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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that they will NOT enforce a majority of the provisions of the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) rule against real estate licensees.Real estate licensees that are affected by the stay are defined by the FTC as: those who are licensed and in g [Read More]

Mortgage rates on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell again in a weekly comparison from 4.60% to 4.51% this week, according to mortgage giant, Freddie Mac.Mortgage rates tend to follow the track of long term Treasury notes, and as the unemployment rate continues to decline investors have shifted thei [Read More]

It's time again for the Florida Realtors Annual Convention and Trade Expo! The expo has everything for the veteran realtor right down to the newcomer just entering the wonderful world of real estate. This years convention will be held on August 24-28 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando. Ove [Read More]

Over 2 million homeowners that were in the process of foreclosure or actually foreclosed upon during 2009 or 2010 can receive a second chance for their case to be reviewed. Homeowners that may be eligible will receive a letter from their lender explaining their rights. In an effort to find homeowner [Read More]

San Antonio, Texas saw a 15% drop in new home starts during the second quarter of 2011 in an annual comparison, according to Residential Strategies, Inc., a housing research firm. The median price of a new home in San Antonio has increased by 6.4% to $196,106. Which is to say that half of the homes [Read More]

The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage loan jumped from 4.51% to 4.60% this week, according to mortgage giant Freddie Mac. Only three weeks ago the rates dipped to the lowest rate seen this year, coming in at 4.49%.However, low interest rates and home prices that continue to spiral downwa [Read More]

The Secondary Market Facility for Residential Mortgage Act of 2011, also known as H.R. 2413, is a bill that was introduced this week by Reps. Gary Miller and Carolyn McCarthy. This bill is offering a strategy for reforming the secondary mortgage market by continuing federal government participation [Read More]

According to the 2011 National Housing Pulse Survey that was released recently by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 72% of renters said that owning a home is a priority for them in the future. The survey also revealed that 7 in 10 Americans agree that purchasing a home is a good financial [Read More]

One of the big questions in the real estate market today is "How much down payment should a buyer have to purchase a home?" Some lawmakers and regulators are saying it should be 20% or 10%, however The Center for Responsible Lending is arguing that the requirements are too high and that it could tak [Read More]

Due to the extreme rise in gas prices, the IRS announced that they have decided to increase the standard business mileage rate from .51 cents per mile to .555 cents per mile. This increased deduction can only be applied to miles that were driven between July 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. The first [Read More]