nouveau riche: Sorry to Say Pretty is Faster than Ugly . . . - 11/04/08 02:15 AM
Ideally, your home will be gorgeous before it goes on the market--fresh paint, cleaned windows and drapes, spotless floors and carpets, fresh flowers on the table, every detail attended to. Will you get more money for your home than a similar but less-attractive home down the street? Not much more. A home's value is mostly based on its features--location, size, number of bedrooms and baths, garage, style, age, etc.--and what that combination of features is worth in a particular neighborhood. The reason for making your home cosmetically attractive is not to increase its value, but to sell it quickly. If yours … (0 comments)

nouveau riche: Don't but the Right Home in the Wrong Location - 09/07/08 03:21 AM
Location ~ Location ~ Location
I am pretty sure you all have heard this Real Estate quote many times before. You can redecorate, rebuild, relandscape, perhaps even modify certain aspects of a home's location, but you can't change where a home is located.  (unless you move the house!)
At a minimum, make sure to avoid locations that involve high noise levels, unsavory elements, traffic, pollution, crime, poorly kept homes and decreasing property values.
Instead, look in areas where homes are appreciating and close to major employment, great schools, transportation, shopping, entertainment, restaurants and parks and other recreation areas.
Also remember, that … (0 comments)

nouveau riche: What Do you Agree with on this issue? - 04/07/08 10:18 AM
$15B housing fix gets fast-tracked by Senate
Democrats and Republicans agree to compromise on bill aimed at averting foreclosures and helping those hurt in housing crisis.
As reported by CNN Senior Writer, Jeanne Sahadi, leading Senate Democrats and Republicans have negotiated a bipartisan, $15 billion housing relief package that the Senate will start debating Today and will likely vote on by next week. The package contains funding to help borrowers refinance unaffordable loans and help boost activity in neighborhoods with properties in foreclosure. It also includes a big business tax break for homebuilders, as well.
Below are some of the provisions in the … (0 comments)

nouveau riche: Fed Funds Rate 2.25 - 03/19/08 12:26 PM
Fed Funds Rate  2.25
What it means:
The interest rate at which banks and other depository institutions lend money to each other, usually on an overnight basis. The law requires banks to keep a certain percentage of their customer's money on reserve, where the banks earn no interest on it. Consequently, banks try to stay as close to the reserve limit as possible without going under it, lending money back and forth to maintain the proper level.
How it's used:
Like the federal discount rate, the federal funds rate is used to control the supply of available funds and hence, inflation and other interest … (2 comments)

nouveau riche: For Your Clients: 7 Tips to Make Sure the Price is Right - 01/21/08 10:09 AM
RISMEDIA, Jan. 18, 2008-(Bankrate.com)-It's tough being the seller in a buyer's market. But your clients can improve their odds with the right research. And you can be the knight in shining armor who provides it.
In many cases, making a smart deal and getting the best price comes down to studying your market and being an educated seller.
"You've got to know more than you would have if you'd sold a year ago," says William Poorvu, professor emeritus at Harvard Business School and author of the upcoming book "Creating and Growing Real Estate Wealth." "If you want to protect yourself, you have to … (0 comments)

nouveau riche: It is time to end the Rumors . . - 01/15/08 11:27 AM
Putting an end to all of the rumors that has been flying around Wall Street, Bank of America Corp. announced today that it's purchasing Countrywide Financial Corp. for $4 billion, effectively doubling down on a previous investment in the troubled firm and catapulting the buyer into the top spot among mortgage lenders and loan services in the U.S. 
The stock-swap deal will put an end to the independence of the troubled California lender headed by Angelo Mozilo, and represents an increase from the Charlotte, N.C., bank's August investment of about $2 billion. "We believe this is the right decision for our shareholders, … (27 comments)

nouveau riche: List your property on the MLs for FREE - You Don't Need a Realtor - 12/18/07 10:25 AM
Iggy's House!! They are Real Estate Brokers who'll list your house in the MLS for FREE!
Absolutely nothing. you only pay 3% when the property sells. They do offer some upsell products, but there is no pressure to buy, and some of it could even come in handy during the listing period.www.IggysHouse.comBeing a Millionaire Member has its PrivilegesExpect Success,Wallace Hobbshttp://www.millionairerealestategroup.com/
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nouveau riche: How would you like to have your website featured in front of 22,000 Real Estate minded people - 12/18/07 08:00 AM
Hello all Active Rain Members,
How would you like to have your profile featured in front of 22,000+ people?
Then all you have to do is click on the blue link below and Join the best Real Estate Forum on My Space the http://www.TheReiClub.com Real Estate Investing Millionaires Group.
Then just invite 50 + good people to join our group and when at least 50 + have joined your profile will be featured for 22,000 people to read.  How cool is that?
Thank you in Advance,
Wallace Hobbs  
www.RealEstateWins.com
Here are the direct links  to our groups
www.TheReiClub.com
http://groups.myspace.com/RealEstateInvestingEducation
www.MillionaireRealEstateGroup.com
www.RealEstateWins.com
 
