BUY VS. RENT
Cheaper to buy than to rent in 72% of largest U.S. cities
Despite the rising number of renters across the country, it is cheaper to buy a home rather than rent one in 72 percent of the 50 largest cities in the U.S., according to an index released by real estate search and marketing site Trulia. “Since the start of the ‘Great Recession,’ many former homeowners have flooded the rental market. Following the principles of supply and demand, renting has become relatively more expensive than buying in most markets,” said Pete Flint, CEO and co-founder of Trulia…Rest of Story…

FHA
Changes in FHA anti-flipping rules
Dan Keller is a mortgage professional in Seattle Washington who specializes in FHA loans. Here Dan joins us to discuss recent changes in the FHA anti-flipping rules and what it may mean to the housing market…Rest of Story…

HOME SALES
December Existing-Home Sales Jump
Existing-home sales rose sharply in December, when sales increased for the fifth time in the past six months, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 12.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.28 million in December from an upwardly revised 4.70 million in November, but remain 2.9 percent below the 5.44 million pace in December 2009…Rest of Story…

LAKE GENEVA, WI
WHAT’S AHEAD FOR LAKE GENEVA MORTGAGE RATES THIS WEEK: JANUARY 24, 2011
Lake Geneva real estate mortgage markets worsened last week in a holiday-shortened trading week. As the body of U.S. economic data continues to show slow, steady improvement, Wall Street is becoming a net-seller of mortgage-backed bonds. As a result, conforming mortgages rates for Lake Geneva real estate are rising. This is why conforming and FHA mortgage rates rose last week in Wisconsin. Existing home supplies plunged to a 2-year low in December, and unemployment claims dropped more…Rest of Story…

SAN ANTONIO, TX
New Construction – Is a Home Inspection Really Necessary?
This question comes up time and time again in talking with clients thinking of buying a new home. One thing I notice is that many buyers of newly constructed homes are looking to save a little money as they are spending a large sum today, for a house they can live in tomorrow. Which costs more: a stage-by-stage inspection or finding out the foundation guys didn’t let your foundation cure properly?, an electrician who had a “few too many” the night before forgot to cap a wire and it didn’t get…Rest of Story…

SEATTLE, WA
My Seattle Blogs: What’s Your Education Calendar Look Like?
Would you take a clock hour class if you thought it would increase business? Of course you would. So, why are you waiting until the last minute to get your required renewal hours and then running around like a Chicken with a cut on your head taking some useless online course on basket weaving for real estate agents to boot!!! Putting the proper education first is simply what makes great Brokers great! PLEASE…DON’T GIVE ME THE EXCUSE YOU DON’T HAVE THE…Rest of Story…

SHORT SALES
A Letter from Bank of America’s Short Sale Department
Just received an e-mail from Bank of America’s short sale process and thought I’d share … with a few helpful notes.
Bank of America continues to improve the short sale process and recognizes that the timely (repeated) upload of homeowner documents is critical to reducing processing times (from “eternity” to “when hell freezes over.“) To improve the collection of these documents, agents should take the following steps (and repeat whenever we lose the paperwork): 1. Upload…Rest of Story…

WORTHINGTON, OH
Welcome to Worthington
Whether you’re a visitor to Worthington, a new neighbor or a longtime resident, or an employer or investor contributing to Worthington’s business community, you will find endless opportunities and a unique sense of partnership here. Steeped in rich traditions dating to 1803, Worthington also brings fresh and innovative approaches and provides many opportunities for the whole community to experience and enjoy an outstanding quality of life. Worthington is a community where citizens…Rest of Story…

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