Rent Real Estate
Oil leaks and spills from residential fuel tanks have cost Canadian insurance companies and homeowners a lot of money in recent years. Insurance companies now balk at insuring homes with older fuel tanks, and some provinces have passed strict new regulations governing when the tanks must be replaced.
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) announced a new sustainability initiative to position Greater Phoenix as a location for solar and clean technology, green building, renewable energy and other "green industry" organizations. Greening Greater Phoenix Powered by SolarCity promotes the region as an emerging leader in solar technology and renewable energy industries. Over the next several months, GPEC will launch a national and international awareness campaign for Greening Greater Phoenix Powered by SolarCity, targeting companies seeking to expand or invest in a renewable energy market.
Household credit in Canada is rising faster than you can swipe a credit card, prompting concern that some consumers are getting in over their heads. For now, however, the number of personal bankruptcies is down, indicating that borrowers are able to cope with their current payments.
Canadians who decide to sell their house and adopt a high-rise
Home buyers and other consumers are the true beneficiaries when Canadian real estate developers and other housing professionals win awards.
"October"s annual rate of housing starts, highest since March 1990, is evidence that the housing industry is benefiting from strong employment growth and low mortgage rates this year," said Michel Laurence, Chief Economist at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation"s Market Analysis Centre. "The increase in the annual rate of housing starts in October relative to September, which was broadly-based across the country, suggests housing and other related industries will remain positive factors for Canadian economic growth in the fourth quarter."
National headlines proclaim "Job Growth Steams Ahead" in response to Statistics Canada report that employment surged by 59,000 jobs in August, continuing the upward trend that began at the start of the year. So far in 2002, employment has grown 2.6% -- an
So far in Alberta this year, four home renovation contractors have been convicted of renovation fraud activities. A year ago, a London, Ontario man pleaded guilty to 19 counts of fraud, in which most of the victims were seniors, in renovation scams to support an alleged gambling habit. An Ontario driveway paver was found guilty of unfair business practices when consumers from Sarnia to Belleville complained about the work. One owner"s vehicle sank into the asphalt when it was parked, according to Ontario"s Ministry of Consumer and Business Services.
Legitimate construction contractors in Ontario are paying twice the amount they should in order to offset the costs of contractors who don"t pay, says the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario. The council represents about 100,000 unionized workers.
Do you find it difficult to get satisfaction when you are not happy with the service or goods you have paid for? Do you often let your complaint go unresolved because you don"t know where to start when it comes to writing a complaint letter?
The recent announcement that Canada"s largest volume mortgage broker has been purchased by GMAC-Residential Funding of Canada, a subsidiary of General Motors Acceptance Corp., is good news for home buyers. It brings even more competition to a red-hot mortgage market.
With tales of recession and financial woe all around us, are you ready for some good news?
Question: The Canada Safety Council (CSA) asks, "What is the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations in Canada"s children?"
Many retired Canadian homeowners return from their snowbirding months in the United States with thoughts of reverse mortgages fresh in their minds. Although these home equity conversion products are widely available in the US, Canadian homeowners do not have an open, competitive reverse mortgage marketplace to shop in.
As spring fever begins to grip Canada, those in British
Vancouver, British Columbia, ranks number one for quality of
Canadians who have traditionally accepted the "house-rich, cash-poor"
Pending home sales declined slightly but remain historically high, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Existing-home sales declined in July from a record in June, but home prices continue to rise at double-digit rates, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Total existing-home sales, which include single-family and condos, were at the highest pace on record in the second quarter, with 42 states showing higher sales in comparison with a year earlier, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Existing-home sales rose to near-record levels in March with a continuation of strong home price gains, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
The tax write-off for mortgage interest isn"t even on the National Association of Realtors" issues radar screen. Indeed, issues such as predatory lending and the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac top the group"s legislative agenda.
Sales of existing single-family homes were back up again in September after two consecutive monthly declines, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Greater than expected sales of existing homes in the first seven months of the year will help set a record for annual existing-home sales in 2004, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Existing-home sales will increase about 6.5 percent this year to 6.50 million.*
Even with strong economic growth, the job market recovery has been slow, which should help to keep pressure off of interest rates and sustain home sales, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
The 2003 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, based on transactions during the first quarter of this year, is the latest is a series of surveys evaluating marketing, demographics and other characteristics of home buyers and sellers. It shows that 71 percent of homebuyers used the Internet in their search for a home during the first quarter of 2003, up from 41 percent during 2001.
