tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80349853658828548112011-04-21T19:23:37.747-05:00Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comBlogger981100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-47474851335284903662009-02-19T14:46:00.003-06:002009-02-20T08:23:11.658-06:00

Tired of watching big banks and Wall Street get big bailouts? Where's your bailout? Protect yourself, your family and your assets. Bankruptcy gives you a fresh start. Eliminate debt. Save your home from foreclosure. Keep your assets.Wisconsin Bankruptcy Attorney Robert W. Flessas provides a free phone consultation to eastern Wisconsin residents in need of bankruptcy services. Start your

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-39854158380531306682008-10-17T06:01:00.000-05:002008-10-17T06:01:00.429-05:00

Will the Internet replace public foreclosure auctions?Public auctions of foreclosed properties began in the 19th century as a practical way to ensure there was no chicanery between lenders and public officials.Next month, Duval County, Fla., will become the first county in the country to hold an Internet foreclosure auction, forgoing the traditional courthouse sale in the hope of attracting

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-65609711519644177592008-10-16T06:00:00.000-05:002008-10-16T06:00:00.836-05:00

Bank of America on Monday said it is launching a "home retention program" on Dec. 1 to modify troubled mortgages for nearly 400,000 customers of Countrywide Financial Corp.Bank of America acquired Countrywide on July 1.The program, which can reduce up to $8.4 billion in interest payments and principal, was developed in partnership with state Attorneys General to help borrowers that financed their

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-10590352388688310942008-10-15T06:00:00.000-05:002008-10-15T06:00:01.443-05:00

Employers slashed more than 9,000 mortgage jobs in the third quarter, according to employment data tracked by MortgageDaily.com.From July 1 to Sept. 30, MortgageDaily.com tracked 10,131 U.S. mortgage layoffs and 996 mortgage hirings. Layoffs exceeded hirings by 9,135.The findings were based on an analysis of 38 companies that either added or eliminated employees in the latest quarter. The report

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-47969684137053088332008-10-14T06:00:00.000-05:002008-10-14T06:00:01.337-05:00

On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 — and President Bush quickly signed the bill into law.In a letter to members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, NAR President Dick Gaylord thanks everyone who voiced support for the revised bill. A failure to act, he said, "Would have pushed consumers into more dire

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-67016208595992533552008-10-13T06:00:00.000-05:002008-10-13T06:00:00.887-05:00

As credit and borrowing standards tighten, seller financing is becoming more common.For those selling small business, the ability to offer it is particularly important."Sellers really have to be prepared to take back more of the financing or to take a second position behind the banks to make them come together ... because of the financial situation of the world today," says Wally Kocemba of the

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-58434811776649430472008-10-12T06:00:00.001-05:002008-10-07T17:53:36.256-05:00

Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank said those who try to lay blame for the current mortgage crisis on the push for affordable housing via the Community Reinvestment Act are racist.Frank told attendees at a mortgage foreclosure symposium in Boston that loans under the act are issued by regulated institutions, while most of the foreclosures were triggered by high-cost loans made by unregulated

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-46459429403248047652008-10-11T06:00:00.001-05:002008-10-11T06:00:01.609-05:00

Staying warm doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here are some ideas from the U.S. Department of Energy for conserving heat and saving money.By Kelly Quigley | October 2008When the leaves start falling, you know that the heating bills are about to start rising. But keeping your home warm and cozy on chilly autumn nights doesn't have to break the bank.The U.S. Department of Energy offers these simple

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-23384887292123321692008-10-10T06:00:00.000-05:002008-10-10T06:00:00.722-05:00

Households that use fuel oil can expect to spend an average of $2,388 – or $449 more than last year – for the October-April heating season.Users of natural gas will pay less than half that, $1,010 on average, still $155 more than last year, the Department of Energy estimated.The number of Americans whose gas or electricity has been shut off because of nonpayment of bills is up 17 percent compared

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-37418517484671424462008-10-09T06:00:00.000-05:002008-10-09T06:00:00.725-05:00

Prices are holding up nicely in the ZIP codes of the rich and famous.Forbes magazine examined the top 100 most expensive ZIP codes in the United States and concluded that most saw strong price appreciation in the last 12 months.Here are the top-10 most expensive ZIP Codes and the median home sales prices: 1. Fisher Island, Fla., Miami-Dade County, 33109. Median sales price: $3.85 million 2.

