RISMedia » Consumer News and Advice
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The Foreclosure Crisis: Navigating Mortgage Payment Difficulties
RISMEDIA, November 24, 2009?If you or someone you know has fallen behind on their mortgage, take heart; there is hope. Not from the government though; you?ll have to fight this one on your own, but you are not alone. And soon,…
Existing-Home Sales Record Another Big Gain; Inventories Continue to Shrink
RISMEDIA, November 24, 2009?Driven by the first-time buyer tax credit, existing-home sales showed another big gain in October 2009 with a strong uptrend established over the past seven months, while inventories continue to decline, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Existing-home…
Marketing Strategies: 7 Tips to Make Public Speaking Easier
RISMEDIA, November 24, 2009?A survey was recently released showing that the top fear among individuals is public speaking, while the fear of death was later on down the list. Do you know what that means? It means most people would rather…
Most Landlords Renovating Vacant Properties in Still-Difficult Market
RISMEDIA, November 21, 2009?More than half of smaller, independent landlords who expect the difficult rental market to continue (52%) are renovating their vacant properties, says The National Association of Independent Landlords.
Most of these landlords (76%) are doing so in an effort…
Housing Starts Fall Back to Lowest Level in Six Months
RISMEDIA, November 20, 2009?Nationwide housing production fell 10.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 529,000 units in October 2009 as builders awaited word on whether an important home buyer incentive would be extended, according to data recently released by the…
Homeowner Confidence Inconsistent as Home Values Fluctuate Regionally
RISMEDIA, November 18, 2009?Homeowner confidence was all over the map in the third quarter, as home values in some parts of the country stabilized while other areas saw continuing declines. Homeowners in the Northeast were the most cynical about their own…
The Problems with Mortgage Modifications
RISMEDIA, November 18, 2009?If you have applied for a mortgage modification, I wish you luck. It seems so simple on the surface, but as many a frustrated homeowner has learned, the Cavalry isn?t coming and neither is your loan modification.
If you…
Podcast Your Way to Today?s Tech-Savvy Buyer
RISMEDIA, November 17, 2009?Today, buyers and sellers are turning to the Internet for more information than just housing listings. They want to stay abreast of what is happening in the areas where they are buying and selling with the latest localized…
Sellers Gain Tiny Bit of Traction in September; Buyers Still Negotiating Thousands Off Home Prices
RISMEDIA, November 17, 2009?The negotiating power of homebuyers slipped a tad in September 2009, but buyers in most markets were still negotiating thousands of dollars off the last listing price of homes. Buyers nationally negotiated a median 2.9% off the final…
Planning Year-End Tax Strategies in a Down Year
RISMEDIA, November 17, 2009?(MCT)?Year-end tax planning this year will be different from years past, largely because of the recession. For many taxpayers, the year has meant a job loss, a job with less income or perhaps a home foreclosure.
There also have…
10 Things to Consider when Hiring a Move Management Company
RISMEDIA, November 16, 2009?While moving can be a tedious process, working with a reputable move management company can make the difference between a successful or frustrating move. Here, Erin Mitchell, director of program development, The Move Advocate discusses what you…
Weichert Sees Expanded Tax Credit as Final Step to a Healthy Market
RISMEDIA, November 16, 2009?Nearly two years ago, James M. Weichert, president and founder of Weichert, Realtors, began calling upon Congress for a homebuyer tax credit that he felt would help repair the struggling national economy. Three versions later, the leader…
Will FHA Rule Change Benefit Condo Market?
RISMEDIA, November 16, 2009?(MCT)?The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is giving the condo market something it hasn’t had for a while?a little breathing room.
The FHA, the federal agency that insures low-down-payment home loans for private lenders recently said it was relaxing…
Regional Spotlight ? Florida?s Existing Home, Condo Sales Rise in 3Q 2009
RISMEDIA, November 14, 2009?Sales of existing single-family homes in Florida rose 33% in the third quarter 2009 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest housing statistics from Florida Realtors®. A total of 44,345 existing homes…
Fannie Mae to Rent Foreclosed Homes to Their Owners
RISMEDIA, November 14, 2009? (MCT)?Qualifying homeowners facing foreclosure will be able to stay in their homes?as renters?under a new program announced recently by Fannie Mae.
The Deed for Lease Program is designed to help borrowers who aren’t eligible or haven’t been…
Foreclosure Activity Slows for Third Straight Month
RISMEDIA, November 12, 2009?RealtyTrac one of the leading online marketplaces for foreclosure properties, released its October 2009 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows foreclosure filings?default notices, scheduled foreclosure auctions and bank repossessions?were reported on 332,292 U.S. properties during the month, a…
Are Short Sales Really the Next Big Thing?
RISMEDIA, November 11, 2009?If you believe the hype, it appears that the next phase of the housing market recovery is going to rely heavily on short sales to help remove distressed properties from the home sales pipeline.
A ?short sale? is a…
Understanding Home Owners Association Fees
?The Home Owners Association fee is too high!?
RISMEDIA, November 10, 2009?That is one of the most common objections to purchasing real estate where there is a community Association requiring the payment of regular dues and fees. These can range from less…
Consumers Pay off Debt for Record 8th Straight Month
RISMEDIA, November 10, 2009?(MCT)-Outstanding consumer credit fell at a 7.2% annual rate in September 2009, the eighth consecutive decline, the Federal Reserve reported. Credit balances had never fallen eight months in a row before in the 66-year history of the…
Negative Equity Falls in Third Quarter, Home Values Show Short-Term Stabilization
RISMEDIA, November 14, 2009?The percent of American single-family homes with mortgages in negative equity fell to 21% in the third quarter, down from 23% in the second, as home values stabilized in the short term and more underwater homeowners lost their…