Condotels and condominiums are the latest real estate investment craze in the Philippines, pushing the island country into one of the hottest markets in Southeast Asia.
The high court, in the case Meyer v. Holley, reversed a decision by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California, which had extended liability to owners and officers. In the case, a racially mixed couple sought to make the owner of Triad, Realtors®, personally responsible for the actions of one of its agents who allegedly had made disparaging remarks about the couple.
Existing-home sales are expected to slow following an unprecedented first quarter, but are on track to set a new annual record in 2002, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.
Question: Our board would like to evaluate our management company"s effectiveness by way of a member survey. What questions do you recommend?
When it comes to decision making in homeowner associations, parliamentary procedure (like Roberts Rules) is often the basis for making them. It provides a systematic and efficient way to get business done. However, parliamentary procedure is based on the democratic notion of "majority rules." Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Americans have come to think this is the best option. While the system works pretty well, there is another process for decision making called "Formal Consensus."
When people live in close proximity, lifestyle clashes are likely. Noise is the most common complaint followed closely by odors, health and sanitation issues, cigarette smoke and curb appeal. The board is challenged from time to time to sort out various nuisances that interfere with a member"s enjoyment of their property. To intervene or not to intervene? That is the question.
Question: We have buildings which occasionally have sewage backups. Should the HOA pay for repairs and cleanup?
Converting apartment buildings into condominiums has become a popular alternative to new construction. There are a number of advantages to the developer:
Stopping and slowing vehicle traffic is something most homeowner associations must deal with. Parking lot curbs keep vehicles from damaging the landscaping. Speed bumps slow traffic to a safe speed. Historically, these devices have been made of concrete and asphalt. But exciting new technology offers environmentally kind alternatives.
Question: For many years, the board has not enforced architectural and design restrictions. Consequently, many unit owners have installed storm doors and/or changed the exterior light fixtures on their units. There is now little or no conformity regarding those additions or changes. Our recent reserve study shows that we are woefully underfunded, so conformity is the least of our worries!
Question: While I understand that the board should deal only with a unit owner when a tenant breaks the HOA rules, wouldn"t it make sense to provide the tenant a copy of the correspondence with the unit owner?
Question: Can the board enact a policy to exclude certain categories of dogs that are perceived to be dangerous such as rottweilers or pit bulls?
Question: I run an HOA management company and have a new HOA client whose board does not want a representative from management to attend board meetings. What do you think?
The latest report from the National Association of Realtors is reporting that existing-home sales were down in month of August by 2.2 percent.
A condition that exists in some homeowner associations is called "efflorescence," a term sometimes confused with "fluorescence," as in the lightbulb. It is, in fact, a deposit that appears on the surface of stone or masonry, which is formed by the crystallization of soluble salts carried to the surface by moisture. In layman"s terms, it looks like white powder. The good news is that efflorescence is primarily a visual problem. Very rarely does it cause structural problems and often it diminishes with time.
Question: Our collection policy states that if an owner is 30 days past due, the management company sends a pre-lien notice letter. Several board members think the board members should be notified when these letters are sent.
The issue of rules in homeowner associations is one that can trigger a wide range of responses. While most HOAs require little rule enforcement, there are some that seem rule driven or inhabited by I-eat-rules-for-lunch residents. This combination is a formula for trouble. That said, there are some recommended approaches to effective rules compliance that every HOA should consider. Jim Comin of
The issue of sex offenders living within a homeowner association has received a lot of well deserved press. This awareness was triggered by Megan"s Law, which mandated that each state have a mechanism for informing the public of the whereabouts of sex offenders. In 2003, the Supreme Court ruled that information about potential predators may be posted on the Internet.
The Federal Housing Administration puts its long-awaited new financing rules for condominium units into operation last week -- immediately affecting sales in hundreds of condo projects across the country.
You"ve heard all the horror stories, "My condominium association told me what color I could paint my door, after I painted it a color I liked but it didn"t." "I was only parked in the wrong space for a few minutes so I could unload my groceries, but my owners" association had my car towed anyway."
At the core of every homeowner association is the principle of "volunteerism." It is a noble calling which calls for personal sacrifice -- giving up self interest for the greater good. Americans, arguably the most self-indulgent citizens of the world, have a curious ability to rise to the occasion and give of themselves. Americans donate considerable time, talent and treasure to the downtrodden of the world.
