CategoryIndustry Happenings

March 20, 2012

Reverse Mortgages Rising – What Does It Mean?

By Bryan Perez
3 Min read
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20March

The number of seniors applying for reverse mortgages is going up, according to a new study by MetLife. The study finds that not only is that number going up, but seniors are demanding reverse mortgages at younger ages. The average age of seniors using reverse mortgages is 73, but 46% of homeowners considering it are under age 70. Essentially, more seniors are asking for reverse mortgages earlier...

March 10, 2012

Record Low Mortgage Rates Not Enough To Boost Housing Market

By Bryan Perez
3 Min read
2 comments
10March

The housing market is still struggling to gain a good pace. That’s a nice way of saying the market is still doing poorly. And as another sign of the bad conditions, mortgage rates have reached historic lows. 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.13% last week, a new record low. And the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.88%, less than 1% from the record low. The low...

February 10, 2012

Mortgage Deal Good Start But Not Enough To Finish

By Bryan Perez
6 Min read
2 comments
10February

Yesterday, a mortgage settlement was announced between Federal and State Governments and 5 major banks. The deal will require lenders to write down the mortgages of certain borrowers who are underwater. Homeowners who owe more than their homes are worth will see a reduction in the principal amount. The hope is this will curb the number of foreclosures and house prices will start increasing again...

February 8, 2012

The Generation Effect

By Bryan Perez
4 Min read
1 comment
08February

There are many waves changing the tide of real estate. Among them are the Obama administration’s plan to convert foreclosed homes into rental units and the boom in the rent market from tech jobs. But the biggest factor shaping the rent market of the future might be demographics. As the Baby Boomers retire, there’s a new group ready to take their place. They are called Generation Y...

February 2, 2012

US Government Creates Investment Opportunity for 2012

By Bryan Perez
4 Min read
3 comments
02February

Fighting the uphill battle of reviving a weak housing market, the Federal Government is planning on stepping into the market with a creative solution – to turn foreclosed homes into rental units. The plan would create roughly 200,000 new rental homes this year. Though still in the works, the US government has indicated it plans to carry out the operation in “early 2012”...

February 1, 2012

The New Direction of Real Estate

By Bryan Perez
4 Min read
1 comment
01February

Despite encouraging signs, the housing market is still not recuperating at a healthy pace. Home prices remain low, yet the buyers just aren’t there. But where one market drags, another one flourishes. Rental properties are providing huge returns for those able to make the investment. The price of rent has been increasing rapidly in cities all over the country. But the cities where demand...

January 16, 2012

The US Rental Market – Why Renting is a WIN-WIN.

By Jacob Thomason
7 Min read
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16January

So, you’ve rented, and maybe you’ve already owned a home, but, you’re back on the renting side.  Somewhere, deep down, you’re questioning the economics of this decision and trying to determine if you should make the plunge to become a homeowner.  After all, isn’t that the American dream? Not according to the census data, which has been continuing a trend towards...

December 5, 2011

USPS Mail Delays = Online Rent Collection

By Jacob Thomason
2 Min read
1 comment
05December

So, I’m sure by now you’ve heard the news that the United States Post Office will be changing their delivery schedule for first class mail. See the USPS press release here. For managers and landlords who are currently getting many of their rent checks via snail mail, this is terrible news. On average, it is said that standard first class mail will be delayed by 1-2 days, depending on...

November 8, 2011

Bank Fees Rise, Patrons “Unionize…”

By Davis
4 Min read
4 comments
08November

The other day I caught a news segment on the newest outrage facing American [and many International] consumers: banking institutions’ plans to increadse service fees (some of which have been free services until now…).  This includes, but is not limited to: elimination of “free” checking accounts, increased fees for overdrafting, bad checks, increased ATM fees, and even requirements to maintain a...