real estate: 3 Tools For Comprehensive Observation Around The Home
- 09/24/15 12:54 PM
It's becoming nearly impossible for Americans to wake up from their sleep and be ensured they are not being watched or listened to by Big Brother.
Rajiv Shah, a professor at the University of Chicago, told the Wall Street Journal that his city has at least 15,000 cameras watching the people's every move. Hundreds of police departments now use ALPR (automatic license plate recognition) technology to plot where people drive every single day. Television sets are even used as spy tools now. In fact, the terms of service for Samsung Smart TVs advise you that your voice can and will be transmitted … (0 comments)
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real estate: Don't Fall For the Wrong Home
- 09/15/15 07:44 AM
When you go shopping for homes in the fall, you have some advantages. Buyer traffic has slowed with the start of schools. Sellers who've had their homes on the long hot summer market are weary of trying to sell their homes and more willing to drop prices. Your REALTOR® has more time for you, and is telling you about good deals in better neighborhoods.
But there's a reason you might be vulnerable to choosing a home too quickly, even though market conditions are more in your favor. You want to get into your new home before the holiday season starts. You're already … (2 comments)
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real estate: Upper-Unit Hardwood Floors Pose Condominium Problems
- 09/14/15 09:41 AM
People who purchase a condominium unit that has another unit above it are liable to be concerned about the potential for noise coming from the upper unit. It is a legitimate concern and one that is not assuaged simply by being reassured that the current occupants of the upper unit are quiet and considerate. What about future owners? What if someone installs hardwood floors? You want to know if the association CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) provide any protection from such a situation. If they do, the courts will enforce them.
In February of 2011, Ruben Munoz, an attorney, and his wife … (0 comments)
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real estate: Canada's Real Estate Party Isn't Over Yet
- 09/14/15 09:34 AM
A flurry of new economic forecasts say that despite the impact of falling oil prices and fear of condo overbuilding, Canada's real estate markets will remain stable in most regions through 2016, and will experience a "soft landing" in Vancouver and Toronto once interest rates begin to rise.
"The risk of a market crash is low under our base scenario of a gradual pace of interest rate increases and continuing growth in the economy," says Robert Hogue, senior economist with RBC Economics.
He says "Canadian housing market's remarkable flight of the past 10 to 15 years" is threatened by the drop in oil … (0 comments)
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real estate: Home Sellers Advice: List It or SIY?
- 08/27/15 04:48 AM
There are pros and cons to doing anything yourself. You weigh factors such as your expertise, the enjoyment of doing a certain task, and the cost savings of doing it yourself (DIY) vs. hiring a professional.
Are for-sale-by-owners successful? The answers may lie in research from the National Association of REALTORS®. According to the most recent Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the share of home sellers or SIYs who sold their home without the assistance of a real estate agent was only nine percent.
Most SIY sellers don't do anything to market their homes, whereas most real estate professionals advertise listings on … (0 comments)
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real estate: Why Home Buyers Should Hire a Professional
- 08/21/15 06:28 AM
Getting a purchase closed in today's market is complex. The real estate market has changed greatly from only a few years ago. Buyers face many more hurdles including stricter financing, low housing supplies, higher mortgage rates, and rising prices.
To negotiate today's challenges, you need a real estate sales professional to help you close the deal. A good real estate professional understands current market conditions. He or she has house-by-house neighborhood experience and can help you obtain the right home at the best price and terms.
Your agent can help you find a home quickly. Not only do real estate agents have access … (0 comments)
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real estate: 10 Things To Never Say To A Real Estate Agent
- 08/21/15 06:03 AM
Real estate is serious business, and it can be easy to forget when we're involved in a complicated and emotional financial transaction that the person we're working with is just that…a person. An agent might not always show you when he's feeling disrespected or offended, but you may pay for it—literally. Establishing a good relationship early on and maintaining it through honesty, open communication and mutual respect is key to a successful transaction. You can help ensure that happens by watching what you say.
