Archives of real estate blog entries for November 15, 2010 (Page 3)

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Has The Barrington Housing Market Hit Bottom Yet & When Will My Homes Value Go Up? - 09:54 AM
 Has The Barrington Housing Market Hit Bottom Yet & When Will My Homes Value Go Up? There is no doubt that home-owners, myself included, cringe at the amount of value our homes have lost and I am frequently asked the question that is going to be around for longer than you might like. Have we reached the bottom? When can I expect my value to go up? My intuition is that many folks are still waiting for the kind of recovery we would all like to see but not one that is going to happen now or in my opinion ever. … (1 comments)

Selling a Vacant Illinois Home - Consider Virtual Staging - 12:58 PM
Selling a Vacant Illinois Home - Consider Virtual Staging Two schools of thought exist about vacant homes, some consider it is absolutely the wrong way to try and sell a home, others say showing vacant homes gives buyers a blank canvas from which to creatively think. However trying to sell homes with vacant rooms and making photos stand out can be a tough challenge. Let's assume that you have no choice but to take all your furniture with you when you leave your Illinois home. You could consider having the home staged. A staging company will come and fill rooms with … (4 comments)

Save-a-Pet Pet Shelter in Grayslake Illinois is struggling for money-Vote to help them win $100,000 - 02:21 PM
Save-a-Pet Pet Shelter in Grayslake Illinois is struggling for money-Vote to help them win $100,000 Those of you who know our family will know we are animal lovers. 4 years ago-my how time flies-we adopted our last two kittens Shadow and Twinkie. All our 5 cats are rescue cats and a recent friend of a friend after hearing about the fun we get by having 2 cats from the same litter are adopting three from Save-a-Pet in Grayslake. Earlier this year I donated some of my commission to help out my friends in need. Now we have the chance of voting … (2 comments)

3029 Concho Bend, Waco TX 76712 $159,900 - 04:56 PM
3029 Concho Bend is a Stone and Brick spacious custom-built  home on a corner lot which features a great big yard, a covered patio and a privacy fence for those outdoor gatherings and cookouts. The nice landscaping and added trees will make this home the pick of the neighborhood. Family sized with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  This home also features an isolated master suite which has a whirlpool tub and a separate tiled walk-in shower. Other features include raised ceilings, throughout the home with double crown molding in the great room. Additional features include the big kitchen, breakfast bar, granite … (0 comments)

Another Day of Carnage in the Mortgage Bond Market - 05:01 PM
The massive selling from Friday continued straight into Monday as traders view long term bonds as increasingly less desirable. 
Major lenders re-priced for the worse multiple times today and we are now see a par rate on the conforming 30 yr fixed right at about 4.375% - still historically attractive but well off the low rate levels we saw in late October early November.
Here is today's Market Snapshot courtesy of TBWS Rate Alert.com, keep in mind this was written this morning before continued drubbing that the market took again today.
 
It is a massive dumping of US treasuries, selling … (2 comments)

Northwest Suburbs Housing Market Update - October 2010 - 11:19 AM
Northwest Suburban Housing Forecast Inventory up - Sales down.  That's pretty much what the market is projecting for our area over the next 2 months of 2010.  What is selling seems to be on the low end of the price range which will further pull down the average or median sales prices in our area.Interest rates have come down further with Freddie Mac reporting that rates on fixed mortgages again fell to their lowest levels this past week, with the average interest on 15-year loans dipping to 3.57 percent from 3.63 percent a week earlier, and the average interest for 30-year … (3 comments)

Are You Tired of Paying High Prices for Ink? - How's $220.00 Savings per Year Sound! - 07:05 AM
If you're a real estate agent, like me, you probably do quite a lot of printing.  Typically, MLS print outs for buyers, property brochures for your listings and open houses, mailings to your clients and sphere of influence, an occasional postcard or 20 that doesn't make it to the professional lab and the list goes on and on.  Well, the last few printers I've used come at really great prices to buy, but they suck up ink at really amazing rates and when it comes time to replace the cartridges, they cost more than the printer did.  Thankfully Kodak has come … (6 comments)

Highlands Reserve Homes for Sale, Palm City, FL - Just Listed - 07:12 AM
 
Highlands Reserve Homes for Sale, Palm City, FL More Information and Pictures Immaculate Home in New Palm City Community 6091 SW Bald Eagle Drive, Palm City, FL 34990 View Map This absolutely stunning 3BR plus LOFT home in Highlands Reserve is now available for a discerning buyer! This elegantly appointed home features formal LR, DR and family room with crown moldings, wainscoting, recessed lighting, designer ceiling fans, light fixtures, custom window treatments and wrought iron staircase. Gorgeous gourmet kitchen with 42' cherry cabinets, granite counter tops, brand new SS appliances. The fenced-in backyard is nicely landscaped and faces a lovely … (9 comments)

Where? Oh Where? Where in Northern Virginia Should You Go to Purchase a $500,000 Home? - 03:46 PM
Last month, the average sales price of a home in Northern Virginia was $470,882.  For our purposes, let's round that up to an even $500K or half a million bucks.
So, let's say you've got good credit, a decent downpayment, and the wherewithal to handle a mortgage of this size.  It's time to go shopping for a house.  Where? Oh where in Northern Virginia should you go to purchase the $500,000 home that your friendly mortgage professional approved you to buy?
The answer (as all good answers involving real estate and law should be) is: Depends!
It depends on what you want. 
… (5 comments)

