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Headline News from RISMedia

RISMedia » Real Estate
Howard Hanna Reports Record Sales in 2011	2/9/2012 3:11 PM
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services recently reported record home sales for 2011 through its 134 offices in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and West Virginia. This marks the 9th straight year Howard Hanna Real Estate Services has increased sales units and volume. In 2011, Howard Hanna recorded 34,292 closed property transactions for a volume of $5.769 [...]
Survey Reveals Nation’s Leading Real Estate Firms: RISMedia Annual Power Broker Survey Launches Today	1/30/2012 4:04 PM
Despite a challenging real estate market, the industry’s leading residential brokerage firms continue to demonstrate resiliency and growth, and will prove this by participating in RISMedia’s 24th Annual Power Broker Report & Survey. As the industry’s preeminent report ranking the industry’s top brokerages, this listing of the real estate industry’s “who’s who” has long served [...]
Obeo’s New SEO Optimization Drives Traffic Back to the Broker	1/23/2012 4:55 PM
Obeo, a leading provider of online real estate virtual tours and real estate in North America, announced a new search engine optimization (SEO) feature to help brokers and agents win the battle for their listings. Studies show that 96 percent of homebuyers are researching properties online. The competition for these online homebuyers is fierce! Unbranded [...]
New England 2012 Housing Market Outlook & Forecast	1/23/2012 4:54 PM
Regional Spotlight—RE/MAX of New England recently released their 2012 Housing Market Outlook & Forecast. According to the study, Connecticut experienced the largest declines in 2011, as single-family home transactions slid -8.4 percent and average price dipped -1.8 percent, compared to 2010. Maine single-family home transactions slide -4.21 percent compared to 2010, while the median price [...]
RISMedia to Showcase Celebrity Home Listings	1/17/2012 4:00 PM
Agents, have you ever listed or sold a home owned by a celebrity? If so, we want to know about it! RISMedia is excited to announce that in 2012 we will be significantly expanding our coverage of celebrity homes and their famous—or infamous—owners. For example, we read today that Michele Klosson of Sotheby’s International Realty [...]
Monday Morning Mobile: Time to GoMo and Test Your Site	1/15/2012 12:06 PM
We all know that Google is no stranger to the world of mobile, after all its operating system, Android, is the most popular in the world; all their apps (Gmail, Google calendar, flicker, etc.) are all designed for use on mobile devices and their search engine of course works on all mobile devices. However, in [...]
Mobile Goes Mainstream: MRE Announces Support of Google’s Go Mo Initiative	1/11/2012 4:12 PM
In support of Google’s Go Mo initiative, Mobile Real Estate (MRE), a leading mobile solutions provider, has launched a free online tool that allows REALTORS® to test their website to ensure it is optimized for mobile. When Google launched its initiative there was an estimated 89% of fortune 100 companies who did not have websites [...]
Mid Atlantic Region Expected to be ‘The Exception, Not the Rule,’ in 2012 Housing Market	1/5/2012 9:53 PM
REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT—As the new year begins, potential home buyers and sellers throughout the Mid Atlantic region are anxious about how their properties will fare in this coming year. To explore the issue, MRIS has released a list of several key triggers that are expected to shape the local economy, and play a significant role in [...]
Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Helps Local Charities this Holiday Season	1/2/2012 1:28 PM
During Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ holiday charity drive, sales agents and staff from throughout the region spent much of November and December gathering donations to benefit a variety of charities. The Partners banded together with one common goal – to lend helping hands and make the holiday’s special for as many as possible. “This is [...]
Prudential Network Realty Launches Mentoring Program	1/2/2012 1:26 PM
The real estate professionals at Prudential Network Realty are helping students learn about career opportunities through their support of a new real estate mentoring program for youth attending the MaliVai Washington Youth Center. “It is very rewarding to launch a real estate mentoring partnership with the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation,” said Prudential Network Realty Broker [...]
Actions on Housing Policy Will Make or Break Recovery	12/22/2011 5:12 PM
We have many reasons to be optimistic about housing. Past-due mortgages and foreclosure filings have been trending down in recent months, not to mention inventory is decreasing, interest rates are lower than ever and home prices are stabilizing. But the progress is fragile, and ongoing recovery won’t be helped by unreasonable regulation. The only appropriate [...]
Showing Suite Productivity Software Enables Agents to Provide Top-Notch Service	12/22/2011 4:58 PM
Maintaining a competitive edge in today’s market takes more than positioning yourself as an educated, trusted advisor. As buyers and sellers alike continue to turn to the Internet to start their real estate search, it’s more important than ever that real estate professionals arm themselves with the tools and technology necessary to provide top-notch service. [...]
Prudential Network Realty Agent Ranked No. 1 Sales Associate in Florida	12/22/2011 4:33 PM
Prudential Network Realty’s Elizabeth Hudgins of the Ponte Vedra Beach office was recently recognized as the No. 1 sales associate in the Prudential Real Estate Network in Florida, which encompasses more than 10,000 agents, the company announced. In year-to-date statistics ending Nov. 30, 2011, Hudgins sold nearly $37 million in Northeast Florida real estate. “Elizabeth [...]
Survey Shows Speedy Sales in SoCal Luxury Housing Markets	12/22/2011 4:30 PM
High end homes in both Malibu and Pacific Palisades are selling faster, according to a Westside Estate Agency (WEA) analysis of housing data in the two luxury markets through the third quarter. The report, which reviews overall total sales in the two markets and compares sales pace for homes over $3 million, analyzes the same [...]
Builder Confidence Rises for the Third Consecutive Month	12/19/2011 3:49 PM
Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes edged up two points from a downwardly revised number to 21 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for December. This marks a third consecutive month in which builder confidence has improved, and brings the index to its highest point [...]


