The Home Affordable Refinance Program, also known as HARP, has been extended for another two years by the Federal Housing Financing Agency (FHFA). The original program was due to expire at the end of this year, but will now be available for interested borrowers until...
Don’t have a room with a view? Make one with plants! Plants are the perfect way to beautify interior space. They’re inexpensive, easy to obtain and provide instant gratification. All it takes is a little imagination to transform a lackluster room into a striking design...
If 13 and a half months sounds like a long foreclosure timeline, try more than one year and nine months on for size. Recent reports from two major sources confirm that drawn out foreclosures have been the norm for 2013’s first quarter. As reported on DSNews.com,...
As Earth Day, April 22nd approaches, it reminds us that we reside on a living planet that requires nurturing care—just like a business. Americans have grown increasingly eco-conscious and supportive of conservation efforts, providing real estate professionals a platform to brand themselves “eco” by integrating...
2013 has seen the international luxury real estate market soar, and it continues to sizzle thanks to its immunity to the economic and political issues that have a bigger impact on the general housing market. According to a report from Christie's International Real Estate and...
If you’re on the hunt for a new home, you know too well that there are more interested buyers than there are homes to go around. Around the country, inventory issues continue to be a challenge, and levels dropped to 1.82 million homes nationally at...
If you’ve ever slipped up and said “Freddie Mae” or “Fannie Mac,” you may have been onto something. As reported in the Los Angeles Times earlier this month, we may be looking at the beginning of the end for the two giants of mortgage financing. Edward...
According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., a nationwide outplacement firm, previous underwater homeowners could relocate in an effort to find jobs. The firm says that 2013 could see a massive relocation surge because so many homeowners are finally able to list their homes for...
If you’re looking to purchase a home, you have likely noticed that inventory levels are tight everywhere. This has left many interested buyers scrambling in competitive markets, and because it’s a seller’s market, prices are on the rise. In an effort to stand out from...
It would be wonderful if buying a new home were as easy as purchasing a new TV, but the transaction is complicated by nature. It’s good to be apprised of common real estate negotiations and surprises that can surface during the process. Contingencies: You can almost...