Today's Real Estate News and Advice

Updated: November 20, 2009

 It's Not What Happens, But How You React That Counts
A Champion realizes it's not what happens but how they react to it that counts. FULL STORY->

15-Year FRM Drops to Lowest Ever Recorded in Freddie Mac Survey Hi
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.83 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending November 19, 2009, down from last week when it averaged 4.91 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.04 percent. FULL STORY->

Investor Report: HUD's Condo Rules
HUD just changed its condominium rules again, and there's both good news and sobering news for investors and developers tucked away in the revisions. FULL STORY->

Green-building Growing, More Jobs, More Buyer Interest
According to a new study from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Booz Allen Hamilton, construction in the green-building industry will support 7.9 million jobs over the next four years while pumping into the American economy $554 billion. Currently, 2 million American jobs are supported by the same industry and more than $100 billion in gross domestic product and wages is generated. FULL STORY->

Is a Sphere of Influence Business Model Effective in a Second Home/Resort Market?
Can you rely on your Sphere of Influence (SOI: the people you know) to keep you in business? Yes, with a few tweaks. FULL STORY->

Overcoming Five Common Investing Mistakes Made by Property Owners & Managers
Peter L. Mosca shares an excerpt of a radio show interview with Robert Cain, who since 1987 has been publishing information, giving speeches and conducting seminars and workshops for landlords and investors on how to buy, rent and manage property more effectively. FULL STORY->

Low Interest Rates Spur Refinancing, Buying Interest
With mortgage interest rates below 5 percent, on a $300,000 mortgage, the principle and interest payment would be about $1,594, compared to $1,825 a year ago. FULL STORY->

Low Interest Rates Spur Refinancing, Buying Interest
With mortgage interest rates below 5 percent, on a $300,000 mortgage, the principle and interest payment would be about $1,594, compared to $1,825 a year ago. FULL STORY->

Is a Sphere of Influence Business Model Effective in a Second Home/Resort Market?
Can you rely on your Sphere of Influence (SOI: the people you know) to keep you in business? Yes, with a few tweaks. FULL STORY->

ABC Forecasts 2010 Construction Activity Will See Winners and Losers
The recession, thought to have begun in December 2007 and in many ways the deepest since World War II that impacted every state and every metropolitan area, is over noted the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) in its 2010 economic forecast for the commercial and industrial construction industry. While good news, it may not be a time to rejoice, yet. "While the industry battled the effects of the recession in 2009, expect 2010 to be a transitional but sluggish year on the road to recovery," said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. FULL STORY->

Overcoming Five Common Investing Mistakes Made by Property Owners & Managers
Peter L. Mosca shares an excerpt of a radio show interview with Robert Cain, who since 1987 has been publishing information, giving speeches and conducting seminars and workshops for landlords and investors on how to buy, rent and manage property more effectively. FULL STORY->

Building Ordinance or Law Insurance
Insurance policies are written based on the concept of "indemnity" which means "protection or security against damage or loss." Fire insurance policies are not designed to put a policyholder in a better position than he was prior to a loss. Otherwise, having insurance might create an incentive to have a loss. FULL STORY->

Rookie Agents Ask: "Should I Focus on Buyers or Sellers?""
As a new agent, you may be better off working with buyers. Columnist Jennifer Allan shares why. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Outlook: Moving Towards Recovery
The huge impact of the federal home buyer tax credit program - which is now set to continue and even expand through next spring - dominates the housing resale numbers this week. FULL STORY->

Loan Modification Scams are Targeted
Loan modification scams may not be the worst of monetary crimes, but they are certainly in the running. Taking advantage of financially distressed homeowners, the most common form of these scams is this: They take a large up-front fee (in the thousands) and then do nothing, or next to nothing, producing no beneficial results for the beleaguered borrowers. FULL STORY->

7 Things All Buyers Ought to Know
"Ignorance is bliss" was never said about real estate purchases for 7 good reasons. PJ Wade shares sound insights and practical solutions for buyers in any market. FULL STORY->

Washington Report: FHA Mortgage Insurance Reserves
FHA's mortgage insurance reserves have dropped far below congressionally-mandated levels, but the agency still has enough of a financial cushion to handle all expected loan losses for the next 30 years, with a multi-billion dollar surplus beyond that. FULL STORY->

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