Now that we’re over home flipping, let’s get back to the realities of the true profits of owning a home. With the exception of 2007, homes have increased in value nationwide one to two points above inflation levels, which is good, but it’s not an incredible return.
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The New York Times reported on January 22, 2008, that a home buyer is suing her agent because she thinks she overpaid for her home. This buyer feels her agent did not disclose that similar homes in the neighborhood were selling for less than what she paid for her home.
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McLEAN, VA — Freddie Mactoday released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.85 percent with an average 0.4 point for the week ending March 27, 2008, down from last week when it averaged 5.87 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged [...]

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When looking at a market to see if it’s slowing down or speeding up, it requires looking at more than just price. In fact, if an observer looks at just price to determine if a market has turned around, they’ve actually waited too late to get in on the bottom.
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And there’s the rub.
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For those homebuyers who are still waiting for better conditions, here’s another miracle headed your way. Orders for durable goods are down 1.7 percent, says the Commerce Department.
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Have you often wondered how you can become even more successful? Has it ever seemed to you that you have a “glass ceiling” on your level of success? In spite of all your hard work, do you find yourself still falling short of having financial security? Do you see people climbing the ladder of success, [...]

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Our industry has shifted to a buyer’s market. The mortgage industry’s woes have come to roost in the building industry’s branches, and builders are rightfully concerned about how they can be as successful as they were in the past.
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Curb appeal is the first impression of a home or property as viewed from the street. And it can actually increase the value of your property for resale, or better yet, cause envy from nearby neighbors.
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We don’t want to overplay the significance of this, but we actually got some positive economic news this week: Sales of existing homes last month rose for the first time in half a year, adding fresh evidence that the housing cycle may finally be bottoming out after nearly three years of correction.
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