HUD, (Housing and Urban Development), finally has reformed the RESPA Rules, in an effort to improve disclosure of key loan terms and closing costs paid by the consumer when they buy or refinance a property.
This final rule amends HUD’s regulations to further RESPA’s purposes by requiring more timely and effective disclosures related to mortgage settlement […]

As published in the January 21, 2009 Knowledge@Wharton in their online newsletter, Where the Deals Are: Real Estate in Emerging Markets, the answer, according to the article is:  
Look for countries with strong middle-class growth — say, China or Brazil. Stick mainly to housing and retail. Focus on the long term. And don’t attempt to do […]

So who are the geniuses that will shape our economic future, under the Obama administration?
Here is a brief dossier, presented by the Wall Street Journal, on each member of Obama’s team, their strengths and weaknesses as we now know them, and what they have revealed in their thinking about the bailout.
We know far […]

The engine of our economy is powered by jobs. That is why we sit on the edge of our seats lately as the Jobs Report is announced by the Government.
It is actually quite simple. Jobs require businesses to lease more space (or maintain their existing leases), and jobs afford employee’s to buy new homes, refinance […]

Despite an ongoing financial crisis that has spared few industries and countries, participants in the recent Knowledge@Wharton Real Estate in Emerging Markets Forum, and posted on a recent ezine (January 16. 2009), focused on the opportunities that still exist in underserved markets for those who know where to look. Below are five (5) interesting excerpts […]

One mans trash is another mans treasure. Here is a report to mull over, for those with cash and/or financing facilities. Is the glass half-full or half empty? Depends ….
As reported by the Baltimore Business Journal, the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region ranks fifth in the nation for metropolitan areas hardest hit by the nationwide credit crunch, […]

In this year’s legislative session, real estate professionals will focus mainly on the details that make transactions go more smoothly:

Holding on to tax credits for preserving historic structures,

Getting rid of fees on deed transfers.

Also on big-picture issues including:

Foreclosure prevention,

Regional planning, and

Smart Growth.

For a full review, read the Daily Records article in full.

Despite more than $1 trillion in federal largesse, banks still may not have the capital cushions to bear the risks of making fresh loans.
Read BusinessWeeks recent expose’, which provides an inside view into a most critical element which surrounds all of business operations in the days ahead — lending!

What appeared to be the worst possible case a few weeks or months ago, for many commercial real estate developers and owners, now appears to be the most likely and negative outcome; vacancy rates are rising sharply with effective rents falling, similarly, with financing options dwindling. Some predict 2009 to be the worst year since ‘91-’92. […]

As we suggested in this Blog on November 7, 2008, democrats are once again planning to reintroduce legislation that would allow bankruptcy judges to modify the terms of troubled borrowers’ loans — a move that industry opponents say will lead to higher interest rates and down payments for all borrowers.
Rep. Brad Miller, D-N.C., said he […]