South Carolina Mountain Land

Finding the Positives in Economic and Housing Conditions in 2012

susanne — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:05:27 +0000

While 2011 was clearly a challenging year, there is a lot to be positive about looking ahead. Economically, while buffeted by natural disasters and fiscal policy indecisiveness at home and a European sovereign debt crisis abroad, the U.S. economy was …

FHA Announces Additional Steps to Limit Risk and Strengthen Finances

susanne — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:04:10 +0000

Recently, Acting Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Commissioner Carol J. Galante announced the latest in a series of steps to protect and strengthen the FHA’s Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, while enabling the agency to continue to fulfill its mission to provide …

Don’t Shoot the Messenger; Appraisers Not at Fault for ‘Low’ Home Values

susanne — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:26:33 +0000

Don’t blame the real estate appraiser if it turns out that house you’re trying to sell or buy isn’t worth what you thought it was. That was the message delivered recently by the Appraisal Institute, one of the nation’s largest …

Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) Leaders Cautiously Optimistic about 2012

susanne — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:24:15 +0000

“Cautiously optimistic” might be the best description of the feelings of members of Midwest Real Estate Data’s Board of Managers for the upcoming year in real estate. Most think we may have “hit bottom” in the difficult last few years …

Unexpected Jump in Home Sales Mark End of 2011 Says RE/MAX Report

susanne — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:22:42 +0000

According to the monthly RE/MAX housing report, December home sales did not follow the seasonal trend but rose an unexpected 5.7 percent from sales in November. Sales were also up 1.1 percent from December 2010, the 6th consecutive month to …

Safeguard Your Health Care Dollars

susanne — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:19:31 +0000

More Americans are paying more of their health care costs out of pocket every year because they lack insurance, have higher deductibles and co-payments, or have chosen a Health Savings Account plan.

There are ways they can save money without …

Taxpayers, What Are Your Rights? Report to Congress Focuses on IRS Funding

susanne — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:53:28 +0000

National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson recently released her annual report to Congress, identifying the combination of the IRS’s expanding workload and declining resources as the most serious problem facing taxpayers.

The result, the report says, is inadequate taxpayer service, …

Small Business News: Obama Proposes Merging Agencies

susanne — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:27:17 +0000

(MCT)—President Barack Obama on Friday proposed merging six government agencies that focus on international trade and commerce into a single department, saying it will help the nation’s exporters and boost the economy.

Obama asked Congress for powers to consolidate the …

2012 Is the Year of the Political Economy

susanne — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:04:22 +0000

Fiscal policy issues and political economic uncertainty will take center stage in determining the degree of consumer and business activity—key drivers of economic growth—during 2012, according to Fannie Mae’s (FNMA/OTC) Economics & Mortgage Market Analysis Group. The forthcoming presidential election, …

Mortgage Rates Continue Trend of Record-Breaking Lows

susanne — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:07:34 +0000

Freddie Mac recently released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey®, showing mortgage rates easing to new all-time record lows for all products covered in the survey helping to keep homebuyer affordability high. The average for the 30-year fixed …

Numbers Vary by Region in Real Estate Auctions

susanne — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:04:16 +0000

Real estate auction activity continues to thrive. In today’s tumultuous economy, both residential and commercial properties are selling in droves via auction.

According to PropertyAuction.com, the number of auctions posted on their site has almost doubled in 2011. From January …

The Vote is In: Americans Place High Value on Homeownership

susanne — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:03:57 +0000

By an overwhelming margin, American voters strongly value homeownership and would oppose efforts to weaken or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction or diminish a federal role to help qualified home buyers obtain affordable 30-year mortgages, according to a new nationwide …

Foreclosures Decrease 34 Percent in 2011

susanne — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:01:34 +0000

Total U.S. foreclosure activity and the U.S. foreclosure rate in 2011 were both at their lowest annual level since 2007, according to RealtyTrac®, an online marketplace for foreclosure properties. The company recently released its Year-End 2011 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report™, …

New Study by WAV Group Reports Strong Consumer Interest in MLS

susanne — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:59:15 +0000

The WAV Group, a real estate consulting firm, has published results of research that demonstrates the high value consumers place on the term “MLS.” The research, commissioned by the MLS Domains Association, includes surveys of consumers using MLS public websites …

Mortgage Matters: HARP 2.0 Boosts Homebuyer Confidence

susanne — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:58:06 +0000

The federal government recently threw a lifeline to homeowners underwater with their current mortgages. Thanks to new changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) guidelines, more homeowners can refinance at today’s lower rates—even if their homes have declined in …

Housing Market Rebound Seen in 2012

susanne — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:09:15 +0000

The U.S. housing market will continue a slow recovery in 2012, led by stabilizing home prices and increasing sales. Those are among the key findings of a year-end survey of one thousand RE/MAX real estate agents who say housing’s vital …

Road to Recovery: List of Improving Housing Markets Nearly Doubles in January

susanne — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:51:29 +0000

The number of housing markets showing measurable improvement nearly doubled in January with the addition of 40 new metros to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI).

