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Real Estate News

Today's Real Estate News and Advice

Updated: August 19, 2008

 What the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 Means for You
Good news has made its way into the real estate arena this summer -- in the form of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. What does this Act mean for you? FULL STORY->

Toronto Explosions Remind us to Respect Propane
A series of massive explosions at a propane storage facility in Toronto has many people looking warily at other storage sites near their homes -- and even at the propane tanks on their barbecues. Here's what homeowners should know about propane safety. FULL STORY->

Hot Open House Tips for the Summertime
Here are some hot tips to make this summer's Open Houses the most profitable you've ever held. FULL STORY->

Live/Work Residences
One benefit of buying a home in the suburbs is that real estate can generally be more affordable there. But with the cost of gasoline soaring these days, that commute is looking much less attractive. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Outlook: Pending Sales Jump
If anyone needs hard evidence that the real estate market cycle is flattening out and turning around, check out the latest pending home sales index numbers. FULL STORY->

Washington Report: Industry Critics and RESPA
It's no secret in Washington that RESPA reform -- that's the acronym for the real estate settlement rules that govern all home sales and financings -- is a hot potato that nobody seems able to handle. FULL STORY->

Condo Trends: Las Vegas Home Sales Increase Following Months of Drop
Is the slump over for condo sales in Las Vegas? Having been designated as one of the leading foreclosure cities in the United States several times this last year, sales are edging up and prices holding steady. FULL STORY->

Selling your Home Vacant or Furnished?
There is a consistent debate among home sellers and realtors alike as to which scenario Vacant or Furnished will bring you higher priced offers? This question is often overlooked by sellers due to the inconvenience of putting off the physical move till after a home sells. After all, individuals want to get their lives back to “normal” as quickly and “conveniently” as possible, especially if children are involved. FULL STORY->

Long-Term Mortgage Rates Relatively Unchanged and Mixed Economic and Housing News; ARMs Fall Slightly
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.52 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending August 14, 2008, unchanged from last week when it averaged 6.52 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.62 percent. FULL STORY->

Don't Overlook The Garage When Getting Your Home Ready To Sell
There's a lot of talk about curb appeal being the driving force drawing buyers into your home. It makes sense. If the house looks a mess from the outside, what buyer would want to set foot inside? FULL STORY->

Online Transaction Management: Bringing Buyers and Sellers Closer to Their Real Estate Transaction
Statistics reveal consumers are ready, willing and able to use their computers to obtain information via the Internet when looking to buy or sell a home. They are searching the internet for homes for sale, seeking neighborhood and school information, obtaining mortgage and pre-qualification information, researching sale prices and even applying for a mortgage online. FULL STORY->

Investor Report: Hidden Tax Pitfall
Here's a tax alert for real estate investors who use popular tax-free exchanges: The recently signed federal housing legislation contains a hidden zinger that could cost you thousands of dollars if you don't plan around it. FULL STORY->

Market Conditions
While our Condo expert, M. Anthony Carr, might be singing the praises of condos in such areas as Las Vegas (who saw an 18% jump year over year for July) and New York City, the condo market itself has seen some hard times this year. FULL STORY->

Roost Study Alludes To Power Of Words
Words are power when it comes to searching for a home, according to a recent study from a new browsing for housing Web site that tracked the most common words consumers used when searching for homes. They aren't the same words real estate agents most often use when crafting listing descriptions. FULL STORY->

Cut Energy Bills by Turning Apartment Buildings into a Computer
How does thebuildingmonitor.com allow investors and property owners to save significant dollars on their energy bills? Peter Mosca's interview with Mike Klein shows us just that. FULL STORY->

More Real Estate News and Advice...