1. That price is ridiculous.
If you're dealing with a professional agent, especially one who has a good track … (1 comments)
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real estate: Combating Construction Fraud In Canada
- 08/11/15 08:10 AM
Since May 2012 when the Charbonneau Commission opened hearings into corruption and collusion in Quebec's construction industry, Canadians have heard about how political parties, government bureaucrats, construction firms and organized crime worked together to push up the price of contracts and bilk the public out of millions of dollars.
"Laws and regulations are not enough to overcome collusion and corruption, so that's why we must all do our bit," said France Charbonneau, the judge who presided over the 30-month hearings. The final report of the commission is expected in November 2015, but in the meantime there's been more focus on construction fraud … (0 comments)
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real estate: Expect Unexpected Costs, Chores When Selling Your Home To Move Up
- 08/05/15 07:12 AM
Selling a home can come with unexpected chores and costs but taking some key steps can help keep you under budget on costs and on target for the best return on your investment.
1. First, get pre-approved for a home loan.
Sign a contract to sell your old home before you know if you are qualified to buy another and you could get stuck.
If your financial circumstances changed since your last home purchase you might no longer qualify for a loan or could become unable to sell at a price that allows you to buy your replacement home.
Along with getting pre-approved, research your … (0 comments)
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real estate: Buyer's Advice: Don't Wait For a Better Deal
- 08/03/15 03:06 AM
Despite a hot economy, mortgage interest rates are near historic lows. Prices are still below where they were nearly 10 years ago. Home values have risen for over five years allowing homeowners to build equity. Unemployment is down to where it was before the recession.
Prices are higher, inventory is tight, and buyers are being shut out of homes in many areas. Rents are higher than mortgage payments across the country. So buying a home is tougher than it's been in years. Some homebuyers may be wondering if they should wait for a better deal.
There are valid arguments to waiting and to … (2 comments)
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real estate: How to Enjoy Your Swimming Pool & Be Responsible in Drought Conditions
- 08/03/15 01:36 AM
Swimming pools are a great way to cool down under the scorching summer sun, and of course they're tons of fun. But with the summer heat comes water shortages in many states, and saving water becomes crucial. Don’t feel guilty using your swimming pool — instead, follow these drought and environmentally friendly considerations to recycle, conserve and preserve pool water.
Splash Zone
It would be a crime to suggest no splashing while in the pool. But unfortunately, pools lose a significant amount of water when you’re splashing around or jumping in with a cannonball. And when the water level is too low, the … (0 comments)
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real estate: 10 Ways To Keep Mosquitoes Away
- 08/03/15 01:32 AM
Mosquitoes are annoying. That's not news to anyone. They can make it hard to enjoy the outdoors, what with their swarming, biting, and disease carrying. Which is a shame, since, in many areas, there's a limited amount of time to enjoy the sunshine before the shivery cold winter descends again.
There are some ways to keep mosquitoes contained, or at least lessen their impact, in your outdoor space. They range from stuff you put on you to stuff you put in you (all above board!), to simple changes you can make it your yard to keep them at bay. Here are a … (1 comments)
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real estate: Ask the HOA Expert: Illegal Or Unapproved Modifications
- 07/29/15 09:50 AM
Question: Our board is concerned about some of the structural changes made by owners like cutting concrete foundations, moving walls and plumbing modifications that tie into the main lines. Is there a statute of limitations to bring action against an owner for illegal or unapproved modifications?
Answer: Every HOA needs a policy for architectural changes. That policy should require proper engineering and permitting. If your HOA is comprised of single family homes, the HOA's concern is curb appeal. In common wall HOAs like condominiums, improper structural changes may degrade the structure which is the HOA's responsibility to maintain. Structural changes can create … (0 comments)
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real estate: Remember The Rollover? It May Cost You Some Tax
- 07/29/15 09:45 AM
Remember the old rollover? It provided a tax benefit for those of us who sold and then bought principal residences before 1997. That old friend is no longer with us. However, for many taxpayers who are now considering selling a home, its memory lingers on - and can haunt them financially.
