Property Managers, Dig Deep Checking Rental Applications - 02/07/09 12:19 PM
I got a call this week from a property manager at another company who wondered if I had been the previous PM for some tenants who had applied for her rental.  You see, when the tenants moved into the property I was managing, I had cautioned the owner that my recommendation was to run as fast as you can away from these applicants, but they needed to have a signed lease so they could qualify for the loan on the home they were purchasing in another state where they had moved, so they were willing to take a chance.  And boy … (2 comments)

Important Call To ACTION - Contact your legislators - 02/06/09 04:08 PM
Unless you've been hiding from the news for the past week or so, you've likely noticed the debate in Washington on the stimulus package.  The conversation seems to have turned from arguments over pork to REAL STIMULUS for the HOUSING INDUSTRY.
Given where the market is, it is imperative that each of us in the housing industry contact our legislators to urge inclusion of some essential provisions.
Late Thursday, the Lieberman/Isakson Amendment was included, by unanimous vote, in the Senate version of the Economic Stimulus Bill.  This amendment would provide a tax credit to all home buyers at the rate of … (1 comments)

What to do with a snow day (in Hampton Roads) - 02/03/09 04:37 PM
OK, for those of you up North, snow might not be a big deal.  But for those of us in the Southern States (yes, Virginia is a southern state), the mere mention of snow brings a flurry of excitement.  Our local weatherman says we might get some http://www.wtkr.com/Global/story.asp?S=3588421 so let's keep our fingers crossed.
I've lived near Chicago before - they are trudging through the snow to get to work, school, and all the other activities of the day.  I've also lived in San Diego for a brief time - not even sure if they know what snow is there.  Here in … (2 comments)