Appliance Buying Guides - 11:40 PM
Appliance Buying Guide: Water Heaters When it’s time to replace your water heater, you’ll find a wide array of high-efficiency models offering big energy savings. Read
Appliance Buying Guide: Ranges When deciding on a new range, here’s what you’ll need to know about features, style, price, and performance. Read
Appliance Buying Guide: Dishwashers When you buy a dishwasher, hone in on the model that’s right for you by considering your needs: size, fit, features, and performance. Read
Appliance Buying Guide: Refrigerators When you buy a new refrigerator, arm yourself with the facts, so you’ll be sure to make the right decision … (0 comments)

10 Ways to Prepare for Homeownership - 11:44 PM
1. Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.2. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list.3. Select where you want to live. Compile a list of three or four neighborhoods you'd like to live in, taking into account items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety.4. Start saving.Do you have enough money saved to qualify for a mortgage and cover your down payment? Ideally, you should have 20 percent of the purchase price saved as a down payment. … (1 comments)

5 Common First Time Home Buyer Mistakes - 11:45 PM
1. They don't ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal.2. They don't act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.3. They don't find the right agent who's willing to help them through the homebuying process.4. They don't do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller.5. They don't think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years.
… (0 comments)

Why You Should Work With a REALTOR® - 11:51 PM
Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here are five reasons why it pays to work with a REALTOR®.1. You'll have an expert to guide you through the process. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.2. Get objective information and opinions. … (2 comments)

Questions to Ask When Choosing a REALTOR® - 11:53 PM
Make sure you choose a REALTOR® who will provide top-notch service and meet your unique needs.1. How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? While experience is no guarantee of skill, real estate - like many other professions - is mostly learned on the job.2. What designations do you hold? Designations such as GRI and CRS® - which require that agents take additional, specialized real estate training - are held by only about one-quarter of real estate practitioners.3. How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year? By asking this … (1 comments)

Take the Stress Out of Homebuying - 11:55 PM
Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible.1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It's critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality.2. Remember, there's no "right" time to buy, just as there's no perfect time to sell. If you find a home now, don't try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by … (1 comments)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY MARYLAND DOWNPAYMENT- CDA - $10,000 DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE Help for First Time Home Buyers - 08:42 AM
MONTGOMERY COUNTY MARYLAND - $10,000 DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE Help for First Time Home Buyers
HOC (Housing Opportunities Commission for Montgomery County Government) offers a wonderful opportunity for first time home buyers with limited cash to buy a home and benefit from the CDA First Time Home Buyer Downpayment Assistance Program - up to $10,000 can be used for your down payment and/or your closing costs.
                                 $10,000 Can be used for Down Payment and/or Closing Costs
                    4% Interest  **  4% Interest  **  4% Interest **  4% Interest  **  4% Interest
The LOW INTEREST RATE of 4% is just too good to pass up.  This is … (2 comments)

Does Sexy Sell? - 09:31 AM
100 YEARS OF SEX IN ADVERTISING SAYS "YES", SEXY SELLS!
Sexy isn't what sells.  SEX is what sells.  The use of the attractive female in advertising has always, does now and probably will always sell. 
That said, the Devil is in the details.  Who knows whether or not their agents on the ground are as attractive as the image in their advertising.
What they have succeeded in doing is getting the "clicks", "calls", "advertising saturation" sufficient to have the business.  They may also have a well organized follow up lead system that makes sure that their agents stay busy.
The sexy image will … (36 comments)

Weekly Market Report for Minneapolis Real Estate - 03:20 PM
Weekly Market Activity Report

For the week ending November 6, the pending snow outlook worsened as the Pending Sales outlook improved. The 619 signed purchase agreements in the Twin Cities metropolitan area marked a 16.0 percent drop from the same week last year. That's the smallest decline since the week ending May 8.
We do need to add some context to that piece of good news. We are not seeing an increase in sales activity this year so much as sales began to decline at this time last year. The post tax-credit demand vacuum will lose suction during the winter … (0 comments)

Court strikes down part of Fort Monmouth plan over affordable housing - 09:07 AM
A state appeals court has struck down a critical portion of the $1 billion redevelopment plan for Fort Monmouth, a move that threatens to stall plans for the use of the post.

The now-disbanded Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority ran afoul of the law when it created its plan for affordable housing on the fort's 1,100 acres, the Appellate Division of Superior Court said in a decision handed down Wednesday.
The three-judge panel also said the authority neglected to create a required housing advisory committee to review the plan and violated the law by not delineating exactly how many … (0 comments)

October 2010 Foreclosures Livermore CA Investment Properties Update Livermore CA November 15, 2010 - 12:14 PM
October 2010 Foreclosures Livermore CA Investment Properties Update Livermore CA November 15, 2010
Note: The numbers below in parentheses for homes for sale, pending and homes sold are totals from the prior month shown for comparison purposes.
Foreclosure homes for sale in Livermore as of November 15, 2010
38(24) detached single family homes for sale in Livermore CA or homes for sale in 94550 94551 that are REO Bank Owned Foreclosures in Livermore CA are currently on the market Prices ranged from $199,950 to $749,900 for detached foreclosed homes that sold Median home price in Livermore CA for foreclosed detached homes … (0 comments)

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