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-42609169191874471502008-10-08T06:00:00.001-05:002008-10-08T06:00:01.100-05:00

Wall Street took a nose-dive Monday, with the Dow Jones industrials plunging more than 800 points at one point during the day before finishing down 370. The sell-off on Monday sent the Dow below 10,000 for the first time in four years.The U.S. government, facing increasing pressure to do something about the unstable financial markets, is reportedly weighing a plan to buy massive amounts of

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-41829054310645769872008-10-07T06:00:00.000-05:002008-10-07T06:00:02.491-05:00

Even if the government buys hundreds of billions of dollars worth of mortgage-backed securities, it is unlikely that it will be able to protect many Americans from losing their homes, analysts say.Financial experts say that 90 percent or more of subprime mortgages are held in trusts that have been sold to institutional investors around the world. Unless every investor agrees, the terms of a

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-85362569478515740062008-10-06T06:00:00.000-05:002008-10-06T06:00:01.277-05:00

McLean, VA – Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.09 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending September 25, 2008, up from last week when it averaged 5.78 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.42 percent.The 15-year FRM this week averaged 5.77

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-50577248738915395922008-10-05T06:00:00.000-05:002008-10-05T06:00:01.268-05:00

Existing-home sales were down in August following a healthy gain in July as tight mortgage credit curtailed activity, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Sales rose in the Midwest and South, but fell in the Northeast and West.Nationally, existing-home sales — including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops — declined 2.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-46963732256700941462008-10-04T06:00:00.000-05:002008-10-04T06:00:01.662-05:00

Wall Street's woes are going to have an impact on communities all over the country.Not only because the $700 billion bailout will most likely result in higher taxes for most Americans, but because people who work in industries related to the financial sector will be vulnerable as companies make cutbacks.The financial, insurance, and real estate sectors employ approximately 9.8 million people in

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-68002470607494344992008-10-03T06:00:00.001-05:002008-10-03T06:00:01.019-05:00

When the leaves start falling, you know that the heating bills are about to start rising. But keeping your home warm and cozy on chilly autumn nights doesn't have to break the bank.The U.S. Department of Energy offers these simple tips and relatively inexpensive home improvements that will help ensure cold gusts stay out and your furnace doesn't have to work harder than it should.1. Plug air

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-59920881882832364062008-10-02T06:00:00.000-05:002008-10-02T06:00:01.693-05:00

While the $700 billion financial bailout will shore up the banks’ ability to lend, “The key to recovery is finding stability for the housing market,” says Susan Wachter, professor of real estate and finance at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.The pace of foreclosures shows no sign of abating, Wachter says, predicting that foreclosures will increase in the coming months and drive

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-23901897315061369372008-10-01T06:00:00.002-05:002008-10-01T06:00:00.533-05:00

The defeat of the bailout bill likely isn’t good news for the housing market.In the wake of Monday’s legislative defeat of the housing bailout, housing economist Thomas Lawler asked, "How many people are going to sit down and say: 'You know honey, it's a good time to buy a house?' The government really needs to get its act together."Home prices have fallen about 20 percent since their peak in

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-5621683192359847362008-09-30T11:44:00.000-05:002008-09-30T11:46:21.708-05:00

Lawmakers are expected to continue negotiations after the U.S. House of Representatives' surprise defeat yesterday of a $700 billion rescue plan, which sent shockwaves through Wall Street."What happened today was not a failure of a bill, it was a failure of will," said Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, D-Conn. "Our hope is that cooler heads will prevail, people will think about what they did

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-82975166980061598072008-09-24T06:03:00.000-05:002008-09-24T06:03:04.387-05:00

New York City has been nearly immune to the housing slowdown. And thanks to foreign buyers, that may continue.In Manhattan, where the median home costs exceed $1 million, prices were actually up 14 percent in the second quarter of 2008 compared with 2007. And prices in desirable suburbs have held steady.Now home sellers, real estate practitioners, and mortgage lenders are listening uneasily to

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-71569853133368245452008-09-23T06:03:00.000-05:002008-09-23T06:03:01.056-05:00

Activity is slowing in commercial real estate sectors in response to tightening credit and slow economic growth, according to the latest Commercial Real Estate Outlook of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says problems on Wall Street are affecting commercial real estate. “Although capital remains available for residential loans, the credit crunch is

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-24104072271997935062008-09-21T06:03:00.000-05:002008-09-21T06:03:02.199-05:00

Lehman Brothers bankruptcy is putting pressure on financial institutions to divest their holdings of commercial property debt, driving down prices in an already troubled market.Lehman's failure is the biggest indicator yet that the financial crisis that started in the housing market now is affecting shopping centers, office buildings, hotels, and other commercial real estate.Approximately $4.3

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-75733045841924837322008-09-20T06:03:00.000-05:002008-09-20T06:03:00.238-05:00

New housing construction fell to the lowest level in 17 years in August, according to a U.S. Commerce Department report released Wednesday.Commerce said housing construction dropped 6.2 percent in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 895,000 units, the slowest pace since January 1991, another housing correction.The decline is larger than the 1.6 percent drop that analysts expected and

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-50332392307304151642008-09-19T06:03:00.001-05:002008-09-19T06:08:31.577-05:00

The housing market is a year away from improvement, says Steven Preston, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.Preston predicts that it will be “the middle of next year or well into next year” before “we begin to see more consistency in buyers coming back into the marketplace.”The recovery from the housing crisis in 2009 is likely to be regional in nature, the HUD

