Mid-Atlantic Region Expected to Be the Exception in 2012

RISMedia: Mid-Atlantic Region Expected to be “The Exception, Not the Rule” in 2012 Housing Market

 

442 Tips to Keep Your House in Tip-top Shape

Book Review    Title: “What’s a Homeowner to Do?”    Author: Stephen Fanuka and Edward Lewine    Publisher: Artisan, 2011; 432 pages; $17.95

 

 

Rand on Real Estate: Why So Optimistic in This Housing Market?

If you are an AM radio fan, you probably have listened to “Rand on Real Estate” broadcasted from 770 WABC.  Greg Rand (@gsrand), CEO of OwnAmerica, is the show’s host.  He answers the main question that some listeners have: “Why is Greg so optimistic about the housing market?”

10 Best States for Children – Guess Which State is Listed in the Top 5?

The National Association of Realtors posted an interesting article from a survey conducted by the 2011 Kids Count Data Book by The Annie E. Casey Foundation.  The foundation collected data from each state which found a strong correlation between poverty and the welfare of children.  NJ is listed in the top 5 states for one of the best states for children.   You can get the full article by going to “10 Best States for Children”.

Here are the 10 states that emerged as the best for children:

1. New Hampshire

2. Minnesota

3. Massachusetts

4. Vermont

5. New Jersey

6. Connecticut

7. Utah

8. Iowa

9. Nebraska

10. North Dakota

It is nice to see that NJ is getting some positive recognition for doing something right with regards to our children.

Mortgage rates fall again, 30-year near record low

Finally some good news for homebuyers and homeowners:

Mortgage rates fall again, 30-year near record low.

FoxBusiness: Many good reasons for first-time homebuyers to be working with a Realtor!

From www.FoxBusiness.com:  We love it when we find pro-Realtor articles that describes good reasons for using a realtor.  This article specifically shows the advantages for first-time homebuyers when working with a realtor.  The article is titled, “What Real Estate Agents Do for Buyers” and here is an excerpt:

“First-time buyers should rely on their Realtor to provide them with data about comparable homes that have sold, how long a home has been on the market, what homes haven’t sold and all the activity that has been happening in the local real estate market. Ultimately, it is the buyer’s decision what price and terms they wish to offer. However, buyers should be able to rely on their Realtors to guide them toward an educated offer on the home.”

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/07/20/what-real-estate-agents-do-for-buyers-938071665/#ixzz1Ue8SwCns

Jersey Civility? Contradiction in Terms?

The NYTimes published an article titled “In Home Sales, Courtesy Goes a Long Way” (August 4, 2011).  I personally thought the article to be timely.  I have witnessed several real estate dealings where civility was questioned with raised brows.  “In a climate like this, where so many people feel financial anxiety, and sometimes every $100 is an important issue,” and, “anger and animus seem to come out more frequently.”  With sellers, buyers, realtors and lawyers all feeling hyper-sensitive with this current housing market, it would be good for all of us to remember the golden rule.  Call me Pollyanna, but I fundamentally believe that you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.  The NYTimes article provides a couple of examples where civility paid off – you can check out the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/realestate/in-home-sales-courtesy-goes-a-long-way-in-the-regionnew-york.html?_r=2&ref=realestate