Many homeowners who are trying to refinance, but can’t because they are “upside-down” have just been thrown a life-line. The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) has just been expanded from the present loan-to-value (LTV) of 105 to 125 percent. This increase is aimed at keeping more people in their homes and out of foreclosure or [...]

A lot of what people and the media are talking about these days is tax rates and taxes. Some are wondering why their taxes didn’t go down while others don’t mind them being the same or even a bit higher, but questioning why they’ve gone up so much. The argument is that it’s not fair that [...]

Wondering what NAR will be talking about on Capitol Hill during the Mid-Year meetings? Here are some of the main talking points: Move the Housing Market Forward and Safeguard Our Communities Health Care Coverage for the Self Employed and Small Businesses Preserve the Mortgage Interest Deduction Energy Efficiency in Homes and Buildings Stabilize and Provide [...]

If you’re a homeowner who has an existing mortgage, beware (and if you’re an agent or broker, you may want to pass this on to your clients). A mortgage scam going around the country has made it to Virginia. The scam involves receiving a "hello" letter in the mail saying something like, Dear (insert your [...]

If you’re a listing agent or broker who does REO work for banks and financial institutions, you may soon be out of new listings and business. Banks are starting to freeze foreclosures and the steady stream of REO listings is turning into just a few drips out of a leaky faucet. Countrywide/BoA, JPMorgan Chase and [...]

The speaker chosen for closing session at the 2008 VAR Convention was Douglas Rushkoff. And what a great choice it was. Why? Because he told it like it is and the blunt truth is exactly what the doctor ordered. Rushkoff spoke about the current economic turmoil, the changes going on in and outside the real estate [...]

It seems that some REALTORS® focus on quantity rather than quality. They go after the most amount of business, not the best type of business. This seems to be more so the case these days due to the tough market conditions. But taking the “quantity” approach may not be the smartest thing to do despite it seeming ludicrous to [...]

OK, ready? Repeat after me… “NO” Try it again…”NO” That’s what you should be saying firmly when the bank/lender says or “demands” that you lower your commission on your short-sale listing. That’s also what you should be saying firmly when the listing agent says that the bank “demands” that the commission be lowered and that you, as the buyer’s [...]

- Are we truly independent contractors? Or are we independent contractors when it comes to (not) being paid benefits and social security, and employees when it comes to “sales meetings”, “floor duty” and other “mandatory” things? – To achieve real success, should we be “interdependent contractors”? – Who’s really in control? – Is a pulse and a [...]

Most of us are passionate about the real estate industry and would love to see things improve and change for the better. And though many of us would love to help make that happen, few actually get involved to help do so. Why is that? The one reason I keep hearing over and over again is, “I don’t [...]