Real Estate News from Homes101™

July 1, 2009

Home Remodeling Showing Signs of Recovery, Future Looks Bright

Recent surveys and reports show a picture of the home remodeling industry that is a mixed bag of good news and bad according to home remodeling website remodelormove.com.

HOA Musical Meetings

A well conducted meeting is like a music to your ears. Using a well thought out plan, the Chair cues, directs and closes the meeting much like a conductor. Conducting successful meetings doesn't happen by chance. There is a combination of clear purpose coupled with ground rules. Here are some tips that can make your meetings like music to the ears.

June 30, 2009

Real Estate Outlook: When Signals are Mixed

The key to understanding what's happening for housing and real estate right now is to remember this: In a recovery that's just getting going, don't expect all the economic arrows to point the same way at any given moment.

The 100 Mile Peninsula: A Solution, A Lifestyle, A Future

Strong real estate markets and thriving local economies foster a diversity of business niches across the range of industries in an area. These mini- and micro-ventures hold clues for potential economic and social redefinition of communities when good times come to an end.

June 29, 2009

Investor Report: Condo Loan Rules

FHA has come out with its long-awaited rules on condominium loans, and they're a mixed bag for investors, second home and other buyers and sellers.

Condo Trends: From Luxury Condo to Homeless Shelter

In a move to ward off foreclosure, a luxury condo developer has turned the units intended to sell for more than a quarter million dollars into a homeless shelter with the help of a New York-based nonprofit.

June 26, 2009

Washington Report: Home Valuation Code of Conduct

Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's controversial new appraisal rules are now coming direct attack by the biggest lobby on Capitol Hill - the National Association of Realtors.

Mortgage Rates Mostly Flat Amid Mixed Economic News

McLean, VA -- Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.42 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending June 25, 2009, up from last week when it averaged 5.38 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.45 percent. The 15-year FRM this week averaged 4.87 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.89 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 6.04 percent.

Leaking Toilet Can Cause More Than Water Loss

Leaking toilets result in six billion gallons of water loss every day according to Richard Quintana, founder of AquaOne Technologies. That astonishing figure is a real problem with financial and physical effects. Here s how the water gets washed away. Quintana says there are more than one billion toilets in the U.S. and, according to the American Water Works Association, one out of five leaks. The toilets can lose anywhere from 30 to 500 gallons of water daily just from a small silent leak that is the size of a staple.

HOA Proxies with Moxie

A proxy is a legal authorization for one person to act on behalf of another. It is commonly used in homeowner association Annual Meetings to achieve the quorum required to hold a legal meeting. The normal routine is to mail proxy forms along with the meeting notice and ask that they be filled out and returned to the secretary or manager by a certain date whether an owner plans to attend the meeting or not. While the person designated by the proxy could be anyone of legal age, usually a relative, friend or board member is chosen.