Study Ranks the Most Secure Places to Live in the U.S.

Here are the Farmers Insurance Group's Most Secure U.S. Places to Live for 2010:

Large Metro Areas (500,000 or more residents)
1. Madison, Wis.
2. Des Moines–West Des Moines, Iowa
3. Syracuse, N.Y.
4. Austin–Round Rock, Texas
5. Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine
6. Rochester, N.Y.
7. Honolulu, Hawaii
8. El Paso, Texas
9. Bethesda–Gaithersburg–Frederick, Md.
10. Seattle–Bellevue–Everett, Wash.
11. Pittsburgh, Pa.
12. Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, Minn.
13. Nassau–Suffolk Counties, N.Y.
14. McAllen–Edinburg–Mission, Texas
15. Bridgeport–Stamford–Norwalk, Conn.
16. Raleigh–Cary, N.C.
17. Albany–Schenectady–Troy, N.Y.
18. Wichita, Kan.
19. Buffalo–Niagara Falls, N.Y.
20. New Haven–Milford, Conn.

Mid-Size Cities (150,000–500,000 residents)
1. Olympia, Wash.
2. Sioux Falls, S.D.
3. Bellingham, Wash.
4. Kennewick–Richland–Pasco, Wash.
5. Fargo, N.D.–Moorhead, Minn.
6. Rochester, Minn.
7. Duluth, Minn.–Superior, Wis.
8. Binghamton, N.Y.
9. Lynchburg, Va.
10. Burlington, Vt.
11. St. Cloud, Minn.
12. Green Bay, Wis.
13. Yakima, Wash.
14. Appleton, Wis.
15. Spokane, Wash.
16. Bremerton–Silverdale, Wash.
17. Boulder, Colo.
18. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
19. Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, Ark.
20. Las Cruces, N.M.

Small Towns (Fewer than 150,000 residents)
1. Lewiston, Idaho–Clarkston, Wash.
2. State College, Pa.
3. Ithaca, N.Y.
4. Bismarck, N.D.
5. Logan, Utah
6. Wenatchee, Wash.
7. Morgantown, W.Va.
8. Billings, Mont.
9. Corvallis, Ore.
10. Midland, Texas
11. Sioux City, Iowa
12. La Crosse, Wis.–Winona, Minn.
13. Elmira, N.Y.
14. Rapid City, S.D.
15. Oshkosh–Neenah, Wis.
16. Eau Claire, Wis.
17. Mount Vernon–Anacortes, Wash.
18. Fond du Lac, Wis.
19. Blacksburg–Christiansburg–Radford, Va.
20. Grand Forks, N.D.–Crookston, Minn.

Future Housing Trends

http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010111604?OpenDocument

Builders, Consumers Perceive Green Homes as Affordable to Live in But Expensive to Build

http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/11169

Which Way is the Market Headed?

http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010110801?OpenDocument

New FHA PowerSaver loans will offer homeowners up to $25,000 to make energy-efficient improvements of their choice.

http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/11038

Discrimination against sexual orientation barred by Realtor Association

By a wide margin, the National Association of Realtor's Delegate Body approved changes to the association's Code of Ethics to bar discrimination against real estate practitioners, buyers, and sellers on the basis of sexual orientation.

RE/MAX contest $500,000 towards your new home with 75 Patriots Touchdowns!

http://www.remax-newengland.com/remax-takes-you-to-the-house/

Energy-Efficient Upgrades To Consider!

http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/10563

The Newest Foreclosure Mess and What it Means to You

Breaking News: Bank Of America has halted foreclosures in all 50 states. Sellers with equity, which is the cleanest type of sale, should get more attention until this newest mess shakes out.

http://kcmblog.com/2010/10/12/the-new-foreclosure-mess-what-it-means-to-you/

10 Reasons To Buy a Home

The Wall Street Journal 9/16/10 "10 Reasons To Buy a Home", by Brett Arends

1. You can get a good deal.
2. Mortgages are cheap.
3. You can save on taxes.
4. It will be yours.
5. You’ll get a better home.
6. It offers some inflation protection.
7. It’s risk capital.
8. It’s forced savings.
9. There is a lot to choose from.
10. Sooner or later, the market will clear.

