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'U.S. economy is not faltering'

By Lou Barnes, Friday, January 9, 2004.

Job market weakness in today's report has staggered the markets, and knocked long-term rates down to their post-November lows, 4.08 percent on the 10-year T-note, and 30-year, low-fee mortgages sliding below 5.75 percent.  more...

Nonverbal signals deliver real estate punch Premium Content

By Bernice Ross, Friday, January 9, 2004.

Do you use body language to your best advantage when negotiating? If not, learning how to read and use nonverbal signals can give you a powerful edge when it comes to negotiating.

A number of years ago, my partner and I received a high-end referral from the founder of our company. Our client wanted a property he could lease-option. After showing him more than 40 houses, he decided on a gorgeous, three-month-old home.  more...

Fed eases real estate tax rules

By Robert Bruss, Friday, January 9, 2004.

In 2003, the IRS issued new liberalized rules interpreting the $250,000 principal residence sale tax exemption (up to $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly) and the first court case interpreting Internal Revenue Code 121 was decided. Before getting to the new developments, let's review the basic rules.

THE EASY ELIGIBILITY RULES. Internal Revenue Code 121, enacted by Congress in 1997, offers up to $250,000 tax-free principal residence sale capital gains. A qualified married couple can claim up to $500,000 tax-free sales home profits.  more...

Proper sizing essential for electric wall heaters

By Paul Bianchina, Friday, January 9, 2004.

It's chilly outside and you may be casting around for some practical ideas for warming up an individual room or two. One solution might be to add a built-in electric wall heater.  more...

From Rust Belt to preserved relics

By Arrol Gellner, Friday, January 9, 2004.

We Americans think we're pretty hip for converting the occasional warehouse or factory into housing, but we can't hold a candle to Europe's clever new uses for old industrial relics. Whether ore bunkers or blast furnaces, the Europeans honor these structures as landmarks of a bygone era, rather than blowing them up as we do.  more...