Archive for November, 2007

US commercial real estate value falls 2.5 Percent in 3rd Quarter 2007

For the first time in 5 years commercial real estate has lost value. The 3rd quarter showed a 2.5 percent decline in the value of commercial real estate owned by large pension funds.
Of course, the run up has also been amazing and a pull back has been expected. In the past 5 years commercial real estate [...]

16Nov2007 | Tom Royce | 2 comments | Continued

Massachusetts New Anti-Mortgage Gets Wells Fargo To Limit Offers

Deval Patrick proclaimed his Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices Act would benefit Massachusetts mortgage borrowers. However, we recognized that businesses tend to vacate markets when regulation becomes to tough going to places where they have a chance to make money. So we figured that the only people hurt by this are the borrowers in [...]

15Nov2007 | Tom Royce | 0 comments | Continued

One Of the Best Portrayals of the Evil of Eminent Domain

If eminent domain is a topic that interests you please take a few minutes and watch this video by Drew Carey and Reason TV. It shows how the government uses eminent domain and the term blight to take over a persons property for their benefit and those that can buy access.

15Nov2007 | Tom Royce | 0 comments | Continued

Securitization of Mortgages May Make Foreclosure Much More Difficult

For those who are in any stage of foreclosure and need some more time to work it out, there may be a loophole that can help you save your house from foreclosure for a while and give you a chance to work things out another way. In the state of Ohio, a Federal Judge has [...]

15Nov2007 | Tom Royce | 3 comments | Continued

Homes.com and Harmon Homes Magazine Merge To Capitalize On Consumers Move to Internet

We have long followed the transition from real estate marketing from print to online and the leader of the online real estate reporting, Inman News, has the scoop on Dominion Enterprises consolidation. Harmon Homes is the ubiquitous home sales magazine found in every supermarket and Chinese restaurant, or at that is where I see them in [...]

14Nov2007 | Tom Royce | 4 comments | Continued

11 Newspaper Companies Partner with Real Estate Giant Zillow.com

Zillow is fast working on becoming the DE facto portal for the online industry. Their latest stab at online dominance is partnering with the 282 newspapers to provide the online listing information and other housing information online. This is a wise move for Zillow as it will further brand the portal in the minds of buyers [...]

14Nov2007 | Tom Royce | 3 comments | Continued

Jesse Jackson Calls For March on Washington, Over Foreclosures?

Well, you know that the foreclosure problems in the United States are mainstream when Jesse Jackson calls for a march against foreclosure in Washington. What will it be, “The Million Home March”?

“Two million homes nationwide will be at risk of foreclosure by 2008,” Rev. Jackson said. “We need restructure to avoid these foreclosures. Without it, [...]

13Nov2007 | Tom Royce | 6 comments | Continued

Indiana Offering Free Foreclosure Counseling For Homeowners in Financial Trouble

The Midwest has been mired in a mini recession as manufacturing jobs are leaving the region in droves. Home prices have remained stagnant for a number of years and many homeowners face foreclosure on a regular basis. The state of Indiana has come up with a new program for homeowners that are worried about foreclosure.
Indiana’s [...]

13Nov2007 | Tom Royce | 0 comments | Continued

Blackstone See’s Dip in Real Estate Revenue, Posts Loss For 3rd Quarter

A softer real estate market has affected The Blackstone Groups earnings for the 3rd quarter. Revenue from the real estate division were down nearly 50 percent from 2006 as the company brought in only 109 million. After the buyout of Office Equity and Hilton Hotels, the company is digesting the purchases in a softer commercial [...]

12Nov2007 | Tom Royce | 1 comment | Continued

Top 10 Hottest Housing Markets in The United States

So the housing market is in the dumps, is it? These 10 communities in the country are telling a completely different story as housing costs are going up. Never forget that while there are macro trends in real estate they do not affect all communities equally. The media will lump this nebulous concept of real estate [...]

12Nov2007 | Tom Royce | 3 comments | Continued