By Cindy Jones on November 21st, 2009
At the National Association of Realtors annual meeting in San Diego last week, NAR’s chief economist Lawrence Yun stated real estate prices would climb approximately 4% and homes sales increase by 15% in 2010. Realtors applauded and celebrations broke out all across the convention hall.
Yet on the other side of the country, Jay Brinkmann the [...]
By Cindy Jones on November 19th, 2009
The FBI, Fannie Mae and fraud experts agree, the new short sale flipping scheme popping up around the country is on the rise and will cost banks millions of dollars.
The premise is quite simple. Make a low offer on a short sale and convince the bank that the offer is “market value”. Close the deal and [...]
By Cindy Jones on November 8th, 2009
Back in August 2009 I pondered Should a Distressed Homeowner Get to Rent Their Home Back from the Lender? when the first hints of the proposed “Deed for Lease “ program were announced.
This week Fannie Mae formally issued the “Deed for Lease” (D4L) program guidelines which allows qualifying homeowners facing foreclosure the opportunity to voluntarily [...]
By Cindy Jones on November 7th, 2009
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Sometimes you just need a little humor after a long day on the roads in Northern Virginia.
By Cindy Jones on November 6th, 2009
I could recite the new extended tax credit to you or I could save us all time and link you to an official flyer.
Guess which route I’m going to take:
Extended First Time Homebuyers Credit
What isn’t shown on this flyer is the extension of the tax credit for military families. If you are active duty military [...]
By Cindy Jones on November 5th, 2009
Northern Virginia homebuyers are you sure that pretty house you are in love with is all that it seems? A recent home tour uncovered a house that looked terrific. Granite counters, stainless steel appliances, beautiful bathrooms, large lot, great price. Everything that a Northern Virginia homebuyer is looking for. But hold on a second what about the [...]
By Cindy Jones on November 3rd, 2009
Recently it seems that agents have forgotten the basics of Virginia Real Estate Contract Law. It couldn’t be more clearly spelled out in Paragraph 10 of the Virginia Jurisdictional Addendum: “Notice to the Purchaser Regarding the Consumer Real Estate Settlement Protection Act. Choice of Settlement Agent. You have the right to select a Settlement agent [...]