tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081353520209940722009-10-03T15:06:50.106-05:00Real Estate & YouInformative articles on real estate for investors in commercial real estate and home buyersW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-30810180403033659162008-04-18T05:56:00.001-05:002008-04-18T05:56:13.505-05:00Third Way for FHAWashington seems to agree it's time to change the Federal Housing Administration to help lenders get out of bum loans. Now three proposals are bouncing around the Hill to make it happen. Which one will pass? Bet on Bush's plan.read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-77927169704001503972008-04-03T08:17:00.001-05:002008-04-03T08:17:38.803-05:00Colorado Considering Policy for Renewable Energy FinancingThe citizens of Colorado, unlike any other state in the country, might have a chance to get low-interest loans to install renewable energy systems and make conservation efforts in their domiciles - all backed by the bonding authority of the state and local governments. Why isn't Congress following this model?read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-70138632678098391462008-03-31T15:08:00.001-05:002008-03-31T15:08:44.394-05:00Home Stealing - Walking Away with an Immovable ObjectAccording to the FBI, con artists have started a new form of game - stealing houses. Even the most immovable object most people own can be stolen right out from under their noses, even if the are still living in them. read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-16603398092067634152008-03-28T06:23:00.001-05:002008-03-28T06:23:51.477-05:00HUD Smacks Subdivision and Zoning Committee in TexasThe U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has charged Crow-Billingsley Air Park, Ltd., Airpark GP, L.L.C., and Air Park–Dallas Zoning Committee, owners of Air Park Estates, with violating the Fair Housing Act.read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-70040552309975027862008-03-27T08:53:00.001-05:002008-03-27T08:53:59.959-05:00Housing Sales Slump Produces a Buyers MarketOn Monday, February 25, 2008, The National Association of Realtors announced existing home-sales had dropped 0.4 percent in January, 2008 from the December, 2007 level. This slippage reflects a 23.4 percent reduction from January, 2007.read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-26098953556993657142008-03-26T05:50:00.001-05:002008-03-26T05:50:01.054-05:00Real estate: Buy, sell, or hold?You can't blame America's homeowners for feeling hopelessly confused. From suburban porches and city terraces, they're gawking at a housing world gone mad. Just 18 months ago, folks on a tony Linden Lane or a leafy Boxwood Court were astounded to see the colonial their neighbors bought for $600,000 in 2000 sell for $1.5 million after multiple bids.read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-60983383315973499162008-03-25T10:32:00.001-05:002008-03-25T10:32:00.940-05:00A Mortgage Underwriters View of the Sub-Prime CrisisMany experts have speculated that greed is the cause of the current mortgage crisis. For the past 15 years I worked in that industry. It is my opinion there are many causes for the current problems but greed was definitely a factor.read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-25934834498801323902008-03-24T10:28:00.001-05:002008-03-24T10:28:05.070-05:00Dealing With Nicotine Stains on WallsBesides being unhealthy, nicotine also causes damage to the home of a smoker. It gets into the furniture, the carpet, the curtains, and the walls. A home of a smoker will eventually show unsightly yellow stains of various sizes on the walls, nicotine stains. Such stains are difficult to remove, especially from the walls and ceiling. read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-1288066841006322462008-03-13T11:09:00.001-05:002008-03-13T11:09:25.614-05:00Should the federal government offer foreclosure bailouts?There are many perfectly honest, hard working people caught in the trap set for them by predatory lenders who should be protected by the government. But there are also those who were rolling the dice, much as those lenders were, who knew they were taking a gamble much like the stock market or Vegas who should take their lumps.read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-48714029160792222042008-03-12T20:20:00.001-05:002008-03-12T20:20:14.611-05:00California sees record $5 billion in foreclosure salesOctober foreclosure sales increased by 40 percent from September with a total of 12,336 properties – with a loan value of $5 billion -- sold at auction statewide, according to figures compiled by ForeclosureRadar.read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-90762147151388635552008-03-12T08:25:00.001-05:002008-03-12T08:25:54.947-05:00HUD CHARGES CHICAGO LANDLORD WITH VIOLATING FAIR HOUSING ACTThe U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has charged Cesar A. Lopez, a Chicago landlord with housing discrimination for posting an on-line ad that discriminates against men and families with children.read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-3105875595715695272008-03-12T07:18:00.001-05:002008-03-12T07:18:19.737-05:00Five Warning Signs of a Bad LandlordShopping for an apartment? Still having trouble making up your mind on which apartment to take? There are several warning signs to watch out for while you're looking for a place to rent