real estate: Ending Emotional Ties When Selling Your Home - 03/16/12 08:15 AM
Selling a home is a very emotional experience. It can be extremely difficult to help your client separate their emotional ties to their home from the business strategy of selling their home.
Real estate blogger Eve Becker’s post on today’s Equifax Finance Blog offers advice based on behavioral economic factors that can help your client through this emotional process. There are five of these behavioral economic factors to understand:
1. Status quo bias
2. Loss aversion
3. Endowment effect
4. Anchor
5. Sunk costs
Becker’s post features advice from retirement author Jan Cullinane, who says that once these … (3 comments)
|
real estate: Home Loan Scam - 03/13/12 06:53 AM
On today's Equifax Finance Blog, my real estate post deals with one of the unfortunate side effects of a more difficult real estate environment. With people unable to purchase new homes, the opportunity for scams is greater. One obstacle that interferes with purchasing a new home is the home loan application process. Sadly, a scam process that is on the rise is using someone's inability to get a loan to make them more willing to overlook warning signs and become part of a scam.
What can you do to prevent it? Research your lender, don't take their accreditation at their word. … (2 comments)
|
real estate: Reverse Mortgage Scams, What They Are and How to Avoid Them - 01/31/12 03:02 PM
What is a reverse mortgage? A reverse mortgage is a government-insured home loan that lets homeowners turn some of the equity from their home into cash. The difference between a reverse mortgage and a standard home equity loan is that reverse mortgage consumers must be age 62 or older, must own the home outright (or have a low mortgage balance that can be paid off at closing with proceeds from the reverse loan), and must live in the home.
Chances are if you qualify for a reverse mortgage then you have been approached by reverse mortgage scams. According to the … (0 comments)
|
real estate: Which World Cities Boast the Best Bachelor Pads? - 10/04/11 05:21 PM
Though popular culture idealizes the single man, could younger men choosing to marry later in life be more indicative of a lackluster economy? Whether by choice or economic chance, young professionals are continually choosing the single life and rentals over traditional marriage and home purchases. But with these trends, one has to ask, which cities are the best fits for a bachelor pad?
On my CBS Moneywatch Home Equity blog, I offer some possible answers to the question. From Reykjavik to New York City, I give you 9 choice worldwide cities for bachelor pads including estimated monthly rent, pictures and city … (5 comments)
|
real estate: Katharine Hepburn’s Beloved Summer Home for Sale - 07/13/11 04:15 PM
Who hasn't been fascinated by movie stars? From the globe-trotting to the opulent home life, an outsider perspective is endlessly entertaining, but part of the charm of reading tabloids and gossip blogs is to imagine what it's like to live like one. Well, you might get your chance.
One of the greatest movie stars homes is up for sale. 12 time Oscar nominee and 4 time winner, Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn's summer home is for sale. On my CBS Moneywatch Home Equity blog, I give you all the details of the beautiful Connecticut estate.
The house is just as grand … (3 comments)
|
real estate: Homes with Bowling Alleys for Sale - 06/22/11 03:05 PM
What can improve the real estate value of your home AND add quality time for the family? A bowling alley. In the 1950's and 1960's, the building of bowling alleys was a huge American architectural fad. Even the Nixons had one installed in the White House. But it's not until more recent times that the bowling alley became a quirky, affluent home addition.
On my CBS Moneywatch Home Equity blog, I show you four homes for sale which include a bowling alley as a different type of recreation room. These homes offer more than space to knock down ten pins. … (5 comments)
|
real estate: Where Would You Live if You Were Maria Shriver? - 06/21/11 04:16 PM
Maria Shriver is a high-profile member of the Kennedy clan, a seasoned television journalist, and the former First lady of California. Clearly she is accustomed to media attention. I think it's fair to say however that public scrutiny has intensified after the messy meltdown of her marriage to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
At this point, reconciliation seems unlikely, especially given that reported mistress Mildred Baena, the mother of the Governator's love child, has started speaking to the press.
It is unclear where Shriver is currently staying, but she will soon need permanent lodgings for herself and her four children, who reportedly aren’t speaking … (6 comments)
|
real estate: This Week in Mortgages - 06/16/11 01:27 PM
There’s been lots of news within the mortgage industry this week, and not surprisingly much of it is negative. Today on my CBS MoneyWatch blog, I discuss the possibility that Mortgage Rates are Going Up 3.5%, while Bank of America Mortgage Legal Issues Intensify. Government mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac seem unable to get their fiscal acts together, and there is growing impatience on Main Street with banks that have been unwilling to help the millions of Americans hobbled by the Great Recession.
Why are mortgage interest rates expected to rise after a steady decline?
Huge losses. Freddie … (0 comments)
|
real estate: Most Affordable and Expensive Cities In America For Family Homes - 06/15/11 04:24 PM
Would you move your family for a real estate value? Coldwell Banker's Home Listing Report uses data from 2,300 North American Markets to compile a variety of statistics. Among its findings are listings of the most affordable and most expensive average markets for home buyers. The definition used for a family home in this case is a standard 4 bedroom, 2 bath household. On my CBS Moneywatch Home Equity blog, we list the most affordable cities for family homes as well as the most expensive.
I find some great values inside the most affordable cities, including:
The home of the … (2 comments)
|
real estate: Charlie Sheen and Ellen Degeneres Lead a Big Week in Celebrity Real Estate - 06/03/11 01:50 PM
Is $55 million too much to pay for a little privacy? Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi don't think so.
Charlie Sheen - disgraced sitcom star, "Torpedo of Truth" teller, and real estate mogul?
