For the first time in 20 years, United States cities are out-growing suburbs. The new census estimates that a change in population trends followed the current housing climate thanks in part to the spike in oil prices. Americans are choosing to stay put in big...
The spring season usually starts shaping up in March and goes until June, but this year thanks to unseasonably warm weather in many parts of the United States it may have started early. Spring is the litmus test for the overall housing demand. Last year,...
Beginning in 2013, California's Franchise Tax Board will scrutinize real estate tax write offs filed by property owners as part of their 2012 tax returns. Their main focus is to ensure that deductible and non-deductible portions are appropriately designated. Unfortunately, this will likely reduce the...
Conventional wisdom typically views the winter months as the quietest time in real estate. While it's true that people tend to hold off on significant life changes around the holidays, savvy agents can use the time for networking, re-certifications, and continuing education. That way, they're...
Since the so-called “Great Recession” began in 2006, home valuations have fallen by an average of 25%, forcing many “underwater” as incomes and available credit shrank. Recent positive economic data shows a good foundation being laid for housing in 2012. Speaking with Housingwire.com recently, Barclays Capital...
Over the last ten years, the quantity of homes that are occupied by renters has increased nearly 34%. That’s great news for landlords or for anyone looking for a long-term investment of 10 years or more. The good news continues… In 2010, average rental rates...
We are down to the last five real estate laws and regulations that will go into affect in the near future. These new regulations include information about citations, escrows, exemptions, appraisal issues, and items pertaining to small claims court. With only a few months remaining...
This week we are sharing the next group of 2012 real estate laws that California Association of Realtors recently announced. We understand that keeping up with regulations, technology and market conditions can be tricky, so we hope that you find this article helpful. Stay tuned...
Recently, the California Association of Realtors announced a list of new laws and regulations that agents and brokers need to be aware of, not only for their own knowledge, but also for their clients. To help you in understanding these updates, we will be posting...
You may have noticed that energy-efficiency ratings have started popping up in residential listings. That may be because of recent findings published by The Earth Advantage Institute, a non-profit group in Portland, OR, who found that certifications from Energy Star or LEED (Leadership in Energy...