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Another Top-10 List – Fastest Growing State Economies
Jun19
0
The ultimate measure of economic activity, in my opinion, is job growth. Most economists, however, utilize Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the measure of economic activity. Nationally, GDP is defined as: GDP = Consumption + Investment + Government Spending +... Read More
Related Topics: top 10 list
Vacation Homes Getting Hotter as the Summer Temperature Rises
Jun18
0
Who doesn’t dream about owning that house on the beach, a ski condo in the Rockies, a lakeside bungalow or even a downtown high-rise retreat? As the primary owner-occupied U.S. housing markets continue to recover, likewise goes the vacation home... Read More
Related Topics: vacation home market
Another Top-10 List (and Bottom 10 List) — States Offering Most (Least) Comfortable Retirement
Jun18
0
Benjamin Franklin used the infamous phrase “‘In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” in a letter sent in 1789 which was re-printed in The Works of Benjamin Franklin, in 1817. While Franklin may... Read More
Related Topics: top 10 list
If You Think There is No Inflation, Talk to a General Contractor
Jun17
0
As real estate values for both residential and commercial properties continue to rise, likewise does the cost of new construction. There are significant increases in materials costs for construction projects of all types. The Associated General Contractors of America, (AGC)... Read More
Related Topics: inflation rate
Another Top-10 City List: The Hottest Rental Markets in the Country
Jun14
0
With the largest listing database in the country of homes available for sale and rent, Realtor.com summary statistics can tell you where things are hot and where they are not. By simply looking at the traffic of people searching either... Read More
Related Topics: top 10 list
Senate’s Pending Bill on Immigration Reform Could Spur $500 Billion Added Dollars into Residential Real Estate in Next Five Years
Jun13
0
As the politicians of the country grapple with pending immigration reform (and the Senate debates the topic this week), there are other implications far beyond green cards and a path to citizenship. There exists a potential to create three million... Read More
Related Topics: home sales
Cash is King – In the Housing Market
Jun12
1
For decades it seemed that 12 to 14 percent of all housing sales were cash transactions involving no loans what-so-ever. Then along came the housing crash in 2007, and by 2010 investors (those buying a home to rent rather than... Read More
Related Topics: home sales • Home value
Interesting Interest Rates – No Place But Up From Here
Jun11
0
Since mid-2008 the U.S. Federal Reserve has flooded liquidity into the markets, at which time I gave up trying to forecast interest rates. It was akin to a gambler with $100 in their pocket trying to break the bank in... Read More
Related Topics: interest rates • mortgage rates
May 2013 Job Growth Report
Jun11
0
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics today released their preliminary estimate for job growth in May 2013, reporting a gain of 175,000 net new jobs. This contrasts to a now revised April 2013 gain of 149,000 (all... Read More
Related Topics: job growth • U.S. economy
Value of an Underwriter
Apr24
0
Things are busy in the title insurance underwriting world right now, and together with our Chief Underwriting Counsel Jim Gosdin, I am pleased to lead the outstanding underwriting team here at Stewart. Our structure and expertise, coupled with the leadership... Read More
Related Topics: Title Industry • Title Insurance • Underwriting
Home Prices – Are We There Yet?
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Any parent who has ever been on a trip with a child knows the all too frequent question of “Are we there yet?” That question is no longer exclusively relegated to children on trips—it is now the mantra of homeowners and prospective homebuyers across the country. So, in terms of home prices, are we there yet—at the bottom, that is?... Read More
THE Solution
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Before you get to the solution you first must accurately define the problem. As The Wall Street Journal pointed out this past week, we are merely treating the symptoms of the financial crisis and not the disease itself.... Read More
Postponing a Home Purchase Waiting for Home Values to Decline Further May Price You Out of the Market
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U.S. home prices have declined across the nation in the past year—albeit at varying levels. Latest national price declines (and again I invoke the TINSTAANREM Clause — There Is No Such Thing As A National Real Estate Market) range from... Read More
Related Topics: existing home sales
February 2012 Existing Homes Sales Best February in Five Years – Housing Market Continues Recovery
12
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The National Association of Realtors® reported February 2012 homes sales of 4.59 million on a seasonally-adjusted annualized rate—a gain of 8.8 percent when compared to February 2011. That’s really good news for the housing market since home prices typically follow... Read More
Related Topics: existing home sales • home sales • property value
Another Top 10 List: The 10 Worst Jobs of 2013
8
236
There are certain jobs that most of us (at least those that have jobs) would not want to do. CareerCast.com’s annual jobs report analyzed specific jobs based on what they called core criteria. These included the work environment, stress, income... Read More
Related Topics: employment
The Fuse is Burning and Time is of the Essence — The Pending Expiration of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act
6
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The clock is ticking for individuals either facing foreclosure or that are underwater and desire to complete a short sale of their primary dwelling, in regards to any debt forgiveness. What may not be a taxable event in 2012, might... Read More
Related Topics: Foreclosure • Loan modifications • property value • short sales
Benefits of the Cloud
3
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The title industry has changed considerably over the last three years. Budgets have been cut due to economic conditions. Most title agents are allowing their title and escrow officers to work remotely to enhance work-life balance. New regulations are on... Read More
Related Topics: Cloud • Technology
How to Choose the Right Server Vendor
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As discussed in my previous post, cloud computing can offer great benefits for title agencies. Still, choosing the right vendor can be overwhelming. A little research and preparation up front can help make the transition to the cloud smooth and... Read More
Related Topics: Cloud • Technology
2013 Update on Foreign Investment in Commercial Real Estate
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According to the latest survey of the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE), which was released on January 7, 2013, the U.S. dominates the list of countries where its members plan to invest in commercial real estate in... Read More
Related Topics: 2013 • Commercial Real Estate • Foreign Investment
Home for the Holidays
0
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There really is no place like home for the holidays. For more than 40 years, I had the pleasure of returning to my childhood home to celebrate the holidays with my family. That house felt more like home to me... Read More
Related Topics: Homeownership