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nouveau riche: Today is My Birthday - 12/05/07 09:30 AM
Thanks for all the Happy Birthday Wishes from all my frineds!
 It is much appreciated.
Some of the best words I received today are as follows:
On your birthday I wish you much pleasure and joy;I hope all of your wishes come true.May each hour and minute be filled with delight,And your birthday be perfect for you!
Warm Regards,
Wallace Hobbs
215-896-0048
www.RealEstateWins.com
(4 comments)

nouveau riche: Who is the Best Real Estate Agent in ? - 12/03/07 02:51 AM
Who is the Best Real Estate Agent in ?
Investors ask me for refferals all the time in our forum.
If you are in the  Top 25% of all Real Estate Agents let our investors know about you.
Post what is going on in your business and how you can help us all and get your name out to investors!
You can join the Forums to Post at http://www.millionairerealestategroup.com/
 Sincerely,
 Wallace Hobbs
http://www.realestatewins.com/
(2 comments)

nouveau riche: How to Add Value to your Home - 11/12/07 04:58 AM
No matter if you're updating your living space, such as remodeling your kitchen or adding an extra bedroom, or renovating your home in hopes to increase its marketability and salability, you may be adding value to your home without knowing it. A study done by the National Association of Realtors® National Center for Real Estate Research calculated the "value added" contributions of dozens of home features and facilities. This sophisticated analysis provided estimates of how much homes with particular characteristics can be expected to sell for. Here's what was found to increase the value of a home: Houses with stucco and … (6 comments)

nouveau riche: Five Tips to Sell Homes Quickly, for the Highest Valuation - 11/11/07 10:22 AM
Despite grim news in the New York Times noting the pending home sale index has hit a record low, and it "hasn't hit rock bottom yet", savvy home sellers have discovered the secret to selling their homes. (New York Times, October 2, 2007). Here are a few ways strategic thinkers prepare to sell their homes:
- Prelist Home Inspections. These inspections allow sellers to identify and repair problems rather than lose money during the sale. Statistics show that for every $1 of identified repairs, the buyer would ask for double that in a price reduction. Paying $5,000 to repair a roof is … (7 comments)

nouveau riche: 10 Tips for Getting Your Home Off the Market this Fall - 11/11/07 09:29 AM
Many homeowners and buyers have their eyes peeled on the housing market. While groups like the National Association of Realtors continue to manage consumer expectations and provide reassurance that the housing market will steadily improve by 2008, hopes can fall hard for homeowners who are preparing their home for yet another month on the market. In this buyer's market, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) reminds homeowners that a pre-listing inspection or a general maintenance inspection can be a great tool for selling and maintaining your home. "Pre-listing inspections (conducted on behalf of the seller) and general maintenance inspections are … (1 comments)

nouveau riche: What the Heck is going on? - 11/02/07 08:51 AM
The Fed Lowers Rate then BOOM!
Is anyone else shocked about the events of this past week?
I mean the Fed lowers the interest rate 1/4 of a point and stocks climb!
Then yesterday they fell 323 Points in a Single Day!
What do you think is going on...
Comment on the State of Affairs and Dont hold back!
Wallace Hobbs is working on  wwww.RealEstateWins.com
 
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nouveau riche: How to Make a lot of Money Flipping House's In Today's Market - 10/19/07 08:56 AM
Real estate, is really just like any other commodity, is bought and sold every day of the week. Many people become real estate agents because they know a small piece of a large pie means big bucks. Agents help facilitate a sale by finding a willing buyer for a willing seller, earning a commission of approximately four to seven percent of the sales price for making the deal happen. It is relatively simple to get a real estate license, and it is a lucrative field for many people. However, as you may expect, there is strong competition among agents, and the … (8 comments)

nouveau riche: If you could eliminate one big headache in your RE business... - 10/10/07 07:01 AM
What would it be? What is that one thing that is giving you headaches/ problems over and over again? Better yet, what is the biggest hassle in your Real Estate business you wish you didn't have to deal with on an ongoing basis? Is it managing all of the different leads, properties?Is it calling all of the leads and following up?Is it marketing to find motivated sellers?Is it doing comps, repair estimates?Is it supervising your subcontractors to do the job right?Is it managing everything in your business, leads, marketing, tenants, prospects, properties, comps, and everything in between?Or is it something totally … (2 comments)

nouveau riche: Market Liquidity Issues Beginning to Subside - 08/27/07 04:07 AM
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nouveau riche: Does anyone understand this I sure don't? - 04/09/07 09:23 AM
New Down-payment Funding Idea Draws Regulators' Attention
RISMEDIA, April 4, 2007-(MarketWatch)- The pressure is on to close home sales, but some tactics are raising eyebrows of financial regulators and industry observers.
Take one recent home sale that nearly derailed when the potential buyer discovered a lien barred access of funds for the mortgage down payment. The sale did successfully close thanks to a program, known as "DpFunder."
DpFunder works this way: The potential home buyer signs on as an independent contractor with Global Direct Sales LLC, Gaithersburg, Md., a marketing company.
The person who wants to buy the home sells a membership in "Owners Alliance Inc." … (0 comments)

nouveau riche: 7 Strategies Every Smart Home Buyers Should Consider - 02/01/07 10:10 AM
Whether you think you'll stay in your new home "forever" or plan to move again in a few years, it pays to keep resale value in mind from the start. Here are some sure-fire tips:
Look for a strong, diversified local economy. Business expansions and new companies moving to an area mean more home buyers. That increased demand can help home prices rise. Consider areas with low (or no) taxes--state income tax, personal property tax, etc. These areas attract buyers. Check out local school ratings. Property values track closely with the quality of schools and the level of local funding. Look … (2 comments)

nouveau riche: Ten Best Real Estate Books for 2006 - 12/10/06 08:44 AM
1. "Trump-Style Negotiation," by George Ross
(John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, NJ), $24.95, 259 pages. This unique book offers insights into Donald J. Trump's big-thinking negotiation style, which leaves the contract details to his trusted adviser, George Ross. Only serious real estate buyers, sellers, real estate agents and investors will study this extremely well-written book that reveals negotiation tactics not found elsewhere, illustrated with many actual examples from Trump acquisitions.
2. "The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner," by David Bach
(Broadway Books, New York), $19.95, 244 pages. If you could read only one real estate book, whether you are a renter considering a home purchase, … (7 comments)