Official Carleton H. Sheets^® Website

In an effort to deal with the growing number of foreclosures on the market, yet another program has been proposed. The Right to Rent Plan would actually allow distressed homeowners to stay in their homes after the foreclosure sale ... by paying a fair-market monthly rent to the "landlord" (the lender who foreclosed on the former homeowner). (Don't get this program confused with an earlier one

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A recent report on CNNMoney.com about apartment vacancies reaching historic levels reminded me of one of my blogs I wrote last October, Where Are All the Renters?,  and another one, Bringing Families Closer Together,  that I posted in February of this year.

The CNN article talks about how the rising unemployment rate has hurt apartment rentals. One demographic hit hard---the 18-25 year olds

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I'm sure you've been reading more and more about how the commercial real estate market is following in the footsteps of the residential real estate market. And perhaps you've been wondering how these markets are different. Well, let me explain.

First of all, both markets suffer as bad mortgages, the credit crunch, and plummeting values affect homeowners and residential and commercial

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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

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Did you read my blog asking where have all the renters gone? Well, it looks like they've been found ... living with family.

According to an article in USA Today, more and more families are moving in together due to the current economy. Those who were foreclosed on or having trouble making ends meet are moving in with family members or friends. And by pooling their resources, they are finding

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Have you heard the news? Qualified tenants who live in Fannie Mae-owned foreclosures are now being offered alternatives to eviction ... a month-to-month rental option or financial assistance to relocate. This new policy from Fannie Mae should help alleviate a bad situation involving foreclosures where tenants are being evicted---usually without notice!

We've all heard some of the heartbreaking

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As a result of the public outcry from local residents and sheriff departments, and from tenants, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have not only postponed tenant evictions from their landlords' foreclosure properties through the holidays---they are working on a proposal to allow qualified tenants to remain in these properties. Another option mentioned in the article I was reading in USA TODAY would be

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One of my staff members who owns rental properties was overheard at the copier talking to a co-worker about trying to find tenants to rent her property to.

The media has painted a picture of a strong rental market---with higher rents and more renters as homes were foreclosed on. But her reality has been a little different. My staff member told her co-worker that the phone is not ringing as

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