The battle continues -- car ownership and land costs on the rise, street width and parking on the decline. Where the two meet, battles erupt: parking committees posting dayglo orange violation stickers on vehicles, roving tow trucks with instructions to hook and tow on sight and neighbors duking it out over parking spaces.
Question: What responsibility does a unit owner in a high-rise condominium have with respect to external doors, windows, balcony railings, or roof decks? Does a unit owner have any direct responsibility for other than the internal space and contents of his or her unit?
Homeowner associations should keep good historical records, because to know where one is going it"s necessary to know where one has been. Some of those crucial records are the minutes kept at Board, Special, Committee and Annual Meetings. Minutes document decisions made during a meeting and provide a public record of actions taken.
Homeowner association boards can find themselves faced with scenarios that call for discernment, wisdom and compromise. If the Board is too intractable in its thinking, conflict and resentment ensues. Here are some common scenarios taken from actual incidents and how they played out.
When California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger closed out his first legislative season with fewer bill signings than any of the state"s first-year governors in modern history, among the Vetoinator"s 273 targets was a highly contentious bill critics say could have financially jeopardized California"s 37,000 homeowner associations (HOAs) and their members -- 7 to 8 million homeowners who live in condos and townhomes.
Does your HOA suffer from Lead Foot Syndrome (LFS)? LFS causes drivers of all ages to speed recklessly through the homeowner association oblivious to pedestrians, children and pets. They often suffer as well from CITES (Cellphone in the Ear Syndrome) which further increases their oblivion. But either way, there is a real safety problem here.
Ahhhhh Spring! Thoughts of lovers turn to love and those of landscape contractors turn to growing things, like the lawn. It"s time to weed, fertilize, remove moss and reseed to get it up and growing again. For homeowner associations, this usually means the landscape contractor has also been busy for weeks firing up the irrigation system, thatching, doing drainage corrections, removing and replacing dead plants, sweeping, blowing and mowing. There"s a lot to do. And there"s a lot to know about how to do it right.
Every so often, a case comes across my desk which reminds me that many community associations still have a lot to learn. The saga of Bessie Jacobs v. Concord Village Condominium X Association is a case in point.
A professional homeowner association manager serves in many capacities: rule enforcer, money collector, maintenance supervisor, newsletter editor, social chairman and on and on. One of the most important functions is as mentor to the Board. Mentoring provides an informed and objective perspective that is critical to Board decision making.
Small-scale rental home investors need to be aware of a new campaign by the nation"s largest apartment owners that could have the effect of scaring away potential tenants.
Question: Our condominium has very limited parking. Each unit has a one-car garage and one additional assigned parking space in the common area. We also have guest parking. Do residents have the right to use these spots?
After kicking lots of condo tires and comparing benefits and homeowner fees, the buyer makes a choice, closes the deal and moves in. All settled in, he happens to spy the stack of documents (didn"t they call them "CC&Rs," whatever that means?) and decides to riffle through them. Mid riffle, he lands on Schedule B-Assessment Allocation which explains how much each unit owner is supposed to pay. It also shows the square footage of each unit. He notices that his unit at 900 square feet is paying the same fee as units twice the size. WHAT??? How could this be? On top of that, units with a view also pay the same. DOUBLE WHAT???
One of the issues that many HOAs grapple with is renters. Some ban them outright, others limit their number. Most live and let live. Interestingly, the HOA has no direct legal authority over renters, only its homeowners. This disconnect creates some practical problems for the Board or Manager in communicating with tenants since there is always a middle person to deal with. So how does this all play out?
The natives are restless. The sound of drums can be heard echoing ominously in the night. The smell of tar wafts through the air and somewhere another chicken loses its feathers. The chant of "Recall, Recall, Recall" is heard. The Board prepares for impending doom. Is there no redemption?
Money is the grease that oils the homeowner association"s wheels. Without it, the HOA will screech to a grinding halt. Without money, bills go unpaid, needed repairs are delayed, property values fall and tempers rise. In most HOA budgets, there is little margin for slow or no payers so attention to timely collection is essential. Yet, it"s a recurring problem in many HOAs because Boards are reluctant to enforce collection on neighbors and/or friends. But there is no government bailout for HOAs. If all don"t pay, the remaining members must make up the difference. The picture isn"t pretty.
