Home : Blogs : Patricia Cornish NJ, New Homes, Pre Owned Homes : Pat Cornish/ New Jersey Estates/ Weichert Realtors

DAILY NEWS & ADVICE FROM REALTY TIMES/ 04/07/2008

Despite its early misguided efforts to prod the real estate industry into lowering fees, Zillow has done one positive thing -- it's made the real estate market more transparent. FULL STORY->

New Jersey Estates/
Weichert Realtors

Paul S & Pat C

April 2008

LINKING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY
TO OLD FASHIONED SERVICE

Daily News And Advice
Updated 01:00 AM CDT Today

Today's Feature Stories

Washington Report: $15 Billion Housing Market Relief Plan

Capitol Hill was buzzing late last week about what was included -- and what got left out -- of a sweeping $15 billion housing market relief plan. FULL STORY->

Wild, Wild West: California Cold To 'Jumbo Conforming' Loans

So far, jumbo conforming loans have had no greater-affordability effect on the housing hangover. Only more time will tell if cheaper, jumbo loans emerge. FULL STORY->

Realty Viewpoint: Zillow Takes On Mortgage Market

Despite its early misguided efforts to prod the real estate industry into lowering fees, Zillow has done one positive thing -- it's made the real estate market more transparent. FULL STORY->

Regional Report: Midwest

The latest report from the National Association of Realtors targeted the second home market -- and how it booms despite slowed sales in other sectors. FULL STORY->

Software Helps Builder Focus on Customer Relations, Enhancing Bottom Lines

Facing a tremendous amount of volatility in the U.S. economy, many builders are re-examining their marketing and sales strategies. A new software program, introduced at the Builders Show in Orlando, promises to help builders nurture, retain and maintain what many consider to be their most valuable assets: existing customers. FULL STORY->

Don't Wait: Create

Don't passively wait for business and success to come to you. Proactively create business and make success come to you. Too many Agents have let the market over the last few years create all of their success. FULL STORY->

Headlines

Investor Report: Investor Market Strong
Some people might assume that with the overall real estate market down, investors in single family rental homes are fewer and fewer in number. Nothing could be further from the truth. FULL STORY->

Hot Market: Allentown, PA - Not Just A Steel Town Anymore
Allentown, Pennsylvania, became a household word in 1982 when rocker Billy Joel released his hit song, Allentown, about the city's disintegrating economy with the exit in droves of the steel mills. Unemployment skyrocketed into the double digits. Acres of manufacturing buildings went dormant. FULL STORY->

Interest Rate Update
Today's Interest Rates from Realty Times are based on a 30 year amortization rate, with good credit and no origination fees. The economy is slowing, there's no doubt about that. But there's also no doubt that the Fed will have to act soon. Mortgage rates are anticipating that move and still moving lower. FULL STORY->

Realty Viewpoint: Real-time Housing Composite Shows Possible Bottom Near
The Real-Time Housing Market Update shows that its 10-City Composite Index was down 1.7 percent for the first quarter of 2008, with most of the decline occurring in March (1.3 percent.) FULL STORY->

Regional Report: Northeast
Existing home sales rose slightly on a national level lest month, as reported by Realty Times contributor Kenneth Harney. FULL STORY->

Market Conditions: Ventura County, California
Mark Thorngren is reporting that for Ventura County, California, the market is really waking up. His research has shown that most of February was a busy month for sellers, with buyers finally getting off the fence and making their home choice. FULL STORY->

Should We Sell for Retirement?
tba FULL STORY->

Long-Term Mortgage Rates Drift Slightly Upward This Week
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.88 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending April 3, 2008, up from last week when it averaged 5.85 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.17 percent. FULL STORY->

Decorating on a Budget: It Can be Done!
Whether you're getting ready to sell your home or you're just in the mood for a spring spruce-up, learning to decorate on a shoestring budget can be rewarding both for your pocketbook and the aesthetics of your home. FULL STORY->

Ask Realty Times
Has the real estate market reached bottom? Does my credit score impact the cost of homeowners' insurance? What's an "executive" home? Peter G. Miller looks at the week's most interesting questions for Realty Times. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Outlook: Market is Stirring

Regional Report: West

Realty Viewpoint: Bernanke Could Help Housing If He Wanted To

The Fair Housing Act

Market Conditions: Chicago, Illinois

Technology, the Realtor and the Real Estate Transaction: One-On-One With Saul Klein

Wringing Out: Inspecting Smaller Systems

Three Timely Tips for Increased Effectiveness: Tap Into The Power of 3!

C.A.R. Sponsors Legislation to Protect Owners of Condo Rental Units

Real Estate Marketing Strategies: Why is it That Even the Very Best Receive Coaching?

Second Home Market Remains Bright

Condo Trends: Say Hi to Higher Prices in Aloha State

Realty Viewpoint: Bogeyman Index Has Motive For Scaring Homebuyers

Regional Report: South

Market Conditions: Pleasant Grove, Alabama

Mortgage Moment: Buying for Cash

What are HUD homes?

Ask the HOA Expert

Wringing Out: Inspecting Large Structural Systems

San Diego California Real Estate: The Most Asked Question

CURRENT
MORTGAGE RATES

Interest Rate Watch
30 yr fixed: 5.88%
15 yr fixed: 5.42%
1 yr adj: 5.19%
(U.S. Daily Averages)

LIBRARY

Buyers Advice

Sellers Advice

Homeowners Advice

Advice for New Homes

Advice For Borrowers

Rental Advice

Homeowner Association News

NAR News

- Back -

Paul S & Pat C ,
Luxury Custom New &
Pre-Owned Homes
E-mail: njestates@earthlink.net
Web: http://www.newjerseyestates.net/
908-561-5492 (Paul S) 908-310-1358 (Cell)

908-561-6499 (Pat C) 908-578-0890 (Cell)

Weichert Realtors
New Jersey Estates
908-561-5400
55 Stirling Road, Watchung, N.J. 07069