RISMEDIA, February 10, 2010?Home values across the country declined again in the fourth quarter of 2009, as the Zillow Home Value Index fell 5% year-over-year, and -0.5% quarter-over-quarter, to $186,200. That marked the 12th consecutive quarter of year-over-year declines, according…

RISMEDIA, February 10, 2010?The Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve Board have been purchasing mortgage-back securities from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for a little over a year now. Their efforts, along with the Home Buyer Tax Credit have helped…

RISMEDIA, February 10, 2010?This week?s headlines from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS include: February?s no cost technology resources from NAR?s Right Tools, Right Now initiative; attend a free safety webinar, and help the Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund…

RISMEDIA, February 10, 2010?Home affordability has improved in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market and that has attracted substantial numbers of bargain hunters. However, affordability is only one of the factors that should shape a buyer?s priorities. Another key concern…

RISMEDIA, February 10, 2010?In this month?s column, I?ll try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the foreclosure market.

Q: What?s the outlook for foreclosure activity in 2010?

A: It?s likely that we?ll set a new record in terms of…

RISMEDIA, February 10, 2010?Z57, Inc., an industry leader of real estate online marketing services, announced 2009 new client acquisition was up 107% over 2008. This increase occurred during continued recessionary times. In its 11th year, Z57 continues to provide thousands…

RISMEDIA, February 10, 2010?MarketLinx, Inc., a leading provider of information technology to the residential real estate industry and a member of The First American Corporation family of companies, announced that it has partnered with RealtyBid.com to offer an integrated online…

RISMEDIA, February 10, 2010?PCMS Consulting and AlignMark announced the launch of an innovative agent recruitment program called Total Recruiting Solution powered by AlignMark. The program offers brokerages coaching and technology tools that will better position them to recruit the ?agent…

RISMEDIA, February 10, 2010?HMS National, Inc. (HMS), a leading provider of home warranties, announced that it promoted Douglas Stein to President. In his expanded role, Stein will focus on growing HMS? client base and maximizing customer lifetime value through a…

RISMEDIA, February 9, 2010?It has become an all-too-familiar obstacle to writing about successful agents: ?My partner doesn?t want anyone to know who we are. We?re number one in our 50-agent company and everyone copies everything we do. My partner?s afraid…

RISMEDIA, February 9, 2010?January 2010 marked the first time in 18 months that more homes were listed “for sale” compared to the previous month, with an additional 15,000 homes, or a 2.9% increase, listed for sale compared to December 2009…

RISMEDIA, February 9, 2010?The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) moved to protect distressed homeowners from the promoters of bogus foreclosure rescue and mortgage modification services by proposing a new rule that would forbid companies to charge up-front for these services. Instead,…

RISMEDIA, February 9, 2010?As a 30-year veteran in the real estate field, Tami Bonnell continues to lead the way when it comes to her vast knowledge and understanding of the industry. From her background in mergers and acquisitions to her…

RISMEDIA, February 9, 2010?(MCT)?Outstanding debts held by consumers fell for a record 11th month in a row in December 2009, led by falling balances on their credit cards, the Federal Reserve recently reported.

Outstanding debts, not including mortgage debt, fell a…

RISMEDIA, February 8, 2010?(MCT)?On his road to homeownership, Scott Leibfried has learned one thing: Expect the unexpected. He and his wife had an offer accepted on a home, only to later find that foreclosure proceedings were about to begin on…

RISMEDIA, February 8, 2010?For the first time in 11 months, buyers gained some negotiation power in December 2009, according to real estate website Zillow.com. Home buyers negotiated a median 2.7%, or $5,618, off the last listing price of homes sold in…

RISMEDIA, February 8, 2010?We all paid close attention to the recent election that was held for the late Senator Edward Kennedy?s seat in the Senate. I don?t think it came as much of a surprise to anyone that a Republican…

RISMEDIA, February 8, 2010?The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that the unemployment rate fell from 10.0% to 9.7% in January 2010, and nonfarm payroll employment was essentially unchanged (-20,000). Employment fell in construction and in transportation and warehousing,…

RISMEDIA, February 8, 2010?ERA Franchise Systems LLC announced the appointment of Anthony Foglia to the position of senior vice president, franchise sales. Foglia brings an impressive track record of franchise sales and leadership experience to Realogy, and he has received…

RISMEDIA, February 8, 2010?Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty has announced that Nicholas Germak has been named vice president of the company?s newly formed Northern Westchester/Putnam regional territory.

Prior to joining Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty, Germak served as vice…