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-14984540894177875302008-09-19T06:03:00.000-05:002008-09-19T06:06:06.992-05:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 3, 2008) — The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending August 29, 2008. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, was 453.1, an increase of 7.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from 421.6 one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 5.8

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-87556280506759956352008-09-08T14:54:00.001-05:002008-09-08T14:55:40.450-05:00

Fannie, Freddie Takeover Keeps Mortgages FlowingThe federal government's sweeping takeover of mortgage market giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is expected to have positive short-term benefits to the real estate market and opens the door for the industry to shape the restructuring of the companies.The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® commended the Treasury Department's decision, which it said

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-80323606451588819982008-06-19T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-19T08:07:37.469-05:00

A modest gain in the level of home sales is possible over the next couple months, and an improvement is forecast for the second half of this year as more buyers are able to access affordable mortgages, according to the latest forecast by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in April, rose 6.3 percent to 88.2 from

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-4906823956058782432008-06-18T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-18T08:14:16.497-05:00

Despite banks’ reactions to the foreclosure crisis, it’s still possible for a potential homeowner to buy with no money down.Some options come from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and are aimed at making homeownership possible for buyers with limited credit and savings, including teachers, firefighters, and members of the military. Some of the loan programs, which are available through cooperating

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-79883728779426157582008-06-17T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-17T08:12:46.705-05:00

Who doesn't want a house by the beach? Owning a place near water is practically a universal desire, which makes waterfront homes a solid real estate niche in pretty much any market.Jen Miller, author of The Jersey Shore, Atlantic City to Cape May offers these tips that you can share with anyone contemplating the purchase of waterfront property – whether it’s in New Jersey or elsewhere: * Be

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-89622005613115589402008-06-16T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-16T08:00:04.165-05:00

Buyers who try to save money by cutting back on their homeowners' insurance coverage could regret it, a new study warns.United Policyholders, a San Francisco consumer organization, analyzed the aftermath of last fall’s forest fire in California. The group's research found that 75 percent of fire victims didn’t carry enough insurance to cover their losses.California Insurance Commissioner Steve

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-53555192958904097382008-06-15T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-15T08:00:03.245-05:00

U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey considers the surge in mortgage fraud a very serious problem, but says it doesn't warrant the creation of a national task force such as the panel that investigated the Enron debacle in 2002.In a June 5 briefing for reporters, Mukasey said the mortgage fraud problem is more of a localized issue like white-collar street crime and that he supports the approach

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-17202163300895571682008-06-14T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-14T08:11:56.461-05:00

Where are the best cities in the country to live, work, and play? Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine did its best to answer that question in its 2008 Best Cities report.Kiplinger says it looked for strong economies and abundant jobs, a reasonable cost of living, and lots of fun things to do.Kevin Stolarick, research director at the Martin Prosperity Institute, a think tank that studies economic

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-62834521029143968742008-06-13T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-13T08:00:12.167-05:00

Bank of America CEO Kenneth Lewis says his company is still committed to buying money-losing lender Countrywide Financial Corp., even though the global credit crisis continues.Lewis says the $3.1 billion Countrywide purchase was an important strategic move, giving Bank of America more than a 20 percent share of the mortgage marketplace. It remains a financially attractive deal, he says, even with

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-59831770511297689392008-06-12T12:55:00.001-05:002008-06-12T12:59:18.260-05:00

The North Carolina Association of REALORS® has approved a plan to spend $10 million on an advocacy fund to educate the public about the value of private property and affordable housing.The organization particularly opposes any state or local government effort to impose a real estate transfer tax. Since November 2007, 19 counties have voted down real estate transfer tax proposals."This is a

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-32337152144499344722008-06-07T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-07T08:03:07.801-05:00

Real estate professionals encourage home sellers to relocate their pets during the sales process. While some buyers are afraid of or allergic to certain animals, the biggest deterrents are pet odors. In addition to keeping pets out of the home at least during showings or open houses, sellers should remove animal toys, leashes, food bowls, cat litter and any other signs that a pet occupies the

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-80466573635713806232008-06-06T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-06T13:04:17.705-05:00

Despite the upheaval among lenders and declining home values, customer satisfaction with home-equity lines of credit remains high, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Home Equity Line/Loan Origination Study released May 28."Ongoing troubles in the housing and mortgage lending markets have had the effect of lowering customer expectations around the home equity loan and line of credit

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-58583408866848663652008-06-05T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-05T08:00:04.699-05:00

Consumers who get their loans through brokers typically pay more than those who obtain them directly from the lender, claims a study prepared for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.The study by Susan Woodward, a former chief economist for HUD, says total fees on $105,000 brokered loans were $4,000, compared with $3,150 for loans made directly by the lender.Brokers often defend what

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-56245018477025225702008-06-04T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-04T08:00:04.374-05:00

