Archive for the ‘For Sale By Owner (FSBO)’ Category
Snooping Real Estate Agent Caught on Camera
ATLANTA — When real estate agents representing buyers show your home, should they be allowed to examine private or confidential papers? How would you react if you caught them doing just that?
Channel 2’s Tom Regan talked with one home seller who was shocked by what he caught on camera in his home. David Scitthelm owned a beautiful home in Buckhead. He was proud to put it up for sale, but he wasn’t pleased with the conduct of the two real estate agents who arrived to show the house.
To Learn More or Watch the Short Video, CLICK HERE
Commentary: Infotube.net ALWAYS advises that home sellers hide or pack away anything that is private or could be used against them in a negotiation. And, private mail and legal notice issues aside…did you see how this agent hunted for books, stereo equipment, family photographs, collections, etc. to gain personal knowledge about the sellers? Hopefully this story plainly illustrates to homesellers the importance of packing up all personal items BEFORE they put their home on the market. Added Bonus: A staged home always shows better and appeals to a wider audience, too.
P.S. And, don’t forget your medicine cabinet (:
InfoTube.net on Facebook and Twitter
InfoTube.net announced some recent updates to it’s website that make it easier for homeowners to share information and property details on the internet.
Share Your Property Information with One Click
InfoTube.net has provided a direct “Share” link on every home listing. The “Share” link automatically feeds your property listing to all major sharing websites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc. If you use social networking or RSS feed websites, simply select where you want your property listing posted and click. It’s that easy. (The Share Link can be located under the “Email Seller” link on every home listing.)
Sellers and Buyers Communicate, Learn and Get Advise
InfoTube.net for Real Estate has an Offical Facebook and Twitter page where you can post pictures, questions, idea’s or funny real estate stuff you want to share. Become a Fan and Contributor Today.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net for Real Estate. We hope you like the new improvements. If you don’t already have a FREE property listing on InfoTube.net, post one today, you’re missing buyers.
Fed Snapshot on Real Estate in 2010
An exerpt from the NASDAQ report states:
In all seven of its districts, though, sales of lower-priced homes outpaced those of higher-priced homes by a wide margin, the Fed reported. It credited the government homebuyer tax credit for boosting interest in less-expensive properties.
And the extension of the tax credit could act as a shot in the arm for purchase activity later in the year, the Fed suggested. “The extension of the credit into 2010,” the Fed noted, “could give an added impetus to the expected seasonal sales upturn this spring.” 
Concerns about the continued housing recovery abound among policymakers and the chattering class, however. Both the tax credit and the Fed’s purchase of mortgage-backed securities are slated to end in the coming months, and it’s unclear whether there will be sufficient demand for home purchases without those stimuli.
This week, the Mortgage Bankers Association released a forecast for mortgage activity; it anticipates that mortgage issuance will fall 40 percent from 2009. The decline will be led by a plummeting rate of home refinancing, the MBA said.
InfoTube.net reads between the lines: The market is being driven on the low end by Federal stimulus and the housing market will drop off after the April deadline for qualification passes. If you have a home to sell, you will see more buying momentum earlier in the year than later. To maximize your investment, clean, repair, stage and advertise your property on the internet during the first quarter of 2010. January – April will be the period we will see the more homes go under contract for the year.
Good news. Bad news. Real Estate Mixed Bag in 2010
The housing market has been sending some serious mixed signals for months now. The one certainty is that the real estate market is in flux, and will likely be for months to come.
FIRST, THE GOOD NEWS:
- Although interest rates have been increasing, they remain at historical lows. This is good news for buyers who act quickly, as none of the experts expect rates to remain this low later in 2010.
- The $8000 tax credit for first time buyers was expanded to include existing home owners, as well. The timing of this offer is crucial. Buyers must close on or before June of 2010 to collect their free cash.
- Home prices and demand have steadily increased month over month throughout October of 2009.
- Although some markets may slide a bit further, we are definitely in the last innings of the crash. Even if we have a bit more downward pressure, 2010 will be the bottom of the housing crash.
- Home seller’s who use the power of the MLS and the Internet to realistically market their properties, will see more buyers and will have much more pricing power than they’ve experienced in years.
- In markets, such as Phoenix, you can buy a new home for $800 a month, making it cheaper to own a home than rent it.
THE BAD NEWS:
- According to Bob Curran, director at Fitch Ratings, a mountain of foreclosures will hit the market in 2010. And, a 10.5 percent unemployment rate will cause a surge in new homeowners that will fall into default.
