Beware Agents Who Double-Dip
A new report from the Consumer Federation of America argues that agents who represent both the buyer and seller in a transaction do a disservice to buyers, and the practice of dual agency should be banned.
Lew Sichelman
Special to Banker & Tradesman
One Arrest Can Keep You from Buying a Home
Having a run-in with the law is one of the quickest ways to disqualify yourself from homeownership, and other bites of housing news for your holiday weekend.
Fewer New Houses Coming, Not More
Anyone hoping builders will be putting up enough houses to alleviate the shortage on the market may just as well wish to see the tooth fairy.
How to Sell in a Seller’s Market
More and more sellers are hoping for a windfall, listing now before the seller’s market runs out of steam. But it’s not always as simple as waiting for a horde of buyers to arrive with all the money they can muster.
How to Win a Bidding War
A recent column about would-be homebuyers giving up because they keep losing bidding wars brought a flurry of responses: Readers want to know how they can become winners in this arena.
Servicers Should Prepare for Foreclosure Surge
“There is a tidal wave of distressed homeowners who will need help in the coming months,” said Dave Uejio, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Biden Should Pocket These Tax Ideas
Over the next few months, the White House is likely to propose two major tax changes that could impact the housing sector. These two ideas, however, should be chucked in the circular file.
Speed Dating, Real Estate Style
Everyone, it has been said, enjoys their 15 minutes of fame. But these days, that’s just about all the time homebuyers are allowed to give a house the once-over and make a decision.
As Resort Towns Flourish, Lending Tightens
As the market for vacation homes continues to forge ahead at an almost unprecedented pace, the two major suppliers of financing funds have put a lid on the number of mortgages for such properties they will buy from primary lenders.
Ditching the Full Home Inspection? Consider a Walk-Through
Nothing is more important in the sale of a house than an examination of the structure by an independent home inspector. But in today’s overheated selling frenzy, many buyers facing competition are crossing out the inspection clauses in their contracts.
Women Pay More for Homes, Sell for Less
According to a recent study, single women pay 2 percent more than single men for the very same house. And when the time comes to move, they sell for 2 percent less. Why?
Some Would-Be Buyers Have Given Up
In today’s high-pressure market, where being first with an offer isn’t necessarily the key to getting it accepted, the entire process can sap the energy out of even the most prepared wannabes.
The Tax Man Cometh, Thanks to Price Jumps
Thanks to the unusually large jump in housing prices over the last 12 months, plus a major shortfall in state and county revenue from other sources, your property taxes may well increase by 2023.
Waterfront? How About Just Water?
Looking for waterfront property but finding it way out of your league? Consider a houseboat. And they’re back now – bigger and better than ever.
Inland Surfing: The Latest Amenity
First came Crystal Lagoons – human-created bodies of water that can transform landlocked real estate into waterfront housing developments. Now comes Wavegarden: a water park that turns inland housing developments into surfing destinations.
Agents Light the Way for Buyers – Sometimes Literally
Chris Ann Cleland is a self-described “stickler for details.” That’s why the associate broker for Long & Foster Real Estate, almost blew a gasket the other day when she toured a house for sale.
The All-Electric House Makes a Comeback
The reason? Climate change: The heating and cooling of buildings accounts for roughly 10 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Realtors Grapple with New Hate Speech Rules
In an unusual, if not unprecedented, move for a major trade organization, the National Association of Realtors has taken full ownership for any and all discriminatory actions taken over the years by the 1.4 million agents and brokers for which it speaks.
Three Lawsuits Could Shake Up Agents’ Fees
Depending on the outcome of three major lawsuits challenging commission structures in the real estate field, the way agents get paid could change – for the better, according to one seasoned observer.
CFPB Investigating Quicken’s Real Estate Affiliate
In a little-known civil action, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is investigating the real estate affiliate of Quicken Loans for allegedly illegal kickbacks.
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