WASHINGTON – March 31, 2010 – A no-down/low downpayment program for rural areas is running out of operational money, jeopardizing sales in some Fla. areas.
Last week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that funding authority for its popular Rural Housing 502 Single-Family Loan Guarantee program would, according to its notice, “likely be exhausted by the end of April 2010.” Once the funding runs out, the USDA will not issue its conditional commitments to homebuyers “subject to receipt of appropriated funds.”
Officially, new appropriated funds don’t become available until October 2010, but the National Association of Realtors® sent letters to Congressional appropriators urging immediate extension of commitment authority for the program. Other real estate interests, such as the National Association of Builders, have also stepped up pressure on Congress.
In a letter sent to every Florida Congressional lawmaker, Florida Realtors® President Wendell Davis told Senators and Representatives that “worthy homebuyers will be left without access to mortgages” from federal inaction. In the letter, Davis protested the lack of funding for Section 502 rural housing and Congress’ failure to extend the National Flood Insurance Program.
“Homeowners and homebuyers in our state/region are already feeling the impact,” Davis said in his letter. “Given the many challenges financial and real estate markets are facing, now is not the time to create another obstacle to real estate transactions.”
However, Congress is now in recess and does not return until April 12, so additional funding cannot appear until at least then. In addition, an increase in funding is not assured for the rural housing program, and homebuyers counting on the loan could be out of luck – especially those homebuyers hoping to use a USDA loan in time to qualify by the April 30 deadline for the federal tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for move-up buyers.
Loans are first-come, first-served. With 1,900 lenders offering the loans, time is of the essence for homebuyers who plan to use the funding. When the money runs out, the program stops operations.
Questions should be directed to USDA’s Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Division at (202) 720-1452.
© 2010 Florida Realtors®
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Not very good news for Real Estate agents.
Only 22 percent of homebuyers happy with their agent
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – March 16, 2010 – A study by the California Association of Realtors shows a decrease in the number of consumers who say they would use the same real estate agent again to 22 percent in 2009 from 79 percent in 2004. When asked why they would not retain their previous agent, 64 percent said their homes languished on the market and 51 percent were upset that their house fetched less than they had expected.
The study findings show that sellers with unrealistic expectations blame their agents when a transaction does not go as planned, but agents often are indeed at fault for failing to inform sellers about current market realities when it comes to pricing and financing.
In the short term, agents can expect consumers to prefer working with individual agents, believing that a large brokerage cannot provide the personal response and service they so desire. Agents also need to drum up the courage to turn down overpriced listings that likely will not sell.
Over the long term, Realtors must focus on skill, hard work, and the use of technology to provide personal service and deliver the information of most interest to clients. Moreover, agents should immediately respond to calls and e-mails, listen to their prospect’s wants and needs, and make good on their requests.
Source: RISMedia (03/16/10) Parker, Mike
© Copyright 2010 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – March 16, 2010 – A study by the California Association of Realtors shows a decrease in the number of consumers who say they would use the same real estate agent again to 22 percent in 2009 from 79 percent in 2004. When asked why they would not retain their previous agent, 64 percent said their homes languished on the market and 51 percent were upset that their house fetched less than they had expected.
The study findings show that sellers with unrealistic expectations blame their agents when a transaction does not go as planned, but agents often are indeed at fault for failing to inform sellers about current market realities when it comes to pricing and financing.
In the short term, agents can expect consumers to prefer working with individual agents, believing that a large brokerage cannot provide the personal response and service they so desire. Agents also need to drum up the courage to turn down overpriced listings that likely will not sell.
Over the long term, Realtors must focus on skill, hard work, and the use of technology to provide personal service and deliver the information of most interest to clients. Moreover, agents should immediately respond to calls and e-mails, listen to their prospect’s wants and needs, and make good on their requests.
Source: RISMedia (03/16/10) Parker, Mike
© Copyright 2010 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
Thursday, March 11, 2010
House hunting via real estate apps
NEW YORK – March 11, 2010 – Smart phone apps are becoming increasingly popular among homebuyers, sellers and the real estate professionals who serve them.
Zillow.com, which has a free app, says people are using it to look up 2 million properties a month. In addition to Realtor.com, other popular apps include ones offered by ZipRealty, Coldwell Banker, Better Homes and Gardens, and the Corcoran Group.
The apps provide the same information that Web sites do, but they allow users access without having to lug a computer around. They can make house hunting easier for both practitioners and buyers because the information is so immediately and widely available.
“Within a minute, I had enough information to say it’s not worth driving” 25 miles to inspect the home, says Jon Mirmelli, a buyer who otherwise might have asked his real estate professional to meet him there.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, James R. Hagerty (03/09/2010)
© Copyright 2010 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
Locally, you can text the word "CFLGUY" to 87778 and you'll get the Smarter Agent app for this area so you can shop from your GPS enabled cell phone.
Zillow.com, which has a free app, says people are using it to look up 2 million properties a month. In addition to Realtor.com, other popular apps include ones offered by ZipRealty, Coldwell Banker, Better Homes and Gardens, and the Corcoran Group.