- Per Lawrence Yun, chief economists with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) expects a record 3 million foreclosures in 2010, up from 2.1 million in 2009.
- John Burns, president of John Burns Real Estate Consulting, is even more bearish. He thinks 50 percent more people will lose their homes to the bank than they did last year. Why? Lenders were under pressure to postpone foreclosures in favor of loan modifications. And, the banks weren’t staffed to handle all the defaulted loans, as they now are.
- The Office of Comptroller of the Currency and the Office of Thrift Supervison released a report that said the results of the loan modification program was disappointing. 61 percent of the loans that were modified are now in default again. The offices predict another wave of foreclosures in 2010, which could cause prices to fall another 5 – 10 percent before the market stablilizes.
- The Federal Reserve plans to end the program that has kept mortgage rates so low for so long. Rates have already passed the 5 percent mark in anticipation.
- The first time buyer and existing home buyer tax credit program expires in early 2010. To qualify for the stimulus, buyers must purchase by April and close no later than June of 2010. This program has certainly lured buyers into the market place and its expiration will take a toll on demand in the 3rd and 4th quarters.
InfoTube Prediction: Since the housing market peak in the summer of 2006, home prices have dropped over 30 percent on average. Prices in some markets such as Las Vegas, Phoenix and parts of Florida and California have fallen more than 60 percent. Some markets have further to go, but we are in the final innings of the crash. Even if we go lower, we will see the bottom in 2010. But, don’t look for a rebound off the bottom. The damage was too deep and too systemic for a “V” shape recovery. The housing market will skate along the bottom for quite a while and it will probably be 2013 before most people notice any rebound.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net. There hasn’t been a better time to buy or sell a home in 4 years. Check out our website for over 20,000 fresh home listings and feel free to place your property on our site for FREE. We’ve been helping buyers and sellers connect since 1988. We can help you, too!!
Pending Home Sales Up Again!!!
Pending home sales were up nearly 4 percent over September levels. More evidence that the housing market hit bottom months ago, October pending sales were a whopping 31.8 percent higher than in October 2008.
Pending sales reflect the number of pre-owned homes that are “under contract” but not yet closed. Since homes are typically “contract pending” for a month or so, closing on these homes should take place in November or December.
Before we Pop Champagne… Keep in mind that tight credit and dubious appraisals are wrecking havoc on closings. But, compared to a year ago, SALES of 6.1 million EXISTING HOMES means sales are up a HUGE 23 percent this year. So CHEERS!!!
If you are in the market for a home, there will never be a better time to buy than now. Home sales are predicted to rise 11 percent in 2010 and 4 percent price increases are expected in most area’s of the country. Another motivating factor for would-be investors and buyers,…it will be very difficult for the Fed to hold interest rates this low going forward.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net We have weathered the storm and better days are ahead. If you are in the market for a home, check out InfoTube.net for some great deals!!
Good News Bad News for Housing in 2010
The latest housing news was just released for October 2009. Although this news looks backward, it also provides some insight about what we can expect the housing market to look like in 2010. Good? Bad? The answer depends on what your are looking to achieve, your outlook, location and financial goals.
What we Know Now!
- The number of foreclosures now exceeds the number of new and existing homes for sale on the market, combined.
- The number of new foreclosures coming into the market place will certainly increase through mid-2010.
- Subprime foreclosures are in the rear view mirror. The new foreclosures coming to the market stem from prime borrowers. This will result in an increased inventory of more expensive, luxury and second homes during this foreclosure cycle.
- If tax incentives, low prices and low interest rates boost buyer confidence, then sales demand should keep pace with the new supply. Result, house prices should remain fairly stable.
- If unemployment and job concerns keep buyers on the sidelines, the inventory supply will increase, thus home sale prices will seek out new lows.
- Seller’s of homes priced in excess of $500,000 will see much more competition and longer days on the market in 2010.
- The increase of Foreclosures and Bad Loans was Expected. Lenders anticipated a worse, ’worst case scenario’ during their Fed mandated Stress Tests. Thankfully, the Fed should not have to intervene further to keep banks solvent, like they did last year.
- If the jobless rate falls below 500,000, expect upward pressure on interest rates. The Fed is already walking a very fine line in trying to keep rates artificially low at this point. Any relief in the job market will likely mean an increase in rates and mortgage payments.
- The 4 states hardest hit in the housing crash will continue to see the highest rates of default and foreclosure. But, much further downside is limited in these beaten down area’s.