There"s trouble a "brewin" in HOA Developer City. Betwixt and between land acquisition, zoning issues, project cost estimating, construction financing, building permits, project scheduling, marketing and a myriad of other details is wedged the HOA. For the HOA, the developer is required to file certain information with the state to qualify the project as a homeowner association. While the required information varies from state to state, the governing documents, budgets and homeowner fee details are always required in the Public Offering Statement to prospective buyers.
There is a vicious rumor going around. The Board is talking about raising the dues again and everyone’s up in arms. They raised the dues last year! And the year before! It’s time to fire up the tar and pluck the chicken!
One of the most important aspects of a homeowner association is the ability to effectively control the look and feel of the community. While this power may conflict with a particular member’s desire to customize his home or condo (looove that electric chartreuse paint color!), the concept is strongly supported by the majority and a condition agreed to by all members before they bought. Indeed, that’s an important reason many opt for HOA living.
Question: Our HOA is considering doing a reserve study. We have an owner who is a CPA that says he will do one for nothing. While free is a good price, what are the downsides of this arrangement?
One of the most influential committees often found within a homeowner association is the ARC (Architectural Review Committee). This committee’s mandate is to oversee modifications to member units/homes that are consistent with approved policy and to preserve or enhance property values.
Question: Our condos are older and have high flow toilets and shower heads. The association pays the water bill and it’s too expensive to install separate meters. Any thoughts?
Even the most well meaning HOA Board can trip, stumble and fall. However, instead of an unavoidable obstacle, more than often it’s caused by how the Board manages, or mismanages, business. Consider:
If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of people who have a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit,) you may have already discovered (much to your dismay) that the funds in the account are no longer accessible to you. The account was summarily suspended by the lender without prior notice. If, per chance, you wrote a check on the account and paid other expenses from that withdrawal, you may also have found that those checks bounced or at least were sent back by the lender as "unable to be honored."
Dealing with difficult people in any setting can be a real challenge. But in volunteer-based homeowner associations, where there is none of the leverage managers have with employees, there is an entirely new level of difficulty. And, believe it or not, a new level of opportunity. The key is common interest.
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) required that extensive and expensive alterations become standard in certain commercial and residential buildings. Many are required to have wider doors, special bathrooms, ramps, handrails, handicap parking and a variety of other features. So, how does this all apply to a homeowner association?
One of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime is to sell your home. And getting your house ready for resale is vital to a quick and successful sale, especially when many parts of the country are experiencing a buyers market. In addition to the remodeling projects and staging that you’re preparing inside the home, remember that the very first impression a prospective buyer gets is the moment they drive up. A lackluster lawn can cost you in the end.
At least three in four home buyers obtain a professional home inspection to determine the physical condition of a home before they close the deal, but most home buyers aren"t as likely to pay attention to a home"s financial condition when it is necessary.
One common complaint in homeowner associations is inconsistent or inequitable application of rules and penalties for infractions. Many HOA Boards reinvent the wheel every time a resident breaks a rule and that wheel changes dimensions depending on who was guilty of violation. In other words, different folks get different penalties.
There is a great expression for giving the customer what he wants: "If the man wants a blue suit, turn on the blue light." This wisdom is based in the curious phenomena that perception is more important than reality. As any successful salesman knows, the sale is in the bag if the customer thinks it"s his wise decision making at work, not "being sold".
Question: Recently, an owner proposed this bylaw amendment:
Out of the blue, an irate homeowner launches a sniper campaign aimed directly at the board. It"s relentless and focused. The motivation may be some personal grievance, hatred of a board policy, disagreement regarding how the board does business in general or a loathing for the HOA concept. Rather than seeking redress in an orderly and open way, however, the sniping takes the form of poison pen letters, back alley rumor mills or a personal assault at a board Meeting.
The Board of a homeowner association (HOA) has various and sundry tasks. To understand what those tasks should be, it"s critical that the Board understand what the HOA "thing" really is. And often it"s not what most think it is. Here are some of the myths:
Cash-strapped homeowner associations (HOA) may want to consider outside use of its common area facilities to both pad out the budget and reach out to the community.
When it comes to self managing, a few homeowner
Homeowner associations often hire contractors to perform large renovation jobs or ongoing contracts like landscaping, janitorial and pool maintenance. Bidding for such work allows qualified contractors to fairly compare "apples to apples." This is good for the association and fair to the contractors. A clear, competitive process results in the best price for the association while addressing quality and performance concerns.