The apps provide the same information that Web sites do, but they allow users access without having to lug a computer around. They can make house hunting easier for both practitioners and buyers because the information is so immediately and widely available.
“Within a minute, I had enough information to say it’s not worth driving” 25 miles to inspect the home, says Jon Mirmelli, a buyer who otherwise might have asked his real estate professional to meet him there.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, James R. Hagerty (03/09/2010)
© Copyright 2010 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
Locally, you can text the word "CFLGUY" to 87778 and you'll get the Smarter Agent app for this area so you can shop from your GPS enabled cell phone.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Termite swarming season is here
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – March 3, 2010 – Termite swarming season gets under way in late February and early March as temperatures begin to warm. Swarming means the termites are leaving their colonies to search for new nesting sites. Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is again warning Floridians to take steps to protect their home. Termites cause about $750 million in property damage in the United States annually.
Termites are most abundant in the southwestern and southern U.S., with the Gulf Coast commonly known as “the termite belt.” Since termites try to avoid light and open air spaces, the insects do their damage behind walls. Many homeowners don’t realize they have a termite problem until swarming season when they see them flying around their homes.
The swarmers are winged, black insects about one-quarter-inch long and look a lot like flying ants. Termites can be categorized into two groups by their nesting sites. The earth-dwelling termites that make tunnels in the ground or build tubes above the earth are called subterranean termites. The second group, the wood-dwelling termites that have no contact with the earth, are called drywood termites.
Florida’s climate makes it especially vulnerable to termites, and they are found throughout the state. Despite this, many homes in the state have no termite protection.
“Prevention is critical in avoiding termite destruction,” Bronson says. “The insects can go undetected for long periods of time while they feed on the wood in a home.” The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulates and licenses pest control companies and conducts regular inspections to ensure the businesses are adhering to the rules and regulations governing pesticides and pest control. Consumers can contact the department to find out whether a pest control company is properly licensed, to find out how many consumer complaints have been filed against a particular business and to learn about the various types of termite control contracts.
Licensed pest management professionals have the expertise to inspect buildings and treat them to prevent an infestation or provide treatment when the insects are found. Termite companies are now required to clearly tell customers if their contract covers both subterranean and drywood termites. Most pest control operations in Florida are licensed but it’s important to check out a business before signing a contract.
Steps that consumers can take to protect their homes from termites include:
• Remove wood piles and other cellulose sources from under and next to homes.
• Have an annual inspection by a licensed professional pest control company.
• Direct water sources, such as air conditioner drip lines and roof downspouts, away from the structure foundation.
• When purchasing a home, carefully check its termite protection history.
• Obtain a termite protection contract and renew it annually.
Bronson said consumers should read a termite protection contract before signing it. Some contracts only require that the company re-treat a home if termites are found. Bronson says it is better to have a re-treat and repair contract that requires the pest control business to repair any damage caused by termites after a home has been inspected and treated.
For information, visit the department’s web site at http://www.FloridaTermiteHelp.org or call (800) 435-7352.
© 2010 Florida Realtors®
Termites are most abundant in the southwestern and southern U.S., with the Gulf Coast commonly known as “the termite belt.” Since termites try to avoid light and open air spaces, the insects do their damage behind walls. Many homeowners don’t realize they have a termite problem until swarming season when they see them flying around their homes.
The swarmers are winged, black insects about one-quarter-inch long and look a lot like flying ants. Termites can be categorized into two groups by their nesting sites. The earth-dwelling termites that make tunnels in the ground or build tubes above the earth are called subterranean termites. The second group, the wood-dwelling termites that have no contact with the earth, are called drywood termites.
Florida’s climate makes it especially vulnerable to termites, and they are found throughout the state. Despite this, many homes in the state have no termite protection.
“Prevention is critical in avoiding termite destruction,” Bronson says. “The insects can go undetected for long periods of time while they feed on the wood in a home.” The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulates and licenses pest control companies and conducts regular inspections to ensure the businesses are adhering to the rules and regulations governing pesticides and pest control. Consumers can contact the department to find out whether a pest control company is properly licensed, to find out how many consumer complaints have been filed against a particular business and to learn about the various types of termite control contracts.
Licensed pest management professionals have the expertise to inspect buildings and treat them to prevent an infestation or provide treatment when the insects are found. Termite companies are now required to clearly tell customers if their contract covers both subterranean and drywood termites. Most pest control operations in Florida are licensed but it’s important to check out a business before signing a contract.
Steps that consumers can take to protect their homes from termites include:
• Remove wood piles and other cellulose sources from under and next to homes.
• Have an annual inspection by a licensed professional pest control company.
• Direct water sources, such as air conditioner drip lines and roof downspouts, away from the structure foundation.
• When purchasing a home, carefully check its termite protection history.
• Obtain a termite protection contract and renew it annually.
Bronson said consumers should read a termite protection contract before signing it. Some contracts only require that the company re-treat a home if termites are found. Bronson says it is better to have a re-treat and repair contract that requires the pest control business to repair any damage caused by termites after a home has been inspected and treated.
For information, visit the department’s web site at http://www.FloridaTermiteHelp.org or call (800) 435-7352.
© 2010 Florida Realtors®
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