RISMedia » Consumer News and Advice http://rismedia.com Leader in Real Estate Information and News. Real estate industry news, profiles, and articles for agents, brokers, and consumers. National print magazine available. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:19:03 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 List of Improving Housing Markets Expands to Nearly 100 http://rismedia.com/2012-02-09/list-of-improving-housing-markets-expands-to-nearly-100-2/ http://rismedia.com/2012-02-09/list-of-improving-housing-markets-expands-to-nearly-100-2/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:19:22 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66845 The list of housing markets showing measurable improvement expanded by 29 metros in February to include a total of 98 entries on the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released recently. Thirty-six states are now represented …

]]> The list of housing markets showing measurable improvement expanded by 29 metros in February to include a total of 98 entries on the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released recently. Thirty-six states are now represented …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-02-09/list-of-improving-housing-markets-expands-to-nearly-100-2/feed/ 0 Builder Confidence for the 55+ Housing Market Ends Fourth Quarter on an Upswing http://rismedia.com/2012-02-08/builder-confidence-for-the-55-housing-market-ends-fourth-quarter-on-an-upswing/ http://rismedia.com/2012-02-08/builder-confidence-for-the-55-housing-market-ends-fourth-quarter-on-an-upswing/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:01:32 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66785 Builder confidence in the 55+ housing market for single-family homes rose four points to 18 compared to the same period a year ago, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI).

“We are …

]]> Builder confidence in the 55+ housing market for single-family homes rose four points to 18 compared to the same period a year ago, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI).

“We are …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-02-08/builder-confidence-for-the-55-housing-market-ends-fourth-quarter-on-an-upswing/feed/ 0 Obama Moves Forward with Foreclosure Prevention http://rismedia.com/2012-02-06/obama-moves-forward-with-foreclosure-prevention/ http://rismedia.com/2012-02-06/obama-moves-forward-with-foreclosure-prevention/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:01:20 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66677 Last Wednesday, February 1, President Obama announced the details of a plan to help homeowners refinance their mortgages in hopes of bolstering the housing market.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this proposal will allow buyers …

]]> Last Wednesday, February 1, President Obama announced the details of a plan to help homeowners refinance their mortgages in hopes of bolstering the housing market.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this proposal will allow buyers …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-02-06/obama-moves-forward-with-foreclosure-prevention/feed/ 0 Rand on Real Estate: Disaster on the Horizon http://rismedia.com/2012-02-06/rand-on-real-estate-disaster-on-the-horizon/ http://rismedia.com/2012-02-06/rand-on-real-estate-disaster-on-the-horizon/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:58:39 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66673 The federal government is planning a major new initiative to convert foreclosures into rentals. But as Greg Rand (@gsrand), CEO of OwnAmerica and host of Rand on Real Estate on WABC Radio in N.Y. explains, we need to …

]]> The federal government is planning a major new initiative to convert foreclosures into rentals. But as Greg Rand (@gsrand), CEO of OwnAmerica and host of Rand on Real Estate on WABC Radio in N.Y. explains, we need to …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-02-06/rand-on-real-estate-disaster-on-the-horizon/feed/ 0 Don’t Forget a Home Inspection with a New Construction Home http://rismedia.com/2012-02-05/dont-forget-a-home-inspection-with-a-new-construction-home/ http://rismedia.com/2012-02-05/dont-forget-a-home-inspection-with-a-new-construction-home/#comments Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:03:01 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66613 Every home—whether it’s a resale or new—has some kind of an issue, and the reality is that there is no “perfect” house. Many homebuyers embark on their search for a home with the belief that new homes should be flawless, …

]]> Every home—whether it’s a resale or new—has some kind of an issue, and the reality is that there is no “perfect” house. Many homebuyers embark on their search for a home with the belief that new homes should be flawless, …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-02-05/dont-forget-a-home-inspection-with-a-new-construction-home/feed/ 0 Information Is Power…Again http://rismedia.com/2012-02-04/information-is-power-again/ http://rismedia.com/2012-02-04/information-is-power-again/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:03:15 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66583 Setting yourself apart from your competition is becoming increasingly difficult. The emergence of social media into the business world has created platforms where constant, ongoing contact is possible. As a result of this desire to be in constant contact, many …

]]> Setting yourself apart from your competition is becoming increasingly difficult. The emergence of social media into the business world has created platforms where constant, ongoing contact is possible. As a result of this desire to be in constant contact, many …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-02-04/information-is-power-again/feed/ 0 Facebook Files for Initial Public Stock Offering http://rismedia.com/2012-02-02/facebook-files-for-initial-public-stock-offering/ http://rismedia.com/2012-02-02/facebook-files-for-initial-public-stock-offering/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:51:53 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66539 (MCT)—Facebook has filed papers for what’s expected to be the largest initial public offering ever to come out of Silicon Valley and one of the largest in U.S. history.

Ending months of breathless speculation, the 8-year-old social networking company has …

]]> (MCT)—Facebook has filed papers for what’s expected to be the largest initial public offering ever to come out of Silicon Valley and one of the largest in U.S. history.