Getting and keeping dedicated board and committee members is one of a community association"s greatest challenges. How can the board avoid the burn-out that comes with time on the job? Here are a few suggestions:
Fall is the time when most homeowner associations go through the ritual of
There has been a nasty rumor hanging around for years that homeowner associations (HOAs) are inherently flawed. The premise is that both volunteer and hired management are incompetent, invasive and tyrannical. Picture the Board trooping through the property with clipboard and citations ready to swat any owners that step out of line. Not a pretty picture for those that want "care free" living.
Unless your community transacts all its business town meeting style, a
Question: Can we have a rule stating that no children are allowed in the
In many homeowner associations, light bulb replacement continues like the Sorcerer"s Apprentice: it burns out, you replace it, it burns out, you replace it, it...well, you get the picture. When it comes to servicing exterior lighting, there are a variety of considerations such as:
When the government decided to place Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into its conservatorship, it opened up many different possible avenues the heal the ailing giants.
Committees are an often overlooked asset to your community. They provide individual members the opportunity to serve and shine in a focused way. Committees also act as a training ground for folks that may not want to jump into a board role right away. Here is the profile of an effective committee system:
There is often confusion about what roles and responsibilities Board members play. Well meaning volunteers step into roles that are critical to the well being of the community. To help sort it all out, here"s a handy guide:
Question: Can a condo association hire a handyman to do minor odd jobs such as light painting without worrying if this person is a licensed contractor?
In 1995, the IRS issued a Tax Advice Memorandum relating to the audit of a Florida time-share association. In this Memorandum, the IRS drew parallels between time share and homeowner associations relating to filing tax form 1120. When a homeowner association files tax form 1120-H, the IRS considers it a homeowners association. When that same association files form 1120, the IRS considers it a "nonexempt membership organization" just like a time-share association.
Money, as they say, doesn"t grow on trees. Even if it did, every Fall, the money trees would lose their bills and the Board would still be scratching its head on where to find more to make it through the year. And then there"s that darned inflation eating away at the roots.
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston announced last week that HUD is ready to speed federal disaster assistance to hurricane-ravaged counties throughout the Gulf Coast and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following Hurricane Gustav. This assistance includes foreclosure relief for families whose damaged homes are insured through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) living in presidentially declared disaster areas.
The recording of minutes is an issue that often causes confusion. How much,
Commercial Property News is promoting more condominium and apartment development in the face of growing single-family home foreclosures.
An issue that rears its ugly head at homeowner associations are problems with
Despite slowed job growth and slowed sales, Portland, Oregon, has seen a healthy rise in average sales price over this time in 2006. It is currently reported around $334,000.
The 15-year FRM this week averaged 5.90 percent with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 5.93 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 6.15 percent.
Boise, Idaho, home prices are stabilizing -- with 7 percent appreciation reported since the beginning of the year.
The San Antonio, Texas, real estate market is maturing, according to local real estate experts, who also note a slightly slowed market this year.
Local real estate experts report that despite the quality and attractions of Waipahu/Waikele, Hawaii, the area was "in the doldrums this quarter with sales declining and days on market increasing."
Frisco, Texas, a short drive from Dallas, is seeing an average asking price of $319,000 at this time, prompting local experts to call the area a strong market.
Chicago has seen its housing market slow this summer, with fewer single family and condo sales.
It"s been described as a tropical paradise -- with a climate to please every visitor. The price to live in such a utopia -- $970,349.
Austin, Texas, continues to grow at a fast pace, as a drop in inventory causes buyer competition.
San Jose, California, the 10th largest city in the United States has seen prices rise 2.4 percent since last year.
Sales are down 28 percent in Chandler, Arizona, from last year, say local experts.
Local experts report that Gilbert, Arizona, is the fastest growing city in the nation, with 1,000 new residents a month! But is the real estate market booming?
Memphis, Tennessee, home of Graceland and the Memphis Grizzlies, is seeing a hot market with cooling temperatures.
Realtor Cheryl Williams says, "The housing market is still strong. Sales from the first quarter were up from last years record breaking pace and prices have climbed more than 40 percent in the past year. However, the resale home market is starting to cool or in other words, it is appearing to have met its peak. The market still looks strong compared with the same time last year. For example: the multiple listing service shows 33 percent of the homes listed in July 2004 sold in less than 30 days. This year 72 percent sold within 30 days. The price for an average resale home now is $255,000."
