Opinion

Interest rates have never been lower; they are over 1% lower at this time than a year ago and the reason is the mind-set of investors along with the fact that they have made big gains in 2009. The stock market has risen by 25% and as the interest rates declined, the value of T-bills increased beca [Read More]

We have a customer who put in more than one offer on short sales. If you are looking for a house, and not sure when the offer, if at all will be accepted, why not do this? In this instance, the short sales were with the same realty and they told us their title company is requiring $1,000 down payme [Read More]

First of all, we wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. It seems that the doom and gloom of this year is turning around and there is a bit of a bright side coming through. I read this morning that unemployment for the first time has declined; homes sales are up and employment is up!!! Also, interest [Read More]

A couple of weeks ago, the Federal Reserve said: “To provide support to mortgage lending and housing markets, and to improve overall conditions in private credit markets, the Federal Reserve will purchase a total of $1.25 trillion of agency mortgages mortgage-backed securities and up to $200 [Read More]

“Because of your continuing lack of willingness to come to Florida and hear our cries, I have no choice but to challenge you until you do so,” Al Pina, chairman of the Florida Minority Community Reinvestment Coalition said in a letter to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke released to the press. [Read More]

Florida was one of the first states affected by the recession and many believe that it will be one of the last ones out! Some investors are reluctant to participate in Florida's troubled real estate market due to the high unemployment rate and rising foreclosures. However, on the other hand, th [Read More]

This is being sent to all Realtors from their Federal Credit Union. At a time when the fed-funds rate is hovering just above 0% at ¼% and the prime is 3 points higher at 3 ¼% they offer this garbage. Gee, ain’t it great to be a Realtor, your credit union treats you as if your I [Read More]

Almost everybody has heard of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit, which has been extended through June 30, 2010, but what about the $6500 federal tax credit for “move-up” homebuyers? Unlike the $8,000 for first-time buyers, anyone who has lived in their home for five years and h [Read More]

I had read an article in Sunday's St. Pete Times that retailers were not going to stock up this year. I went shopping yesterday, and it didn't hit me until I got home later that evening, that they were right on. I went to Beall's in Spring Hill in the morning, purchased a few items, bu [Read More]

Now, heres some news about reality amongst our banks: In a report direct from the OCC (Office of the Currency Comptroller) it has been reported that: U.S. commercial banks generated record revenues of $9.8 billion trading cash and derivative instruments in the first quarter of 2009, compared to a $ [Read More]