Archive for July, 2006

Ohio Supreme Court Stops Worst of Eminent Domain Abuse

If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Ohio has long been seen as one of the worst abusers of eminent domain in the country. The combination of a slow economy (lower taxes), older infrastructure, and local Democratic Party machines has created an environment where personal property [...]

26Jul2006 | Tom Royce | 0 comments | Continued

Redfin Appearing Before Congressional Panel

As the alternatives to the traditional realtor model gain traction in the marketplace, the politicians recognize the sea change and are trying to get ahead of it in this election year. Earlier we discussed the Maine lawmakers who have started a petition to allow a new MLS alternative, now we are seeing Redfin being brought before the [...]

26Jul2006 | Tom Royce | 0 comments | Continued

Fed Up Maine Sellers Looking For Alternative to the MLS

Do you know when an industry stops being dynamic and turns into a cartel. From the anecdotal evidence I have heard, the real estate market in many parts of Maine are exhibiting these symptoms. Instead of worrying about the customer, real estate agents in Maine are too worried about protecting their turf than to serve [...]

26Jul2006 | Tom Royce | 1 comment | Continued

As If You Need to Be Told, Why Not to Buy A Home Over the Internet

A Montana family bought a house in Pittsburgh site unseen over the internet through E-Bay. They paid 33,000 for the home and arrived to a home that was a dump. What a surprise.
It truly amazes me that people think that they can take a short cut in the home buying process. If you are going [...]

25Jul2006 | Tom Royce | 0 comments | Continued

Top 10 Slowest Markets For Second Quarter 2006

Veros Real Estate Solutions has released their list of the Top Ten Slowest Real Estate Markets for 2006 and into 2007. The company works with the mortgage industry to project future trends in the real estate market so companies can position themselves properly.
The Top 10 Slowest Markets for 2006

Rochester, -4%;
Worchester, -2%;
Sacramento, -2%;
Memphis, -1%;
Dayton, -1%;
Grand Rapids, [...]

25Jul2006 | Tom Royce | 0 comments | Continued

Top 10 Hottest Markets for Second Quarter 2006

Veros Real Estate Solutions has released their market analysis for the hottest real estate markets in 2006 and into 2007. The company works with the mortgage industry to project future trends in the real estate market so companies can position themselves properly.
The Top 10 Hottest Market for 2006

Seattle, 11%;
San Bernardino County, Calif., 9%;
Jacksonville, 9%;
Raleigh/Durham, 8%;
Tampa, [...]

25Jul2006 | Tom Royce | 0 comments | Continued

When there are missiles, there is no business

We are talking about the downturn in US real estate prices as a major calamity, but when you see how markets work when extreme external pressures are at work such as present day Israel it brings things into perspective. I do love in this article though how a real estate firm in Haifa explains that [...]

25Jul2006 | Tom Royce | 0 comments | Continued

Looking to Buy Caymen Islands Property?

Then the Cayman Islands Real Estate Brokers Association move of putting up their islands property marketing magazine can help you. The magazine is your typical sales literature, but it makes it much easier to browse and see what is out there and get a taste for the island.
Now the next step is to turn it from [...]

25Jul2006 | Tom Royce | 0 comments | Continued

Using Video and YouTube to Sell Real Estate

As more people are using high speed bandwidth, the smart real estate agents are using tools such as YouTube to put listings on the internet. This McKinney, Texas real estate agent put together a 40 second teaser video that gives potential buyers a view of this golf course home.

I think we are going to [...]

24Jul2006 | Tom Royce | 23 comments | Continued

Sarah Anne Walker Charges Upgraded to Capital Murder

The charges against the still unidentified person who murdered real estate agent Sarah Anne Walker have been upgraded to Capital Murder. The upgrade means that whoever killed her is facing the death penalty when they are caught.
McKinney Police Capt. Randy Roland said in a released statement they are increasing the criminal charges from murder to [...]

24Jul2006 | Tom Royce | 2 comments | Continued