Buyers who renege on a contract to buy a condominium are a growing concern to developers."There's a fine line a developer has to walk to get these unsold units off the market," says William Rich, a vice president of Delta Associates and director of the firm's condominium practice.Rich says builders in the Baltimore-Washington region have taken steps ranging from converting for-sale projects into

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-18695158843250574862008-06-03T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-03T08:00:06.173-05:00

Freddie Mac reports a jump in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 6.08 percent during the week ended May 29 from 5.98 percent the prior week, marking a two-month high triggered by investor concern over inflation.The 15-year mortgage rate climbed to 5.66 percent from 5.55 percent over the same period, while the five-year adjustable rate rose slightly to 5.62 percent from 5.61 percent.However, the

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-74328069274190308872008-06-02T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-02T08:00:05.680-05:00

Despite declining tax revenues in many areas, federal, state and local governments are taking advantage of the sluggish real estate market to buy property for preservation.In many cases, the federal government will match the amount spent on property, which makes the cost of preserving land seem reasonable to both government officials and taxpayers.Recent open-space spending includes: * A U.S.

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-88984212845339627162008-06-01T08:00:00.000-05:002008-06-01T08:00:03.851-05:00

A Wisconsin man who purchased a flood-prone home in Milwaukee can sue the sellers, the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided.Chad Novell bought the home in 2003 from family friends. A home inspection at the time of the purchase noted potential problems with water in the basement. But the sellers assured Novell that they had never had water in the nine years they lived there. They also said the cracks

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-17653442373771168662008-05-31T08:00:00.000-05:002008-05-31T08:00:04.459-05:00

Rising foreclosures are taking a toll on affordable rental housing, according to the Chicago-based Woodstock Institute, which has released a report revealing that two- to six-unit apartment buildings accounted for 35 percent of the nearly 14,000 foreclosures filed in the Windy City last year.In Chicago's West Garfield Park neighborhood, apartment buildings — which provide the bulk of the city's

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-74969355145447283222008-05-30T08:00:00.000-05:002008-05-30T08:00:06.697-05:00

The United States isn’t the only country that is worrying about its housing market. There’s a glut of housing in Spain and Ireland, where home building grew by 187 percent and 177 percent respectively between 1996 and 2006. Home prices in Ireland are falling, while Spanish numbers still show a small annual increase.Meanwhile, there's positive news in other parts of the world. New Zealand house

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-5653092011946474562008-05-29T08:00:00.000-05:002008-05-29T08:00:08.736-05:00

The FBI was instrumental in 206 convictions in 2007 for real estate securities and commodities fraud.According to an FBI report released Thursday, the 1,204 mortgage fraud cases pursued in 2007 resulted in 321 indictments and court orders for $595.9 million in restitution.The FBI, working in conjunction with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is investigating more than 1,300 mortgage-fraud

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-39261854554104673872008-05-28T08:00:00.000-05:002008-05-28T08:00:10.691-05:00

Existing-home sales slowed in April, partly because tight lending guidelines hampered home buyers.But there are some things to be happy about: A greater number of market areas are showing sales gains from a year ago, and a recent reversal in mortgage policy means the market is better positioned for a turnaround, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.Existing-home sales – including

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-27196111774020468892008-05-27T08:00:00.000-05:002008-05-27T08:00:05.006-05:00

These are skills every home owner should master to save lots of money over the years. Most can be tackled without fancy tools, although it helps to have a variable-speed power drill. * Replace a door lock. * Change furnace and air conditioning filters. * Find a stud in wall. * Learn to install wall anchors. * Hang a ceiling fan. * Drive drywall screws (to repair drywall). *

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-21270725282808554472008-05-26T18:24:00.000-05:002008-05-26T18:24:01.020-05:00

Consumer sentiment about the state of the economy dropped to a 28-year low in April, according to the Reuters/University of Michigan index.The survey showed that consumer sentiment fell to 59.5 from 62.6, hitting its lowest point since June 1980. The culprits: High gas prices, a sluggish housing market, and a not-too-great job outlook.Expectations for inflation over the next year rose to 5.2

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-11710547556110472342008-05-25T18:22:00.000-05:002008-05-25T18:22:00.863-05:00

Dale Stevens, an associate with Prudential Connecticut Realty in Enfield, Conn., has been bitten by dogs and assaulted by parakeets, but her worst experience came as a result of a cat sleeping in a chair: Her client, terrified of cats, took one look at the snoring feline and walked away from the deal.If your sellers have pets at the home, here are some suggestions from Stevens and other

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-92213711764409124882008-05-25T11:56:00.000-05:002008-05-25T11:57:36.464-05:00

Executives from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac told Congress on Thursday that they are reducing interest rates on some jumbo mortgages.They said their more aggressive purchases in recent weeks of loans between $417,000 and $729,750 have brought rates down.Prices still remain relatively high compared to rates for lower amounts because investors believe borrowers will refinance as soon as rates

