Infotube.net: Homes for Sale - For Sale By Owner (FSBO) - Real Estate Listings

If you dream of going off the grid…  If you giggle at the thought of paying less than $500 a year for electricity…today’s solar power may be perfect for you.  

Here are a Few Resources and Tips to Help You Decide

1. Read Ed Begley Jr.’s Guide to Sustainable Living
2. Watch the Planet Green channel
3. Do a home energy audit at energystar.org or call your power company.
4. Find Cash Back Offers.  Tax incentives abound for energy savings.   Too see what is offered in your area, check for incentives and rebates on a federal, state and local level. 
5. Check Tax Rebate and Credit websites dsireusa.org and greenmadesimple.com

Improvements in solar technology mean financial savings within 6 years, depending on your location and property.  Check it out.  Solar may be the perfect answer for your needs.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net FREE homes for sale and rent website.  We provide Free Home Listings, MLS and Realtor.com packages, Legal Forms and More.  We’ve helped buyer and seller connect for 21 years.  We can help you, too!!

For all Twilight fans who would love to get closer to the Cullen family, the time is now.  The Vancouver home where ”New Moon” was filmed can be yours for only $3.3 million!!   If you’ve dreamed about sleeping in Edward Cullens bedroom, this may be your only chance.   All bragging rights included!

The 5 bedroom, four bath home is ideally suited for well heeled vampires and humans alike.   According to the listing broker, the property is a modernist’s dream, with extensive use of glass and post and beam style throughout the soaring, open spaces. The fantastic views of the surrounding Pacific Northwest landscape only add to this home’s considerable charm.

To see 18 more great photographs of the Cullen House CLICK HERE!

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net.  Our FREE website features some out of this world deals!!  Place a Free Listing; Download Free Legal Forms; Print Brochures; View Video Tours and More.

Is it a sign of the economic times, or more like MC Hammer deja vu??

Academy Award winning actor, Nicolas Cage, lost 2 New Orleans homes to a foreclosure sale this week. 

More bad news for freespending Cage. He owes more than $6 million in back taxes to the IRS. And, his properties in California and Las Vegas have been foreclosed on and are scheduled for auction this month.

Mr. Cage owed the City of New Orleans $151,730 in back real estate taxes and defaulted on his $5.5 million mortgage debt.  His home at 1140 Royal Street in the French Quarter, valued at $3.5 Million, sold for $2.3 million.  The other property located at 2523 Pataniya Street, appraised at $3.3 million, sold for only $2.2 million.  Pataniya Street is located in the Garden District.  Famous neighbors include author Anne Rice and football great Archie Manning, father of Peyton and Eli.

Bad Times or Crazy Spending?  Nicolas Cage, a member of the famous Coppola family, is known for being a big spender and news maker.  His obsession for Elvis resulted in a one minute marriage to Lisa Marie Presley.  He once paid $276,000 for a dinosaur skull.  At one time Cage owned 2 islands in the Bahama’s, luxury yachts (plural), a room full of shrunken heads and drove a stable of expensive cars, including a Lamborghini.  

Stars may occassionally fall to Earth, Nic won’t stay long.  Nicolas Cage and the Coppola family are Hollywood Royalty.  His movies have generated over $8 Billion in Box Office Sales.    Although Mr. Cage is facing financial ruin because he continued to spend, while millions of dollars drained from his bank accounts, we predict he will crank out more movies and will be back to living the high life in no time.  Also, it is rumored that Johnny Depp may come to Nic’s rescue.  It seems Depp has a soft spot for Cage, who got him his first roll in Nightmare on Elm Street.  Aren’t friends great!!

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net Free Homes for Sale and Rent website.  We have helped sellers and buyers connect since 1988.  We can help you too!!

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!!

1. 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.  
2. 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.
3. 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!!
4. 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. 
5. 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.
6. 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.

Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11th is a very special day for all Americans. 

It is our special time to say thank you to all the men and women who serve and protect this country.  It is our special time to say thank you for keeping America free.  It is our special time to take a moment of silence for all who paid the ultimate price for us to protect this nation.

As our special way of saying thank you to all Veterans and Active members of the military, InfoTube.net is offering FREE Featured Home Listing Upgrades on Veterans Day!!!   Just phone 1.800.858.6000 or send an email to nicole@infotube.net with your ad number.  It’s that easy!! 

