Today's Real Estate News and Advice

Updated: July 25, 2008

 Investor Report: Where to Buy Low, Sell High
Where are the best opportunities to buy houses at below market prices, fix them up and sell them at a substantial profit? HomeVestors -- whose 230 franchisees in 35 states have bought and turned around more than 35,000 houses during the past 12 years -- has just come out with its top ten list for the second quarter of 2008. FULL STORY->

Hot Market: Seattle – A Lesson In Normalizing Markets
The numbers in Seattle are continuing an upward trend and a downward trend, depending on what you're looking for. Prices for the latest reporting period are up across the board. FULL STORY->

Ask Realty Times
Can a condo association go bankrupt? Should I worry about offending sellers with a low offer? Can I get insurance to protect my investment if the value of my home goes down? Peter G. Miller looks at the week's most interesting questions for Realty Times. FULL STORY->

Managing Your Time & Making a Difference: Summer Survival Skills for Working Parents
Right about now for many of you, the summer season is taking its toll. Your child has that look. You know the one that stops you in your tracks and makes parochial school guilt look like amateur hour. FULL STORY->

Pop Off Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn and a good movie, popcorn while sitting alongside a campfire, and popcorn on a Christmas tree are very appetizing but, these days, popcorn ceilings aren't. FULL STORY->

Weak Market and Fear of Inflation Among Reasons for Spike in Mortgage Rates this Week
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.63 percent with an average 0.6 point for the week ending July 24, 2008, up from last week when it averaged 6.26 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.69 percent. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Outlook: No Recession In Sight
If you want an independent, authoritative guide to where the economy is heading, check out the composite quarterly forecast of the members of the National Association of Business Economics. FULL STORY->

What is a HELOC?
tba FULL STORY->

Market Conditions
Builders and their green living standards have come under discussion in recent weeks, as a recent Department of Energy report indicated that residential building consume 21.9 percent of the nation's energy and produce 21 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions. FULL STORY->

Two Types of Seller's Regret – Which Would You Prefer?
It's tough being a listing agent. Columnist Jennifer Allan knows all about it. Here she shares her own experience and some tips on relieving "seller regret." FULL STORY->

Paint Primer
Choosing and using exterior paint is not as simple as choosing the best rated paint, but also considering regional differences, cost savings, preparations and more. FULL STORY->

Is the Media Responsible for the Real Estate Downturn?
If financial professionals are being held to such a high level of accountability, then should the media be held to similar levels of responsibility? Do sensational headlines and those scrolling messages you see going across the TV of doom, do those equate to similar deceitful practices? Peter Mosca asks the tough questions in this interview with Blanche Evans and Donad Irvine. FULL STORY->

Whatever Happened to Piggyback loans?
The once-popular piggyback loan is toast, nicely browned on both sides according to Realty Times columnist Peter G. Miller. FULL STORY->

What are My Comps?
tba FULL STORY->

Mortgage Moment: Watching Your Adjustable Rate
#46 FULL STORY->

Condo Trends: Boomers Driving Trend of Less is More
When it came to the golden years, traditionally there was nothing unusual about down-sizing for the silver-haired generation. In the 21st century, however, downsizing is speeding up as baby boomers (50 million-plus of them) start moving into the lifestyle change of empty-nesting. FULL STORY->

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