10 Markets Most Likely to Appreciate

Forbes magazine turned to real estate research firm Local Market Monitor to figure out which markets have the greatest likelihood of price appreciation because they offer a mix of jobs weighted toward growth industries.

These are the top markets, the research company concludes:

1. Raleigh-Cary, N.C.
2. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas
3. Austin-Round Rock, Texas
4. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tenn.
5. San Antonio, Texas
6. Colorado Springs, Colo.
7. Albuquerque, N.M.
8. Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, Colo.
9. Springfield, Mo.
10. Indianapolis-Carmel, Ind.

Source: Forbes, Francesca Levy (09/13/2010)

Statistics are always, just that. Interpretation is key.

http://kcmblog.com/2010/09/14/dont-pay-attentionscary-to-scary-headlines-coming/

Risky Home Improvements

http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/110244/risky-home-improvements

Owning Vs. Renting

http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/stevebergsman/balance-shifts-in-rent-vs-own-debate

Fences - Some Good Info!

http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/9502

2009 American Home Survey results. Interesting statistics about American Homes.

http://www.brokeragentsocial.com/markbrian/blog/6662/

Bank of Amercia Puts Short Sales ahead of REO

http://www.reo-insider.com/news/bank-of-americ-puts-short-sales-ahead-of-reo

Most Affordable Popular Retirement Locations

The real estate downturn has turned some very popular retirement destinations into bargains.

To determine where the prices are most attractive, U.S. News & World Report examined price-to-income data for 384 metropolitan statistical areas. This expresses the relationship between owner income and home values.

Here are 10 retirement havens where homes are most affordable by this measure:

1. Bend, Ore.
2. Napa, Calif.
3. Fort Meyers, Fla.
4. Fayetteville, Ark.
5. Las Vegas
6. Sante Fe, N.M.
7. Punta Gorda, Fla.
8. Phoenix
9. Santa Cruz, Calif.
10. Burlington, Vt.

Source: U.S. News & World Report, Luke Mullins (07/08/2010)

Most Affordable Popular Retirement Locations

The real estate downturn has turned some very popular retirement destinations into bargains.

To determine where the prices are most attractive, U.S. News & World Report examined price-to-income data for 384 metropolitan statistical areas. This expresses the relationship between owner income and home values.

Here are 10 retirement havens where homes are most affordable by this measure:

1. Bend, Ore.
2. Napa, Calif.
3. Fort Meyers, Fla.
4. Fayetteville, Ark.
5. Las Vegas
6. Sante Fe, N.M.
7. Punta Gorda, Fla.
8. Phoenix
9. Santa Cruz, Calif.
10. Burlington, Vt.

Source: U.S. News & World Report, Luke Mullins (07/08/2010)

Walking Away

http://kcmblog.com/2010/06/29/walking-away-the-impact-on-housing/

Forecasters are Split

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-06-24/betting-who-s-right-in-house-price-debate-baker-whitney-vs-maki-harris.html

Job Creation: Only Solution For A Housing Recovery

http://kcmblog.com/2010/06/21/job-creation-only-solution-for-a-housing-recovery/

I love this. And promise to watch it often. Customers telling it like it is 1 minute video.

http://www.wellcomemat.com/video/CA/Oakland/news/6DF8FF1C76/

Bill to Prevent Avoidable Foreclosure Clears California Senate

http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/8749

Anatomy of A Modern Bank Failure

http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/8745

FHA Rehab Loan helps you Buy and borrow fix up money at the same time!

http://kcmblog.com/2009/12/17/money-to-purchase-and-renovate-your-home/

How will home prices fare the second half of 2010?

http://kcmblog.com/2010/06/15/the-post-tax-credit-housing-market-part-3/

After Foreclosure: how long until you can buy again?