that indicate you could be taking over an apartment with a rotten landlord. Here are five warning indicators that the landlord might be more trouble.read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-74418086404885041842008-03-08T05:58:00.001-06:002008-03-08T05:59:42.830-06:005 Warning Signs of a Bad LandlordShopping for an apartment? Still having trouble making up your mind on which apartment to take? There are several warning signs to watch out for while you’re looking for a place to rent that indicate you could be taking over an apartment with a rotten landlord. Here are five warning indicators that the landlord for the apartment might be more trouble than the apartment is worth. The “I Don’t W Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-90117301584610456372008-02-27T10:05:00.001-06:002008-02-27T10:05:40.293-06:00The Difference Between Condos and CoopsThe difference between owning a condominium and a cooperative apartment are night and day. Condos and coops might seem the same on the surface, but one key factor separates the two and should impact your decision on which to own.read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-61406046391097663742008-02-27T09:45:00.001-06:002008-02-27T09:45:16.630-06:00How To Choose A Retirement CommunitySeveral of the critical questions to ask, and issues to ponder, while searching for a retirement community for yourself or a loved one. Are you looking for short term - or a final home after you retire? How do you choose a retirement home with the right package for you?read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-24160861553363981312008-02-21T17:57:00.001-06:002008-02-21T17:57:30.548-06:00How the Economy Is Affecting the Home Building MarketCurrently, many economists are arguing over what causes the home-building market to suffer. Some speculate that the supply is not meeting the current demands, since there are still many homeless families. Everyone in the home-building field is feeling the crunch, due to the market's unrest. read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-92047211265779300702008-02-21T11:33:00.001-06:002008-02-21T11:33:31.378-06:00First-time real estate investors: How to choose Helpful tips for choosing the right property - and kind of property - for that first time real estate investment. read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-53670201589244137202008-02-21T11:27:00.001-06:002008-02-21T11:27:14.276-06:00The Advantages of Green Construction for Your BusinessA great article with tips for commercial construction to go green and conserve energy.read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-12416635399872246372008-02-20T16:18:00.001-06:002008-02-20T16:18:51.455-06:00E-Bikes: Environmental Boon or BaneA look at the true environmental impact that 40,000,000 electric bikes are having in China. Are they helping China's cities become even more congested, without any real improvement to overall air quality?read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-7920920207392676412008-01-30T11:58:00.001-06:002008-01-30T11:58:56.312-06:00Fed's Rate Cuts - No Effect on Homeowner's in ForeclosureA look at the actions being taken by the Federal Reserve which only helps the wealthyread more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-7884446456480431732008-01-30T09:20:00.001-06:002008-01-30T09:20:15.196-06:00Federal Reserve lowers rates no reverse to mortgage meltdownThe Federal Reserve, and the entire federal government, is leaving 15 million people to go homeless through inactionread more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-13610915063354419362008-01-27T11:11:00.001-06:002008-01-27T11:11:04.316-06:00Stock Markets Plunge WorldwideStocks fell sharply worldwide Monday following declines on Wall Street last week amid investor pessimism over the U.S. government's stimulus plan to prevent a recession.read more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-6487303747906016082008-01-27T10:42:00.001-06:002008-01-27T10:42:34.747-06:00Has HUD Overstepped Its Authority?A look at a recent ruling by HUD, in which the landlord was forced to make their management bilingualread more | digg storyW Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-24482253808648637832008-01-27T08:30:00.000-06:002008-01-27T08:34:09.148-06:00Avoid Five Common Pitfalls of Buying a HomeHave you decided to buy your first home? Avoid the five most common pitfalls that lie in wait, and could turn your dream of home ownership into a nightmare. 1) You need to get the house inspected. Ever since the boom in the home inspection industry started in the 1980s, many states require that home inspectors at least be licensed, and many require they receive special training to get W Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1908135352020994072.post-38349328294398625172007-12-21T08:21:00.000-06:002007-12-21T08:25:58.369-06:00HUD Fines Real Estate ManagerThe Department of Housing and Urban Development slapped a whopping $170,000 penalty on an apartment complex manager in St. Louis. The money is being split $83,000 to the residents allegedly being discriminated against, $15,000 for a trust fund for possible other claimants, and $72,000 to set up an on-site daycare center. The violation: Requiring the parents to supervise their minor children if W Thomas Paynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968909177096689200noreply@blogger.com0