Carleton Sheets - *Best-Selling Author
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Posted by: Carleton Sheets in Tax Credits, Short Sale, Recovery, Real Estate Market, Real Estate Investor, HUD, Housing Market, Foreclosure, Deed in lieu of foreclosure, Barack Obama on
May 14, 2009.
As an investor, I'm excited about the new initiatives and incentives from Washington that I've been reading about the past week or so ... - First, and most recently, the Obama administration will be announcing new measures to expand its housing program. These measures are expected to encourage lenders to accept a short sale (if offered) or a deed in lieu of foreclosure when presented, rather
Posted by: Carleton Sheets in Real Estate Market, Real Estate, Property, Mortgage applications, Incentive, Housing Market, Economy, Confidence, Buyers market, Barack Obama on
May 07, 2009.
I've been reading quite a few articles lately suggesting that some analysts are beginning to see a glimmer of light in the housing market. For instance, a recent article in USA TODAY reported that well-kept homes in good neighborhoods are receiving multiple offers---even in states with high foreclosure rates. Why? It's a buyer's market right now and, as buyers become less "timid," they are
Overwhelmed with the sheer volume of foreclosures and mortgage modifications, a number of lending institutions are unloading their portfolios of toxic mortgages and the notes are starting to trickle to investors. Notes can be a good way to secure long-term wealth, since you are the "bank", collecting the monthly mortgage payments plus interest. Prices for purchasing these mortgage notes,
Now celebrated in many countries throughout the world, Earth Day advocates awareness and appreciation of our natural environment. I remember how excited I was when this day was set aside in 1970 to remind us to "watch over" our precious natural resources, and to teach and promote natural, clean, and healthy ways to use these resources---without destroying the environment. And this Friday,
For several months I've been reading disturbing articles about the rise in rental vacancies---all across the county. Now the Wall Street Journal is voicing the same concerns. Rental vacancies---both commercial and residential---are up because of the economy. And although landlords have lowered rents (in some cases as much as 20%!) and offered other concessions, renters are continuing to renege
I read an interesting article in USA TODAY last week. It talked about Americans trending towards smaller, smarter homes---homes that are more environmentally friendly, more energy efficient, and smaller; thus more affordable. I have to say, this is not the first article I've read about this trend. I find it interesting---and somewhat predictable---that a movement towards smaller, more
Posted by: Carleton Sheets in Value, Securities, Real Estate, Property, mortgage, Market Value, Mark to Market, Comps, Comparables, Comparable value, Asset on
Mar 19, 2009.
Have you read or heard about mark-to-market accounting in the news lately? Mark-to-market accounting is an accounting theory of pricing assets based on their fair market value that larger banks use in reporting their shareholder equity. So how does this tie into the real estate market? When you are analyzing a property to purchase, you need to get a sense of its current value. You do this by
Posted by: Carleton Sheets in Real Estate, Lender, Economy, Bailout, Assistance on
Mar 13, 2009.
If you have listened to the news over the last few months, you've heard a lot about the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The media has painted a picture of banks greedily reaching out for our hard-earned taxpayer dollars to keep their doors open ... and then spending those dollars on lavish parties and golf outings. And I'm sure that may be the case with some banks, but not all. I read an
Last week, the Obama Adminstration put the new housing plan in effect. Under this part of the plan, lenders are given incentives for enacting loan modifications to lower monthly mortgage payments. These modifications would be available not only to borrowers who are currently late on their payments, but may also qualify borrowers who are current on payments but deemed "at risk." I was reading
Investors everywhere are cheering at the news that Fannie Mae has rescinded the 4-property limit. The limit had been decreased to four properties, but recently has been raised to 10 properties that can be financed through conforming guidelines and insured by the mortgage giant. Although investors could obtain non-conforming financing through other financing sources, it was often more
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