Realtor/Coach/Trainer
Let’s start at the tippy top of the issues coming at the National Association of Realtors which sets the standards for all real estate agents in one way or another, not just members of NAR. The Department of Justice and NAR are fighting over are these two rules: NAR and DOJ had agreed to a […]
Rick Palacios Jr of John Burns Real Estate Consulting has an interesting Twitter thread on his builder survey: April homebuilder survey results are here. Top themes: 1) Demand is slowing, namely entry-level due to payment shock. 2) Investors are pulling back. 3) Ripple effect of rising rates starting to hit move-up market. Houston: “Many first-time […]
The city of Beaverton and the Biggi family have been arguing/negotiating over some land in Beaverton that the city would like to use to build a stadium for the Portland(will they change the name to Beaverton) Beavers. Negotiations broke down and the Mayor started talking about eminent domain. Once he agreed to back off that […]
Kyron’s stepmother, Terri Horman, was not aware Kyron was missing until he failed to exit his school bus as expected at about 3:30 p.m. Friday. A half-hour later, the search for the boy began. Despite the large number of tips received so far, Capt. Gates pleaded with the public to call in with any bit […]
I may not agree with their final analysis. The bank could make tons of profit by just approving all short sales now. But what they show in this video is one heck of a sweetheart deal that is just ridiculous. Video from ThinkBigWorkSmall.com
Ahh, the first-time homebuyer’s tax credit, the deadline is approaching and the government is trying to figure out what to do, again. Last winter they couldn’t decide if it was going to be $7,500 or $15,000 and how it was going to be applied. I quit paying attention after they gave a bunch of false […]
I wrote this in late December of 2007: The Wall Street Journal has a story on surveying economists and their guesses that there will be no recession. One of the biggest questions hanging over the economy remains: How far is the housing market from its bottom? Though many major markets are experiencing steep price declines, […]
I said a while back ago that I didn’t necessarily think the tax credit was a good idea, especially at the beginning of the time window. At first it is abstract idea to get a tax reduction that you didn’t feel until the next year, later it becomes real. Also if you were already buying, […]
Hugh Hefner sold his personal residence next to the Playboy mansion for 64% of it’s original list price. 1 in 13 properties in Las Vegas are in foreclosure. Phoenix has 1 in 22 homes with foreclosure filings. America’s Abandoned Cities. Here’s a floating home with a different look. Okay, it’s a yacht but wow. A […]
When the foreclosure crisis started I wondered if this would mean families moving back in with each other. It seems that may be the case. With record foreclosures across the country and vacant homes it almost seems implausible that rentals should be darn ner full. From Realtor.org, The vacancy rate for U.S. apartments rose to […]
From USAToday, The Federal Reserve said the economy will be weaker than it initially forecast through 2011, though the central bank still expects the recession to end this year. This is something that I have mentioned time and again. Economic predictions are darn near worthless and it seems you might as well flip a coin […]
As of April, 14th we had 755 home change their status to Pending in the Portland Metro area. In the next 15 days we had 873 homes turn Pending. The activity is increasing as we get further into Spring. I was really hoping for a larger difference between this month and last but that wasn’t […]
April is here and so is the activity in the Portland metro area. I am continuing to track the Pending activity which I believe shows at least the intent of buyers even if the homes don’t sell. For 2009, Jan 1062 (470 the first half and 592 the second) Feb 1142 March 1523, […]
A San Antonio HOA is threatening to foreclose on 84 homes on April 7th. Many homeowners are upset with the HOA for not living up to their obligations. As is always the case, refusing to pay usually backfires on the the person trying to get a change or revenge. So what is the point of […]
I am hearing it everywhere (Twitter, blogs, meetings, and from other agents) that real estate is picking up. Pending is the best gauge of the optimism even if the deals don’t close. Here are the recent Pendings for the Portland Metro Area (areas 141-152): Jan 1062 (470 the first half and 592 the second) […]
While the banks were sleeping on their piles of money and giving credit cards to 3 year-olds and house pets, everything was fine. Even when everything was going to seed, they still spent their money on trips for execs and jets – well until it became known to the media. Some have given “bonus” money back, canceled […]
