Today's Real Estate News and Advice

Updated: July 28, 2010

 Either a Lender or a Borrower Be
Shakespeare had it wrong when he penned this advice in Hamlet: "Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry." Perhaps he may be forgiven for his error, however, since Shakespeare suffered from a lack of the tremendous benefits of a truly self-directed IRA. FULL STORY->

Final Walk-Through Tips
There will come a time during your home buying process when you'll need to do a final walk-through of the home before closing. FULL STORY->

The Ideal Housing-Linked-to-Services Choice
Housing linked to services is gaining popularity with boomers and everybody else. PJ Wade explains the growing trend toward loving where you live and doing fewer and fewer daily chores. Discover PJ’s tips for shopping for a new home that requires you evaluate food services and support delivery in general. FULL STORY->

Fannie Mae Addresses Appraisal Concerns
On June 30, 2010 Fannie Mae issued announcement SEL-2010-09, "Selling Guide Updates and Additional Guidance on Appraisal-Related Policies." FULL STORY->

Public Social Media Policy: Does Your Office Have One?
Have you ever heard the phrase "Restraint of Tongue and Pen?" Well in the new age of the social media craze in real estate it should be clearly understood by all because there are major consequences to what we place in writing and post on the Internet for all to see. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Outlook: Federal Reserve Weighs In
The U.S. Congress asked Federal Reserve Board chairman Ben Bernanke a key question last week: Where do you and your colleagues believe we're headed in terms of the national economy? FULL STORY->

How to Recognize a Sellers Market
As a homeowner, and a prospective seller, you may be wondering if now is a good time to put your home on the market. But how can you tell if the market is in your favor at this time? Will you lose money or make money? Is it a "sellers market"? FULL STORY->

Diligent Salespeople
The art of being highly successful in sales can be summed up in five words: Believing something and convincing others. That's it! That's what makes a salesperson successful. You must have unshakeable belief in what you are selling. FULL STORY->

Making Your Home Appealing On A Budget
With the uncertainty of the economy, many people are looking for ways to cut back. When it comes to selling their home, homeowners often don't want to put much money into getting it ready for the sale. While that's certainly understandable, properly preparing a home before listing it goes a long way to helping attract serious buyers and offers. FULL STORY->

30-Year, 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates at Record Lows
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), with the 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages reaching record lows for this survey. FULL STORY->

Site to See: Esteemed Lending Services (It's a fake)
While the "Esteemed Lending Services" web site isn't particularly loaded with a lot of new information, it reveals how easy it is to scam consumers and serves as a reminder of what's out there to take you to the cleaners. FULL STORY->

Three Principle-Based Lessons For Commission Sales People
Columnist David Fletcher shares three sales lessons he has learned over his 30 year career. FULL STORY->

Small Room Decorating Tips
A small space doesn't have to lack style. In fact, with the right pieces of furniture, accessories, and splashes of color, your small space can make a big impression. FULL STORY->

HOA Committee Charters
Committees serve an invaluable role in assisting the board. They allow owners to participate on focused issues without committing to years of service on the board. Each committee appointed by the board should have a written charter or marching orders which defines expectations. Here is a sample charter which can be adapted to other committee functions. FULL STORY->

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