Category Archives: Strategy

First-time homebuyer blog posts

A reader of the blog sent the following link to a compilation of blog posts directed to first-time homebuyers, and asked that I pass it along. The web page, titled The First-Time Home Buyer Guide: 100 Must-Read Blog Posts, looks … Continue reading

Posted in General, Strategy | Tagged | 35 Comments

Going green can lower the tax bill

Though not necessarily news, I received the following info from one of my lender contacts and thought I’d pass it along… New federal tax credits are now available for green home improvements on a principal residence. Qualifying modifications must meet … Continue reading

Posted in Strategy, Taxes | Tagged | 13 Comments

Short Sale FAIL

After eight unsuccessful months trying to sell our Somersett McMansion for $525,000, we raised the price to $572,000. No, we’re not crazy. The bank is. For those who may not know me, I started this blog in late 2005. I … Continue reading

Posted in Foreclosures, General, Legal, Lending, Market Trends, Somersett, Strategy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 86 Comments

Number of investors double in six months

According to a just-released Move.com survey, the number of consumers interested in investing in real estate has doubled since March 2009.  Of the participants surveyed, 12.1% said they planned to buy a home as an investment property, compared to 5.6% … Continue reading

Posted in Foreclosures, Strategy | Tagged , | 10 Comments

a question from a reader

Yesterday I received the following email from a reader of the blog.  In it he asks about "trusts managing pools of securitized mortgages".  Because I did not have an answer for him (and also because he suggested starting a thread … Continue reading

Posted in Lending, Strategy | Tagged | 11 Comments

Escrow & title tips from Ticor Title

The last couple months I have compiled and posted title & escrow related tips presented by Ticor Title.  Though these weekly tips are directed to real estate professionals I believe consumers will also benefit from this information. To see previously … Continue reading

Posted in Foreclosures, News, Strategy | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

How to find out if a home is in foreclosure…

I received an email this morning from someone planning to rent here in the Reno area asking how they could find out if the property in which they are interested in renting is in foreclosure or has a NOD (Notice … Continue reading

Posted in General, Strategy | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Ticor Title REO tips

Lately, our friends at Ticor Title have been sending tips to the Realtor community to assist agents in navigating the REO waters.  Ticor refers to these informative emails as “Tips of the Week”.  I’ve been collecting them and thought I’d … Continue reading

Posted in Foreclosures, Strategy | Tagged , | 2 Comments