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Real estate rates may soon succumb to global pressure

By Lou Barnes, Friday, March 3, 2006.

Long-term Treasury rates broke out of a month-long range...upward, and today above last November's two-year high at 4.68 percent. Mortgage damage is modest for now, fixed-rate loans still within sight of 6.25 percent, but we are going higher.

The source of pressure is global, having nothing to do with new domestic economic data. The rate rise on Thursday was, if anything, limited by weakish news: February retail sales disappointed, consumer confidence continued to sag, home sales slid for the fourth-straight month, and long rates rose anyway.  more...

Newbie shadows a senior broker

By Alison Rogers, Friday, March 3, 2006.

I had been pushing and pushing to follow a senior broker-salesperson around, and I finally got my wish.

My firm's partners picked someone who's truly one of the good guys, the kind of agent that has a helpful tip for every newbie. I'm going to show you the underside of his day. But I'm an ink-stained wretch with a conscience, so I'm going to change a detail or two to protect a deal, and protect the anonymity of this agent: Let's call him Mr. Success.

First off, we agree to meet in the office at 10.  more...

Free Web sites can maximize real estate marketing Premium Content

By Bernice Ross, Friday, March 3, 2006.

(This is Part 2 of a two-part series. See Part 1.)

You are competing against five other agents for a hot listing. Do you know what Web marketing services to offer that will knock out your competitors and cost you virtually nothing?

Web marketing is like searching for a needle in a haystack. The more places you have your needles, the more people will find you.  more...

Conservation of building materials played key role in early architecture

By Arrol Gellner, Friday, March 3, 2006.

"People will not look forward to posterity," said the English statesman Edmund Burke, "who never look backward to their ancestors."

Burke's words ring truer than ever today, when many of the world's most fortunate inhabitants behave as if they were the only ones who ever mattered or ever will.

Although many of our ancestors have been pictured as heavy-handed exploiters of the environment, at least they had the excuse of ignorance.  more...

10 most overlooked real estate tax breaks

By Robert Bruss, Friday, March 3, 2006.

(This is Part 8 of an eight-part series.  more...

Gas furnace options make homeowner's head spin

By Paul Bianchina, Friday, March 3, 2006.

Q: I need to replace my gas furnace. I have had four companies out, and each has suggested something different. What is your advice? -Dick B.

A: All heating contractors are naturally going to suggest the brand that they carry, and quite honestly, any of the nationally recognized brands of gas furnaces will give you good service. Here are some general suggestions:

Have an energy audit done on your home, including an evaluation of your existing windows, insulation levels and other factors.  more...