You are about ready to close your real estate transaction on a home; did you consider a home warranty? “It is not mandatory in any state that you have to get one. But in some states it’s mandatory that it is offered on a purchase agreement of the real estate contract,” says David Sobel, VP […]
Archives: November 2008
Real Estate Outlook: Housing in Recovery
With all the turbulence and losses in stocks and bad economic news in the headlines lately, you can easily lose perspective on what’s really going on in the real estate sector. For example, new mortgage applications increased last week by 12 percent, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Applications from people looking to buy houses […]
Maintaining Curb Appeal Through Winter
Winter can pose unique challenges for those trying to sell their homes. Cold weather and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can keep would-be buyers at bay. That’s why it’s especially important to maintain strong curb appeal throughout the winter months. Curb appeal, of course, is the first impression one gets from simply […]
How to Use Your Time Wisely
RISMEDIA, Nov. 15, 2008-What is it you want to get done faster-zip through your to-do list, secure a business loan, land a job? Like me, author Samantha Ettus wants to do almost everything faster. She calls herself “time crunched.” She walks fast and talks fast and says technology now requires her to respond fast. Struggling […]
IS IT THE BOTTOM?
Economists at the National Association of Home Builders semi-annual forecast conference predict home prices will hit bottom in the middle of 2009. As evidence, builders point to increasingly affordable prices, new home incentives, fewer housing starts, declining interest rates and pent-up demand. “I’m hopeful that the markets will come to their senses soon,” said Michael […]
Gifting your house and living in it, too
NEW YORK – Oct. 31, 2008 – Plunging real-estate values have made it an opportune time for older homeowners to give property to their children, while realizing big savings on gift and estate taxes. They can do this by moving the home out of their estate with a so-called qualified personal residence trust, or QPRT, […]