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-68771473212695205242008-05-24T18:20:00.000-05:002008-05-24T18:20:00.707-05:00

Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have ended weeks of negotiations with a plan that would allow the federal government to insure up to $300 billion in refinanced loans for struggling home owners.The bipartisan accord, which represents the clearest sign yet that Congress is ready to pass sweeping legislation on housing, also seeks to tighten up oversight of government-sponsored enterprises (

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-90053223809763198332008-05-23T08:15:00.000-05:002008-05-23T08:15:01.631-05:00

The self-storage center is the latest to get a taste of the foreclosure crisis.People who lose their home to foreclosure often rely on self-storage for their belongings. But some people cannot keep up with their storage bills any better than they could handle their mortgage payments. The result: storage companies auction off their property for a pittance.''You tell yourself, 'I'm only going to

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-81037432181348347392008-05-22T08:13:00.000-05:002008-05-22T08:13:01.031-05:00

Home owners who are having a tough time selling their homes face a hard decision – should they drop the price in hopes of attracting a bargain hunter, or should they find a renter and hold on until prices go back up?Benny L. Kass, real estate attorney and columnist for the Washington Post, offers these reasons why selling now is better than waiting it out. * Tax implications. Living in a home

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-30964196954628822492008-05-21T08:11:00.000-05:002008-05-21T08:11:01.084-05:00

New trends will reshape tastes in homes and transform how you buy and sell, experts say. So what will the housing market of the future look like? Money magazine interviewed developers, architects, lenders, and more, to paint the following picture:Smaller houses. In a February survey of potential home buyers by the National Association of Home Builders, 60 percent said they would rather have a

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-36368450186337412062008-05-20T08:09:00.001-05:002008-05-20T08:09:01.389-05:00

Even in this tough market, a nice outdoor deck is a feature any home buyer can love.The size of the average deck on an upscale home has doubled in the past 10 years, to about 700 square feet, according to Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS).Decks are particularly popular with young families. Parents like the idea that children can be outdoors, yet contained in a safe place.However,

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-10321259790833881592008-05-19T08:06:00.000-05:002008-05-19T08:06:00.414-05:00

The foreclosure prevention bill that’s now under consideration in the U.S. Senate isn’t the best answer to the challenges of today’s real estate and mortgage markets, FHA Commissioner Brian Montgomery told REALTORS ® at the 2008 NAR Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.The bill, approved by the U.S. House of Representatives last week, would “federalize" the mortgage market, he said. A better

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-65580961633690906562008-05-18T07:58:00.001-05:002008-05-18T07:58:01.169-05:00

Despite estimates from NAR’s Commercial Leading Indictor that commercial activity will continue to slow over the next six months, fundamentals remain strong for most property types, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said at the 2008 NAR Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo Thursday.“Most commercial markets will be sluggish, but positive, this year,” he said. A few, such as Michigan, Ohio,

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-34880493302416392382008-05-17T07:49:00.001-05:002008-05-17T07:51:59.129-05:00

The House-passed bill to address the housing crisis through targeted FHA intervention and other NAR-backed provisions isn’t dead in the Senate just because President Bush has threatened to veto it.That's the message from House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who spoke to REALTORS® at NAR's 2008 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo on Thursday.“It’s still an open

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-61199062940450769752008-05-17T07:47:00.001-05:002008-05-17T07:49:05.953-05:00

Fannie Mae will no longer require borrowers to put up an extra 5 percent down payment when purchasing homes in areas deemed "declining markets," the country’s largest secondary mortgage market company said Friday.Fannie Mae had been hearing concerns from REALTORS® and others for months that its declining-markets policy was bad for the housing market because it discouraged consumers from buying

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-47555995452860883422008-05-13T15:58:00.002-05:002008-05-17T07:53:09.416-05:00

The U.S. House passed a housing aid plan Thursday that would provide $300 billion to refinance mortgages for homeowners facing foreclosure.Under the program, lenders will get an FHA guarantee on the loan if they write down the principal amount by 15 percent from the home’s current appraised value. The bill excludes investors and those who lied about their income on a loan application.A companion

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-79787406121887317492008-05-13T15:56:00.002-05:002008-05-17T07:54:15.722-05:00

Democrats, pressing for approval of a taxpayer-funded effort to rescue homeowners in danger of foreclosure, may pay the price in this year's elections, experts say.That's because many U.S. home owners — specifically, those who continue to make their mortgage payments in a timely manner — agree with the Bush administration and most GOP members of Congress that the Democratic plan is tantamount to

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-48867020054437747092008-05-13T15:52:00.001-05:002008-05-17T07:55:00.250-05:00

Two organizations that work with companies to help them successfully transfer employees have identified the best small, medium and large cities for relocating families.The study, by Primacy Relocation and Worldwide ERC, looked at many factors to pinpoint spots where a relocation of the entire family is most likely to be successful.Among the most important factors: The health of the housing market