Realtor Patti Bridges says, "Emphasis is on families in this friendly community. Schools get lots of support here. There are areas especially for horse lovers. And there is housing for every pocketbook. Beaches are only a short hop over the bridge. The real estate market here is high and still rising. Prices have jumped as much as 20 percent within the space of a month in some areas. Incredible as that may seem, more increases are expected."
Some experts feel that Utah is undervalued by 25 percent. Is now the time to invest in quiet living?
Maryland is boasting more than just history and style these days. Local Realtors tell of sky-rocketing demand.
Realtors in the Outer Banks and Nag"s Head, North Carolina, report that inventories are rising, but the outlook for second home ownership along the coast remains strong, creating opportunities for buyers.
Job growth is on the rise in West Virginia -- state wide -- according to the Herald-Dispatch in Huntington. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.2 percent in July, more than a full percentage point, as the jobless rate dropped in all 55 states across the county. The unemployment rate for the city was at 3.3 percent in July.
Local Realtors say the Leesburg, Virginia, housing market is rising in price, and the homes selling the most quickly are condominiums and townhomes.
Residential real estate has reported gains in sales in the last month, but commercial real estate may be in for tougher times.
People in other towns may wish their city planners had created the pleasant and relaxing greenscapes and lakes that Columbia, Maryland, developers thought to do, suggest local Realtors.
Part of the "Space Coast," Cocoa Beach first came to national prominence as the setting for the television show "I Dream of Jeannie," and the area has done nothing but become more enchanting, say local Realtors.
"Warwick has over 39 miles of coastline on Narraganset Bay," says Realtor Richard Costa. "It is comprised of more than 30 villages and has the close-knit feeling of a much smaller community. With over 39 miles of coastline, exceptional recreational facilities and quality schools, Warwick remains a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. With interest rates still low and a growing inventory of homes on the market it"s a great time to buy."
Considered one of the most desirable of Denver areas, Englewood, Colorado, is poised for growth, despite its continuing buyer"s market.
Known as the home of the University of Maryland and the "cradle of American aviation," College Park is where the Wright Brothers chose to do early flight training. Local Realtors say the area offers a lot to homebuyers.
"Welcome to Tucson, where home sales continue at a very hot pace," says Realtor Jon Quist. "Record-setting trends continue. Arizona is the second fastest growth area in the country. Investment in Tucson real estate remains a strong value for the future. We have a wide variety of homes and areas. Tucson continues to have housing to suit any need, with homes to fit any lifestyle. The resale market continues to be very strong, and there are a variety of new home builders to work with as well. New construction trends are also up."
Charming and historical, Fort Myers, Florida is attracting a lot of new homebuyers, say local Realtors who want to capture their piece of the sun while interest rates are low.
Consider, you go to a new car dealer, buy a vehicle and when you leave the lot it loses all four wheels and goes on fire. Gone. Incinerated. Most likely, you will hold the local dealer where you purchased the car for damages, but you may also seek amends from the automobile manufacturer as well.
A Realtor who sells real estate in the towns of Appleton, Fremont and Greenville, Wisconsin says that a country atmosphere near big city conveniences is what many buyers want today as she sees home sales heating up.
The stunning natural beauty of Vancouver invites a wide variety of outdoor recreation, making it one of the most desirable cities to live in or visit in Washington, say local Realtors.
Sales are ebbing slightly in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, say local Realtors, due in part to weather conditions, rising interest rates, and other conditions, but they say to expect the tide of buyers to come back in soon.
The Dallas bedroom community of Allen was hit hard by telecom layoffs a few years ago, but the town is finally starting to absorb its excess housing inventory as buyers realize they can have a great quality of life and a lot of home for the money, say Realtors.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has been stabilizing with rising inventories but local Realtors say that is the calm before the storm of spring homebuying.
Steady increases in housing prices and sales with a drop in the average days on market signal a rising sellers" market in Clearfield, Utah, say local Realtors.
The economy continues to send mixed messages -- some encouraging for real estate, some not -- but this week the positive are edging out the negatives.
"The Town of Yorktown, which includes such hamlet areas as Yorktown Hts., Shrub Oak, Mohegan Lake, and Jefferson Valley is an extremely diverse community," says Realtor Geri Schwalb. "Each hamlet area has an identity all its own; from commercial centers to historic and charming neighborhoods, the town is spread across 40 miles and boasts multiple accesses to the Taconic State Pkwy."