Mortgage Headlines from BankRate.com

Bankrate.com: Mortgages Headlines
Your mortgage escrow account isn't for investing	2/21/2012 6:00 PM
Even if you're earning interest on escrow accounts, there are better places to stash cash.
How foreclosures affect buyers and sellers	2/21/2012 6:00 PM
The foreclosure crisis means buyers have to be smart and sellers need to get serious.
How to break up with the mortgage after divorce	2/20/2012 6:00 PM
Think divorce is rough? Try dissolving the mortgage afterward. Here are some options.
Top 10 states for foreclosure in January	2/18/2012 6:00 PM
Nevada had the nation's highest foreclosure rate this month. Is your state on the list?
Yes, you can fire your agent -- maybe	2/18/2012 6:00 PM
You can cancel a real estate listing if the agent misled you. Make sure to document the reasons.
Home values: Check out the 5 worst markets	2/17/2012 6:00 PM
These cities had the biggest home value drops in 2011's fourth quarter, according to the NAR.
Is refinancing your VA home loan worth it?	2/16/2012 6:00 PM
Refinancing -- Veterans Affairs loan or not -- is a major move. Follow this guide.
Mortgage rates fall again to another record low	2/15/2012 6:00 PM
Mortgage rates headed down again, even though the economy is sort of looking up. Kind of.
National mortgage rates for Feb. 16, 2012	2/15/2012 6:00 PM
See rates from our survey of CDs, mortgages, home equity products, auto loans and credit cards.
Video: Mortgage rates for Feb. 16, 2012	2/15/2012 6:00 PM
The benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to a new record low.


National Association of Realtor's Home Page

REALTOR.org Home Page
Existing-Home Sales Rise Again, Inventory Declines	2/22/2012 9:41 AM
In January, existing-home sales rose, marking three gains in four months; inventories continued to improve.
Register Today for NAR's 2012 Midyear Meetings	2/14/2012 3:47 PM
NAR members get free registration for the Midyear Meetings & Trade Expo, May 14-19 in Washington, DC.
On Obama's Budget: MID Vital to Housing, Economy	2/13/2012 3:46 PM
NAR opposes a budget proposal limiting itemized deductions, including the mortgage interest deduction.
Metro Home Prices Boost Affordability, Sales Improving	2/9/2012 3:46 PM
Affordability improved in most areas on softer prices and low mortgage interest rates.
President's Podcast: Mobilizing to Protect Housing	2/6/2012 3:45 PM
Moe Veissi shares how REALTORS® are taking action to ensure Congress does no harm to housing.
Master of Real Estate Gets Approval	2/8/2012 3:45 PM
Classes to help members advance careers and improve businesses start Feb. 27th.
Preserving Home Ownership	2/8/2012 4:06 PM
Moe Veissi urges members to tell Congress to keep housing affordable.
Master of Real Estate Gets Approval	2/8/2012 11:38 AM
Classes to help members advance careers and improve businesses start Feb. 27th.
Pending Home Sales Decline, Remain Above Year Ago	1/25/2012 10:43 AM
After reaching a 19-month high, pending home sales eased in December.
Homeownership Matters to Nation	1/25/2012 8:43 AM
President's speech supports homeowners and struggling housing market.


