Today's Real Estate News and Advice

Updated: November 4, 2009

 Non-Judicial States Let Mortgage Lenders Off The Hook
There is a lot of talk about foreclosures in the news today. One aspect of foreclosures that has received little attention is difference between a judicial state and a non-judicial state. A judicial state requires that a lender file a foreclosure action in the court system and get an order from a judge before the property goes to a foreclosure sale. This provides the opportunity for the homeowner to assert any claims against the lender he or she may have and allow a judge to make a determination before the homeowner loses the home. FULL STORY->

Construction Market to Increase 11% in 2010, Says McGraw-Hill Construction Outlook Report
It's more good news for the construction industry. McGraw-Hill Construction's 2010 Construction Outlook forecasts an increase in the level of construction starts in 2010 is expected to climb 11% to $466.2 billion, following the 25% decline predicted for 2009. FULL STORY->

Ask the HOA Expert
We recently read that names should not be included in the minutes. Can we legally go back over the past few years and strike the any names from the minutes which have already been approved? FULL STORY->

Realtor Sued For Misrepresentation When Assessor's Record are Incorrect
There's really nothing for real estate agents and brokers to like about a recent case brought to our attention by the legal department of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Bowman v. Presley arose out of a 2005 transaction that took place in the state of Oklahoma. The ruling came down from the Oklahoma Supreme Court. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Outlook: Case-Shiller Index
If you look at the latest Case-Shiller home price index numbers, which showed prices up in seventeen of the twenty markets it tracks and the fourth straight month of gains, you'd have to say: wow, how things have changed! FULL STORY->

Preparedness & Other Forward-Thinking Lessons
The 21st-Century has been packed with history-making change, but are you learning from experience or just reacting to the latest "sound byte"? Futurist PJ Wade looks at lessons learned and asks "How are you preparing for the best possible future?" FULL STORY->

Preparedness & Other Forward-Thinking Lessons
The 21st-Century has been packed with history-making change, but are you learning from experience or just reacting to the latest "sound byte"? Futurist PJ Wade looks at lessons learned and asks "How are you preparing for the best possible future?" FULL STORY->

Real Estate Outlook: Case-Shiller Index
If you look at the latest Case-Shiller home price index numbers, which showed prices up in seventeen of the twenty markets it tracks and the fourth straight month of gains, you'd have to say: wow, how things have changed! FULL STORY->

Realtor Sued For Misrepresentation When Assessor's Record are Incorrect
There's really nothing for real estate agents and brokers to like about a recent case brought to our attention by the legal department of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Bowman v. Presley arose out of a 2005 transaction that took place in the state of Oklahoma. The ruling came down from the Oklahoma Supreme Court. FULL STORY->

Media Dropping Ball on Housing-Market Trends
The real estate industry is its worst enemy when it comes to reporting sales data to the media and, ergo, the public. FULL STORY->

Incorrect and Incomplete MLS Entries: Chance of Sale is Lost Forever!
Contrary to what many believe in our business, it isn't always the price that prevents a sale. FULL STORY->

Washington Report: Extending the Credit
Don't bet all your money on it quite yet, but it looks more and more likely that Congress will extend the housing tax credit beyond its scheduled termination date - and maybe even open it up to people who already own homes. FULL STORY->

Buyers Seek Plenty of Amenities in Hyper-Localized Markets
The housing economy is changing and experiencing positive momentum while the glut of unsold inventory is beginning to shrink, according to The Los Angeles District Council of Urban Land Institute. "The old model has been turned on its head," says Joseph Miller, President of The Runyon Group. The company develops real estate projects in the Los Angeles area as well as advises builders and developers on their projects. FULL STORY->

Investor Report: Fannie Mae's PRP
Fannie Mae has just come up with some help for people who don't qualify for the Obama administration's "home affordable modification program", also known as "HAMP." FULL STORY->

Prospecting Databases
Your past clients can be an absolute gold mine of future business if worked properly. You don't need to reward them with elaborate gifts for their support of you and what you do. A few simple well thought-out systems will enable you to hit the mother load of referrals. FULL STORY->

Mortgage Rates Nearly Flat in Freddie Mac Weekly Survey
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 5.03 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending October 29, 2009, up from last week when it averaged 5.00 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.46 percent. FULL STORY->

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