The Industry (Agent to Agent) 
There are currently 11 blog entries related to this category.
Realtors® Applaud Congress for Reinstating FHA Loan Limits
Friday, November 18th, 2011 at 12:54pm. 1891 Views, 4 Comments.
Washington, DC, November 18, 2011
WASHINGTON (November 17, 2011) – The National Association of Realtors® commends Congress for reinstating the loan limit formula and maximum cap for Federal Housing Administration-insured loans for two years.
“As the nation’s leading advocate for homeownership, we applaud members of Congress for restoring FHA’s previous loan limits, which will help reduce consumer cost burdens, stabilize local housing markets and allow qualified, creditworthy borrowers to access affordable mortgage financing,” said NAR President Moe Veissi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc., in Miami. “The reinstated loan limits will help provide much needed liquidity and stability to…
Buyer SCAM
Monday, August 15th, 2011 at 8:37pm. 32343 Views, 0 Comments.
There doesn’t seem to be a day that goes by where another SCAM does not rear its ugly head.
A few days ago I was contacted by an out of country buyer. Not unusual as I deal with a number of overseas clients. This one happened to be from Canada though.
So it starts off easy enough:
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I Need a 3 To 5 Bed Room Single Family Home and Its a Cash Buy, With a Garage and 2 Bath, Price Should Range $700,000 To $800,000 Please Send Me Some Listing/mls To Choose Regards”
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It raises a flag for me because 1) it does not mention a location. 2) It’s all cash and 3) 3-5…
Craigslist SCAM strikes again in the Hudson Valley
Monday, August 15th, 2011 at 7:37pm. 31982 Views, 1 Comments.
Dutchess County Brokers and Agents have once again been put on notice that a SCAM Artist is attacking out listings. This scam has been played out in the real estate industry across the country, but thanks to some smart renters who decided to do some research and make some phone calls, the scam was brought to light quickly.
How does it work? It’s quite simple actually. Someone sees a house for sale or rent on line or in person and then pretends to be the listing agent and or owner and posts a Craigslist ad offering to rent the house – usually at quite a discount. If they see it in person, they will usually leave a door or window unlocked so they can sneak back in and change the lock on the back door.
The SCAM Artist posts…
Heading to Albany for Lobby Day
Monday, May 23rd, 2011 at 12:31pm. 266 Views, 1 Comments.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Westchester County, NY
OUR A G E N D A
1. Support a property tax cap (A.3982 / S.2706) now. We also endorse mandate
relief to accompany a cap, but with Westchester and Putnam Counties having
among the highest property taxes in the nation, we don’t have the luxury of waiting
for mandate relief to be enacted. (John Kope)
2. Do not fund State budget deficits – or allow local governments to fund local
deficits - with new or increased real estate transfer taxes (S.1447) or mortgage
recording taxes (A.3307). It makes no sense to increase closing costs in the midst
of a persistent real estate recession, and especially not when New York already has
HUD Offers Grants to Clean up Lead Based Paint Health Hazzards in Housing
Saturday, May 7th, 2011 at 9:22am. 437 Views, 0 Comments.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced that it is offering $2.5 million in grants to improve and develop methods and knowledge for detecting and controlling lead-based paint and other housing-related health and safety hazards. This funding will help protect young children as well as other vulnerable populations.
“The grants awarded under these two programs will allow States, counties and cities who are on the front lines to further protect families from the hazards of lead-based paint and other housing related hazards,” says Jon Gant, Director of the Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control. “We have made significant progress in eliminating lead-based paint but haven’t reached that finish line yet. We must…
Shhhhh - I have a secret to tell. Home Sellers Listen Up!
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 at 9:23am. 852 Views, 0 Comments.
I have a secret to tell...shhhhh, agents do not want you to know this. Why? I mean after all, doesn't the listing agent represent you - The Seller? What could they want to hide? Let's find out.
