Real Estate News
Source: Wash Post Real Estate
Washington Post's Real Estate section is your source for buying and selling a home and finding open houses in Washington,DC,Maryland and Virginia. DC,Virginia and Maryland. Post Real Estate also includes discussions and blogs on DC metro area real estate issues.
The recession has hurt many people's credit scores. How to fix it?
The recession may have done a number on your credit score, even if it spurred you to reform spendthrift ways and cut up your credit cards. For many, the drops have come at the same time that lenders have tightened their standards and demanded higher scores to get the best interest rates.
full story >>
Mansions go modular as costs, timeline lure high-end buyers
One day in February, it was an empty, snow-covered lot in Bethesda. In 32 hours, the property held a six-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bath French country mansion with a walkout basement.
full story >>
full story >>
Huntington Terrace: An eclectic 'American village' in Md.
Pedestrian-friendly Huntington Terrace in Bethesda is celebrating its centennial this year. Narrow streets -- about 20 feet, curb to curb -- pass homes with mature trees and modest front yards. Children can walk to Bradley Hills Elementary School without having to cross busy streets.
full story >>
Do-it-yourselfers can shell out for a real estate 'bargain'
We are a nation of bargain hunters, especially when it comes to real estate. And what could be a better bargain strategy than this? Snap up a foreclosed, partially completed house for a song, finish it up and own a really nice home for less money than buying a finished house.
full story >>
Lamond Riggs, D.C., residents love it enough to stay for a long time
Caesar Dudley moved to Lamond Riggs in 1959, attracted to the affordable, well-built brick homes, the civic involvement and the convenience of city living.
full story >>
Testing the waters: This year, vacation buyers can afford to be picky
As every beachcomber knows, salvaging treasure can require patience. ¶ Vacation areas around the Washington region have been buffeted by the real estate market collapse and the recession. Going into spring, optimistic market watchers are focusing hard on any glimmers of a revival while bargain...
full story >>
Sometimes losing a home is just the beginning of the pain
As if losing one's home in a foreclosure or short sale were not already sufficiently traumatic, many former homeowners are learning that the day they turn in their keys may be only the start of an even more prolonged housing-induced misery.
full story >>
full story >>
Squatters in their own house: When banks don't foreclose
It's been more than 16 months since Eugene and Patricia Harrison last paid the mortgage on their Perris, Calif., home. Eleven months since the notice got slapped on their front door, warning that the house would be sold at auction.
full story >>
Looking to refinance? Ask yourself these four crucial questions.
We want to refinance our home loan. We are at 5.75 percent and might be able to get 4.85 percent on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage. We would save $87 to $104 per month, and we are thinking about adding extra money each month to pay off the loan faster.
full story >>
Joining forces with Mom and Dad
Many real estate agents are sensing an emerging trend of multiple generations living under the same roof, according to a national survey by Coldwell Banker.
full story >>
Grow any plant, any season, in a greenhouse
The ending of winter and approach of spring intensify cabin fever and turn gardeners' thoughts to the potential that greenhouses -- and their fancier cousins, conservatories -- offer.
full story >>
In search of clarity in the confusing world of bathtubs
DEAR TIM: Can you moderate a discussion between my wife and me about bathroom tubs? What exactly is a bathroom tub fixture? I think it's a light above the tub. Also, my wife believes soaking tubs in the bathrooms will add value to our home, but I'm skeptical. Finally, can you clear up the confusion...
full story >>
30-year mortgage rates dip below 5% as market drags
Mortgage interest rates declined this week, lowering borrowing costs as the housing market's recovery shows signs of slowing.
full story >>
A new real estate cost to watch for: Developer's private transfer fee
How about this for a new and ingenious real estate money machine? Every time a house sells during the next 99 years, 1 percent of the price goes back to the original developer or is shared among investor partners. Ka-ching!
full story >>
Keeping a bathtub clean while keeping it safe
Once you have your new bathtub, be sure to care for it. All too often, people ruin bathtubs in short order using cleansers that create permanent scratches. Carefully read the manual that comes with your tub. Most list approved cleansers that will not harm the surface of the tub.
full story >>
BOUNDARIES: Greentree Road to the north, Old Georgetown Road to the east, Roosevelt Street to the south and Garfield Street to the west
full story >>
How a dehumidifier can empty itself; unstinking a sink; shower-wall moisture
I want to keep my basement dry with a dehumidifier but am sometimes away from the house for extended periods and can't empty a dehumidifier every day. Can you help? -- Elaine
full story >>
Personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary and Thomas J. Stanley, author of "Stop Acting Rich . . . and Start Living Like a Real Millionaire," take questions on money matters.
full story >>
Source: Baron Briefs
Real estate news and commentary from RealtyBaron.com
Announcing the RealAnswers WP Plugin: Own the Real Estate Q&A Conversation
full story >>
Top REALTORS Featured in Home Search Results
full story >>
The World’s First Risk-Free Listing
full story >>
Introducing the ListingHedge(TM)
full story >>
Tweet Your AgentRank(TM), Realtors
full story >>
ReferralAuction Scenario #2: Personal Referral
full story >>
ReferralAuction Scenario #1: Client Referral
full story >>
Four Reasons for Agents and Brokers to Use ReferralAuctions(TM)
full story >>
Introducing the ReferralAuction(TM)
full story >>
“My current Realtor raised her commission…
full story >>
Source: About Home Buying / Selling
Get the latest headlines from the About.com Home Buying / Selling GuideSite.
