RISMEDIA, September 18, 2010—(MCT)—The lowest mortgage interest rates in decades have sent thousands of homeowners eager to refinance their home loans scurrying into lenders' offices. Many leave empty-handed and upset. A multipronged whammy of lower home values, new appraisal guidelines and tighter lending requirements frequently derail consumers from snaring loans at lower interest rates. Lenders say they are closing 60-70% of refinancings.

RISMEDIA, September 18, 2010—As real estate professionals continue to integrate social media into their daily business practices, recruiting real estate agents through social networks is quickly becoming the next best practice to get qualified agents into offices.

RISMEDIA, September 18, 2010—(MCT)—Home appliances break and wear out, and many consumers are often surprised, almost as if they expect these machines to last forever. But appliances have life spans. A trash compactor lasts just six years, on average,

RISMEDIA, September 18, 2010—After a hot summer, it's a relief to step outside to find that autumn breezes have finally arrived. As a second homeowner, you can hardly wait to bask in those calm winds at your beach cottage or take in the views of changing leaves around your woodsy cabin. You're ready for fall, all right, and you're not the only one. It seems the whole recession-weary world is longing for a getaway—and you're in the enviable position of being able to make money off their vacation fever.

RISMEDIA, September 15, 2010—In today’s housing market, many homes for sale are in need of repairs and renovations. The FHA Streamlined 203(k) program helps add money into a mortgage for repairs and renovations. Lowe’s and REbuildUSA are partnering to bring a national in-store program offering customers a one-stop destination for all of their repairs, renovation products and services needs.

RISMEDIA, September 17, 2010—In 1848, gold was discovered in the Sierra Nevadas, then a part of Mexico, but soon to become California. From every corner of America, people abandoned livelihoods, hometowns and even families to become newly minted

RISMEDIA, September 17, 2010—(MCT)—As the economy continues to suffer and home prices continue to fall, numerous Americans across the country are staying away from the real estate market. But, if you are looking to take advantage of the opportunity of a lifetime, now is the perfect time to get off the sidelines. Playing by your own terms may be the name of the game today. Ask for price reductions, improvements, closing costs—whatever—and sellers, who are desperately trying to get a contract, are very likely to work with you, said Jay Papasan, one of the authors of the book Your First Home.

RISMEDIA, September 17, 2010—Realogy Corporation, one of the largest providers of real estate and relocation services in the United States, announced that it is urging Congress to take immediate action on a number of pressing issues with serious ramifications

RISMEDIA, September 17, 2010—(MCT)—As tighter lending requirements make homeownership more difficult, so-called "shared equity" or "long-term affordability" programs are getting more attention from local governments, nonprofits and private foundations.

RISMEDIA, September 17, 2010—The following should be the general theme of the mission of all real estate associations: to provide a consistent level of service(s) to the membership...day after day, month after month, year after year, business and real estate cycle

RISMEDIA, September 16, 2010—RealtyTrac, a leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties released its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for August 2010, which shows foreclosure filings—default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions—

RISMEDIA, September 16, 2010—Land Vlogging: video blogging about land listings. This new term describes the filming of videos of land in your area in order to become the definitive source of this content in your market. Arranging your library of land videos in such a way that it captivates and convinces viewers of your video gallery to subscribe to receive more of the same by e-mail. All this in order to “land” a few more transactions a month by being pretty much the only person around taking advantage of this real estate market niche.

RISMEDIA, September 16, 2010—Whether it is always verbalized or not, a common sentiment many brokers and their management teams are grappling with is the realization that they have to do something; they are just not sure what or how soon.

RISMEDIA, September 16, 2010—Taking steps to minimize your energy use is not only good for the Earth, but for homeowners as well. While being altruistic and helping a cause generally means giving—not getting—back, going green provides noticeable benefits

RISMEDIA, September 16, 2010—There’s a new sign that bodes well for the local economy and the California housing market. Toll Brothers, one of the nation’s leading luxury home builders has returned to the San Diego market. Brand new communities,