Investors Help Stabilize The Real Estate Market
R EALTORS® are seeing more and more bank-owned properties go into multiple offers. Unfortunately for them, and their clients, many of these properties are sold to investors and not first-time buyers hoping to find a great deal. Many times, banks choose to sell to investors over buyers becuase the investor can make a cash payment. This situation has led to some negative feelings toward investors, especially when they come into an area, buy up a large amount of properties in and don’t use Realtors to relist the properties once they are flipped. Pat Palmer has another view, and shares why we need good investors in the market: “We need to have more investors in the market and we need them flipping properties. There, I said it. I know it won’t be long...
Where is the Economy Headed, and How Will That Affect Real Estate?
 News about the economy continues to send mixed messages. The Fed sounds optimistic as they declare this week that “economic activity is leveling out,” supported by stabilizing housing prices. Yet others report more softening as retail sales fall and jobless claims rise. While these reports reflect changes on the national level, a REALTOR® ’s business backs into a niche market, one that can follow the trends of the nation, or one that can be much hotter or colder than the average. Given that they are on the front lines, a Realtor can have a unique perspective on what is going on in the economy. Scott Voak wants to know where you think the economy is going: “With this post, I am looking for a few responses. I am interested in getting...
Foreclosure Opportunities for Buyers
D espite signs of stabilization in the past months, the foreclosure numbers for July remind everyone that the housing market, and perhaps the economy as a whole, are still in recovering. The rise in foreclosures is not an anomaly. In fact, many analysat predicted July would see a rush of foreclosure listings as the government’s moratorium on foreclosures ended. While the moratorium undoubtedly helped some families who were in line for loan modifications, it only prolonged the inevitable for others. As in months past, the states with the highest foreclosures were California, Florida, and Nevada. Bob Phillips explains more about the concentration of foreclosures: “Foreclosure tracker RealtyTrac reports that the number of foreclosures nationwide rose 7...
Homeowners Can Be Proactive Sellers
T he fiduciary responsibilities of an agent to a seller obligates the agent to act in the selle’rs best interest at all times. This role covers a wide range of duties, but the main theme centers around the agent doing everything possible to gain an advantage for the seller, whether that be over the buyer or competing properties. On the other side of the coin are the responsibilities of the seller. While sellers aren’t obligated by a code of ethics or fiduciary duties, there are ways a seller can be proactive to help sell their own home. Matt Malouf gives sellers some tips to help sellers be more proactive: “Think like a team player. Yes, your real estate agent is the professional, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t an integral part of it all....
New Products for Greener Homes
T he list of new and innovative green building materials keeps growing as homeowners increasely demand earth-friendly, sustainable products. Many of these ingenious products are made from recycled everyday items and others are old items that have been remade with greener standards. These amazing advances in technology are helping builders build better homes while keeping utility bills lower for those that buy them. Carol Chiafalo provides us with a list of great new green products for your home: “I am a REALTOR® and I am a builder in the ‘green’ city of Decatur, Georgia. I have no problem spending a few extra bucks today on a furnace system that will heat and cool a home for years to come without using nearly as much fuel as the older,...