Category Archives: Residential
U.S. Commerce Department Reports New-Home Sales are Stabilizing
Although new home sales actually fell last month, the U.S. Commerce Department says that the new-home market is stabilizing thanks to increases in prices and declining inventories[1]. Also showing signs of optimism are the country’s builders, who broke ground on more houses in June than in any time prior in 2011. New homes are attractive … Continue reading
Promotional Strategy: Live-In Home Managers
One Florida real estate company believes that the key to resolving the vacant home issue in the state is to simply fill those homes up – but not with actual residents. Instead, the company, which stages homes to help them sell for better prices and more quickly, is unveiling a new promotional program: the live-in … Continue reading
FTC Announces It Will No Longer Enforce Mortgage Relief Provisions
Citing confusion and misleading information, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced last week that it will no longer require real estate agents to make certain disclosures to distressed homeowners hoping to obtain short sales[1]. The disclosures were part of the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) rules that were designed to protect homeowners from being mislead … Continue reading
Homes Need to be Underpriced by 10 Percent to Move Fast(er)
Housing experts at CNN have determined that the best way to move a home fast – or at least relatively faster – in today’s real estate market is to underprice the property by 10 percent[1]. According to the report, it could save sellers months on the market even though the monetary losses could be painful. … Continue reading
Protected: Information on the Potential OCC-Mandated Foreclosure Reviews
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Banking Regulators to Review of More than Two Million Foreclosures
In a move to identify home owners who may have experienced improper foreclosures during 2009 and 2010, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) will require banks to review 2009 and 2010 foreclosures – if the homeowners request it. Julie Williams, OCC chief counsel, announced the move and indicated that home owners who … Continue reading
Florida Homeowners’ Association Levies Assessments to Foreclose on Homes
A new assessment by a Florida homeowner’s association could result in mass foreclosures by the HOA – even though many homeowners in the neighborhood own their houses outright and live on a fixed income[1]. The controversial decision by the HOA to levy a $6,000 assessment on the Inlet House Condominium owners has left many homeowners … Continue reading
Builders Hope Energy Efficiency Will Beat Foreclosure Pricing Appeal
In today’s housing market, it can be hard to drag buyers’ attention away from the bargain basement prices available through REO and foreclosure home sales. Builders and developers are relying heavily on green, energy- and money-saving features to do just that – and it’s not cheap. Dan Hogan, supervisor of residential energy programs at Tucson … Continue reading
Tax Credits for Real Estate Investors Who Focus on Community Development
While real estate investors often get the short end of the stick when it comes to getting blamed for today’s economic conditions, even the federal government acknowledges that the market simply won’t recover without those investors. As a result, there are myriad tax credits out there to “lure” real estate investors into community development projects, … Continue reading