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-46413615917105510072008-05-05T13:33:00.000-05:002008-05-05T13:34:35.498-05:00

First-quarter mortgage volume was down 22 percent from the first quarter 2007, but it rose 3 percent from the fourth quarter, according to publisher MortgageDaily.com.There were $370.6 billion mortgage originations in first quarter 2008.Compared with the first quarter of 2007, U.S. Bancorp mortgage activity jumped 86 percent. Flagstar Bancorp Inc. was up 44 percent and First Horizon National Corp

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-57608336557161670092008-05-05T13:32:00.001-05:002008-05-05T13:34:51.719-05:00

There’s a lot of vacant land for sale at the moment, but does building a custom home make sense? Ask different real estate professionals, and you'll get different answers.Debbie Jensen, an associate with Fairfax Realty in Herndon, Va., says the answer is simple: Just don't build. At least not now. Buyers take on too much risk and are at the mercy of builders, she says. "I can't tell you the

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-57307110790262224042008-05-05T13:30:00.002-05:002008-05-05T13:31:37.850-05:00

Condo owners who can’t sell their units often consider leasing the space to tenants until the market improves. Yet, increasingly, such owners are discovering that their condo association has rules preventing them from doing so.Rental policies vary by condo association, but generally associations limit the percentage of units that can be occupied by tenants. Some communities require owners to

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-6603832333896875932008-05-05T13:28:00.001-05:002008-05-05T13:32:05.861-05:00

Berkshire Hathaway, the insurance and investment company chaired by Warren Buffett, the world’s wealthiest man, has bought portfolios of subprime mortgages and frozen their rates.Buffett, who spoke at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting Sunday, said Clayton Homes, a unit of Berkshire that makes and provides financing on manufactured homes, purchased the subprime mortgages. Clayton sent letters to

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-50634012481047378232008-04-18T23:37:00.001-05:002008-05-17T07:53:34.623-05:00

For some, it might not seem like a great time to buy a house, but it’s a dreadful time to rent, especially in the western part of the United States.The average apartment rent through March rose from the previous year in all 19 major Western markets surveyed by the research firm RealFacts,San Jose, Calif. -- the heart of Silicon Valley -- is now the West's most expensive rental market, with the

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-35167772013888024832008-04-18T23:36:00.000-05:002008-04-18T23:37:11.097-05:00

One in every 33 homeowners is likely to be in foreclosure sometime in the next two years, according to a study released today by the Pew Charitable Trusts."Stronger standards from federal policy makers could have helped avert this crisis," said Shelley A. Hearne, managing director of Pew's Health and Human Services Program. "Future legislation must consider ways to strengthen standards to prevent

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-2966484385131301072008-04-18T23:33:00.000-05:002008-04-18T23:34:07.603-05:00

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® says 18 percent of home transactions are now short sales, though experts point out that lenders are reluctant to approve such deals.Research from Clayton Holdings Inc. indicates that lenders lose only 19 percent of the loan amount on average with a short sale, compared to 40 percent on a traditional foreclosure sale. However, short sales require approvals

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-16519738454101458022008-04-18T23:29:00.000-05:002008-04-18T23:31:37.188-05:00

In cities where housing prices have fallen dramatically, bargain hunters are swooping in and pushing sales upward.Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Sacramento, and San Diego have all seen sales increases recently after a period of price declines, according to a March report by Radar Logic, a real estate data and analytics firm. In Detroit, sales of homes and condos rose 12.8 percent in February

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-61607882448047184182008-04-15T14:08:00.000-05:002008-04-15T14:09:37.788-05:00

In an effort to rebuild confidence in credit ratings, Standard & Poor's says it has established a risk oversight committee and will hire an ombudsman.S&P, the world’s largest credit-rating firm, will mandate that loan data for mortgage-backed securities be made available and periodically move analysts from one issuer to another.The plan also calls for a change in the company's computer models,

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-74313377631619104892008-04-15T14:07:00.002-05:002008-04-15T14:08:43.253-05:00

Foreclosure filings continue to increase, up 5 percent in March over February, and up 57 percent from March 2007. This includes default notices, auction sale notices, and bank repossessions."What we're really looking at is ongoing fallout from people overextending themselves to buy homes they couldn't afford and using highly toxic loan products to get into the houses in the first place," Rick

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-68725523314351225642008-04-15T14:04:00.000-05:002008-04-15T14:06:06.008-05:00

Countries in the rest of the world are beginning to feel their own versions of the U.S. housing downturn.In Ireland, Spain, Britain, and elsewhere, housing markets are returning to earth after soaring for decades. Experts worry that these countries could suffer the mortgage defaults and foreclosures that have been such a problem in California, Florida, and other U.S. states.''The problems in the

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-63643222250580443272008-04-15T05:17:00.000-05:002008-04-15T05:18:38.269-05:00