- The foreclosure problem is spreading into cities and states that were less troubled earlier in the cycle. New locations and regions of the country will see record numbers of foreclosed property. The hardest hit communities in 2010 will be some of the previously most stable.
Bottom Line: Whether you’re a bull or bear depends upon whether you are buying or selling. But, this is what you should expect and watch for in 2010.
Homes in lower price ranges will see price stabilization due to less inventory and tax incentives. Bargain shoppers seeking more expensive homes will have plenty of inventory to chose from. Vacation and second home shoppers get more for their money, in more locations, as a record number of these wonderful homes fall victim to the gavel. The 4, hardest hit states will still experience problems, but seller’s in new, previously stable area’s of the country will sustain the most damage this go around. Home builders will continue to struggle in the face of the largest inventory of existing homes they’ve seen yet.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net FREE homes for sale and rent website. If you are selling, there isn’t a better time than now. Get serious and use all the tools available to you, in order to preserve your cash. We have helped sellers in all types of markets since 1988. We can help you, too! Call us at 1-800-858-6000 or visit the site Today!
Don’t Take Your Home Off the Market During the Holidays
I’m thinking Turkey. The leaves have fallen, lawn mowers are stored and furnaces are in use. It’s at this time of year that many of our customer’s ask… “Should We Take Our Home Off the Market During the Holidays?”
The answer is definitely ”NO”. There are a lot of reasons to keep your home listed right through the New Year. And, there’s a special timely reason this holiday season!!
- The First Time Buyers Tax Credit has been extended until April 30, 2010 AND it’s been expanded. Step Up Home Buyers, who make a lot of money, can also receive $6500 in Tax Credits until April. Big tax incentives mean that smart buyers will be house shopping vs mall shopping this holiday season.
- Interest Rates are at Record Lows. 30 year fixed rate mortgages are below 5 percent. But, with the dollar weak and falling, low rates may not be around for long. Serious home buyers are aware of the difference that even a small interest rate increase would make in their house payment. The combo of Tax Credits and Low Interest Rates create strong urgency among buyer’s. Smart seller’s spruce up their homes and play into the pressure.
- Holiday Shoppers are Serious Buyers. Trust me. Everyone of us loves the holidays. So, the people who are out looking for homes in November, December and January are SERIOUS Buyers. Do you really want to pull your house off the market when the most serious people are shopping?? Think about it and gear up!!
- Less Competition. Many sellers don’t read our blog. They foolishly pull their homes from the market during the holidays, and this year will be no exception. Less competition and MLS exposure could make the difference between For Sale and Sold, this Christmas.
- Houses are Pretty during the Holidays. Staging your home is easy during the holidays. The mood is festive. Holiday colors are warm and inviting. Candles, centerpieces and decorations touch the heart and convey a peaceful lifestyle. Light the candles, make a roaring fire, bake some goodies and turn on some relaxing holiday music. Buyer’s love to see a home decorated and looking special. Don’t let this once a year opportunity pass you by.
- Curb Appeal. If your landscape and lawn isn’t that great, breathe a sigh of relief that no one else’s is this time of year, either. Add seasonal color, a wreath, perhaps some decorations. Just keep it subtle and classy. No mowing, no weeding and trimming, and best of all snow covers all…
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net FREE homes for sale and rent website. Thanks to all Veterans and Active Military Personnel!!! Call us today and receive a FREE Property Listing Upgrade as our gift to you.
Mortgage Giant Cuts a Deal with Homeowners
Mortgage giant Fannie Mae announced that it is willing to play “Let’s Make a Deal” with homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments.
According to CNBC, Fannie Mae will give homeowners, who are in default on their loan, the option of renting the home and staying put for up to one year. To be eligible, the homeowner must sign over the deed to the property.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale and rent website. We offer free home marketing assistance and thousands of great deals on property. Check us out!!!
Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended.
Great news for home buyers, sellers and owners, alike. The homebuyer tax credit has been expanded to include step up buyers, who have owned a home for 5 years. It also extends the tax credit through the end of 2010.
GREAT NEWS!
It appears that Senate Democrats have recognized the tremendous value of the First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit and odds are it will be renewed soon. At this time, it is believed that the credit will allow anyone purchasing a home, by April 30, 2010, to participate and receive the full credit available.
The credit will continue until the end of 2010, but the amount of tax credit will drop by 2 percent every 90 days. The graduated benefit should help the housing market recover into and through the 2010 summer selling season.
