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February 12, 2012
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Daily News Articles

  • Income, Job Gap Between Young and Old Widens
    02/10/2012

    Young Americans are having it rough, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center. The generation of mostly 20- and 30-somethings have suffered from the biggest income losses than any other age group, the study found. What’s more, young professionals are less likely to have a job than any time since World War II. 

    The dire situation for young professionals has caused them in record numbers to shun moving long distances, delay marriage and kids, and move back with their parents in order to curb costs. 

  • What You Need to Know About the Mortgage Settlement
    02/10/2012

    A settlement announced this week among state and federal officials and the nation’s five largest banks is the largest joint state-federal settlement in history against an industry. The settlement, which amounts to somewhere between $25 billion and $26 billion, is aimed at fixing some of the mortgage abuses over the last few years that caused people to lose their home.

    So what does the settlement mean for home owners? 

  • 30-Year Mortgage Rates Hold at Record Lows
    02/10/2012

    The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.87 percent this week, matching last week’s all-time record low. As for other rates, they ticked up slightly this week, but still hovered around record lows compared to historical standards, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey. 

  • Squatters Busted With Surprising Finds in Miami Home
    02/10/2012

    When a home falls into foreclosure and is left abandoned, you can never be too sure what you may walk into. 

    Authorities entering a home in Florida certainly were surprised and unsure what they’d find after the out-of-state home owner alerted them that two people had taken up residence in the home illegally. Authorities called in the bomb squad to take a look. They found drugs, a handgun, 10 grenades, and a pig roaming around the house. 

    A man and woman who were squatting in the home face weapon and drug charges. 

  • See Who ‘Unfriended’ You on Facebook
    02/10/2012

    Want to see which of your clients or colleagues may have “unfriended” you on Facebook? A third-party script program — not endorsed by Facebook — called Unfriend Finder notifies you whenever a “friend” decides to part ways with you. Your message will come to you in the same way as a friend request or message. 

  • Clarification Sought for Discrimination Protections
    02/10/2012

    A new measure is seeking clarification to the National Association of REALTORS’® Code of Ethics that would specifically extend discrimination protections to include gender identity.

    NAR’s Board of Directors passed an amendment to the Code of Ethics in November 2010 prohibiting members from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. Gender identification was not completely addressed in that Code change, says Eric Kodner, a NAR Diversity Committee member and REALTOR® with offices in the Twin Cities and Madeline Island, Wis.

  • $26 Billion Deal Could Offer Relief to Home Owners
    02/09/2012

    After months of tense negotiations, the nation’s five largest banks and state and government officials have agreed to a $26 billion settlement aimed at holding banks accountable for the mishandling of some foreclosures. 

  • Is the Foreclosure Crisis Finally Fading?
    02/09/2012

    Foreclosures decreased by 8.4 percent -- or 130,000 -- in 2011, according to research by CoreLogic. 

    "The pace at which properties are entering foreclosure is slowing," Mark Fleming, chief economist with CoreLogic, told CNNMoney. "And servicers nationwide stepped up the rate at which they were able to process distressed assets."

    So why are foreclosures dropping? 

  • Put Extra Consideration into Listings’ Profile Photos
    02/09/2012

    That property photo you choose for the profile of your listing is critical. A blurry photo -- or no photo at all -- may translate into fewer clicks for your listing online and, ultimately, fewer showings.

  • Facebook IPO to Heat Up Housing Market in Silicon Valley
    02/09/2012

    Silicon Valley in California is already known as a high-priced area, but an anticipated crop of new Facebook millionaires is expected to send housing prices even higher. 

    “I’m kind of worried -- a thousand millionaires are going to be buying houses!” says one buyer looking for a home in the area. 

    Silicon Valley is the home to Facebook, and with Facebook shares soon to be sold to the public, Facebook employees are expected to see a big jump in their paychecks.