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From the monthly archives:

December 2009

Home Buying Checklist

by Tayeb Realty GroupDecember 28, 2009 Foreclosures

A printable home buyer’s checklist for you to use as a guideline when looking for a new home. Home Buying Checklist

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10 Hot Home Products for the New Year

by John TayebDecember 28, 2009 general

As the unofficial “What’s New Guru” of the home improvement industry, I attend numerous trade shows throughout the year and scour lots of magazines and trade publications looking for new and exciting products, intriguing concepts and “gotta have” gadgets that make life just a little bit better. My checklist for “Hot Home Products” includes simplicity, [...]

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Another Big Gain in Existing-Home Sales

by John TayebDecember 24, 2009 Foreclosures

Existing-home sales rose again in November as first-time buyers rushed to close sales before the original Nov. 30 deadline for the recently extended and expanded tax credit, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – rose 7.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.54 [...]

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Commercial Properties Continue to Decline

by Tayeb Realty GroupDecember 24, 2009 commercial real estate

Moody’s Investors Service reports that commercial real estate prices continue to decline, slipping 1.5 percent in October. They were 36.4 percent lower than they were in October 2008 and down 43.7 percent from their peak in October 2007. Calculations are based on repeat sales of the same properties. — Sources: The Wall Street Journal (12/22/2009)

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Mortgage Applications Fall

by John TayebDecember 24, 2009 general

Mortgage applications decreased 10.7 percent last week on a seasonally adjusted basis from the previous week. On an unadjusted basis, the index decreased 10.9 percent. The decrease was about equally divided between refinances, which declined 10.1 percent, and purchases, which decreased 11.6 percent. Compared to the same week the previous year, purchases declined 32.7 percent. [...]

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Higher Rates Will Require Lender Explanation

by Tayeb Realty GroupDecember 24, 2009 Foreclosures

Under new rules from the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Trade Commission, borrowers who are loaned money at less-favorable rates because of their credit ratings must be notified and given a free copy of their credit scores. Currently, lenders don’t have to offer any explanations. These rules apply to mortgage lenders as well as [...]

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Tax Credit Gets Buyers Off the Fence

by John TayebDecember 24, 2009 Foreclosures

The new $6,500 move-up Homebuyer Tax Credit is apparently motivating buyers, according to a Campbell Communications survey of 1,500 real estate practitioners. Existing home owners accounted for 41 percent of home purchases in November, up from 38 percent in October, the survey found. “Current home owners jumped at the credit,” says survey research director Thomas [...]

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Home Sales Rise 7.4 Percent

by Tayeb Realty GroupDecember 23, 2009 general
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Stocking Stuffers for Real Estate Aficionados

by Tayeb Realty GroupDecember 23, 2009 commercial real estate

Books are the perfect gift for buyers, sellers, and real estate dreamers. Here are five suggestions that are good reads for people on your list who want to buy or sell a home for the holidays: 1. Nolo’s Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home, Ilona Bray, Alayna Schroeder, and Marcia Stewart, Nolo publishing, $24.99 [...]

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Economy Improving in 4th Quarter

by Tayeb Realty GroupDecember 23, 2009 general

The economy grew 2.2 percent in the third quarter. The U.S. Commerce Department had previously estimated a 2.8 percent growth rate. Officials attributed the discrepancy to consumer caution, saying that consumers simply didn’t spend as much. Many analysts still believe the economy is likely to improve in the current quarter, growing at an estimated 4 [...]

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