Exciting news for underwater homeowners who have yet to refinance… The Obama Administration’s popular Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), which was scheduled to end at the end of this year, has been extended through 2015. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced earlier this month that...
Many homeowners are taking advantage of their higher home values by cashing out and relocating to where jobs are more plentiful. According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., a nationwide outplacement firm, home values have risen to a point where previously underwater homeowners are finally...
Inventory levels continue to be a challenge throughout the real estate market, and many buyers are employing a new tactic when it comes to getting the attention of sellers: pulling at their heartstrings. As competition heats up during the busy spring and summer periods, buyers...
The first quarter of 2013 proves that fabulous homes still garner equally spectacular prices. So says a report released by Christie’s International Real Estate this month, which confirms top-tier properties achieved record prices globally in 2012 and the trend isn’t slowing down. Just like fine fragrances,...
Whether you’re the buyer or the seller, real estate transactions are complicated. It’s quite common for a purchase agreement to be rejected the first time around, meaning both parties head back to the bargaining table to try and reach common ground. Whether you’re a seasoned...
According to Fannie Mae and the National Association of Home Builders, the multifamily real estate sector is expected to have a banner 2013. Vacancy rates and higher rents continue to permeate the landscape, which has given both groups cause to believe that the multifamily housing...
Freddie Mac’s new Standard Short Sale program has been underway for three months, but the program is finally gaining in notoriety. The GSE has been working overtime to get the word out about the program in order to grow it and bring attention to the...
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) recently unveiled their new qualified mortgage (QM) rule, which was created to protect both consumers and lenders. The Ability-to-Repay rule goes into effect in January 2014 and specifies that all new mortgages must comply with basic requirements that protect...
2012 is a thing of the past, but the end of the year brought good news with regard to the real estate industry. And the general mood is a good one. When asked about how home prices in their local market might rise as part...
Some large real estate brokerages are moving away from national real estate portals who use advertisements to help pay the bills. With so much going on for the consumer on these sites, brokerages are getting fed up and want to give their customers a better...
