EXPENSES TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A HOME

 How to Manage Unexpected Home Expenses

  ^[1]RISMEDIA, April 15, 2011—(MCT)—Homes are more affordable these days, the selection is abundant, and interest rates are still fairly low. For some people, it could well be a great time to buy.

But as too many struggling borrowers now realize, the cost of owning a home is hardly limited to paying the mortgage. There are a host of other checkbook-sapping details—both recognizable and unexpected—that can get overlooked in the excitement of buying a house, especially if it’s your first.

Foreclosure: Buying Tips

What to Watch Out for When Buying a Foreclosure: Help Your Clients Know Which to Buy…and Which to Walk By

  ^[1]RISMEDIA, April 7, 2011—The economy is improving overall and, as a result, some bright spots are showing up in the real-estate market. However, the foreclosure spike, which began around the same time the recession did, isn’t a distant memory just yet. In many areas, foreclosures are still happening; in some areas, those numbers have increased. Surprisingly, foreclosures have even encroached into some key cities that were formerly thought to be unshakable real-estate markets — like San Francisco, where foreclosures actually rose in 2010 (including in luxury neighborhoods like Pacific Heights, where a condo that sold in 2007 for $2.3 million recently sold for $1.44 million as a foreclosure).

BUYER'S MARKET!!

Buyer’s Market Spurs Confidence in Young Professionals and Affluent Homeowners

  ^[1]RISMEDIA, April 4, 2011—As the cold temperatures become a distant memory, and the spring selling season gains momentum, consumers have come to agree on one thing—now’s a good time to get off the fence and into the real estate market. This is the overall theme in the latest American Express Spending and Saving Tracker survey, a monthly survey that tracks the spending and saving habits of consumers in order to get an indication of what’s happening in the market. “This month’s Spending and Saving Tracker provided an up-to-date look at various consumer trends and gave us the opportunity to assess how consumers are feeling about the current market in addition to gauging homeowner confidence,” says Leah Gerstner, vice president of public affairs at American Express.

NEED FLOOD INSURANCE?

How Well Are You Insured Against Flooding?

  ^[1]RISMEDIA, March 23, 2011—(MCT)—The frightening images of Japan’s tsunami wiping out homes, roads and entire cities are vivid reminders that a natural disaster can strike at any time.

And whether it’s an earthquake, a wildfire or flooding, being covered against severe damage to your home or business is essential.
Across the United States, flooding is the No. 1 natural disaster, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

VACANT HOMES CAN BE COSTLY

 RISMEDIA, March 19, 2011—(MCT)—More and more houses sit unoccupied these days, left behind by their owners in this still-tough economic climate. In 2010′s fourth quarter, the Census Bureau reports 12.1% of all U.S. residences, or 18,394,000 homes, were vacant. Record foreclosures

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS!

First-Time Home Buyers Prepare for Best Buyer’s Market in Recent History Posted By susanne On March 17, 2011 @ 4:10 pm In Luxury Real Estate,Real Estate,Real Estate Information,Real Estate News,Real Estate Trends,Today's Marketplace,Today's Top Story,Today's Top Story - Consumer | Comments Disabled

^[1]RISMEDIA, March 18, 2011—While affordable housing prices, ample inventories, and historically low interest rates signal ‘buyer’s market’ for investors or move-up buyers in many U.S. markets, inexperienced first-time buyers may not know if the time is right to make a move into real estate.
“It’s not about timing the market. It’s about time in the market,” says Steve Berkowitz, chief executive officer at Move, Inc., a leader in online real estate. “Once you know how long you expect to own a home, look at the historical value performance of properties in the neighborhood.

THE NEED FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP!

Homeownership Essential to Job Growth and Economy, Say REALTORS®

Posted By susanne On March 10, 2011 @ 5:05 pm In Home Owner News,Real Estate,Real Estate Information,Real Estate News,Real Estate Trends,Today's Marketplace,Today's Top Story,Today's Top Story - Consumer | Comments Disabled

^[1]RISMEDIA, March 11, 2011—Testifying before a Senate panel, National Association of REALTORS® President Ron Phipps recently told members of Congress that sustainable homeownership must be the goal when considering future federal housing policies.
“As the leading advocate for homeownership, NAR wants to ensure public policies that promote responsible, sustainable homeownership and that any changes to current programs and incentives don’t jeopardize a housing and economic recovery,” Phipps told the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.