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Trials of long-distance brokering

By Alison Rogers, Monday, July 31, 2006.

I closed my first deal last week, a rental. In New York City, rentals are for newbies, since you can make so much more doing sales, but they are also prized for their quick payout. A typical rental fee is 15 percent of a year's rental, split between the listing agent and the agent who brings in the tenant.  more...

Operating abroad risky for U.S. mortgage lenders

By Jack Guttentag, Monday, July 31, 2006.

"I plan to buy a house on the Costa Brava in Spain. Can I find a U.S. lender for the mortgage I will need?"

No, the best you could do is get a referral to a local (Spanish) lender. With very few exceptions, U.S. mortgage lenders don't lend outside the United States.

In most other countries, you must be licensed to make mortgage loans, which U.S. lenders are not. Even if no license was required, U.S.  more...

Your real estate poker face

By Dian Hymer, Monday, July 31, 2006.

A prospective home buyer recently stopped by a Sunday open house to take a second look at a listing that caught his fancy. His real estate agent had advised him to keep a poker face as he walked through the house, and to ask no questions of the listing agent. Otherwise, he might tip her off that he was interested.

This is a popular negotiation strategy: Don't show the other party that you might be interested in striking a deal.  more...

Home seller should rethink listing with discount broker

By Robert Bruss, Monday, July 31, 2006.

DEAR BOB: My wife and I are thinking about listing our $425,000 home for sale with a real estate agency, which charges a $1,995 commission. They will list our home for 30 days. During the 30 days, we can sell the home ourselves or if they sell it, we owe only $1,995. If another broker sells the home during the 30 days, he would write in his sales commission on the offer, subject to our approval. During the 30 days, the listing agency will put a for-sale sign in our yard with an information box with flyers about our home.  more...