Recently Rich Levin wrote a nice article on Open Houses. Specifically - How an agent (and not necessarily the listing agent) can generate business through one.
I do have to agree with Rich Levin, he is almost spot on with this advice and it is because of this advice that I advise sellers NOT to allow the listing agent to perform an Open House on their property. But first, let me start with what I disagree with.
In the very first paragraph Rich Levin points out "Furthermore, a listing agent has a fiduciary responsibility to the seller. Practitioners…
New FTC Rule Requires Short Sale Disclosures
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011 at 11:29am. 200 Views, 0 Comments.
NAR (The National Association of Realtors ) have reviewed the new FTC Rules for Short Sales in all states. Below is their findings. Any agent working with Short Sales should meet with their broker to address these new regulations.
As always, St. Lawrence Properties is dedicated to serving all clients and we do not specialize in just short sales or REO properties, but we do represent both buyers and sellers involved in these types of transactions. If you are a buyer or seller, you can be assured that we are on top of the industry requirements and will always look out for your best interest.
New FTC Rule Requires Short Sale Disclosures
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has issued a final rule that may impact real estate…
You listed your home, now how safe is it? (The Great Electronic Lock Box Debate)
Thursday, September 16th, 2010 at 7:47pm. 418 Views, 0 Comments.
So you researched your agents and made your choice. The professional pictures have been taken and the listing is entered into the Multiple Listing Service. You sit back, give a big sigh of relief as you await the buyers to come a knocking! But wait, how do the buyers get in? Did you forget to ask your agent this important question?
Throughout the region a Lock Box is a common tool in the listing agents arsenal. Its a simple device that allows us to store the keys to your house under lock and key. Ah, but there in lies the problem...the key! What kind of key, who has this key, when can the key be used?
Many years ago a lock box consisted of a simple combination dial like a master lock. If you knew the three letters and in which order, you had access to…
So how's the real estate market Larry?
Friday, July 9th, 2010 at 9:13pm. 324 Views, 0 Comments.
Its been a very busy week especially for a holiday week. Buyers are Buying and Sellers are selling. I try not to conduct business on holidays, but it was difficult this July 4th as a back accepts an offer on a Saturday night. Yep, even the bankers are working round the clock these days.
Though I attempted to go on vacation Thursday, I quickly had to change my plans and postpone that date as I had one buyer get an Accepted Offer, A seller decided to list their home that day and another buyer decided it was time to submit an offer on a property they had previously seen. So Thursday quickly became Friday and even then I barely got out the door in time.
Negotiations continued right through the weekend including July 4th. I marked the end of vacation…
Does anyone really know what is happening?
Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 8:29pm. 266 Views, 0 Comments.
As a Real Estate Broker, I believe it is my job to keep track of the industry, try to make some sense of it and inform my agents and clients what is happening locally.
One way I do this is by keeping tract of Real Estate reports. I have over a hundred news feeds I scan through every day. Looking at each headline today, something really stands out....Confusion!
Let's take a look at a few headlines that cam in this morning:
- Mortgage Rates edge up
- Some see hints of a bottom
- Sales of new homes sink.
- Lennar readies for New Home surge
- US Real Estate Confidence drops
Each headline seem to contradict the next. SO what is happening...Uncertanity!
We have always had a saying in Real Estate, It's Local. And that is what we are seeing here. When we…
Realtors® Applaud Congress for Reinstating FHA Loan Limits
Washington, DC, November 18, 2011 WASHINGTON (November 17, 2011) – The National Association of Realtors... 4Comments Read MoreBuyer SCAM
There doesn’t seem to be a day that goes by where another SCAM does not rear its ugly head. A few days a... Add Comment Read MoreCraigslist SCAM strikes again in the Hudson Valley
Dutchess County Brokers and Agents have once again been put on notice that a SCAM Artist is attacking out listings. This... 1Comments Read MoreWe're always on the lookout for talented full time real estate agents to join our growing team. For a confidential interview click on Contact Us
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