Industry Special Report

Real estate without borders

Industry plugs into international trends

The declining value of the U.S. dollar, coupled with declining property values in some major markets, is attracting foreign buyers -- but the weak dollar and nation's credit crunch also pose a threat to the short-term growth in international real estate. In the long run, though, globalization and immigration to the United States are expected to stimulate the housing market.  more...

Inman Blog

On the path to profit -- or nationalization?

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have the capital they need to not only ride out the housing downturn, but underwrite a lot of loans this year that should prove to be very profitable in the long run. That, according to James Lockhart, head of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO), which oversees the companies.Investors were hanging on Lockhart's every word today, because of a Lehman Brothers report that suggested proposed changes to an accounting rule by the Financial Accounting Standards Board might force Fannie and Freddie to raise $75 billion in capital.  more...

OpinionsGuest Perspective

'Bradley, find that Realtor's card in my wallet'

When I helped sell my parents' home in Las Vegas earlier this year, pricing it was like catching a falling knife. Finding a good Realtor was also an unexpected challenge.

I reviewed agents at HomeGain, of course. I checked out sites such as Realtor.com, Zillow and Trulia. I was intrigued by a couple of agents on ActiveRain because their blog posts offered color on Summerlin, the area in Vegas where my parents live.  more...