Termite and Moisture Damage Not Reported
I have done so many appraisals where I saw obvious damage that was not reported by the other inspectors. The first couple of times I thought it was just carelessness. I came to realize it was the same agents who had found what I call pocket contractors or repeat business. Most buyers are not aware ... more...

Can You Buy a Home While on Vacation?
It may not be as crazy as it sounds. According to the National Association of Realtors, one out of every three residential homes purchased in 2004 was a second home. Many of these are mountain cabins or beach cottages. That said, buying a vacation home is not something to do on a whim.You should ... more...

New or Old House?
A lot of buyers think that a new house is the way to go but it's important to have some knowledge of quality and of the builder. New paint, carpet, doors, windows and cabinets are a quick and easy sell. But are the cabinets even level. I have seen cabinets in a $300,000 house that the dishes would ... more...

What is a Foreclosure?
A foreclosure is an action taken against a property owner by seizure of his/her real property. It can be for many reasons. The main cause is delinquent payments on a mortgage. The mortgage company or second and even third mortgage holders contact the owner, then the trustee (usually an attorney) to ... more...

For Sale By Owner, What Are You Really Saving?
WHAT ARE YOU REALLY SAVING WHEN YOU SELL YOUR HOME YOURSELF?Most people who try to sell their homes themselves, will put "Brokers Welcome" in their ads, fact sheets and flyers. That is a great idea, considering that over 90% of all homes sold, are in fact sold by real estate agents, even For Sale ... more...

Buying New Construction...How Do I Begin?
The prospect of shopping for a new construction residence can be quite daunting, but the rewards of owning a brand new home out-weight the disadvantages if you know the potential pitfalls. The following are important considerations: Overall Dollar Budget, Location, Cost Per Square Foot, Finishes, ... more...

Negotiating the Sale of Your Home
Negotiating a successful sale of your home requires an environment that sustains the buyer's interest and trust during the process. Many of our clients have been very experienced negotiators, and from them we have learned that the goal is to reach a "good agreement" - one in which the underlying ... more...

Real Estate Bubble: Sophisticated Musical Chairs?
The real estate bubble is a hot topic today; annual appreciation and housing prices have never been higher in most U.S. markets. While personal incomes have risen in the single digits over the last four years, home prices have risen in the double digits. Home prices in some markets will reach ... more...

Pricing your House to Sell
Most Sellers set their initial asking price at an amount somewhat higher than they are actually willing to accept, fully expecting a buyer to open the bidding with a lesser amount.While price is the most frequently negotiated item in any home sale, you may be able to creatively provide financial ... more...

Boston Real Estate You Still Have Considerable Control Over the Sale of Your Boston Home
Boston real estate is a hot topic. Daily newspaper articles comment on whether or not a bubble exists in the Boston real estate market, when and if it will pop, how interest rates affect the market, why Boston residents are snapping up interest-only loans, and how foreign investors in our ... more...

Useless Real Estate Middle Men and How to Avoid Them!
How do HomeGain, Realtor.com, Service Magic and other companies like this make money? These companies are called lead generation companies. They spend vast amounts of money advertising on TV, the Internet, radio, and in print so that youll go to their website to find information about real estate. ... more...

From Foreclosure to Forbearance - The Art of Negotiation
As an active real estate investor you probably already know that the most important phase of your investment is when you buy the property. Most of us are getting the bargains in the foreclosure market. You will agree with me that the best time to buy is before the actual foreclosure. This is ... more...

Real Estate: Financial Considerations $$$
Raw land as opposed to improved property is much more difficult to finance through traditional lenders. The main reasons are that it generates very little income, development costs can be expensive, there are no buildings or improvements that can be used as collateral, and it is often considered ... more...