Jim's Real Estate News

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U.S. Agency Helps Prop Up Housing Market

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration regularly dismisses the idea of stepping in to prop up the housing market. Behind the scenes, a government agency is doing just that. FULL STORY-->

Siesta Key - Sarasota, Florida

Siesta Key is a barrier island just 8 miles long. Many who live on "The Key" consider it paradise. During the winter, on the occasional day when the temperature drops, the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico keeps the temperature on Siesta Key warmer than would be found further inland during a cold snap. FULL STORY-->

Siesta Key Beaches

Siesta Beach is located on Beach Road on Siesta Key. Siesta Beach is known as one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere in the world. At the "Great International White Sand Beach Challenge" held in 1987, it was recognized as having the "whitest and finest sand in the world." FULL STORY-->

New Balance Sarasota Wins Community Service Award Benefiting the Sarasota Family YMCA

New Balance Sarasota was recently awarded the company’s nation-wide Community Service Award for the New Balance Concept Store. FULL STORY-->

The Sarasota Family YMCA has been at the heart of Sarasota for more than 60 years. Today, we touch more than 102,853 lives through four fitness branches and offer more than 60 youth and family development programs within six counties. We live our not-for-profit mission by providing life changing experiences and assistance to everyone of all ages, background, ability, race or religion.

Commercial Banks Step to Fed Window

NEW YORK -- U.S. commercial banks this week increased their use of the Federal Reserve's discount window while investment banks cut their use of a direct-lending program, a sign that the focus of credit strains may be shifting from brokers to depository institutions, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday. FULL STORY-->

Freddie to Buy More Jumbos

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac agreed last Friday to buy more jumbo loans from major lenders, making it easier for borrowers to get these kinds of mortgages. Full STORY -->

Recession? It Doesn’t Add Up

We know by now that the old rule of thumb for recession – two consecutive quarters of negative growth in gross domestic product (GDP) – is out the window. Still, at least there were two quarters of contracting GDP during the last recession in 2001. This time around, we just can’t seem to get a negative print — at least, not yet. FULL STORY-->

The Fed is likely to cut short-term rates by a quarter point when it meets next week, but the option of standing pat will likely also be on the table amid concern about inflationary pressures. If the Fed does cut rates, officials may signal a pause to see whether their moves can spur a second-half recovery. FULL STORY->

A Tale of Two Headlines
It's been difficult to pick up a paper during the past few weeks and not notice two major stories: The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a record 12,000 while real estate values are falling. FULL STORY->

October Roundup
After several weeks in a row in which mortgage rates inched downward, loan costs skewed a bit higher as October drew to a close. FULL STORY->

Proper Bankruptcy Reporting
I just closed a loan for a couple who had both experienced a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Not together, but separately. They were both forced to file for a bankruptcy before they even met one another, and both due to serious accidents and mile-high medical bills. With all these similarities, there was something different. FULL STORY->

September's Housing Market on the Right Track
The resale housing market in the Toronto Area performed solidly in the first half of September, Toronto Real Estate Board President Dorothy Mason announced today. FULL STORY->

Convention Centres As Ambassadors: Inuvik & The Petroleum Show
Canadians searching for a new place to live may benefit from "insider views" offered by convention centres--ambassadors for the communities they serve. PJ Wade introduces one conference centre's perspective on its unique northern community. FULL STORY->

Will Real Estate Classifieds Disappear?
Newspapers nationwide are losing circulation, revenue and real estate ads. Can papers compete in the Internet era? Columnist Peter G. Miller comments. FULL STORY->

The One And Only AnnualCreditReport.com
It's time to look at your annual free credit reports again, but don't be confused by websites that appear to be the real deal. You could unnecessarily pay for credit services you don't want. FULL STORY->

Outdoor Oasis, Always in Style
Creating an outdoor oasis is touted as the second most popular home remodel behind a kitchen makeover. FULL STORY->

New Contract Form for Washington Area
Effective September 1, 2006, a new sales contract became available for use by real estate agents in the Washington metropolitan area. FULL STORY->

Downpayment on a Credit Card? Hey, Why Not?
When you buy a condominium unit at a luxury high-rise on Manhattan’s West Side, you can charge your entire downpayment -- whether it’s $120,000 or $500,000 or more -- on your American Express card. Now American Express confirms to Realty Times that it plans to introduce the concept nationwide focusing on up-scale urban condos. Ken Harney reports. FULL STORY->

Choosing A Listing Agent In A Buyers' Market
When hiring a listing agent, take time to find an experienced, licensed, trade-group affiliated agent who is a symbiotic fit for you and who knows the market and your neighborhood -- for starters. FULL STORY->

Long-Term Mortgage Rates Dip to Levels Posted in Spring
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.43 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending September 14, 2006, down from last week when it averaged of 6.47 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.74 percent. FULL STORY->

Prevent Foreclosure From Cashing You Out Of Home Ownership
The same market conditions that are allowing some consumers to squeeze into a home they can call their own are also squeezing some existing homeowners out of their dream home. FULL STORY->

Market Moves Forward with Motivated Buyers, Sellers
A recent conference spreads light on the current state of the market and what it really means. FULL STORY->

New Home Game Show: "What's Your Incentive?"
Today's new home doesn't come with extra options that add to the price of the home, but free options and incentives ranging from swimming pools to hybrid cars to get you to close the deal. FULL STORY->

Don't Like the Market? Look Again.
There are a few clouds on the real estate market, but savvy consumers can turn even a slowing market to their advantage. FULL STORY->

Questions to Ask Before Buying a Condo
Columnist Stuart Lieberman explains to basics of condo buying and living. FULL STORY->

Rolling Out The Vacation Rental Red Carpet
Look for vacation rental owners to offer perks, concessions and special amenities to keep occupancy levels high this fall and winter as tourists curtail travel and related expenditures. FULL STORY->

Adrift in the Sea of Tax Reporting?
Payroll taxes, sales taxes, quarterly estimated income tax payments, payroll tax reports, unemployment insurance tax payments -- are you overwhelmed by tax and reporting obligations? FULL STORY->

Three Ws of HOA Reserves
Reserve studies are one of the most powerful planning tools in an HOA board's arsenal. It provides a 30-year schedule for major repairs and replacements and a funding plan so the board can gather the gold it needs to get projects done as they come due. It's a wonderful thing. FULL STORY->

D.C. Builder Offers Flexcar Service
In one of the most novel ways yet to help home owners combat the prospect of long hours on the road driving back and forth to work, a Washington, D.C., area home builder is giving its buyers access to a popular car-sharing service so they can dump their own autos. Lew Sichelman has the details. FULL STORY->

Will Domestic Travel Slump Impact Vacation Home Rentals?
A slowdown in domestic travel growth may actually help keep the vacation home rental industry purring as summer travel gives way to the more trying fall and winter seasons. FULL STORY->