Check out the local and national real estate trends and headlines that made the news this week.
The real estate headlines from the Washington Post, RealEstateJournal.com, CNN Money, and Bankrate.com dove into the following topics: D.C. planning commission, new appraisal models, 2007 market forecast and gauging housing trends, the risk of candles in homes, second-home markets, winter preparedness, and tips for successful closings.
Washington Post
A New DC Planning Commission May Just Trigger More Turf Battles discusses the creation of a citizen-based D.C. planning commission to take care of certain parts of the city not controlled by the federal government.
Traditional Appraisers in High-Tech Battle compares the traditional method of appraising (interior and exterior inspections, market conditions, and the recent selling prices of comparable prices) with the contoversial Automated Valuation Model, also know as AVM’s, which pools vast quantities of public information about properties to appraise them.
RealEstateJournal.com
Sales of New and Existing Homes Will Continue their Slide in 2007 discusses some theories on the ramifications of investors puling out of the housing market.
Rising Use of Candles in Homes Fuels Safety Concerns weighs in on what the National Fire Protection Association is doing to prevent house fires from the use of candles
CNNMoney.com
Second-Home Markets:Where People are Buying Overseas lists the top seven up-and-coming second-homes markets in the world:
- The Bay Islands of Honduras
- Belize
- Panama
- South coast of Mexico
- Croatia
- Languedoc, France
- Turkey
Preparing your Home for Big Breezes provides readers with 4 ways to protect homes from cold weather
- Know whats covered
- Protect your pipes
- Get the right de-icer
- Prepare your car
Condo Prices Reveal Housing Trends discusses how comparing condo prices might be the best way to gauge the direction of the housing market.
Bankrate.com
Secrets to Simultaneous Real Estate Closings provides readers with 5 tips for success closings:
- Specify terms
- Select date carefully
- Have a plan B
- Be an early bird
- Line up your money
To view more real estate news making local and national headlines, click here
