RISMEDIA, September 10, 2010—Anyone that works in the real estate industry knows that a short sale transaction can take months to be approved and closed. While short sale approvals can be completed in a short timeframe, the reality is that short sales

RISMEDIA, September 9, 2010—Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty announced that the Hudson Valley has had its most successful real estate sales quarter in nearly two years, with astronomical increases.

RISMEDIA, September 8, 2010—There is a lot of buzz right now in the industry about short sales and making sure you are certified to handle the short sale transaction. Regardless of whether or not you actually want to do a short sale transaction, education is a key element to help sellers with their specific needs. It is our role as real estate professionals to give the best information to the homeowner—even if the situation doesn’t result

RISMEDIA, September 7, 2010—The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced that it intends to make modifications to its Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) product, a reverse mortgage loan insured by the federal government, to make it more attractive and cost effective for older homeowners seeking to tap their home equity to cover living expenses and health care costs, according to the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association.

RISMEDIA, September 3, 2010—Following a sharp drop in the months immediately after the expiration of the home buyer tax credit, pending home sales have modestly risen, according to the National Association of Realtors. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator, rose 5.2% to 79.4 based on contracts signed in July from a downwardly revised 75.5 in June, but remains 19.1% below July 2009 when it was 98.1. The data reflects contracts and not closings, which normally occur with a lag time of one or two months.

RISMEDIA, September 3, 2010—(MCT)—For anyone under the age of 57, mortgage rates are now the lowest they've been during your life. This fact isn't lost on a growing number of homeowners who have started a new wave of refinancings.

RISMEDIA, September 1, 2010—With a number of real estate markets still reeling in the midst of the nation's economic crisis, bargains persist for savvy investors looking to add to their portfolios of rental properties. Prices have even gone low enough in some markets for so-called flippers to purchase, rehabilitate and resell properties in the short term.

RISMEDIA, August 31, 2010—It’s been five years since Hurricane Katrina came roaring into the Gulf Coast, dramatically changing New Orleans and the lives of those who called it home. While there is very little homeowners can do when facing a natural disaster

RISMEDIA, August 30, 2010—(MCT)—Maria Olmo doesn't like her chances of paying off her new, 40-year mortgage. "I'll die before it's paid off," said Olmo, who got her 30-year mortgage modified because she was at risk of losing her home to foreclosure. "This is the most ridiculous thing I've heard in years. They didn't take my age or my income into consideration." Since last year, companies servicing delinquent mortgages have been under orders from the federal government to modify the loans rather than foreclose on them.

RISMEDIA, August 28, 2010—(MCT)—While today’s real estate market is keeping many home buyers on the sidelines, there's no need to feel stuck in your house. You can still move out and up within your own home. The latest lifestyle trend is shuffling the old floor plan—without adding on—to make our living spaces new again. Converting a spare bedroom into a dressing room, for example, is becoming a popular option.

RISMEDIA, August 31, 2010—It’s been five years since Hurricane Katrina came roaring into the Gulf Coast, dramatically changing New Orleans and the lives of those who called it home. While there is very little homeowners can do when facing a natural disaster

RISMEDIA, August 26, 2010—(MCT)—Kitchens have long been among the most popular remodeling projects. But with fewer clients requesting kitchen upgrades during this recession, one kitchen designer has turned the economic slowdown to her advantage. "If I couldn't remodel as many client kitchens as usual, I decided to remodel my own showroom. That way, I'd be ready to show the latest trends and the most exciting new products when this down period ends," said Joan DesCombes, president of Architectural Artworks in Winter Park, Fla.

RISMEDIA, August 25, 2010—Painting the exterior of a home can be a time-consuming and expensive proposition. But if you are budget-minded—and who isn’t these days—don’t despair. “A little ingenuity can go a long way towards giving your home a beautiful facelift, without breaking the bank,” says Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert with the Paint Quality Institute.

RISMEDIA, August 24, 2010—While millions of Americans throughout the nation prepare for traditional back to school activities, some families are searching for affordable housing based on local schools or desirable school districts. In some cases, proximity to quality schools is so important buyers may choose to rent close to a preferred school until the right home becomes available, especially if they're running out of time before the first day of school.

RISMEDIA, August 24, 2010—While millions of Americans throughout the nation prepare for traditional back to school activities, some families are searching for affordable housing based on local schools or desirable school districts. In some cases, proximity to quality schools is so important buyers may choose to rent close to a preferred school until the right home becomes available, especially if they're running out of time before the first day of school.