Realtors

NAR is presently at Disney World making some modest suggestions [1] for the new Administration:
 
An interest-rate buy down, in which the government would subsidize a portion of a home buyer’s mortgage interest rate. A recent analysis by NAR found that a reduction of interest rates by 1 percentage point could result in 840,000 additional home […]

Full marks to Mrs. M for digging this amazing story [1] out of page C4 of our local paper.
A Dartmouth [Nova Scotia] real estate agent says Ottawa is forcing agents to play Big Brother by requiring them to get and store personal information about their clients.
"It’s a privacy issue more than anything. It has been […]

We all expect a little showmanship from Realtors when presenting a home. One of the tricks that has always crossed the line is photoshoping pictures. I’ve seen power lines disappear, carpet spots removed, but this ‘cosmetic touch up’ takes the prize. The realtor used Microsoft Paint to ‘green up’ this property. (hat tip to Chris)
It […]

You would think that given the magnitude and sheer size of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bailout that Americans would at least be more curious about the formula as to how this thing is going to unfold.  [Cue the Crickets].  Instead, the public is focused on the “shiny things” once again like someone suffering […]

Thanks to Jared for telling us about a glitch at the Realtor.com website-
On my recent trip to the Realtor.com website I thought I’d check out their "Why use a realtor?" link.   The 4th paragraph from the bottom advertises their "Code of Ethics".  I love the fact that when you click the link it says "404 […]

As I walked to school a few weeks ago I passed this…
If creativity generates sales then Connie is a busy woman.
Connie, if you read the blog please explain…
Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Clint8200)

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Really the only thing that people should fear now is that if the market continues to improve prices will go up.-Tony MarnellaIt looks like Tony Baloney and the Porltand Housing Blog have a fun little discussion about who is trying to misinform potential home buyers. For a little history on this topic I’ll refer you […]

According to CNBC this morning, Housing Market Is Showing Signs of a Turnaround:
Pending sales of previously owned U.S. homes unexpectedly rose in April to the highest level in six months as foreclosed properties flooded the market and drove prices sharply lower, a real estate trade group report showed.
The National Association of […]

In 2005 you couldn’t throw a rock in Phoenix without hitting a Realtor, but that isn’t the case any more.  Apparently a lot fewer people are signing up for real estate school these days. [Hat tip Asset Hunter!]
Connie Ross wonders a little when people tell her they want to enroll in real-estate school.
Ross, a partner […]

For more proof that Oregon’s housing market isn’t different I give you the following from the Business Journal:
The Hasson Co. is adding a new specialty in foreclosed homes.The new “Real Estate-Owned” practice is being launched by the company’s Buccola Group in Bend.Hasson said it is responding to a surge in foreclosures. In Oregon, there were […]