"Springfield, whether, North, West, or Central, continues to be a very popular area for buyers," says Realtor Lauren R. Smerbeck. "It"s an established area conveniently located next to I-95 and the Metro station. It is especially popular among the first-time homebuyers or move-up buyers, as affordability prevails in this area. Single-family homes and townhomes are still selling quickly, however buyers have a little breathing room and time to think. Buyers should still be prepared to move fast, and be approved for their mortgage before submitting an offer on their dream home."
Realtors say that the "City Beautiful" Coral Gables, Florida, is in a strong seller"s market.
Realtors in Ann Arbor, Michigan say the town is so hot that there is relatively little inventory for sale.
In the face of falling employment rates and diving real estate prices, Decatur, Illinois, has outperformed national trends to create a strong housing market buoyed by a growing economy. The labor force in America"s Agribusiness Center has grown by more than 1,500 jobs since January 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and that has fueled an increase in sales prices for single-family homes in the area by more than 6 percent for the same period last year.
Located in Bonita Springs, Florida, "The Brooks" gated communities are in strong demand, say local Realtors.
There"s a reason why Charlottesville, Virginia attracts such a diversity of homebuyers, including famous authors and politicians, say local Realtors.
Quickly growing, but out of the price range of many first-time homebuyers, Oceanside, California is no longer known as the reasonable place to buy beach access property.
Local Realtors say the Baby Boomers are taking over, with lots of investment in California"s Riviera, otherwise known as Laguna Beach.
A newly renovated home in Phoenix has become the first remodeling project in the nation to receive Emerald certification, the most stringent achievement level in the National Green Building Standard (NGBS). Building green, according to the NGBS, means incorporating environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the home building and land development process to minimize environmental impact. That means that during the design, construction, and operation of a home, the home’s overall impact on the environment is taken into account.
The housing market in Jacksonville, Florida is hot, according to local Realtors, even through the holidays.
Most people mean Falls Church when they say it, but they can also be talking about Falls Church City without realizing these are two different places. Virginia Realtors say they"re used it. They"re in the same area, but Falls Church City is incorporated.
Close to big city amenities in nearby Cleveland and Akron, the smaller towns of Brunswick, Brecksville and Berea offer small town quality of life without missing anything, says a local Realtor.
The smallest of the three towns that make up the Research Triangle area of North Carolina, Chapel Hill offers a lovely rolling backdrop that many feel is the charm in its smaller size.
Despite a market turndown, Realtors remain optimistic that Durham and other nearby North Carolina communities will hold their value due to the many amenities they offer.
With homeprices rising so much faster than salaries, agents in Anaheim Hills, California are beginning to see a slight slowdown in housing activity.
Realtors in the Cascade Mountains area of Central Oregon say the spectacular views, mountain air, and fun outdoor activities contribute to homeowner growth in Sisters, Sunriver, and Powell Butte.
Beautifully situated among mountains and lakes, Kingsport, Tennessee offers natural majesty along with plenty of career, recreational and cultural opportunities, says a local Realtor.
Rising prices have slowed demand for the West side of Chicago, Illinois, say local Realtors, but the neighborhoods continue to be popular destinations for homebuyers because of spectacular Lake Michigan.
Even after weathering four hurricanes this season, south Florida is still considered some of the most desirable real estate in the country, and Naples is considered the crown jewel, say local Realtors.
Boasting 10-minute access to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, a beautiful lake, an historical downtown and many other attractions, Grapevine, Texas is a popular relocation destination northeast of Fort Worth and northwest of Dallas.
Realtors who sell homes in North, West and close-in South Seattle say that these areas offer so much that is unique to residents.
Howard County, Maryland real estate is so hot that Realtors are recommending buyers have preapproval letters from lenders in hand before they even start looking at homes.
Local Realtors who sell properties in Ono Island and Orange Beach, Alabama report that business is booming in the Gulf, at least until Hurricane Ivan arrives.
Local Realtors in the master-planned community of Columbia, Maryland report that sales are lively continuing into late summer.
Dallas" Preston Hollow area is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the city, with grand new and older homes built on spacious lots. Homes are selling in the million dollar ranges, which is giving hope to the rest of the city that the local housing recession may be ending.
Columbia, South Carolina is experiencing a resurgence as a new face-lift for the downtown area spurred by new jobs make relocation to the area attractive.