Here is the text of the story as reported in Bloomberg News today:
Senate Democrats on Board with Credit Extension
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) says Senate Democrats have agreed to extend the first-time home buyer tax credit. The latest version extends the program to home sales signed not closed by April 30. Purchasers would have another 60 days to close the sale. The credit will also be expanded to include so-called step-up buyers who have lived in their current home for at least five years.
The credit would be cut slightly to a $7,290 cap. Income eligibility for first-time home buyers would stay the same, but it would rise for step-up buyers to $125,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples.
Source: Bloomberg News, Dawn Kopecki and Ryan Donmoyer (10/27/2009)
Halloween Party Cakes.
Don’t you love these cakes? If you have creative baking talent and want to share your Halloween Treat design with us. Please email your pictures to tommi@infotube.net
I don’t know if any of you watch Cake Boss on TLC network, but it is fun and fabulous. Their new season just started. Check it out.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net FREE homes for sale and rent website. We have been connecting buyers and sellers since 1989. We can help you market your property, too. Check us out!
Take a look at this Great cake for watersport and beach lovers!!
Gotta love the Zombie’s!!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM EVERYONE AT INFOTUBE.NET!!! CHECK BACK WITH US TOMORROW. WE HAVE MORE FUN CAKES FOR HALLOWEEN!!
Green Flooring. Marmoleum Natural Linoleum.
If you are considering an update for the old vinyl flooring in your home, go natural. Natural linoleum, made from wood and cork, limestone dust, pine rosin and linseed oil, is a fantastic, green material substitution for the petroleum-based products of old. Natural linoleum is available in either sheets or individual tiles, it offers an endless suppliy of color and pattern choices and is a great product for residential or commercial use.
Why We Like Natural Linoleum
It’s Versatile. Marmoleum is available either sheet or tile forms. It is used in both residential and commercial settings. Great for resturants and offices, too. The product can be used on floors and countertop surfaces. It is sold in a wide range of colors and patterns. Some patterns mimic quarried stone, others are mottled for subtle texture and other options include high tech MRI images. The applications and decorating options are only limited by the owner’s imagination and tastes. A Do-It-Yourselfer can easily install the tiles themselves, just like vinyl. 
It’s Low Maintenance. Manufacturers estimate the lifespan of natural linoleum at 30-40 years, compared to 10-20 for vinyl. Scratches are no problem. The surface is hard, and even becomes harder over time. Additionally, any surface scratch can be buffed out, because the color extends through the entire thickness. For cleaning, a dry mop is recommended for routine maintenance.
It’s Green and Better for the Environment. Natural linoleum is much better for the environment than petroleum based, vinyl products. Vinyl’s are not sustainable and are highly polluting in their manufacturing process. Natural linoleum is made from wood, rosin, limestone and linseed oil. All these materials occur naturally and are sustainable. When it’s time to remodel, natural linoleum can be shredded and turned into compost for the garden versus filling a landfill. Additional bonus, natural linoleum will last and look good for a least least twice as long as vinyl.
Disadvantages. The linseed oil in the products “off gas” and some people are sensitive to its fumes. We advise that you air out the product for a few weeks before you install it, if you have a sensitive reaction to the smell. Like most plant-based products, linoleum doesn’t perform well in area’s with constant moisture. Test the moisture content of floor slabs before installation. Use Caulk to seal edges around tubs and showers where flooring abuts. The only other disadvantage is probably the initial cost of the product. Marmoleum costs around $4.00 per square foot, compared with $1.50 to $2.00 for vinyl flooring.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net FREE homes for sale and lease website. Search for properties or post your listing. We connect thousands of buyers and sellers each day, and we can help you get more exposure, too.
Extending Home Buyer Tax Credit. Pro’s and Con’s
Not surprisingly, real estate industry lobbiest are attempting a full court press as they make a final push for extension of the first-time buyer tax credit.
And, it’s little wonder. The IRS estimates that 1.4 million homebuyers have claimed the credit through August, and the Realtors Association estimates the credit was crucial in pushing 355,000 of those buyer’s off the fence.
If the real estate industry gets it’s way and the amendment passes, the $8000 tax credit would be extended to June 30th, 2010 and it would allow more taxpayers to qualify for the subsidy. The amendment would increase the income limit to $150,000 for a single filer and $300,000 for a couple, up from the current limit of 95,000 and $170,000, respectfully.