http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/28/real_estate/homebuying_after_foreclosure/index.htm

10 Steps to an Earth-Friendly Yard

http://rismedia.com/2010-05-08/around-the-home-10-steps-to-an-earth-friendly-yard/

Housing Recovery Starts in 2011 Says Panel of Industry Experts

http://www.dsnews.com/articles/housing-recovery-starts-in-2011-says-panel-of-industry-experts-2010-05-21

How to understand the "foreclosure" number reports.

http://kcmblog.com/2010/05/17/the-truth-about-foreclosure-facts/

The Home Affordable Unemployment Program, effective July 1, 2010

Treasury Releases Details on Mortgage Program for Unemployed

http://www.dsnews.com/articles/treasury-releases-details-on-home-affordable-unemployment-program-2010-05-12

Short Sales - A Better Alternative

Don't Foreclose! Do a Short Sale
http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/29/real_estate/short_sale_explosion/index.htm

Heating Law Changes Effective July 1st for all homeowners in Mass

By July 1, 2010, you must upgrade your home heating system equipment to prevent leaks from tanks and pipes that connect to your furnace. By making a relatively small expenditure now, you can prevent a much greater expense in the future. Massachusetts has a new law to address oil leaks from home heating systems (see Chapter 453 of the Acts of 2008). This law has two major provisions that require: the installation of either an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with protective sleeve on systems that do not currently have these devices; and insurance companies that write homeowner policies to offer coverage for leaks from heating systems that use oil. Most homeowner policies do not currently include such coverage, leaving many to pay for costly cleanups out of their own pocket. Although it is mandatory that insurance companies offer this coverage, the insurance is an optional purchase for homeowners. The effective date for both provisions is July 1, 2010. To download information on oil heating law changes, click here for .pdf https://www.passrealtors.com:447/lamps/Documents/Oil%20Heating%20System.pdf
Source: Plymouth and South Shore Board of Realtors.

Banks Pressed to Write Down Second Liens

Many homeowners are seeking to sell homes in short-sale deals, but banks are reluctant to approve them, pushing these distressed homeowners into foreclosure. Now lawmakers are stepping in to apply pressure to encourage banks to eliminate the most obvious stumbling block – second mortgages. U.S. Rep Barney Frank, chair of the House Financial Services Committee, recently wrote a letter to the four largest U.S. banks urging them to write down second mortgages. Frank wrote that while second loans often have little value, “because accounting rules allow holders of these seconds to carry the loans at artificially high values, many refuse to acknowledge the losses and write down the loans."While most first mortgages are now held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac or other investors in mortgage securities, about $766.7 billion in second liens are held by commercial banks, savings banks, and credit unions.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, James R. Hagerty (03/08/2010)

Analyzing the Real Forces Behind Current Housing Supply and Demand

http://seekingalpha.com/article/192842-analyzing-the-real-forces-behind-current-housing-supply-and-demand

By the Numbers: How long will your appliances last? It depends

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2009/03/appliance-life-expectancy-national-association-of-home-buildersbank-of-america-home-equity-study-of-.html
-Thank you to Bonsai Home Inpsection for this link!

Selling or Buying a Home With a Loan Under Water

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/02/22/business/AP-US-Service-Package-Short-Sales.html?_r=2

Mentions credit impact on Seller in a Short Sale

15 Top Retirement Cities

Boomers are willing to move farther than previous generations when they retire, and they are choosing places unlike stereotypical retirement hotspots, says Tom Brokaw in his report on Boomer retirement, airing on CNBC, Thursday, March 4 at 9 p.m. ET.The top places listed by AARP and explored on the show are:

1. Loveland/Fort Collins, Colo.
2. Las Cruces, N.M
3. Rehoboth Beach, Del.
4. Portland, Ore.
5. Greenville, S.C.
6. Sarasota, Fla.
7. Ann Arbor, Mich.
8. Tucson, Ariz.
9. Montpelier, Vt.
10. Honolulu
11. Santa Fe, N.M
12. Atlanta
13. Charleston, S.C
14. Northampton, Mass.
15. San Diego, Calif.