Why Wachovia Short Sales Are Special Sunday, March 7, 2010
I can't begin to sing the praises loudly enough of a Wachovia short sale. It's not that so many short sale banks are so totally messed up that they can make...
full story >>
Writing Off a Home Loss When Turning a Residence Into a Rental Thursday, March 4, 2010
Since so many sellers are taking a financial hit to sell in our soft real estate market, it really adds insult to injury if a seller can't write off that...
full story >>
Advertising Words for Home Selling Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Before you place an ad in the newspaper to sell your home or post an online listing, stop to think about the advertising words you choose. Choosing the wrong advertising...
full story >>
Dangers of Buying a Foreclosure Flipper Home Sunday, February 28, 2010
There is a huge difference between buying foreclosure flippers and homes that regular owner occupants have remodeled. If your agent hasn't done a little research on the history of the home,...
full story >>
Removing Assets From Homes in Foreclosure Thursday, February 25, 2010
A seldom-discussed issue concerning homes that are in foreclosure is the rising practice of removing assets from foreclosures. Many home owners do not understand what constitutes a fixture in the home...
full story >>
Ways to Stop a Foreclosure Before It's Too Late Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The best way to stop foreclosure is to make up your back payments before the bank forecloses. But not all home owners realize that foreclosure is pending when they miss making...
full story >>
Mortgage Fraud on the Rise at Major Short Sale Banks Sunday, February 21, 2010
An alarming number of banks recently have been urging sellers to commit short sale mortgage fraud as a condition of short sale approval. It's happened to me in Sacramento several times...
full story >>
How to Protect Your Pets During a Power Outage Thursday, February 18, 2010
Most people don't think in advance about their pets and power outages until they're in the middle of a power outage. The thing is you don't normally know how long a...
full story >>
Agents Can Save Home Buyers Time by Looking at Homes in Advance Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Looking at homes is the fun part when you're a buyer. Heck, it's fun to look at homes even if you're not a buyer. I love previewing homes and try to...
full story >>
The Problems Associated With a Fannie Mae Short Sale Sunday, February 14, 2010
Real estate agents like to take on a Fannie Mae short sale because there are no commission squabbles. But Fannie Mae is nobody's friend in a short sale. It continually issues...
full story >>
Source:
Source: Real Estate / South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Get all the latest real estate news from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Loan modification terms can be tough for those few who get them
Balloon payments can wreck the deal
For William and Lida Negron, their lender's decision to modify their mortgage seemed to be the key to holding on to their home.
full story >>
Appraisers: Broker price opinions in short sales could increase mortgage fraud
New rules governing short sales are set to take effect April 5. But four groups representing more than 35,000 real estate appraisers already have taken a stand against the guidelines.
full story >>
Loan modifications made easier
The government's Home Affordable Modification Program sounded good, but it hasn't been as much of a success as first thought, in part because of the red tape involved in the application process.
full story >>
To walk or not to walk: underwater homeowners face dilemma
Michael Keigans is "underwater" on his mortgage, owing $80,000 more than his Deerfield Beach house is worth.
full story >>
Florida gets $418 million for distressed homeowners
Florida was awarded $418 million of federal stimulus spending on Friday to help homeowners who are unemployed or who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth.
full story >>
April 30 is deadline for home buyers to get tax credit
Barbie Villacis and her boyfriend are getting panicky.
full story >>
Most South Florida condos reselling for less than $250,000
More than two-thirds of the 41,000 condominium units and town houses available for resale in South Florida region have an asking price below $250,000
More than two-thirds of the 41,000 condominium units and town houses for resale in South Florida region have an asking price below $250,000.
full story >>
Look to inspection teams before home sale
A house can look flawless to the untrained eye but could have major issues that only experts can find.
A house can look flawless to the untrained eye but could have major issues that only experts can find.
full story >>
Ask a real estate pro: Why aren't lenders lending?
Louis Spagnuolo of WCS Lending in Boca Raton answers questions from readers. To ask a question that Louis may answer next week, click here.
full story >>
Senators narrowly reject insurance watchdog's proposal
The Florida Senate's insurance committee narrowly struck down a proposal from Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw this week that would allow his office to participate in insurance rate hearings.
full story >>