RISMEDIA, September 30, 2010—How do we get consistency into our training? What incentives do I offer my recruiting candidates? What can I do to motivate my agents to prospect? These are just some of the questions on the minds of real estate professionals today. And the answer is

RISMEDIA, September 30, 2010—At a recently held event at the Pentagon, Fannie Mae and the U.S. Army announced new initiatives to help service members who are struggling with their mortgage payments avoid foreclosure. The effort includes a mortgage payment forbearance of up

RISMEDIA, September 30, 2010—As part of the Obama Administration’s continuing effort to provide quality housing counseling to the nation’s homeowners, buyers and renters; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the availability of more than $5.1 million

RISMEDIA, September 29, 2010—New research from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveals that the benefits of housing-related tax deductions, such as the mortgage interest deduction, generally decline in value as individuals age. Using Internal Revenue Service Statistics of Income (SOI) data, NAHB was able to report for the first time how various tax deductions are used by different age groups. The analysis demonstrates that the biggest beneficiaries are younger households, who typically have large mortgages, small amounts of equity in their homes and growing families.

RISMEDIA, September 29, 2010—This week’s headlines from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® include: archived webinars available at no cost from NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now initiative; Realtors Property Resource™ announces 100 MLS

RISMEDIA, September 29, 2010—Data through July 2010, released by Standard & Poor's for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, one of the leading measures of U.S. home prices, show that the annual growth rates in 16 of the 20 MSAs and the 10- and 20-City

RISMEDIA, September 29, 2010—I am frequently asked what I think the single most important factor is in determining the success or failure of a salesperson. My response is often met with surprise, because most people expect me to say something about the necessity

RISMEDIA, September 29, 2010—It's one thing to examine your property with an eye toward pleasing your guests, but smart second homeowners realize the value of regular preventive maintenance as well. Even if your guests don't notice, say, a leaky roof, it's likely

RISMEDIA, September 28, 2010—On October 4, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will implement changes to the premium structures for an FHA-backed mortgage, making it more costly for home buyers to procure FHA loan products. This imminent change in FHA lending, along with the gradual stabilization of the marketplace, are paving the way for conventional financing with private mortgage insurance (MI) to make a comeback in lending for low down payment buyers.

RISMEDIA, September 28, 2010—When brokers and agents think of video, the first thing that comes to mind is often a home video tour. And while that’s certainly not a bad idea, another approach can make a major impact as well—and that’s a video tour

RISMEDIA, September 28, 2010—Nearly one-third of Americans are unlikely to qualify for a mortgage because their credit scores are too low, making homeownership out of reach for many. This is according to an analysis of more than 25,000 loan quotes and purchase requests on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace during the first half of September. Borrowers with credit scores under 620 who requested purchase loan quotes for 30-year fixed, conventional loans were unlikely to receive even one loan quote on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace,

RISMEDIA, September 28, 2010—Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 1% in August 2010, with a total of 13,997 homes sold statewide compared to 13,908 homes sold in August 2009, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors.

RISMEDIA, September 28, 2010—A growing segment of the housing market—first-time home buyers—are contributing to an increase in demand for smaller and less expensive new homes, according to research from economists at the National Association of Home

RISMEDIA, September 28, 2010—The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced a new modified version of its Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) product. The HECM loan is a reverse mortgage insured by the federal government. It allows older

RISMEDIA, September 27, 2010—In 1957, Earl Nightingale, speaker, author and co-founder of the Nightingale-Conant Corporation, recorded his classic motivational record "The Strangest Secret." "The Strangest Secret" sold over one million copies and made history in the recording industry by being honored as the first Gold Record for the spoken word. Nightingale, known as the "Dean of Personal Development," concluded that life's "strangest secret" is that we become what we think about all day long.