The average interest on the benchmark mortgage rate held below the 6-percent threshold for the fourth consecutive week as 30-year loans remained at 5.88 percent this week, according to Freddie Mac.''Once again, mortgage rates held relatively steady this week amid release of subdued economic data,'' says Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft, who cited a government report on the number of jobs

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-59210171585408938082008-04-15T05:13:00.001-05:002008-04-15T05:15:25.312-05:00

The U.S. economy won’t recover until 2010, predicts the International Monetary Fund.The fund, which was organized after World Warn II to monitor the world economy, calls the current economic slowdown "the largest financial shock since the Great Depression." Its Chief Economist Simon Johnson says the U.S. economy hobbled by fallout from the housing market collapse will grow at a barely perceptible

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-66786135571050525092008-04-15T05:04:00.001-05:002008-04-15T05:16:09.862-05:00

A plan by congressional Democrats to aid underwater home owners by having the government buy troubled loans was criticized last week in a report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.The plan, sponsored by Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) and Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) would have the Federal Housing Administration refinance mortgages after lenders erased that part of the loan that is

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-16132472249584442792008-04-15T05:00:00.001-05:002008-04-15T05:16:41.924-05:00

The government and the lending industry are taking aim at “walk-away” home owners who stop making payments and months later send the house keys back to their lender.Such borrowers will not be able to get another mortgage through Fannie Mae for five years, unless there are “documented extenuating circumstances.” In that case, the prohibition is three years. Even after the prescribed time has

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-45607717892366985622008-04-01T00:30:00.000-05:002008-04-01T00:31:34.413-05:00

Insure Your Property by Mary JohnsonInsurance is big business. With liability, workman's compensation, group health, life, disability income, "key man" and other types of policies available, virtually anyone or anything can be insured. If you own a commercial property, residence or land, property insurance is an absolute necessity.Property insurance covers the building structure or structures,

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-39549530847456273242008-04-01T00:29:00.001-05:002008-04-01T00:29:46.768-05:00

How To Buy Pre-foreclosures by Mark G. EstatesPre foreclosures are known as properties that have reached the final stages before they get repossessed or taken back by the lender or bank. The owner is still in complete control of the property or home, although the bank or lender will repossess the home if the owner doesn’t attempt to rectify the situation. Normally, if the owner makes things right

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-53418275442837758312008-04-01T00:25:00.002-05:002008-04-01T00:30:31.115-05:00

Green House Floor Plan | Build An Energy Efficient Home by Rebecca WelchWhen planning your new house, an energy efficient green house floor plan would be an excellent alternative to a traditional stick built home. One important thing to consider is the orientation of your home on the property. One way to gain energy savings is to situate the house toward the northwest and use fewer openings and

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-77189579984758071822008-03-19T23:07:00.001-05:002008-03-19T23:20:18.907-05:00

Democrats in both houses of Congress are working to bring legislation to a vote that would target home owners who are facing foreclosure because they can’t pay the escalating interest.Under the program, environed by House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), a home owner could contact an approved Federal

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-74450761703771662482008-03-19T22:41:00.000-05:002008-03-19T23:20:56.782-05:00

Even after a buyer is found and the papers are signed, there’s no guarantee that the deal will close, say real estate practitioners."The risks are with the property or the buyer's credit, income, or down payment," says Kent Cochrum, president of Kingsland Financial Services in Wheaton, Il.Even pre-approval is no guarantee this days. Something as small as missing a bill payment shortly before

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-28025039048072413682008-03-19T22:40:00.003-05:002008-03-19T23:22:28.191-05:00

The FBI is currently investigating 17 firms involved in the mortgage lending industry, bureau officials told Reuters News in an exclusive interview. The bureau had previously acknowledged it was investigating 16 firms. Officials say the criminal probe could take years to complete.The FBI has assigned 100 agents to investigate corporate fraud aspects of the housing crisis, including subprime

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-36969840216484666482008-03-19T22:40:00.002-05:002008-03-19T23:21:48.099-05:00

Mortgage applications fell 2.9 percent last week on an adjusted basis compared to the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association weekly survey.On an unadjusted basis, the index decreased 2.8 percent and was down 3.7 percent compared with the same week a year ago.Applications for home purchases declined only 1 percent, while refinances fell 4.6 percent. The refinance share of

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-49748457715024191392008-03-05T13:28:00.001-06:002008-03-19T23:23:56.594-05:00

GET FREE FORECLOSURE HELP NOW! CLICK HERE.Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke Tuesday called for stronger measures to reduce rising foreclosures."Reducing the rate of preventable foreclosures would promote economic stability for households, neighborhoods, and the nation as a whole," Bernanke said. "Although lenders and servicers have scaled up their efforts and adopted a wider variety of

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-81684620272358575102008-03-05T13:26:00.000-06:002008-03-19T23:25:06.698-05:00