We are happy to report that other Businesses are joining us in giving back to Veterans and Active Military Personnel on Veterans Day!!!   Check out the Free Offers of Food, Goods and Services for all Veterans on Wednesday.

• Applebee’s, McCormick & Schmicks and Golden Corral are serving up FREE meals.  Drop by and enjoy a juicy steak, shrimp, chicken or whatever makes you happy.
• Outback Steakhouse may be from “down under”, but they love US Vets!!   Stop by Outback for a FREE Blooomin’ Onion Appetizer and Beverage.
• Krispy Kreme donuts will sweeten up your life with FREE Hot Ready Now Donuts.  YUMMY!
• For Vet’s in the mid-west, Hy-Vee Supermarkets is providing a FREE, all you can eat, Breakfast Buffet.  Stop by start your day right!
• Home Depot and Lowes are offering a 10 percent discount at the register!!  Save big on your home improvements or holiday needs.
• The Federal Government offers FREE access to all Federal Parks and Recreation Sites.  Grab the family and enjoy a day together.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale and rent website!!  To all Veterans and Active Military, THANK YOU and please don’t forget to claim your FREE Home Upgrade on Wednesday.

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, October 31, 2009.  This year Halloween falls on a Saturday and marks the end of Day Light Savings Time.  Be Safe and Don’t Forget to Roll your Clocks back at 2:00 am, Sunday morning.

InfoTube.net FREE homes for sale and rent website is wondering:  “Would you would eat these cakes???”   We will feature more incredible, edible Halloween cakes everyday this week.   Then, we are off to celebrate Halloween in New Orleans, LA and check out the housing recovery in the Big Easy. 

Thank you as always for visiting InfoTube.net.  Click the comment box below to weigh in on your favorite Halloween Cake.   Tommi Crow’s favorite is the one above.  Too Cool!!

I would probably eat this one.  Funny, but not too nasty and I love cake.

Now that is pretty knarly, but that dark chocolate looks good.

Which one is your favorite???  Click the comment box and tell us.  If you have a cake you want to brag about, email a photo to tommi@infotube.net

3 Short Real Estate News Items of Interest.

1. Good news for US Housing.  For those of you still searching for a BOTTOM in the real estate market, we hit it in January 2009.  A double bottom, in fact.  Take a look at the CHART.
2. China raised its minimum down payment requirement to 40 percent, in an effort to slow down the overheated housing market in Hong Kong.  Conversely, in the US, we still offer financing with NO Money Down, when the tax rebate is combined with FHA or VA financing.  Quite startling in light of the lessons we learned from subprime loans.
3. Uncle Sam Added 5 Percent to Home Prices.  Government interventions in the housing market have inflated home prices at least 5 percent higher than they would have been.  Artifically low interest rates, $8000 tax credits, push for loan modifications and efforts to stall foreclosures may have created a false bottom.  Since the props won’t last forever, the risk of price decline in the future is significant. 

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net a FREE homes for sale and rent website.  Since 1988, we have kept our fingers on the pulse of the housing market.  If you would like to receive a reminder when we release a new article, click on our feed below.

 The stock market is back to 10,000, the level it reached in 1999.  Sales of existing homes were up a whopping 8 percent, to the highest level seen in 2 years.  The news is abuzz about an extension of the First Time Buyer Tax Credit….But, is it time to “Party like it’s 1999″???

Here is a snapshot of Friday’s real estate news.  You decide.

