Today's Real Estate News and Advice

Updated: May 15, 2012

 9th Circuit Court Upholds Right to Discriminate in Roommate Case
In the privacy of your own home, you can take off your coat, kick off your shoes, let your guard down and be completely yourself. While we usually share our homes only with friends and family, sometimes we need to take in a stranger to help pay the rent. When that happens, can the government limit whom we choose? FULL STORY->

Xeriscaping: Gardens That Thrive on Looking After Themselves
Are you ready for a garden that loves to take care of itself? PJ Wade examines qwerty in the garden, and asks, "What will you do with the time and money you don’t spend watering this summer?" FULL STORY->

Veterans Understand Service
Military veterans who work as brokers and agents apply their training to a multitude of circumstances. From their disciplined approach to work to their resourcefulness to their respectful attitude, veterans know that service - to their country and all manner of civilian duties - is a priority. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Outlook: Median Existing Home Prices Balance
The latest quarterly report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that median existing single-family home prices are indicating more balanced conditions. FULL STORY->

What Nordstrom Can Teach Today's Real Estate Professionals
Ever been to Nordstrom store? It's truly like no retail experience you've ever had. Why? Because customer service is NEVER an afterthought. In fact - it's the foundation and culture for their entire organization. And - it has a lot to teach us as real estate and sales professionals about success in today's world. FULL STORY->

Seduce Buyers With The Master Bedroom Suite
Kitchens and bedrooms are both very important rooms in a home. It's in these two rooms where our basic needs are satisfied but they are also areas of a home that attract buyers for more than just what is done in these rooms: eating and sleeping. The master bedroom suite and the kitchen can be used for multiple purposes. FULL STORY->

Second Consecutive Week Of Record-Low Fixed Mortgage Rates
In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the average fixed mortgage rates hit a new all-time record low for the second consecutive week as they followed bond yields lower. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has averaged below 4 percent all but one week since December 8, 2011, helping to keep homebuyer affordability high. FULL STORY->

Exchange of Commitments - Exclusivity
A Champion Agent commits themselves to a high service standard. That service standard is communicated clearly to the prospect buyer. The only way a prospect can receive that high level of service is to work on an exclusive basis, forgoing all other previous, potential, and possible relationships with other agents. FULL STORY->

Seduce Buyers With The Master Bedroom Suite
Kitchens and bedrooms are both very important rooms in a home. It's in these two rooms where our basic needs are satisfied but they are also areas of a home that attract buyers for more than just what is done in these rooms: eating and sleeping. The master bedroom suite and the kitchen can be used for multiple purposes. FULL STORY->

Magic Mortgage Numbers 720, 20 Help Explain Why Credit Is Tight
You already know a higher credit score and a larger down payment give you a better shot at a mortgage, but you may not know all the reasons why. FULL STORY->

Five Musts Before You List Your Home
Deciding to list your home for sale is a momentous time. It means you will be moving on to a new stage of life, no matter if you’re moving up or sizing down. Take a moment to look over these tips for what every seller should do before they put their home on the market. FULL STORY->

CAR Opposes Foreclosure "Reforms"
Why would the California Association of RealtorsŪ (CAR) oppose a package of state legislative proposals that are designed to reform the foreclosure process? As we shall see, a good deal depends on what you think counts as reform. FULL STORY->

Ask The HOA Expert
When a developer turns over the homeowners association to the owners, can the new board then enforce rules that were not enforced previously? FULL STORY->

The Benefits of Owning a Home
We all know the social benefits of owning a home. Homeownership gives family stability, creates lower high school dropout rates, and of course gives the opportunity to create meaningful and lasting relationships. FULL STORY->

The Changing Face of Canada's Home Improvement Retailers
Rona, the largest home improvement retailer in Canada, is cutting back on big-box stores and introducing a new business model that promises "a completely new shopping experience." FULL STORY->

Understanding Appraisals
It's a term homeowners and sellers hear all the time. What does "appraisal" really mean and how will it affect your ability to make a deal? FULL STORY->

Military Veterans Deliver In the Real Estate Industry
This group, by virtue of having been stationed across a multitude of different bases throughout the United States, often has an unrivaled appreciation for the challenges - and opportunities - associated with moving into a new home, or adjusting to new circumstances. Hence the value these veterans bring to their work as a real estate brokers and executives. FULL STORY->

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