Government Affairs Headlines from NAR

Government Affairs Headlines from REALTOR.org
Understand the Myths Vs. The Facts About the FHA	2/13/2012 8:59 AM
The FHA is stable, its portfolio is in good shape, and it is serving its mission to provide safe, affordable financing when the private market cannot or will not. Learn more about the Federal Housing Administration.
Fed Chairman on Housing Recovery	2/3/2012 4:03 PM
NAR appreciates remarks made by Ben Bernanke in support of homeowners and the struggling housing market in testimony before Congress.
NAR Supports Efforts to Assist Housing Market	2/3/2012 4:01 PM
President Obama's plan would help eligible, underwater homeowners who are current on their mortgage payments to refinance or modify their loan.
Homeownership Matters to Nation	1/25/2012 8:45 AM
President's speech supports homeowners and struggling housing market.
Washington Report, Jan. 16: NAR Meets with HUD REO Staff	1/20/2012 10:44 AM
Also in this issue: Government Mandates Housing Fee Increases to Help Pay-for Benefits Extensions, Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Wetlands Case, Federal Reserve Releases Housing White Paper, and more


The Washington Report from NAR

NAR's "The Washington Report" Headlines
Washington Report, Feb. 20, 2012: Government Extends Period to Request Review of Foreclosure Handling to July 31	2/21/2012 1:51 PM
In this issue: NAR Adopts Broader Valuation Policy; Obama Recommends Extension of Tax Relief; FTC Rule Requires Disclosures for Certain Business Recruitment Practices; Administration Proposed Budget for HUD Indicates Premium Increases for FHA; FHFA Requests Information on PACE Programs; Proposed Lease Accounting Standards will be Costly; Government Extends Period to Request Review of Foreclosure Handling to July 31; FCC Adopts New Telemarketing Rules.
Washington Report, Feb. 13, 2012: House Subcommittee Passes FHA Bill	2/14/2012 2:29 PM
In this issue: House Subcommittee Passes FHA Bill; HUD Removes Streamline Refinances from Lender Compare Ratio Calculation; Final Anti-Money Laundering Rule for Non-bank Lenders and Originators Released; Federal Government and 49 States Enter into $25 Billion Mortgage Servicing Settlement; Fannie Mae Announces New Online Offer System; USDA Unveils Rural Refinance Pilot; NAR Supports Internet Sales Tax Fairness; House Subcommittee Passes Section 8 Reform Bill; Treasury Department Holding Short Sale Outreach Event for Real Estate Professionals.
Washington Report, Feb. 6, 2012: Obama Administration Unveils Plan to "Heal the Housing Market"	2/6/2012 10:45 AM
In this issue: Fish and Wildlife Service to Increase Focus on Listing Species as Endangered; Obama Administration Unveils Plan to "Heal the Housing Market"; FHFA Seeks Applicants to Pre-qualify for REO to Rental Plan; NAR Spearheads Industry Effort to Ensure RESPA/TILA Changes Work.
Washington Report, Jan. 23, 2012: Online Piracy Bills Debated	1/23/2012 3:19 PM
In this issue: GAO Releases Report on Appraisal Subcommittee; Online Piracy Bills Debated; NAR Pushes Servicers on Freddie Short Sale Affidavit Updates.
Washington Report, Jan. 16, 2012: Federal Reserve Releases Housing White Paper	1/17/2012 9:12 AM
In this issue: Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Wetlands Case; Government Mandates Housing Fee Increases to Help Pay-for Benefits Extensions; NAR Meets with HUD REO Staff; Federal Reserve Releases Housing White Paper.


Realty Times Real Estate News Channel

Realty Times Real Estate News Channel
Condensation in Your Home	2/23/2012 12:00 AM
As we near the end of Winter (hopefully!) many areas of the nation are entering their rainiest season. What does this mean for the health of your home? It all comes down to moisture and condensation. Many homeowner’s first instinct is to check windows and doors for leaks. Slightly askew installation can mean water accumulation, which will eventually turn to mold and rot.
Painting Surfaces That Don't Need Painting	2/23/2012 12:00 AM
Just because it's labeled "maintenance free" doesn't mean you can't paint vinyl siding, composite decking, fiberglass trim, factory-finished aluminum and other materials.
Does Your Spouse Refer Business to You?	2/23/2012 12:00 AM
Does your spouse confidently and cheerfully refer you to everyone he knows who has a real estate need? If you answered "no," do you know why he or she doesn't? Do you know the real reason?

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