Ending months of breathless speculation, the 8-year-old social networking company has …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-02-02/facebook-files-for-initial-public-stock-offering/feed/ 0 Mortgage Applications Down Nearly 3 Percent Last Week http://rismedia.com/2012-02-02/mortgage-applications-down-nearly-3-percent-last-week/ http://rismedia.com/2012-02-02/mortgage-applications-down-nearly-3-percent-last-week/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:49:52 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66535 Mortgage applications decreased 2.9 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending January 27, 2012.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, …

]]> Mortgage applications decreased 2.9 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending January 27, 2012.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-02-02/mortgage-applications-down-nearly-3-percent-last-week/feed/ 0 FHFA Responds to NPR Freddie Mac Refinance Story http://rismedia.com/2012-02-01/fhfa-responds-to-npr-freddie-mac-refinance-story/ http://rismedia.com/2012-02-01/fhfa-responds-to-npr-freddie-mac-refinance-story/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:58:08 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66497 A ProPublica–NPR news story recently suggested that a mortgage financing vehicle utilized by Freddie Mac may be preventing homeowners from refinancing. While FHFA does not typically comment on its supervisory activities, the circumstances here require some clarification, according to the …

]]> A ProPublica–NPR news story recently suggested that a mortgage financing vehicle utilized by Freddie Mac may be preventing homeowners from refinancing. While FHFA does not typically comment on its supervisory activities, the circumstances here require some clarification, according to the …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-02-01/fhfa-responds-to-npr-freddie-mac-refinance-story/feed/ 0 Consumer Sentiment Picks up in Fourth Quarter http://rismedia.com/2012-01-31/consumer-sentiment-picks-up-in-fourth-quarter/ http://rismedia.com/2012-01-31/consumer-sentiment-picks-up-in-fourth-quarter/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:52:41 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66451 (MCT)—The lower-than-expected annualized growth rate of 2.8 percent reported Friday for the final three months of 2011 raises doubts about the strength of the U.S. recovery, and concerns that 2012 may be another year of muddling along.

Most mainstream economists …

]]> (MCT)—The lower-than-expected annualized growth rate of 2.8 percent reported Friday for the final three months of 2011 raises doubts about the strength of the U.S. recovery, and concerns that 2012 may be another year of muddling along.

Most mainstream economists …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-01-31/consumer-sentiment-picks-up-in-fourth-quarter/feed/ 0 Mixed Mortgage Messages: Originations Decline but Quality Soars http://rismedia.com/2012-01-31/mixed-mortgage-messages-originations-decline-but-quality-soars/ http://rismedia.com/2012-01-31/mixed-mortgage-messages-originations-decline-but-quality-soars/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:45:36 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66443 Mortgage originations plunged 10.1 percent from November to December, continuing a decline from 2011’s September peak. At the same time, loans originated over the last two years have proved to be some of the best quality originations on record.

New …

]]> Mortgage originations plunged 10.1 percent from November to December, continuing a decline from 2011’s September peak. At the same time, loans originated over the last two years have proved to be some of the best quality originations on record.

New …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-01-31/mixed-mortgage-messages-originations-decline-but-quality-soars/feed/ 0 Investors with Cash Fuel Uptick in Home Sales http://rismedia.com/2012-01-30/investors-with-cash-fuel-uptick-in-home-sales/ http://rismedia.com/2012-01-30/investors-with-cash-fuel-uptick-in-home-sales/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:57:45 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66395 Regional Spotlight—Investors with cash continued to reap a harvest of bargain-priced bank-owned and short sale properties across the San Francisco Bay Area in the fourth quarter of 2011, sparking a slight uptick in home sales compared with the same period …

]]> Regional Spotlight—Investors with cash continued to reap a harvest of bargain-priced bank-owned and short sale properties across the San Francisco Bay Area in the fourth quarter of 2011, sparking a slight uptick in home sales compared with the same period …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-01-30/investors-with-cash-fuel-uptick-in-home-sales/feed/ 0 The Power of Belief and Expectation http://rismedia.com/2012-01-29/the-power-of-belief-and-expectation-2/ http://rismedia.com/2012-01-29/the-power-of-belief-and-expectation-2/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:05:00 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66351 While you may not always get what you want, you will almost always get what you expect. Surprisingly, the power of belief and expectation work just as effectively on your feelings of self-doubt and limitation as they do on your …

]]> While you may not always get what you want, you will almost always get what you expect. Surprisingly, the power of belief and expectation work just as effectively on your feelings of self-doubt and limitation as they do on your …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-01-29/the-power-of-belief-and-expectation-2/feed/ 0 New Initiative Will Coordinate Probes of Mortgage Meltdown http://rismedia.com/2012-01-29/new-initiative-will-coordinate-probes-of-mortgage-meltdown/ http://rismedia.com/2012-01-29/new-initiative-will-coordinate-probes-of-mortgage-meltdown/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:04:15 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66347 (MCT)—The Obama administration’s new effort to investigate the causes of the nation’s mortgage meltdown will focus on coordinating the often overlapping state and federal investigations and on holding accountable those whose misconduct led to the global financial crisis.

