April 24, 2009.

A wood deck represents a sizable investment, and keeping it well maintained is an important part of every homeowner's to-do list. A clean deck not only helps showcase that backyard centerpiece, it prepares the wood to receive the surface coatings that are necessary to help your deck fight off the elements.

First, a couple of cleaning "don'ts":  more...

Architectural errors frozen in time

By Arrol Gellner, Friday, April 24, 2009.

The other day I was eating breakfast at a cozy little diner called Sam's Log Cabin, not far from where I live. The place is pretty much what its name suggests -- a rustic little box of a building with log siding and a hipped roof. The inside is just as spartan as the outside: There's no proper ceiling, and the roof rafters are plainly exposed to view.  more...

Tenants with privileges draw ire

By Janet Portman, Friday, April 24, 2009.

Q: I live in a 12-unit apartment complex. Five of the units are occupied by the owner's employees. The rest are regular tenants like me. But the employee-tenants have special privileges, like access to the laundry room, keeping a pet, parking in the inside lot, and the right to mount satellite dishes. Is this legal? --Nancy V.  more...

Goodbye, McMansions Premium Content

By Patrick S. Duffy, Friday, April 24, 2009.
Cover image courtesy <a href="http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470405279.html" target=blank>John Wiley & Sons, Inc.</a>

With the housing market still in tatters but showing some signs of life and the commercial markets starting their own freefall, many investors continue to consider real estate one of the last places to put their dollars to work.

In his new book, "After the Fall: Opportunities and Strategies for Real Estate Investing in the Coming Decade," veteran real estate and travel writer Steve Bergsman argues that now is precisely the time to start considering what types of real estate sectors -- whether residential, commercial or leisure -- should be on your shopping list, both today and in the future.  more...

Fannie, Freddie to buy bigger loans Premium Content

By Inman News, Friday, April 24, 2009.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are set to begin buying "super-conforming" loans of up to $729,750, which should bring rates down for borrowers seeking loans above the previous limit of up to $625,500 in high cost housing markets.

Bank of America and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage will reportedly bring down rates on eligible mortgages in the $625,500 to $729,750 range now that Fannie and Freddie are ready to begin buying the loans from lenders.  more...

Referral opens up refi options

By Tara-Nicholle Nelson, Friday, April 24, 2009.

Q: I closed on a house in November 2007. I got a loan at 6.35 percent, and it was immediately sold to another bank. I just went down to the branch to refinance, but they rejected my application because I don't live there. I tried to explain to them that I'm having massive construction work done and will move when finished. Now, I can't even get the loan consultant at the branch to return my calls or e-mails. What do you suggest?

A: First off, unless you have a strong relationship with a personal banker or some really compellingly preferential offer being presented by the bank that holds your deposit accounts, there is rarely a compelling rationale for just walking into a branch to get a home loan. In my experience, you'll get higher-touch service and will have more lenders and mortgage program options at your disposal with a reputable broker you find via referral from your Realtor or others in your circle.  more...