Mortgage applications rose 3 percent last week to 684.9, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly seasonally adjusted index.On an unadjusted basis, the index increased 15.3 percent compared with the previous week, which was cut short because of President’s Day. It was up 1.1 percent compared with the same week a year ago.The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 52.4

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-11811837287066836702008-02-28T16:09:00.001-06:002008-03-19T23:26:00.497-05:00

Sales of new single-family homes fell 2.8 percent in January to the lowest rate in nearly 13 years, according to a U.S. Commerce Department report issued Wednesday.In January, the median sales price for a new home fell 15.1 percent to $216,000 from $254,400 a year ago. There were 482,000 homes for sale at the end of the month, a 2.2 percent decline from December, but the months' supply crept up

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-57996466143253722362008-02-28T16:07:00.001-06:002008-03-19T23:26:45.960-05:00

Wells Fargo & Co., the country’s second-largest mortgage lender, says it has identified more than 200 housing markets nationwide where the mortgage crisis has spread.Wells Fargo tightened its lending standards in affected markets in 24 states and the District of Columbia.Wells Fargo said California has at least 33 housing markets "at risk," and that at least 20 counties, including Los Angeles and

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-33834158015549011122008-02-28T16:05:00.000-06:002008-03-19T23:27:34.259-05:00

Federal reserve Chair Ben Bernanke told the House Financial Service Committee during an appearance on Wednesday that the Fed is prepared to lower key interest rates again to bolster economic growth.The Fed "will act in a timely manner as needed to support growth and to provide adequate insurance against downside risks," he said.Bernanke was asked when he thought the housing market might stabilize

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-87248645987244394422008-01-23T23:55:00.000-06:002008-01-23T23:56:52.045-06:00

Nearly 150 U.S. mortgage lenders have shut down in the last year, according to Mortgage Daily’s MortgageGraveyard.com, a chronicle of failed companies.Companies tracked are those that employ at least 50 people. Small mortgage brokerages aren’t included. In 2006 there were 18 failures. So far this year there have been seven.Among last year's most notable failures were American Home Mortgage

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-17057016019597439732008-01-23T23:39:00.000-06:002008-01-23T23:57:30.365-06:00

What are the responsibilities of buyer agents? A case being tried next week in North County, Calif., Superior Court will help decide that question.Buyer Marty Ummel is suing her buyer representative saying he hid information about what similar homes in the neighborhood were selling for because he feared she would back out and he would lose his $30,000 commission.The defendant in the Ummel case is

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-63880565849324922602007-11-29T23:23:00.000-06:002007-12-03T11:34:08.390-06:00

Ben Bernanke Speech, Pt. 1Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke discusses the housing market, mortgage backed securities, and their effect on the economy.

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-1142819674469970362007-11-25T21:05:00.000-06:002007-11-25T21:10:50.738-06:00

Dubai is among the leading choices for people who wish to invest in foreign Real Estate. The most progressive of the 7 parts that make the United Arab Emirates offers excellent investment opportunities.Click here to read entire article.

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-33289128790625829622007-11-25T21:04:00.000-06:002007-11-25T21:05:37.755-06:00

The real estate market is one of the most complex markets in the entire world due to the fact that it is in a continuous change, thus making it a very dynamic market. The internet has a lot to offer consumers regarding real estate and as a result it is a great place to start shopping. Some of these advantages are:Click here to read entire article.

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-42599203299424222082007-11-25T21:01:00.000-06:002007-11-25T21:02:44.672-06:00

Tips to find the best deals in commercial real estate. If you want to be successful and profitable in the commercial real estate market, it will depend greatly on your ability to find the best deals in the commercial real estate market.Click here to read entire article.

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-66488997535583186582007-11-25T20:43:00.000-06:002007-11-25T20:45:39.577-06:00

Is the Internet slowly replacing the role of the real estate agent? What's the future of the real estate industry as a whole? Here's my take on the matter.Click here to read the article.

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-8184616952837721672007-11-25T20:23:00.000-06:002007-11-25T20:25:43.528-06:00

According to MSN Real Estate, the number of homes entering into to foreclosure has jumped nearly 100% since last year as efforts to stem the surge have come too little too late, with a sizable jump in the number of homes completing the foreclosure process and being taken back by the bank, also referred to as real-estate owned, or REO. This surge in foreclosures and the resulting drain on the

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-79044681408142200082007-11-25T19:34:00.000-06:002007-11-25T20:20:13.439-06:00

You borrowed all of your equity and now you are in trouble. Living paycheck to paycheck can hurt when someone gets sick. You thought you were smart when you home appreciated in value.Click here to read the article.

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8034985365882854811.post-18516346088980426232007-11-25T19:16:00.000-06:002007-11-25T19:19:56.928-06:00

You've Been Served A Notice Of Default From Your Bank. You're facing home foreclosure. Bank repossession of your home. That's the bad news. Everything You've Been Told About Home Foreclosure Is Dead Wrong.Click here to read entire article.

Robert Flessashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966390427148095073noreply@blogger.com