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Hyperlocalism, face time and dollar signs Premium Content

By Bernice Ross, Monday, November 9, 2009.

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogging -- somehow if you're not online, you're hopelessly outdated. To succeed in today's highly competitive market, you need Web 2.0 skills, but they must also be coupled with good old-fashioned basic sales skills.

What's old is new once again. Good old-fashioned sales skills are more important than ever. Where do you stack up on these basics that are critical for success in 2010?  more...

Mortgage mission impossible

By Tara-Nicholle Nelson, Monday, November 9, 2009.

I'm a big believer in possibility. In fact, I often sign off my correspondence with the Emily Dickinson quote, "Dwell in possibility." In life in general, I think too many people limit themselves and what they can accomplish by virtue of what's possible.

So, it's counterintuitive for me to have to say, as I so often do these days, "That's not possible. It can't be done."

The world of real estate, generally, is a world of possibility. The normal home sale or purchase is truly the tip of the iceberg in terms of the property types, uses and transaction structures that live in the realm of what is possible.  more...

Winning a multiple-offer competition

By Dian Hymer, Monday, November 9, 2009.

Lately, the home-sale market has picked up in some areas and price ranges. Multiple-offer competitions are more prevalent, particularly in popular neighborhoods where there's little for sale.

It's always difficult to decide what to offer when you're in competition. It helps if you've done your homework and you know local market values well. Working with a good real estate agent who can keep you informed on current market trends is helpful. The Internet has a wealth of information about listings in most areas of the country.  more...

Refinance home to pay off credit card?

By Benny Kass, Monday, November 9, 2009.

DEAR BENNY: We will soon have our mortgage paid off. Our home is valued at $120,000. Unfortunately, we owe about $50,000 in credit-card debt. I took early Social Security and work part time. My husband will take full Social Security next March and continue to work full time. So we had planned to pay extra on the debt with his Social Security check and the fact that we will no longer have a house payment. This will likely take at least two years. However, we wonder if it would be more beneficial to re-mortgage the house for the $50,000 to pay off all the credit-card debt. Obviously it would be a lower interest rate and would be an income tax deduction. What do you think? --Jean

DEAR JEAN: No one wants to have mortgage debt, but sometimes you have no alternative. On the other hand, no one wants to be "house rich and cash poor."  more...

Dos and don'ts of mortgage shopping

By Jack Guttentag, Monday, November 9, 2009.
Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkarpala/3430391074/" target=blank>Jeff Karpala</a>.

"I don't want an education in mortgages; I just want to know enough to save as much money as possible on my new mortgage. Also, as an African-American, I want to avoid being taken advantage of. Any chance you can distill what I need to know into one article?"

Here are some quick and dirty suggestions for vulnerable borrowers who want to save money but don't want to make the process into a life's work.

Determine Your Status as a Borrower Before You Search For a Loan: You may not qualify, which is a common occurrence in a market that has become very demanding in the wake of the financial crisis.  more...