Rent Real Estate
Many Canadians are not happy with government decisions these days and a
In a recent decision, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) found that
Canadians like to have their cake and eat it, too. Increasing numbers want to ensure the environment is protected and they want to enjoy the residential and commercial real estate they own and use -- a combination that creates business opportunities for eco-friendly businesses and companies.
Do you find it difficult to get satisfaction when you are not happy with the service or goods you have paid for? Do you often let your complaint go unresolved because you don"t know where to start when it comes to writing a complaint letter?
I had a nasty surprise when I went to renew my home insurance coverage this week: my premium was up by almost 20 per cent over last year"s rates, and there was a new "terrorism exclusion" attached to the policy.
You know that it"s not what you make but what you keep that really
The recent announcement that Canada"s largest volume mortgage broker has been purchased by GMAC-Residential Funding of Canada, a subsidiary of General Motors Acceptance Corp., is good news for home buyers. It brings even more competition to a red-hot mortgage market.
The first quarter national report is finally out (in September) for existing condominium and cooperative sales from the National Association of Realtors and it seems condos have actually been quite resilient in an era of dropping prices and failing inventories. The NAR reports stable prices overall across the U.S., dropping an average of only 2.8 percent for the first quarter 2008, compared to the same time a year ago.
Why not use the down-time of Canada"s statutory holiday, Boxing Day (December 26), and the week up to New Year"s Eve to contemplate the future you"d like to have and identify some of the barriers and stepping stones that lie along your chosen path?
A report by Re/Max Canada and Clayton Research says real estate prices in Canada will rise an average of 13 per cent after inflation by 2011, and that all areas of the country should enjoy robust real estate activity during the coming decade.
It may be a buyer"s market in Raleigh, North Carolina, but are prices on the rise?
As record-low interest rates continue to drive Canadian home buyers into the real estate market, property owners should take this opportunity to re-evaluate their existing mortgages.
Across Canada, governments and communities are out to get Canadians connected. In 2000, 51% of all Canadian households had at least one member who was a regular Internet user from one location or another, which was an increase from 42% in 1999.
When asked whether they"d like to spend their final years in their own home or in an institution, not surprisingly, more than 80% of Canadians opt for living at home.
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that a municipal bylaw banning the use of
Now that Thanksgiving and Halloween are over and done with, aggressive
In an announcement almost overshadowed by the star-studded glitz and flashy accolades of Toronto"s highly-acclaimed International Film Festival, 13 finalists in the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Housing Awards Program were introduced by Claude Poirier-Defoy, acting CMHC President. Awards will be presented during a forum held November 14-16 in Ottawa that will focus on finalists" projects, all of which exemplify the theme "Tomorrow"s Housing Today: Meeting the Housing Challenges of the New Millennium."
Weather isn"t the only thing that is getting warmer in Canada these
Now that spring has arrived in Canada, get out your caulking gun and
The loonie -- our once-proud Canadian dollar -- under stress on international
Sales of existing homes were at the second highest pace on record in May as mortgage interest rates continued to decline, according to the National Association of Realtors.
WASHINGTON (March 14, 2005) -- Both new- and existing-home sales will remain historically strong this year while the pace of price appreciation should ease, according to the National Association of Realtors®
A record number of metropolitan areas showed double-digit annual price appreciation in median existing-home prices in the fourth quarter, and the overall pace of annual price growth accelerated from the third quarter, according to the latest survey by National Association of Realtors®.
What a difference a year makes! Barely 11 months ago, the National Association of Realtors joined forces with trade group allies on Capitol Hill to torpedo a Bush administration real estate settlement system reform plan, that sought to encourage "guaranteed packages" of mortgage and closing costs for consumers.
Stronger-than-expected home sales and higher median prices have caused the National Association of Realtors® to revise upward its year-end forecast. Existing-home sales are expected to jump 7.9 percent to 6.58 million* in 2004, well above last year"s record. For 2005, NAR projects 6.38 million sales, which would be the second highest level on record.
The National Association of Realtors will begin publishing a new index in March that promises to provide a better handle on the market for existing homes.
