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Tech playing key role in real estate deals

By Dian Hymer, Monday, August 31, 2009.

Invariably, buyers or sellers are faced with important decisions at the most inconvenient times. They may be on vacation or on a business trip. Even if you're in town, you may be tied up in meetings and unable to take time to drive to your real estate agent's office.

There are ways to deal with this that will minimize the hassle and enable you to respond in a timely fashion. Timing is essential in the home-sale business. If sellers have to wait too long for a response, their enthusiasm might wane. Buyers, on the other hand, could find themselves bidding against another buyer if they make an offer on a hot new listing and can't respond to a counteroffer in time.  more...

Hyperlocalism lives up to hype Premium Content

By Bernice Ross, Monday, August 31, 2009.

How can you get to the top of the search engines in your area? The answer may be cheaper and easier than you think.

Achieving top placement on Google or any other search engine can be both difficult and expensive. Even in small towns, you still may be competing for search-engine placement with your national firm, your local office, plus any other real estate companies who serve your area. You also compete against your local multiple listing service as well as Realtor.com.

To gain better exposure, you could use pay-per-click (PPC) ads.  more...

Buyers need dose of real estate 1.5

By Tara-Nicholle Nelson, Monday, August 31, 2009.
Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/trekkyandy/309494981/" target=blank>trekkyandy</a>.

Over the last few weeks, I've had several buyers walk in my office doors suffering from Real Estate Agent PTSD: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. They've worked with other agents who were, shall we say, a poor fit for them -- let's just leave it at that. And most of them were apparently very introspective about why exactly the relationship didn't work, leading them to apologize in advance for some personality flaw of their own that they believed might have been the deal-killer to their previous Realtor relationship:  more...

  • "I'm sorry -- I think I must be too picky."
  • "I have to tell you up front, I really don't like to be stood up. It's just a pet peeve. Sorry!"
  • "I'm very nervous about making such a big decision. I think my nerves must have run her off."

The argument against reverse mortgages

By Benny Kass, Monday, August 31, 2009.

DEAR BENNY: I hope you enjoy a good discussion as much as I do, as I'm going to try to convince you that a reverse mortgage is more than a last resort. Let's look at a 70-year-old who has been very comfortable in his retirement, collecting Social Security and withdrawing 4 percent from his $500,000 portfolio.

Unfortunately, his portfolio has lost 40 percent of its value, is now worth $300,000, and in order to maintain his income he now has to withdraw 7 percent. We both know that by withdrawing 7 percent that $300,000 will go fast. Why not enter into a reverse mortgage, leave the portfolio alone so it can have a chance to recover, and use the equity in the home (tax-free dollars) to make up the income from the portfolio? When the portfolio has recovered a bit, stop using the equity and return to the portfolio, keeping in mind the equity not used in the reverse mortgage is in a growing line of credit that is available at anytime for any reason. --Stephen  more...

Lender policy key to mortgage shopping

By Jack Guttentag, Monday, August 31, 2009.

Among the more interesting of the Federal Reserve proposals for amending the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) is one to expand the disclosures required at application. The purpose is to encourage mortgage borrowers to shop before they commit themselves.

The major new disclosure is one called "Key Questions to Ask About Your Mortgage." The heading atop the list of key questions states, "The only way to make sure you get the best possible loan terms is to talk to several lenders: Shop, Compare, Negotiate."  more...