Archive for Tom Royce

So Different Than 2005

Funny, and sad, how perspectives change. Empathy is a good skill for real estate agents to have these days.

9Nov2009 | Tom Royce | 3 comments | Continued

Top 10 Commercial Real Estate Markets For 2010

If you are a commercial investor odds are you are a bit shell shocked coming into the end of 2009. The marketplace is tough, the property values are a glimmer of what they once were, and let’s not even talk about rents.
But there is good news for some of the markets out there. The need [...]

8Nov2009 | Tom Royce | 3 comments | Continued

An Open Letter to Move Inc on How To Be Profitable

Dear Move Inc Braintrust,
Okay, you get a great deal on one of the premier properties on the web. The real estate portal Realtor.com is yours to monetize. Yet you do such a poor job with it that the people whose name you have on it actively dislike you. Competitors are able to offer a [...]

6Nov2009 | Tom Royce | 2 comments | Continued

$8,000 New Home Buyer Tax Credit, $6,500 Old Home Buyer Tax Credit

The Senate last night passed an extension of the $8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit for new home buyers and added on a $6,500 bonus for those who are buying a new home and have lived in their old home for 5 of the 8 previous years. The House of Representatives is expected to pass the bill [...]

5Nov2009 | Tom Royce | 9 comments | Continued

Nicolas Cage Selling Real Estate Empire

Reports are that bad business decisions, he is suing his business manager for 20 million dollars, is forcing the actor to liquidate his housing holding around the world. The IRS has a 6.3 million dollar lien on a couple of his houses and the actor has an auction scheduled for November 12th in New Orleans [...]

4Nov2009 | Tom Royce | 2 comments | Continued

In Canada, MLS Under Extreme Pressure

The multiple listing services around the United States may be wise to watch what is happening up in Canada. Real estate leaders in Canada have been brought before the competition committee to see how the use of the MLS up there increases the cost of housing.
The Competition Bureau of Canada is playing its cards [...]

4Nov2009 | Tom Royce | 3 comments | Continued

Federal Judge To Mortgage Companies: Show Paperwork or There is No Mortgage

A case in White Plains, New York is sure to put the fear of God into mortgage companies looking to foreclose upon homeowners. The need to show the actual paperwork that constituted the mortgage. The failure to do so compelled a Federal Judge to wipe out a $461,263 mortgage because there was no proof that [...]

2Nov2009 | Tom Royce | 9 comments | Continued

How Goldman Sachs Scammed The United States, And Made Billions

How do you make billions of dollars and screw every taxpayer, millions of pensioners, and get away with it.
Work for Goldman Sachs.
That seems to the be the story of the housing crisis as reported by McClatchy in a special report. And the worst part, there will be no consequence for the company, the [...]

1Nov2009 | Tom Royce | 3 comments | Continued

Top 10 Counties For The Highest Property Taxes

Growing up on Long Island, people did not always talk about the weather when starting a conversation with a stranger. More likely it started out with how high the taxes were and how are they gonna screw us next time.
Now looking at a report from the Tax Foundation and being a taxpayer myself, I can [...]

31Oct2009 | Tom Royce | 0 comments | Continued

Two Thirds of Landlords Will Lower Rent For Struggling Tenants

If you are renting and money is tight, call your landlord and see if they can give you a reduction. A new survey shows that 69 percent of landlords will be willing to lower the rent for tenants that are struggling if they are asked and the request is legitimate.
Most tenants will not pay [...]

31Oct2009 | Tom Royce | 1 comment | Continued