Source: CNBC, Paul Toscano (02/05/2010)

Rural Housing Purchase or Repair Grants from Federal Government

http://www.brokeragentsocial.com/ki/blog/4331/

Design, Decorate, Personalize

Great blog! Found this in Feb. 2010 Realtor magazine.
http://forthehome.blogspot.com/

Citi Initiative to Stall Home Foreclosure

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/11/business/economy/11citi.html

Paying Borrowers To Pay Their Mortgage?

http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2010/02/08/pay-borrowers-to-pay-their-mortgage/

Choosing Home Improvement Contractors

Most Asked Questions of Home Improvement Contractors

http://www.nari.org/homeowners/most/index.asp?URL=/homeowners/most/index.asp

Inexpensive Home Renovations That Pay Off

http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/cheap-home-renovations-that-pay-off.html

NY Times Article Should you Walk Away From Your Mortgage?

http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/should-you-walk-away-from-your-mortgage/

10 Cities Where It's Smarter to Buy

For people who want to own a home, the premium to buy—the spread between what they’d spend to rent and what they’d pay for a mortgage—is much lower than the 15-year average in many cities.To determine what cities are smart buys, Forbes magazine computed the premium and also identified locales where economists predict home prices will go up the most over the next five years. Here are the top 10 cities the magazine chose as the best places to buy right now.

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Mass.
Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, N.C.-S.C.
Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, Ill.-Ind.-Wis.
Cincinnati-Middletown, Ohio-Ky.-Ind.
Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, Colo
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn.-Wis.
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pa.-N.J.-Del.-Md.
Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, Ore.-Wash.
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-Va.-Md.-W.V.

Source: Forbes, Francesca Levy (01/21/2010)

Buyer - Distressed Property, Which Is Right For You?

A good article from Attorneys Prousalis & Papantonakis, P.C.

http://www.proandpaplaw.com/Articles-Index/The-Business-of-Distressed-Properties-Which-Type-of-Home-Is-Right-for-You.shtml

What's New: New credit card protections in store this year

The new Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD), which is designed to protect consumers from unfair credit practices, generally takes effect on February 22, 2010. Here's a summary of several key provisions.
-Introductory rates offered by credit card companies must remain in effect for at least one year (six months for promotional offers). Consumers must receive at least 45 days' notice (instead of the current 15 days) before a rate hike. (This provision became effective August 20, 2009.)
-Companies will be required to mail credit card statements at least 21 days before the due date (seven days longer than before).
-Issuers can't raise rates on an existing balance unless you're late by 60 days or more.
-Credit card payments will be applied to debt with the highest interest first. Currently, companies do the opposite.
-Double-billing cycles, the practice of basing finance charges on both the current and previous balance, are banned.
-To reduce "over-the-limit" fees, companies must obtain a cardholder's permission to process transactions above their personal limit.
-Consumers must be notified how long it will take and how much it will cost to eliminate debt through minimum monthly payments.
-Applicants under age 21 won't qualify for a credit card without showing an ability to pay or a co-signer.
-Statements must prominently display fees paid to-date as well as explanations for those fees.
Courtesy Lauren Bakken & Associates CPA

Fannie Mae Deed For Lease Program

Another option.... sign deed over to the lender and rent your property without having to move.
https://www.efanniemae.com/sf/servicing/d4l/

HMP and HAFA Government Programs

Home Affordable Modification Program
www.hmpadmin.com

Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA)
Please contact me for more info. Takes effect April 15 2010

Steve Harney's Blog

One of my favorite places for news on the market and all it encompasses! Check it out!
http://kcmblog.com/

U.S. Courts Bankruptcy Basics Video Series

http://www.uscourts.gov/video/bankruptcybasics/bankruptcyBasics.cfm?