Sales of existing single-family homes were back up again in September after two consecutive monthly declines, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Sales of existing single-family homes rose for the third consecutive month and were at the second-highest pace on record, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
Sales of existing single-family homes set a second consecutive monthly record in August on the heels of record-low interest rates in June, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
Sales of existing single-family homes eased slightly last month but were still at one of the strongest levels on record, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
WASHINGTON (July 15, 2003) – The purchase pattern of second homes in the first quarter of 2003 shows a strong interest in investment properties, with a sizeable percentage of buyers owning or buying a second home, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
Sales of existing single-family homes rose last month and are at the fifth highest level of activity ever recorded, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
The U.S. second home market is gearing up for what is virtually certain to be a series of record years for sales volume. But new research suggests that the buyers currently jumping into that market are strikingly different from buyers barely three years ago.
The high court, in the case Meyer v. Holley, reversed a decision by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California, which had extended liability to owners and officers. In the case, a racially mixed couple sought to make the owner of Triad, Realtors®, personally responsible for the actions of one of its agents who allegedly had made disparaging remarks about the couple.
Total existing-home sales activity in the third quarter of 2002 was the third-highest on record, with 34 states and the District of Columbia posting increases from a year ago, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.
Home sales have come off of a breakneck pace during the first half of 2002 and are expected to stay in a relatively narrow range for the coming year, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
Looking for a new home can be exciting and frustrating. You can help alleviate the frustration by paying close attention to five key areas of the homes you"re considering buying; it may save you money in the long run.
Question: The board has announced that collection and rule violation hearings will be held in public. Is this advisable?
Stopping and slowing vehicle traffic is something most homeowner associations must deal with. Parking lot curbs keep vehicles from damaging the landscaping. Speed bumps slow traffic to a safe speed. Historically, these devices have been made of concrete and asphalt. But exciting new technology offers environmentally kind alternatives.
Question: Many of our members spend the winter months in Florida or Arizona. Since board meetings take place during their absence, it limits their ability to serve on the board. We are thinking about having understudies who could stand in for directors who are out of town. What do you think of this plan?
Communication is both a skill and an art form. When babies cry, the motivation is to get their needs met. Meeting the needs of others is nowhere in a baby"s method. While infant communication is primitive, it is highly effective. A crying baby gets fed, diapers changed, burped, etc. With maturity and training comes more sophisticated and usually less self-serving ways to communicate. Homeowner associations are charged with communicating with the members. The reasons for communicating vary including:
Question: While I understand that the board should deal only with a unit owner when a tenant breaks the HOA rules, wouldn"t it make sense to provide the tenant a copy of the correspondence with the unit owner?
Painting is often one a homeowner association"s most frequent and expensive repairs. Paint has a relatively short life (depending on the surface, tree cover, exposure to sun and wind: 5-10 years) yet acts as a critical barrier of protection for siding which is intended to last thirty years or longer. When paint fails prematurely, the siding deteriorates and fails faster. If the siding fails, it often leads to structural dryrot and failure. Cost of siding and structural repairs are massive compared to painting. Failure to paint properly has dire consequences.
Homeowner associations can be a melting pot of age groups which carry unique values and perceptions of the world. At times, these values can clash at the HOA level and the board is challenged to restore balance and harmony with the warring factions. There"s more to it than loud music, wandering pets and illegally parked RVs. There are certain heartfelt philosophies that simply don"t mix. Consider the dynamics of these groups:
There are only two kinds of newsletters: those that get read and those that get tossed. Through its design and content, a good newsletter captures and holds the attention of the reader. Here are ten tips to make sure your newsletter gets read:
One of the most controversial issues that face a homeowner association is tree removal. While there are many practical reasons to remove trees, some residents take a deeply personal interest in their fate. It is the Practical versus the Emotional. Let"s explore the dynamics of this phenomena.
Question: Should the board require that a member"s account be current before they approve an Architectural Review Application?
Why is it taking so long to collect delinquencies? Can we close the pool to the deadbeat? Why can"t we collect on that judgment? These are questions that too many board members and managers ask ... mainly because there is no collection policy.
Question: Our HOA has a resident that interferes with vendors. Our landscaper has threatened to quit due to the harassment. The resident has been advised in writing to cease and desist but it continues. Suggestions?
You"ve heard all the horror stories, "My condominium association told me what color I could paint my door, after I painted it a color I liked but it didn"t." "I was only parked in the wrong space for a few minutes so I could unload my groceries, but my owners" association had my car towed anyway."
Question: Our governing documents restrict unit occupancy to three people. There is a unit that has four. What should we do?
