The Commerce Department finally has those much-talked-about Christmas spending numbers. Consumers spend 0.4 percent less than a year ago, the worst consumer showing since June 2007, and that’s accelerating fears of recession. We’re not there yet, but many pundits believe we’re about to be.
More: continued here

read full story of "Realty Viewpoint: Inflation Adds Burden To Housing Outlook"

HUD says that its newly-minted FHASecure program “has helped 33,000 homeowners prevent foreclosure in three months.”
More: continued here

read full story of "HUD To Public: You’re Confused"

The leadership of the National Association of Realtors has complained for some time that the media is distorting the news about housing. Now the trade organization is doing something atypical — directly reaching out to consumers with little-known facts about housing.
More: continued here

read full story of "NAR Battles Bad Press With Housing Facts For Consumers"

“If you don’t know where you’ve been, you’ll never get where you want to go,” my Grandpa Gooder always said. It’s especially true with real estate marketing in today’s market. Using the hindsight of year-end benchmarks is the best way to guarantee success in the coming year.
More: continued here

read full story of "5 Year-End Benchmarks Key to New-Year Marketing Success"

Animals in homeowner associations create problems from time to time. Domestic animals can be more or less controlled with reasonable policies and owner compliance. But what about wild animals that roam the property? Deer are becoming more prevalent in urban settings as they come foraging for food. Coyotes have taken up residence in cities with [...]

read full story of "HOA Gander at Geese"

The Ottawa Business Journal reported this week that condominium prices continued their upward climb in the fourth quarter in Ottawa, to an average price of 197-thousand dollars. Prices were up more than 7 percent over the same reporting period last year.
More: continued here

read full story of "Condo Trends: Ottawa Condos Surge Up 11 Percent"

Marketing strategies for title companies have changed dramatically over the years. From the wild and crazy 1980’s to the most recent re-fi boom, there was little regulation as to how much money title companies could spend on their marketing efforts.
More: continued here

read full story of "Marketing Strategies for Finding Your Niche"

It’s not everyday you go looking for a mortgage.
More: continued here

read full story of "Beginner’s Guide To Mortgage Shopping"