The IMI now boasts 76 improving markets, up from …

Markets Seen Stabilizing This Year

susanne — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:44:02 +0000

Home prices this year cease their decline and gain 0.2 percent across all markets as more and more individual markets stabilize in the months to come.

However, though national prices will be flat, some 40 percent of the top 50 …

Are You a Team Player?

susanne — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:51:14 +0000

Have you noticed that when a sports team wins a championship game, both the players and the coaches talk in terms of a “team victory” and appear to truly enjoy sharing the accomplishment? On the other hand, teams who are …

Rand on Real Estate: How Can You Profit from Housing Growth in Denver?

susanne — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:48:56 +0000

Rand on Real Estate is now on national television. The Fox Business Network is running a new segment titled, “Where to Invest Now,” featuring Greg Rand (@gsrand) , CEO of OwnAmerica (www.OwnAmerica.com), as its housing market …

Kerr Scott Lake, Wilkes County NC Dream Homesite

Editor — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:27:35 +0000

The Malone Bay community features 18 lots at W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir. Fourteen (14) are Lakefront and meet private dock requirements. All lots have access to public water, saving owners from $5,000 to $10,000 on drilling a well. These lots have public water and will save you the cost of drilling a well. The entire development also features underground utilities.

This is a gated community with lots ranging from 2.3+- acres to 6.8+- acres on the Hwy 421 side of the lake just off South Minton Road, Wilkesboro, NC 28697

W. Kerr Scott Lake is 1500 acres with 50 miles of shoreline and is controlled by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It is clean water with good fishing and is excellent for boating, kayaking, skiing, and swimming. The property is surrounded by National Parks. Wilkesboro is a beautiful community and town with friendly people. It is located just 40 miles east of Boone and Blowing Rock, NC and one and a half hours northwest of Charlotte.

click here for more informationMalone Bay Lakefront Lot W. Kerr Scott Lake

Poll Finds Voters Still Value Homeownership, Want Policymakers to Support Housing

susanne — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:04:52 +0000

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will host a media teleconference next week to reveal the results of a national poll of 1,500 likely voters looking at the value Americans place on homeownership. Set to air on Wednesday, January…

Recovery Found in Increased Lending, Loan Modifications and Short Sales

susanne — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:01:22 +0000

Stabilizing and restoring the health of the housing market is critical to a broader economic recovery, according to a white paper released yesterday by the Federal Reserve Board. Many of the issues and recommendations outlined in the paper support key…

Mid Atlantic Region Expected to be ‘The Exception, Not the Rule,’ in 2012 Housing Market

beth — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:53:58 +0000

REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT—As the new year begins, potential home buyers and sellers throughout the Mid Atlantic region are anxious about how their properties will fare in this coming year. To explore the issue, MRIS has released a list of several key…

The Double-Edged Sword

susanne — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:33:37 +0000

“Technology is changing everything!” When was the last time you heard this? Well, guess what? It’s still true, and as we make our way through 2012, your inbox will continue to be flooded with opportunities to own the latest and…

Evolving Mobile Behaviors Raise Stakes for Marketers

susanne — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:27:18 +0000

(eM+C)—While none would argue that 2011 was the year of the mobile app, marketers have been hearing more noise about the mobile web as a cross-device alternative to apps that are downloaded and installed. The reality isn’t so clear-cut.

If…

Credit Issues: Strategic Default and Foreclosure

susanne — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:40:35 +0000

Matt and Rachel Kent are about to apply for a loan on a new home being built in Tucson, Ariz. It’s been three years since they lost their Las Vegas home to foreclosure. The Kents, who could afford to keep…

Pending Home Sales Highest in 18 Months

susanne — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:01:53 +0000

(MCT)—The most Americans in more than 18 months signed contracts in November to buy homes, raising hopes that a boost in sales will follow, NAR reported Thursday.

An index of pending purchase agreements rose to 100.1 last month,…

Investment Alert: Can You Afford a Second Home?

susanne — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:00:17 +0000

Most of us have dreamt of having a vacation home. It could be on the beach in New England, somewhere tropical, or even somewhere foreign. Many consumers don’t realize that with the proper research, their dream vacation home might actually…

Homeownership Counseling Helps Keep Modified Loans Current

beth — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:07:00 +0000

Just three weeks after Congress restored $40 million in its budget for homeownership counseling, a new study by the Urban Institute reports that counseling greatly increased the ability of homeowners to stay current once they cured a serious delinquency or…