1. A record number of people snapped up bargains in September.  The median price of a home sold in the US fell to 174,000, down 9 percent from $191,200 one year ago.  Note: The significant price drop could be blamed in part to the First Time Buyer Tax Credit which favors the lower priced homes.
2. Keep in mind that the homes counted as “sold” in September were actually purchased in June, July and August.  No doubt the push to buy this summer had something to do with the expiring $8000 Tax Credit.
3. 70 percent of all homes closed in September were foreclosures or distressed property.
4. 80 percent of the homes closed, were sold for less than $250,000.  The market above $250,000 has stalled and inventory is rapidly growing.  And, the more expensive the home, the slower the market.
5. The biggest sales gains (not price gains) were seen in the hard hit cities of Miami and Orlando.  Sales in Miami were up 71 percent from last year, Orlando 65 percent.  Note: Prices are still falling dramatically in the Sunshine state.  In Miami and Orlando prices declined more than 30 percent from last year;  Tampa prices fell to $133,000, down 17 percent.
6. Sales of existing homes were down nearly 20 percent in Atlanta and Birmingham.  Local Realtors blame job loss for lack of activity.
7. Prices were flat or up a bit in some cities:  Dallas, Houston, San Antonio; Tulsa; Jackson, MS and Washington DC.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.NET.  Search our site for thousands of great deals on property or Post your Property Listing for Free.   We never sell your info or spam anyone.  No popups or dead links since 1989.  Happy Friday to all!!

Marketing a vacant home can be difficult challenge, because empty rooms are hard to size up and they don’t stand out in a buyer’s mind.  This leaves every vacant home looking like the one next door, with the only difference in a buyer’s mind being, which home has the lowest price.

This problem may have been solved by Krisztina Bell, a smart Atlanta Realtor, who invented and patented a software program that will “virtually” stage any vacant property for around $250.  Her company has been heralded by the Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronical and other publications as the answer to giving the effect of a professionally staged home at a fraction of the cost.

With 90 percent of home buyers doing their shopping online, and thousands of vacant homes on the market, Ms Bell’s idea is smart and timely.  Her technique transforms listing photo’s of vacant homes into homes with professionally designed interiors, using a library of attractive furnishings, accessories and artwork.   The resulting “after” photo’s are realistic, authentic and hard to distinguish from a home that has been actually staged with furnishings.

To view the Photo Gallery of some impressive Before and After Pictures, please visit her website VirtuallyStagingProperties.com, by clicking this link.  You will be amazed.  And, if you have a vacant home to sell, you should seriously consider this inexpensive option and make your home pop.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale and rent website.  If you virtually stage your home, be sure to upload the slideshow to InfoTube.net.  Thousands of buyer’s search our site daily for new information on properties.

Hasbro has a new edition of Monopoly for players who fantasize about having clout, women and power like Donald Trump.  The new Monopoly City, released as a board game, and Monopoly City Streets, an online game version, packs in the fun and gives players $3 million to buy streets, instead of tiny houses.  

Although the addictiveness of the game is the same as the original, you will experience some big, exciting changes.  If you are usually the Monopoly banker, you will certainly feel the effect of inflation, as you dole out $10,000 bills instead of $1 bills.  Also new, forget about feeling smug with your little hotel on Boardwalk, players in this high stakes game race to buy skyscrapers, stadiums, wind farms, sewage plants and garbage dumps.  And, not only can players collect hefty rents, they can bulldoze property and sabotage buildings to bring their values down. 

For those of us questioning why Hasbro would release the game in the midst of an economic crisis, the company reports that the game was in development before the melt down began.  And, ironically, the original Monopoly became popular with would-be tycoons during another economic crisis– The Great Depression, when Parker Brothers acquired it in 1935.  

Present real estate crash aside, Donetta Allen, spokeswoman for Hasbro, has this to say about the widely popular game ”It’s about the dream.  Monopoly has always been about that - the aspiration, I can’t do it in real life.  I want to do it on the board game.”  

There is one BIG difference between Monopoly City game and developing property in real life…. there’s no creative financing.  The game is cash only.  No debt.  No mortgage backed securities.  No credit default swaps.  Sorry, Trump.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net, a FREE Homes for Sale or Rent website.  Hint for holiday shoppers… Monopoly City is on my Christmas wishlist (:

A fireplace can be a huge selling point for any home or an eyesore that detracts from the room.  If the fireplace in your home is out dated or just plain ugly, you can transform it into a sexy, focal point without spending a lot of money.

Take a look at this brick fireplace.  It is a fireplace, but it is doubtful that buyers would conjure images of sipping wine by a roaring fire, in its present condition.

Now, take a look at the transformation, after engineered stone was applied over the old brick and a mantle was added.  The fireplace morphs from an eyesore into a floor to ceiling, hearthwarming focal point

In another example, this unattractive, dated fireplace with painted brick got a great makeover.  The homeowner correctly felt the fireplace was out of proportion, due to the narrow sides and tall top.  The mantle was also too small.

