Today's Real Estate News and Advice

Updated: February 6, 2012

 Real Estate Outlook: New Home Sales and Prices Decline
Pending existing-home sales may be up across the nation, but new home sales fell for the first the first time in three months in December. These latest figures come from the U.S. Commerce Department. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Marketing Strategies: Powerful Tips for Maximizing Your Success
The biggest obstacle to obtaining success is how you think of yourself. If you spend your day putting yourself down, then you will never move forward. Be conscious of how you talk and think about yourself and when it turns negative, stop yourself and think. There is always something to be happy about and you, loving yourself is certainly worth celebrating. FULL STORY->

Why You Want a Guaranteed Loan
Today's buyers are facing quite a diverse housing market. There are great deals for buyers and investors alike. Home prices are at all-time lows and interest rates are creating some enticing conditions. There are many deals to be had, but how does a buyer know when it's really safe to buy? FULL STORY->

Real Estate Drops But Second Home Market May See Increase
While homeowners fix up their properties, millions of baby boomers (40.7 million people ages 50-59 in the U.S.) prepare to retire and many are predicted to enter the vacation and rental property markets, which would fuel the demand for these types of properties for the next several years. FULL STORY->

Agents: Expanding Your Scope in 2012
Has your market weakened in the aftermath of the 2009 recession? If so, you’re not alone. Many agents are facing the need to expand their business in the coming year. What can you do to ensure your business survives even when times are lean? FULL STORY->

Average Mortgage Rates Ease Setting New Record Lows
In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey®, the average mortgage rates dropped to new all-time record lows as data on economic growth fell short of market projections. All products in the PMMS survey, except the 1-Year ARM, averaged new lows. FULL STORY->

Fewer Real Estate Agents Wearing Rose-colored Glasses
A certain whistle-while-you-work sanguineness comes with the territory in the real estate sales business, but many of California's real estate professionals are having a tough time keeping a song in their hearts about housing. FULL STORY->

The Selling Power of Closets
At first glance your closets may seem like insignificant or unassuming rooms in your home. The truth is, however, that closets can be real selling features. Homes must have storage. From clothes to food to cleaning supplies, closets are the heart of every clean house. FULL STORY->

Mortgage Rates Remain Low While Mixed Reports Flourish
After several positive housing reports released this month, the National Association of Realtor's Pending Home Sales Index decreased 3.5% in December. Since it tends to be a slow month for housing due to several holidays, this report should not come as a shock. According to the Commerce Department, New Home Sales were also down 2% for the month of December. FULL STORY->

Clean up Your Credit
More than ever having a healthy credit score is important. It may mean the difference between securing a home loan or not. Don't let old habits or debts stand in your way of taking advantage of historically low interest rates and great deals on housing. FULL STORY->

Falling In The Cracks
When faced with a homeowner association maintenance or repair issue, the starting point is to determine whether the HOA has the duty to maintain or repair. This may not be as simple as it sounds. While the governing documents generally define the common elements and repair responsibilities, sometimes the item in need of repair may fall into a gray area. FULL STORY->

Canada's Most And Least Affordable Housing Markets
Windsor, Ontario is Canada's most affordable housing market, while world-wide, Vancouver is the second-least affordable of 325 markets surveyed. The study authors say restrictive land use policies are to blame for high real estate prices. FULL STORY->

California Association of REALTORS® To Build Ethics Violations Data Base
Rules and principles designed to uphold or strengthen the NAR Code of Ethics are very good things indeed. But, without specific provisions and programs designed to help implement them, they may not amount to much. The recent action of CAR’s Professional Standards Committee will give teeth to Article IV, section 2, of the NAR Bylaws. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Outlook: Existing-Home Sales Rise Again
The National Association of Realtors latest existing-home sales survey shows that sales are on the rise again. This is the third straight month of increases as well as rising above year ago levels. FULL STORY->

Mortgage Rates Reverse Course on Positive Housing Data
In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® the average mortgage rates climbed as the housing market ended 2011 on a high note. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.98 percent reversing its previous three-week trend of setting all-time record lows. Despite the jump, this marks the eighth consecutive week the 30-year fixed has remained below 4.00 percent. FULL STORY->

Are Homeowners Glad They Own?
It might come as a surprise but a whopping 72 percent of surveyed homeowners nationwide are satisfied with owning a home. The other 28 percent, not so. They say they're dissatisfied and that's likely due to the devaluation of their homes. FULL STORY->

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