Author Archive
May
Advice for buyer’s agents
Today’s narrow housing market moves fast and competition is fierce. But you already knew that — the real question is what to do about it. In April 2013, 73% of buyer offers compete against other offers nationally, according to Redfin. It’s a crowded playing field, and not everyone is playing fair. Buyer-occupants have difficulty competing [...]
May
House-hunting Chinese send some wealth to Seattle
Real-estate agent Joseph Ho climbed the gilded staircase of a Hunts Point, Wash., mansion listed for almost $5 million, shooting video on his Apple iPad tablet and narrating in Chinese. Read source
May
More Homeowners Become Accidental Landlords
Realtors say they are one more cause of today's low inventory. Read source
May
Brokerage Reminder: first tuesday’s Purchase Agreement; fair and unbiased for all to use
Many real estate licensees erroneously believe they must use forms published by a trade union, such as the California Association of Realtors (CAR). But remember, the Bureau of Real Estate (BRE) warns licensees to fulfill your fiduciary duty to your sellers by presenting all offers received, regardless of the form used to write up the [...]
May
Get set for the DRE to become the BRE: what you need to know
On July 1st, the California DRE will officially be rechristened the Bureau of Real Estate (BRE). Read source
May
Purchase agreements – they’re the buyer’s offer
Purchase Agreement – Form 150 A buyer’s agent’s use of first tuesday’s Purchase Agreement (One-to-Four Residential Units – Conventional and Carryback Financing) is to prepare and submit the buyer’s written offer to purchase a one-to-four unit residential property. The pricing and terms for performance are limited to conventional financing, a takeover of existing mortgages and [...]
May
Record High New Home Prices Have Room to Grow
Supplies are at levels not seen since the frenzy of the last housing boom. Read source
May
The Mortgage Professor: Escrow can raise costs, but add simplicity
Why did Jones pay more for his mortgage than Smith? One possible reason is that they borrowed at different times, when market conditions were different. Right now, the market is very favorable, but mortgages priced at 3.5 percent today were priced at 17 percent in 1980. There is nothing borrowers can do to affect the [...]
May
Tom Reddin: Why are mortgage rates still so low?
We are now heading toward the end of the spring homebuying season, and mortgage rates remain near record-low levels. Read source
May
Foreclosure settlement checks seen as inadequate
Tyler Reid struggled to hold onto his Ladera Ranch, Calif., condominium during the recession. Read source