The rollover allowed homeowners who sold a principal residence to defer tax on any profit if they purchased a new home within two years at a price equal to or greater than the sales price of the old one. However, unlike under current law, this was not a tax exclusion. It … (0 comments)
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real estate: Inclusionary Zoning Decision Likely To Have Major Consequences
- 07/22/15 08:36 AM
Last month's California Supreme Court decision (California Building Industry Association (CBIA) v. City of San Jose, June 15, 2015) will make it easier for California cities and counties to pass inclusionary zoning ordinances. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), inclusionary zoning or housing programs "require or encourage developers to set aside a certain percentage of housing units in new or rehabilitated projects for low-and moderate-income residents. This integration of affordable units into market-rate projects creates opportunities for households with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to live in the same developments and have access to [the] same types of community … (0 comments)
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real estate: Mortgages: Know Before You Owe
- 07/22/15 04:27 AM
Determined to get a great buy and save money when you purchase a new or resale home or condominium? Most of your "money" challenge rests, not with the purchase price, but with the cost of borrowing money to buy. Saving a few thousand on the purchase price, but jumping into a mortgage without any research may mean that apparent purchase savings disappear into massive accrued interest costs.
The cost of borrowing someone else's money to buy a house or condominium can add interest and other charges that result in you paying two or three times the original purchase price after a couple … (0 comments)
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real estate: Private Zoning VS. Public Zoning: A Community Association Dilemma
- 07/22/15 04:21 AM
Question: My husband and I have recently retired, and are supplementing our income by giving music lessons in our home. Recently, the Board of Directors of our condominium association has advised us that our legal documents specifically state that our unit can only be used for residential purposes and that no business of any kind is permitted. However, we have confirmed that local law permits us to obtain a home-office permit and that we are not in violation of any laws. We do not teach any bands, and do not have concerts in our house. We only teach children -- ages … (1 comments)
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real estate: How Much Is The Down Payment?
- 07/08/15 08:55 AM
Credit is a little tighter than it used to be, but if you believe that you have to have 20% down and perfect credit to buy a home, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Bank loans are available with as little as zero down and a funding fee that can be rolled into the loan that are guaranteed through the Veterans Administration, for veterans and active-duty military. According to Bankrate.com, the funding fee varies from 2.15 percent to 3.3 percent, according to whether or not a veteran served in the National Guard or the regular military.
The Navy Federal Credit Union offers 100 percent … (2 comments)
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real estate: Increase Home Office Productivity: Remodeling Design Tips
- 07/08/15 08:49 AM
Working from home is both a luxury and a curse. Sure, you don't have to fight with traffic or even get dressed in the morning, but the line between home and work can begin to blur to the point where you're not sure if you're working from home or living at work. Additionally, it is much easier to get distracted when your office is part of your house. Kids, pets, phone, doorbell — these distractions can add up to sensory overload and prevent you from working productively.
The key to overcoming this problem is to redesign and remodel your home workspace. With … (0 comments)
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real estate: Don't Tax Real Estate Investors, REALTORS Tell Vancouver Politicians
- 06/17/15 10:23 AM
With average detached home prices soaring above $1 million in Vancouver and Toronto, politicians are now being urged to do something to make homes more affordable. In both cities, online petitions demand that restrictions be placed on real estate investors and foreign ownership.
A petition started by a Richmond Hill, Ont. resident says it "is meant to protect current Canadian citizens, including recent immigrants, from the overwhelming amount of foreign investment taking over the GTA's residential real estate market. This wealthy foreign investment strategy is driving up prices and lowering our standard of living as a result, as it is making it … (0 comments)
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It's becoming nearly impossible for Americans to wake up from their sleep and be ensured they are not being watched or listened to by Big Brother.
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