Robert J. Russell, IRES, REALTOR®, Insurance Broker
Robert J. Russell, IRES, REALTOR®, Insurance Broker
972.679.9029
Toll Free 1-800-856-3550 Ext 568

Janice Matson,REALTOR®
Transaction Coordinator
972-402-4112

Stacy Spence
Certified Real Estate Appraiser
972-977-6361

We Did It Again Group
Real Estate & Insurance
International Real Estate Specialist
Real Estate News

Today's Real Estate News and Advice

Updated: July 18, 2008

 Investor Report: When Partnerships Fail
We all know that down markets can offer great opportunities for investors looking to pick up properties at rock-bottom prices. But they can also be troublesome for investors who bring in friends and relatives to buy properties through partnerships without thinking through all the potential issues. FULL STORY->

Hot Market: The Nation Zigs, Spartanburg Zags
South Carolinians in the Spartanburg-Greenville market have taken the latest national economic decline in stride. The financial climate in this city leans on the positive side, as it serves as national and world headquarters for corporations such as Extended Stay Hotels, Denny's restaurants and Milliken & Company -- one of the largest privately held textile and chemical manufacturers in the world. FULL STORY->

Does One Size Fit All When it Comes to Real Estate Licenses?
Few would argue with the proposition that different licensing requirements are called for if a person is going to drive a school bus or an eighteen wheeler as opposed to your standard four-door sedan. What about real estate licenses? Does one size fit all? FULL STORY->

Long and Short Term Mortgage Rates Take a Welcome Plunge
Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.26 percent with an average 0.6 point for the week ending July 17, 2008, down from last week when it averaged 6.37 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.73 percent. FULL STORY->

Love The House, Hate The Traffic Noise -- There Is Hope!
Depending on the location, whether you're shopping for a new home or trying to sell your current residence, one of the biggest challenges is trying to reduce street noise. FULL STORY->

Ask Realty Times
Can a real estate broker represent several buyers who want the same house? Should I finance with a zero-down mortgage? Can I sell my home if I'm bankrupt? Peter G. Miller looks at the week's most interesting questions for Realty Times. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Outlook: New Home Loan Applications Up
The economy continues to defy predictions of imminent recession. Economic growth in the second quarter is expected to hit a vigorous 2.3 percent annual rate, according to Orawin Velz, chief forecast economist for the Mortgage Bankers Association. FULL STORY->

Stopping a Sale
tba FULL STORY->

Towns To Get Up And Go For
Outside magazine's spin on the best towns is a rundown of places for great alfresco living. DeadlineNews.Com put the list to the home value test and found healthy real estate markets in many of the towns. FULL STORY->

The BEST Way to Build a Strong Sphere of Influence
Agents, go above and beyond every chance you get. Don't ask what your client can do for you; ask what you can do for your client. FULL STORY->

Market Conditions
Decisive moves from government agencies have helped the stocks of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rebound. FULL STORY->

Are You a Real Estate Professional? Maybe Not, Says IRS
Under tax law, a "real estate professional" isn't always a licensed real estate agent or a broker. It's a tax classification, and it's an important one. FULL STORY->

Is The Frenzy On Wall Street Justified?
During the past week the stock market shook as share values for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac skidded. Columnist Peter G. Miller asks why. FULL STORY->

Condo Trends: HUD Assistance Turns Renters to Owners
Condo renters in New York could become some of the latest recipients of low-interest financing through the State of New York Mortgage Agency. A new program from the agency allows renters using the Housing and Urban Development’s rent assistance program, known as Section 8, to borrow money from the Agency and then pay the mortgage, using the Section 8 assistance, according to Westchester.com, a news site covering Westchester County, New York. FULL STORY->

Mortgage Moment: The APR
#42 FULL STORY->

Will Capital Gains Apply?
tba FULL STORY->

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