The After.  The budget minded homeowner added an “in stock” simple mantel and pilasters from a do-it-yourself center.  The design updated the fireplace, hid most of the outdated, painted over brick and brought the fireplace into correct proportion for under $750.

If your fireplace detracts from your home, get your creative genius in gear and simply cover it up.  Examples of “coverup” materials that are inexpensive and easy to work with are tile, manufactured stone, granite, marble or wood.  Sometimes even painting over old, ugly brick will make a huge improvement. 

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net.  We love before and after pictures that we can share with our readers.  If you have completed a project and want a pat on the back, email photo’s to tommi@infotube.net

The large number of foreclosed homes have become a blight on the residential landscape.   But, swimming pools in abandoned, foreclosed homes, with no electricity, pose special problems.   Swimming pools become stagnate and unsantitary due to a lack of chemicals, then quickly grow thick with algae that is unsightly, and expensive to get rid of.

Enter the pleco algae eating fish, which are commonly found and abundant in fresh water lakes.   Only 15 pleco fish, placed in an abandoned pool, quickly eat away the algae and keep it away.

The environmentally smart solution leaves pools more sanitary, makes the homes more attractive to prospective home buyer’s and saves thousands of dollars in upkeep.   After the new owner moves in, they can return the fish to the lake or leave them in the pool for backyard fishing fun.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale and rent complimentary website.  Search for some great deals or post your property for more exposure.  It’s FREE!!

File this under you have to be kidding me or better yet, Shame on You.  Thanks to awfulmarketing.com for this post

Pat Hill, a 72-year-old real estate agent and grandmother from Alexandria, Virginia, has held season tickets to the Washington Redskins’ games since the 1960s. With the recent downturn in the real estate market she was forced to cancel her $5,300-a-year contract for two end zone seats.

Although she tried negotiating with the ticket office to waive the contract for a year or two, they were not willing to budge, and sued Hill for $66,364, the amount of the tickets each year until 2017, plus legal fees and court costs. Hill did not contest the suit, and a judgment was filed against her.

More information, including a list of NFL teams that make a practice NOT to sue their fans, is available in this Washington Post article.

What do you think - shouldn’t the Skins have cut Hill a little slack or perhaps let her throw out the first pitch after 40 years of loyalty? Take a minute and Let them know:

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net.  Post a Free Property Listing this weekend and reach more buyers.  Have a safe and happy Labor Free Weekend!

Cash for Refrigerators.  $300 million dollars of stimulus money has been set aside for consumer’s who purchase new, energy saving appliances.   Rebates of $50.00-$200.00 will be available in October on purchases of refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and air conditioners.

Program Eligibility:

1. To qualify, the consumer must purchase appliances with an Energy Star designation.
2. You don’t have to “trash” your old appliance to qualify.
3. States must apply to the program before October 15, 2009

Pro’s:

1. Upgrading to an Energy Star rated appliance saves a family $50-$150 per year in utility costs.
2. Rebates will ease the transition into new efficient appliances and help some consumers avoid going into debt in order to upgrade.
3. Could provide a boost to the beleaguered appliance and home improvement industries who are suffering in the bad economy.
4. Helps the environment.

Con’s:

1. No plan for the Trashed Appliances.  Currently there is no plan for proper disposal for the trashed appliances.  Old appliances can be donated or resold, which will not help the environment.
2. If we can’t find a way to recycle old appliances, the program will add more trash to the planet.

Tips for Consumers:

1. Most retailers will haul away your old appliances, when you purchase a new one.   Ask the retailer what happens to the old one, after they pick it up.   Buy only from retailers who can prove that they recycle or destroy the old appliances.
2. Use a Good Recycler to Take the Appliance Away.  Good recyclers will capture all coolants in the units which cause serious harm to the environment.  In addition, they will recycle all the metal and foam contained in the old unit.
3. GE and KitchenAid are offering additional manufacturer rebates on Energy Star Rated appliances now.  Click on the company name for details.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net.  We hope that Cash for Refrigerators is as successful as Cash for Clunkers.  If you have been waiting to update your appliances, October will be an excellent time.