A team …

]]> (MCT)—The Obama administration’s new effort to investigate the causes of the nation’s mortgage meltdown will focus on coordinating the often overlapping state and federal investigations and on holding accountable those whose misconduct led to the global financial crisis.

A team …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-01-29/new-initiative-will-coordinate-probes-of-mortgage-meltdown/feed/ 0 Take Advantage of Record Low Rates before They Rise http://rismedia.com/2012-01-29/take-advantage-of-record-low-rates-before-they-rise/ http://rismedia.com/2012-01-29/take-advantage-of-record-low-rates-before-they-rise/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:03:41 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66343 Low interest rates, as we all know, are making history. Last week, according to an article found on CNNMoney, “rates on both the 30-year and 15-year fixed loans fell to new records, at 3.89 percent and 3.16 percent, respectively, according …

]]> Low interest rates, as we all know, are making history. Last week, according to an article found on CNNMoney, “rates on both the 30-year and 15-year fixed loans fell to new records, at 3.89 percent and 3.16 percent, respectively, according …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-01-29/take-advantage-of-record-low-rates-before-they-rise/feed/ 0 Remodeling Market Index Rises to Five-Year High http://rismedia.com/2012-01-28/remodeling-market-index-rises-to-five-year-high/ http://rismedia.com/2012-01-28/remodeling-market-index-rises-to-five-year-high/#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:02:58 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66317 Remodeling sentiment rose to the highest level in five years, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the fourth quarter of 2011. Released yesterday, the RMI increased to 46.6 in the fourth quarter …

]]> Remodeling sentiment rose to the highest level in five years, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the fourth quarter of 2011. Released yesterday, the RMI increased to 46.6 in the fourth quarter …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-01-28/remodeling-market-index-rises-to-five-year-high/feed/ 0 Obama HARP Expansion Builds on New Refi Momentum http://rismedia.com/2012-01-28/obama-harp-expansion-builds-on-new-refi-momentum/ http://rismedia.com/2012-01-28/obama-harp-expansion-builds-on-new-refi-momentum/#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:01:26 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66313 In his recent State of the Union speech, President Obama announced he will push for legislation that will significantly expand the newly revised HARP program that allows underwater homeowners to refinance at today’s historically low rates.

Obama’s expansion would allow …

]]> In his recent State of the Union speech, President Obama announced he will push for legislation that will significantly expand the newly revised HARP program that allows underwater homeowners to refinance at today’s historically low rates.

Obama’s expansion would allow …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-01-28/obama-harp-expansion-builds-on-new-refi-momentum/feed/ 0 Builders Commend White House Focus on Helping Homeowners http://rismedia.com/2012-01-26/builders-commend-white-house-focus-on-helping-homeowners/ http://rismedia.com/2012-01-26/builders-commend-white-house-focus-on-helping-homeowners/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:31:49 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66283 The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) commends President Obama for offering proposals in the recent State of the Union address to help families stay in their homes and stanch foreclosures, and is urging policymakers to take additional actions to …

]]> The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) commends President Obama for offering proposals in the recent State of the Union address to help families stay in their homes and stanch foreclosures, and is urging policymakers to take additional actions to …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-01-26/builders-commend-white-house-focus-on-helping-homeowners/feed/ 0 Look for Continued Housing Market Recovery in 2012 http://rismedia.com/2012-01-25/look-for-continued-housing-market-recovery-in-2012/ http://rismedia.com/2012-01-25/look-for-continued-housing-market-recovery-in-2012/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:57:51 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66193 The end of 2011 brought good news on the nation’s economic front, with unemployment in December falling to its lowest level in three years and the economy adding 200,000 jobs during the same month.

Dave Liniger, chairman and co-founder of …

]]> The end of 2011 brought good news on the nation’s economic front, with unemployment in December falling to its lowest level in three years and the economy adding 200,000 jobs during the same month.

Dave Liniger, chairman and co-founder of …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-01-25/look-for-continued-housing-market-recovery-in-2012/feed/ 0 Water-Wise Bathroom Redo Gives Consumers a Chance to Win $100 http://rismedia.com/2012-01-25/water-wise-bathroom-redo-gives-consumers-a-chance-to-win-100/ http://rismedia.com/2012-01-25/water-wise-bathroom-redo-gives-consumers-a-chance-to-win-100/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:54:57 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66189 HouseLogic.com, a comprehensive website about all aspects of homeownership from the National Association of REALTORS®, has launched a new online sweepstakes. Readers who leave comments on a blog featured at the site will have a chance to win a $100 …

]]> HouseLogic.com, a comprehensive website about all aspects of homeownership from the National Association of REALTORS®, has launched a new online sweepstakes. Readers who leave comments on a blog featured at the site will have a chance to win a $100 …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-01-25/water-wise-bathroom-redo-gives-consumers-a-chance-to-win-100/feed/ 0