The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to a more than two-year low in the week ended Nov. 29, slipping to 6.1 percent from 6.2 percent the prior week. Continue Reading
Archives for November 2007
Alcohol Laws in Vermont
In 1991, Vermont became the fifth state to lower the allowance for legal blood alcohol content while driving from 0.1 percent to 0.08 percent. The law imposes stiffer penalties for repeat convictions and requires counseling for offenders.All hard liquor (anything over 16 Continue Reading
Bargain Smartly to Get the Best Deal
Bargaining is an art, particularly when the buyer wants to make a rock-bottom bid without insulting the seller. "The offer has to be palatable and show you've done your homework," says Deb Greene, president of the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® and an associate Continue Reading
No Deposit, No Return
When buying a home, would you consider asking the sellers to "hold" their home off the market without offering to give them a deposit? As a seller, would you take your home "off the market" for purchasers who were unwilling to give you a sum of money as a deposit? Continue Reading
All Real Estate is Local, Even in Bennington VT
Economic Commentary The "Local" Forecast by Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, NAR Research This upcoming winter's national weather forecast will be closely monitored. Retailers will be assessing potential sales of warm coats. Utility companies need to anticipate heating Continue Reading
Bring 'Em On
In a highly competitive industry like real estate, what reasons would a seller have for going it alone? Not surprisingly, the majority of unrepresented sellers choose to sell By Owner in order to avoid paying a commission.Before traveling the For Sale By Owner route, Continue Reading
Deer Hunting Season in Vermont
The 16-day deer hunting season, which runs from mid-to late-November, attracts the attention of all Vermonters, not just hunters. Opening day of the season, although not a designated holiday, probably can compete with the day after Thanksgiving as a most requested day Continue Reading
Put an Insider to Work
Home ownership has been called The American Dream. And yet, while 7 out of 10 Americans are either directly impacted by a disability, or know someone who is, only 7 percent of all adults with disabilities are homeowners. What's wrong with this picture? Continue Reading
NAR Celebrates 100 Years of Bringing America Home
LAS VEGAS, November 12, 2007 - When more than 30,000 Realtors® and guests convene for the National Association of Realtors® 2007 REALTORS® Conference and Expo this week, they’ll be helping kick off a yearlong celebration of 100 years of issues advocacy, industry Continue Reading
NAR Combats Homelessness Among Veterans
WASHINGTON, November 09, 2007 - The National Association of Realtors® is joining the struggle to end homelessness for the nation’s veterans. Today, NAR is sponsoring the inaugural U.S. Veterans Day Golf Tournament in Washington, D.C.; all proceeds will benefit U.S. Continue Reading