Today's Real Estate News and Advice

Updated: March 10, 2010

 California Homeownership Without Mortgage Payments: Homeowner Associations Pay For California Mortgage Moratoriums
While some people struggle to keep their mortgage payments current, others are living in their houses for free. Not only are they not making mortgage payments but they are being offered incentives when they don't. FULL STORY->

Nine Leadership Mistakes to Consider As You Rebuild Real Estate
A word of advice for builders, contractors, developers and all other players interested in re-building strength back into the real estate marketplace: only strong, balanced, and experienced leadership at the executive level will pull the industry through to the next upcycle. FULL STORY->

Ask the HOA Expert
The board cannot be held accountable for something under the control of the members. Columnist Richard Thompson explains. FULL STORY->

What's My Real Estate Really Worth?
How much is your real estate—your house, condominium unit, cottage, income property—worth in this market? PJ Wade has a few questions and suggestions for you whether a value popped into your head or not. FULL STORY->

Mortgage Rates: The Calm Before the Storm?
Despite being just 3 1/2 weeks from the much anticipated end of government purchasing of mortgage-backed securities, mortgage rates remain steady. FULL STORY->

The House Hunter's Toolkit
It may not feel like Spring in your town, but for most of the United States, we've turned a corner. The sun is shining, the snow is melting, and the crocuses are poking their heads up through the ground; a brutal winter is winding down. FULL STORY->

Changing Times, Changing Fraud
It was certainly a sign of the times that a panel discussion recently presented to California real estate attorneys and brokers was titled "Changing Times/Changing Fraud." FULL STORY->

The House Hunter's Toolkit
It may not feel like Spring in your town, but for most of the United States, we've turned a corner. The sun is shining, the snow is melting, and the crocuses are poking their heads up through the ground; a brutal winter is winding down. FULL STORY->

What's My Real Estate Really Worth?
How much is your real estate—your house, condominium unit, cottage, income property—worth in this market? PJ Wade has a few questions and suggestions for you whether a value popped into your head or not. FULL STORY->

Changing Times, Changing Fraud
It was certainly a sign of the times that a panel discussion recently presented to California real estate attorneys and brokers was titled "Changing Times/Changing Fraud." FULL STORY->

Mortgage Rates: The Calm Before the Storm?
Despite being just 3 1/2 weeks from the much anticipated end of government purchasing of mortgage-backed securities, mortgage rates remain steady. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Outlook: Federal Reserve Beige Book
If you're trying to figure out where real estate is headed in the coming months, should you listen to the Federal Reserve -- or do you focus on the latest pending home sales numbers? FULL STORY->

Pre-Qualifying for a Mortgage
One of the first steps to take as a potential home buyer is to get pre-qualified for a loan. This step helps both you and your lender learn just how much home you can afford. And you should begin this process before you even start looking for a home. FULL STORY->

What to Say (or not say) to Gracefully Decline the Monkey
Here are some tips for showing your client the respect of letting him keep his Monkey (i.e. solving his own problem or dilemma). It's really all in what you say, or don't say, as the case may be. FULL STORY->

Low Rates Help Make Home Buying More Affordable
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.97 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending March 4, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 5.05 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.15 percent. FULL STORY->

Keys to Representing a Buyer
The Buyer's Agent is responsible for crafting, presenting, writing a proper contract for, and prompting acceptance of a good offer. Follow these steps: FULL STORY->

More Incentives To Buy Home: Fannie Mae Offers Money for Closing Costs and Appliances
Fannie Mae wants to sell its housing inventory that it acquired through foreclosures. The properties are listed for sale on HomePath.com. To do so, it's offering buyers incentives for those properties FULL STORY->

More Real Estate News and Advice...