As homeowner associations age, certain illegal "additions" to the common area tend to creep in like storage sheds, fences, patio roofs, awnings and gardens. These add-ons flourish when the Board is asleep at the wheel or disinclined to challenge the offenders. Eventually, a Board is elected that understands things have gotten out of hand and a campaign is begun to rein in the offenders. Most of the offenders will claim that a prior Board or the Developer gave them permission.
Question: Do you have any advice on dealing with hostile neighbors? There is a couple in our HOA that make the rest of us miserable, with their constant complaining and badgering of the Board about rule violations.
Many prospective homeowner association buyers are attracted to their maintenance-free aspect. Fixed income buyers expect maintenance fees to relatively remain stable, possibly adjusted by inflation and little more. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case due to the tendency of many boards to keep fees and reserves unrealistically low. This budget "starvation" results in deferred maintenance and special assessments. What can be done to prevent this?
This is how one Board of Directors successfully dealt with an issue that all too frequently haunts community associations -- special assessments.
The 15-year FRM this week averaged 5.35 percent with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 5.54 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.98 percent. The last time the 15-year FRM was lower was the week ending March 27, 2008, when it averaged 5.34 percent.
Question: Our Board shies away from distributing draft meeting minutes but offers "Highlights" of the meeting to fill the gap. Is this acceptable?
Every so often, a case comes across my desk which reminds me that many community associations still have a lot to learn. The saga of Bessie Jacobs v. Concord Village Condominium X Association is a case in point.
A professional homeowner association manager serves in many capacities: rule enforcer, money collector, maintenance supervisor, newsletter editor, social chairman and on and on. One of the most important functions is as mentor to the Board. Mentoring provides an informed and objective perspective that is critical to Board decision making.
Every homeowner association relies on permanent signs to point the way and improve behavior. A directory and map sign guides guests, vendors and ambulances to member homes. Entry signs establish a community"s identity and theme. "No Parking" signs warn of dire consequences. Pet signs remind of neighborly responsibility.
In spite of the fact that most HOAs are nonprofit corporations, tax filing is still required. A few HOAs qualify under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(4) as tax exempt if use of common property is extended to the general public. Otherwise, the HOA must file a federal tax return using either Form 1120 (regular corporation) or a Form 1120-H (for HOAs).
One of the vexing issues a new Board has to contend with is lax enforcement of owner additions and modifications by former boards. Lack of enforcement often results in noncompliant decks, fences, sheds and other creature comforts. The violators often claim they got verbal approval for the installation from the developer or some board president that moved years ago. Others claim they didn"t know approval was necessary. But for whatever reason, there are now a boatload of violations that need to be reconciled. How should the current Board deal with them?
Ever hear one of these moral outrages? "Why am I paying more homeowner dues than my neighbor? There are six people living in that unit and I live alone. I only shower once a week and should get a dues reduction." Or, "I"m paying the same amount as Jim in 3B and his unit is twice as big as mine. What"s up with that?" Or, "I don"t see why I have to pay for that expensive pool. I don"t swim and never intend to. Why not knock $25 a month off my dues?"
There"s trouble a "brewin" in HOA Developer City. Betwixt and between land acquisition, zoning issues, project cost estimating, construction financing, building permits, project scheduling, marketing and a myriad of other details is wedged the HOA. For the HOA, the developer is required to file certain information with the state to qualify the project as a homeowner association. While the required information varies from state to state, the governing documents, budgets and homeowner fee details are always required in the Public Offering Statement to prospective buyers.
While the thought of running a meeting may strike terror in the hearts of some, most of what the Chair says and does is scripted, just like a play. And this script is really quite simple when you use a written agenda as you should to prompt for lines. The typical HOA Board Meeting goes something like this:
If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of people who have a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit,) you may have already discovered (much to your dismay) that the funds in the account are no longer accessible to you. The account was summarily suspended by the lender without prior notice. If, per chance, you wrote a check on the account and paid other expenses from that withdrawal, you may also have found that those checks bounced or at least were sent back by the lender as "unable to be honored."
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) required that extensive and expensive alterations become standard in certain commercial and residential buildings. Many are required to have wider doors, special bathrooms, ramps, handrails, handicap parking and a variety of other features. So, how does this all apply to a homeowner association?
Homeowner associations are frequently on the lookout for ways to cut the budget without cutting services. In many, the answer is staring you right in the face…your landscaping.