It was a busy week for the celebrity real estate market as disparate A-listers, good girl talk show host Ellen, and bad boy tiger blood enthusiast Charlie, placed their homes on the selling block.
Both stars stand to make a very decent return on their initial investments. Ellen and Portia purchased the property pictured right in 2007 from Will & Grace co-creator Max Mutchnick for $29 … (1 comments)
|
real estate: When Weather Affects Real Estate - 05/24/11 01:54 PM
It seems that with each passing year, time is more often being marked by natural disasters. We are learning to divide the months into pre and post-Hurricane Katrina, "where were you when.." you first heard about the Japanese earthquake, the Indonesian tsunami or the Haitian earthquake?
The loss of human life is catastrophic enough. Our hearts go out to all the suffering families whose images fly across our television and computer screens in times of crisis. But the larger untold story, the one that continues long after the Red Cross teams vacate their triage posts, is the tale of displacement.
… (1 comments)
|
real estate: Realtor Data Undergoes Reporting Change - 05/20/11 01:26 PM
Historically (at least through most of the 20th century), the way out of a recession was a boost in consumer confidence, which would lead to enhanced spending. Next thing you knew, the country was back on track.
But the Great Recession, which began in 2007, has been anything but typical. While the once DOA stock market has rebounded in spectacular fashion, the unemployment rate sits at almost 9 percent and the housing sector, as we know, has failed to recover in any substantial way.
A number of factors play into this, including the anemic job market and a serious crunch in … (1 comments)
|
real estate: Best Home For A Billionaire (Not To Mention Millionaires) - 05/18/11 03:24 PM
With Florida consistently making the top 5 states for depreciating home values, owners may be suffering, but buyers have a great opportunity to take advantage of prime real estate deals. On today's CBS Moneywatch blog, I share one truly unique property that is hot on the market in the Sunshine State.
You have no doubt heard of the trendy Florida Keys but have you heard of the 40 year-old community situated inside called The Ocean Reef Club? On the northern tip of Key Largo, the club has more than 1,700 water-front estates including private homes, condominiums and boat slips. And they … (1 comments)
|
real estate: Would You Move For Your Child's Education? - 05/11/11 03:27 PM
How much would you be willing to spend on a home if it meant your kids would attend a great school? When checking the market for great real estate deals, consider the neighborhood as well as the home.
Great school districts can be expensive but with the fluctuation of the real estate market, you can have your cake and eat it too. My CBS Moneywatch blog looks at homes you'll find in the top four school districts in America.
Among the amazing list of school districts are:
The largest fully accredited K-12 and adult school system in the country. A … (0 comments)
|
real estate: For Sale: The Home Alone Home - 05/11/11 11:09 AM
Whether you are in the market for a home for your family or looking for a place to foil burglars, the home from the 1990's movie Home Alone can be yours. On today's CBS Moneywatch blog, I give you the scoop about this iconic piece of real estate and movie history.
Home Alone was ranked number one in the box office and grossed $476,684,675 worldwide. The protagonist "Kevin!" played by Macaulay Culkin, is left behind over Christmas and successfully defends the 4 bedroom, 3 bath 4,250 square foot, three-story home from burglars. The home could be yours for just $2.4 … (7 comments)
|
real estate: Own Your Own Country Club - 05/06/11 05:02 PM
The Great Recession has wreaked havoc on the real estate market but there is a silver lining in the shape of some amazing and unique deals. On today's CBS Moneywatch blog, I share one particular opportunity that is on the market.
Have you ever dreamed of owning your own country club? It might be easier than you think. On Tuesday, May 10, a Connecticut country club will be put up for auction. Located near Yale University in New Haven the 180-acre property includes a 24,000 square foot clubhouse an 18-hole championship level golf course, three pools, tennis courts, and a … (0 comments)
|
real estate: 4 Tips for Buying a HUD Home - 10/29/10 12:41 PM
Buying a HUD home can be tricky: finding the perfect agent, property, and online auction. Of course, the deals may outweigh the complications for some home buyers.
A HUD home is nothing more than a house that was purchased with an FHA loan that has since fallen into foreclosure.
(I'm not sure why these homes aren't called "FHA Foreclosures," which would be more intuitive for home buyers and investors, but the Department of Housing and Urban Development is the federal office that takes ultimate responsibility for FHA and its home loans gone wrong.)
Buying a HUD home is different from … (0 comments)
|
real estate: Zero Down Home Loan Options - 10/08/10 10:51 AM
Veterans, rural home buyers, and first time home buyers are all eligible for zero down home loans if they know where to turn.
For many home buyers, the search stops when they have found their dream home, but for others-who are having trouble figuring out where they will get a home loan from-finding the perfect house is not so simple. If you don’t have cash for a down payment, there are several other ways you might still be able to purchase your own home:
VA Loans. VA loans are available only to those who have served at least 90 days … (1 comments)
|
real estate: Rent or Buy? That is the question. - 10/07/10 05:57 PM
I've started a free webinar series, called the "Open the Door to Homeownership" series. Our first session addresses when you are better off buying versus renting a home.
… (0 comments)
|
real estate: Unemployment Rising? - 08/09/10 02:03 PM
Is unemployment rising? Economists have been puzzled why so few jobs are being created now that the recession appears to be over.
I don't think it's that surprising. This is the second post-recession period in a decade that has seen anemic job creation.
Frankly, between the 15 million Americans who have already lost their jobs and the millions more who are working at jobs that are below their skill level, or are at part-time jobs rather than full-time jobs, it could take years to return to pre-crash employment levels.
More attention is being paid to those Americans who are employed now … (0 comments)
|
|
|
|
;)
;)
;)