The Pro’s: Why Vote “Yea”
- Lenders are still in trouble, as more people default or fall behind on their mortgages. Experts predict an additional 1.5 million foreclosures in 2010, increasing supply and further eroding prices and demand.
- Dems and Rep like it. The proposal was introduced by a GA Republican, Johnny Isakson, and it is also supported by Democratic heavy-weights. House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid support the extension, President Obama hasn’t taken a position for either side.
- Still too Many Houses. Although the supply of existing homes on the market has fallen from 1-5 months down to 8.5 months, a healthy market has only 5-6 months supply of house.
- Unemployment is Rising. With national unemployment levels at 10 percent, and some states reporting a far higher number, extending the taxpayer subsidy of housing market would likely create and preserve jobs. In addition, people out of work usually means more loan deliquency, foreclosures and further downward pressure on pricing.
The Con’s: Why Vote “NAY”
- The Cost to the Taxpayers. The extension comes with a heavy price tag of $16.7 BILLION over 5 years.
- As bad as Sub-Prime. Opponents argue that the subsidy has artifically propped up the prices of inexpensive homes, targeted by first-time buyer’s, thereby creating another potential mini-bubble in affordable housing.
- Both Opponents and real estate industry admit that most people who claimed the $8000 deduction, would have purchased a home anyway due to historical low rates and steep price declines.
- Fraud. The IRS has identified over 100,000 cases of fraud involving the tax credit. On Thursday, the House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to take a closer look.
- Did we mention the cost to taxpayers is $16.7 BILLION?
Yea or Nay??? We thank you for visiting InfoTube.net FREE homes for sale and rent website. The website provides free legal forms and contracts, marketing and sales tools, real estate advice, news and updates for buyer’s, sellers, agents and builders. We invite you to subscribe to our feed or leave a comment in the space below.
Poison Drywall of China
Toxic, sulfur laden sheetrock, Made in China, is making people sick, causing electrical wiring to go crazy and is corroding copper, wire and stainless steel in American homes. The problem has affected thousands of homes in 20 states, yet, the US court system is powerless when to hold Chinese manufacturers (most of which are owned by the Chinese government) responsible for problems caused by their products.
The hardest hit area of the country may be the slowly recovering New Orleans area, and the coastal area’s wiped out by Katrina. After enduring floods and mud, this man-made victimization is the last thing these communities need or deserve. For those wondering how bad the problem is….The problem is so bad that local governments, already low on funds, are waiving property taxes for homes rebuilt with the Made in China, toxic sheetrock.
Facts About Toxic Chinese Drywall and Sheetrock:
- The sheetrock may emit a sulfuric odor, which smells a bit like rotten eggs.
- Health Problems are being Reported. The most common health effects from the drywall are skin rashes, blisters and headaches.
- Homeowners insurance does not cover claims due to construction defects. When insurers discover a property has Chinese drywall, they are canceling homeowner policies.
- The gases emitted by the Chinese Drywall eat away at any copper, aluminum or stainless materials inside the home. This means that appliances, wiring, mirrors, computers, toys, plumbing pipes and fixtures, jewelry, HVAC or any systems that contain these component materials will also be damaged, usually beyond repair
- Seller’s of Homes that contain Chinese Sheetrock must disclose that fact, even if all the sheetrock in the home has been replaced.
- If your home contains any Chinese Made Drywall/Sheetrock file a compliant with Consumer Product Protection Council and also check about making a local compliant with your state.
- For updates on the Chinese drywall, multi-district lawsuits (MDL #2047 to to www.laed.uscourts.gov and click on Drywall MDL.
One tell tale sign of toxic sheetrock can be seen in the corners of mirrors
Watch for corrosion in and around plumbing fixtures, refrigerators, ac units, on stainless steel appliances or any area with metal components.
Our two cents: In light of this most recent, very serious, and potentially deadly, problem with cheap imports, all Americans need to reconsider their ongoing love affair with everything cheap and Chinese. If the US government, who allows these imports, can’t force the Chinese manufacturers to stand behind the products they sell, then the retailers, who chose to buy these goods should have to. The cost of uprooting families and replacing all the sheetrock, mechanical systems and personal property in over 60,000 reported homes is overwhelming. If anyone deserves a taxpayer bailout, it’s these innocent homeowners who have been victimized by governments and retailers, alike.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net. All our products are MADE, ASSEMBLED and SHIPPED right here in the USA!!! In November, we will celebrate our 20th Anniversary, proving that you can hire US workers and run a profitable business. Thank you for your support over all these years and please tell your friends about us!!!