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Are Worse Days Ahead as Economy Contracts?	2/2/2009 4:16 PM
By Kevin G. Hall RISMEDIA, February 3, 2009-(MCT)-The U.S. economy contracted 3.8% in the final three months of last year-the biggest such shrinkage in almost 27 years-as a deepening recession gripped the nation, the government reported Friday. As bad as that number was, mainstream economists had been expecting a much bigger contraction, and Wall Street cheered. All [...]
8 Predictable Closing Day Obstacles - How to Avoid Them	2/2/2009 4:15 PM
By George W. Mantor RISMEDIA, February 3, 2009-Whether you represent the buyer or the seller, you want to use your knowledge and expertise to prevent your transaction from failing to close. Numerous factors contribute to the failure of a contract between buyer and seller of real estate. Financing, possession dates, disclosures, due diligence, inspections, pre-closing contingencies, [...]
Some Families Doubling Up, Downsizing as Economy Falters	2/2/2009 4:03 PM
By Cristina Bolling RISMEDIA, February 3, 2009-(MCT)-With the economy and housing market in a slump, some growing families are making do with the space they’ve got instead of moving to a bigger home. That means their kids may start doing something that kids don’t do much these days: share a room.But experts say some simple tricks [...]
Hope in the California Housing Market - Lower prices, Interest Rates Equal Opportunity for Buyers	2/2/2009 3:59 PM
By Jenny Shearer RISMEDIA, February 3, 2009-(MCT)-Guadalupe and Ariana Sanchez represent hope in the housing market. The 28-year-old couple with four children just bought their first home. “We got it pretty cheap. Right now is the best time to buy,” said Guadalupe Sanchez, a carpenter. Sanchez toured 20 homes, bid on four, and landed a deal with a [...]
Homeowners Refinance at Lower Mortgage Rates	2/1/2009 12:11 PM
By Jim Wasserman RISMEDIA, February 2, 2009-(MCT)-When California state employee Tim McManus peers into the future, he sees 4.5% interest. “I’m hoping it will go down more. One more drop,” says the Sacramento homeowner with a first mortgage at 6% and a second at 7.75%. Sacramento’s Debbie Fernandez has already locked in at 4.875%. That will knock $300 [...]
FHA Loans Become Hot Option - Less-stringent standards Spurs Local Popularity	2/1/2009 12:10 PM
By Chris Churchill RISMEDIA, February 2, 2009-(MCT)-The use of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration is soaring in the Capital Region, growth that comes as many home buyers are struggling to qualify for more traditional loans. Many lenders, skittish as foreclosure and default rates rise, have discontinued mortgages for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit or little [...]
EcoBroker Announces Alliance with RESNET to Provide Cost-Saving Energy Benefits to Consumers	2/1/2009 12:05 PM
RISMEDIA, February 2, 2009-The Association of Energy and Environmental Real Estate Professionals (AEEREP.org) and EcoBroker International announced a partnership with the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). The partnership links AEEREP’s and EcoBroker’s real estate professional members to the industry’s most trusted source of energy raters, further helping consumers evaluate and make energy improvements to their [...]
10 Easy Ways to Become a Green Homeowner	1/31/2009 12:02 AM
RISMEDIA, January 31, 2009-OptHome, an online resource for homeowners, says it’s easier and less expensive to go green than homeowners may think. Suggest these few simple and cost-effective tips that your clients can incorporate into everyday living to help turn their home into a more energy-efficient investment. 1. Recycle. It’s free, reduces household consumption and increases [...]
Friday’s Featured Listing - Antiquity Subdivision Focuses on Historic American Architecture	1/29/2009 3:15 PM
RISMEDIA, January 30, 2009-Gaze up and down the streets of the Antiquity subdivision in Cornelius, North Carolina and you’ll see pristine homes and a carefully developed neighborhood. Constructed by the Cunnane Group out of Charlotte, Antiquity is a nationally recognized “Smart Growth” plan featuring a vibrant, walkable community integrated with planned commercial and retail areas. The [...]
Economy, Cold Snaps Accent Need for Winterizing Homes - Tips That Save	1/28/2009 3:30 PM
RISMEDIA, January 29, 2009-Citing unseasonably cold weather in many parts of California and drawing upon the experience of having provided service to hundreds of thousands of homes, member firms of the Home Warranty Association of California (HWAC) are alerting homeowners to the energy and cost saving benefits of “winterizing” their residences. While noting that winterizing initiatives [...]