Jacob’s son Joseph in the Bible wore a coat of many colors which attracted much attention. In matters of both fashion and paint, color matters. In homeowner associations, it matters even more since the impact of the color palette is so much larger. And it’s not just the colors you choose but how they are applied.
Well meaning boards often lay out the welcome mat so the other owners can easily present "requests" and "issues". Instead, that open door policy may be a revolving door for angry phone calls and abuse that invariably happens late at night. Serving on the board is not intended to make someone a target for Happy Hour tirades or non-emergency complaints. There are ways to route communications so it can both protect board members" privacy and increase efficiency and responsiveness. Try these traffic directors and privacy protectors:
Question: Our HOA currently distributes a written directory including all residents and their respective addresses, work/home phone numbers and email addresses. Are there any privacy concerns?
One of any homeowner association"s challenges is helping neighbors "make nice". The board is frequently called on to mediate disputes and fine neighbors for doing bad things. Actually, it"s not the board"s job and in most cases, except those that directly impact the common area, these "opportunities" should be bounced back to the complainer to handle.
There is a great expression for giving the customer what he wants: "If the man wants a blue suit, turn on the blue light." This wisdom is based in the curious phenomena that perception is more important than reality. As any successful salesman knows, the sale is in the bag if the customer thinks it"s his wise decision making at work, not "being sold".
In many HOAs, the association pays for owner utilities like water and electricity. The hope is that residents will use these utilities prudently and conserve them by keeping the fixtures that dispense them in optimal working condition. Not so.
Controlling pets in a homeowner association can be a wild goose chase that leaves you barking up the wrong tree.
Sign restrictions are often a bone of contention for homeowner associations. Free-speechers feel it"s protected expression under the Bill of Rights while Community Beautification proponents advocate "sign free zones". The ideal is somewhere in the middle.
Because of the rule enforcement authority of homeowner associations, there can be an inclination by some Boards of Directors to broaden that power into the area of security. Some associations have hired security guards and installed surveillance cameras. While reasonable security measures should be followed, the Board should be very careful when adopting extraordinary ones.
Restricting the number of rentals in homeowner associations is often desirable -- but only when done for the right reasons.
Fraud is a criminal deception. Embezzlement is the act of diverting money fraudulently for one"s own use. Does this happen in community associations? You bet it does! And when it does, large sums are usually involved.
While a condominium association has its own special
Is your homeowner association preparing to paint? If so, what kind of paint should you use...elastomeric, acrylic latex or oil alkyd paint? Will a certain primer make the finish coat last longer? Can you eliminate mildew? What about a warranty? Who will inspect the painter"s workmanship?
Getting folks to turn off the tube and turn up at the annual meeting can be a challenge. How do you trump the pros of entertainment? While it"s tough, there are several things you can do, including:
As homeowner associations across the nation discover the advantages of adopting long-range reserve plans, opportunities to multiply the rewards present themselves.
A reserve study identifies the association"s future repairs and replacements like a snapshot in time. Imagine that you could picture the buildings and grounds as they would be in five, ten, even thirty years. A reserve study acts just like that by estimating the useful life of the common elements and the cost to replace them in the future.
You Dirty Rat! Few pests evoke stronger revulsion than rodents. While the manager of an industrial facility may tolerate an occasional rat, not so with homeowner associations. The demand for action is immediate...I mean NOW!
Rules can be vexing. According to a respected newspaper, "The Ten Commandments contain 297 words. The Bill of Rights is stated in 463 words. Lincoln"s Gettysburg Address contains 266 words. A recent federal directive to regulate the price of cabbage contains 26,911 words." In other words, the human tendency is to take the enlightened and comprehensible and twist it into a complicated mess.
In many homeowner associations, light bulb replacement continues like the Sorcerer"s Apprentice: it burns out, you replace it, it burns out, you replace it, it...well, you get the picture. When it comes to servicing exterior lighting, there are a variety of considerations such as:
When the government decided to place Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into its conservatorship, it opened up many different possible avenues the heal the ailing giants.
Question: We have had problems with parking rules enforcement. What do you
There is a "vicious dog" that threatens unwary homeowner associations. It"s called the "Home Equity Loan". It doesn"t even belong to the association but the community homeowners. It looks pleasant enough and promises never to bite. Some of your neighbors have acquired it hoping to make their lives better. But some come to find they"ve exchanged their hard earned long term home equity to pay off short term debt.
The "off" season is the time of year that the Board should be arranging and reviewing proposals for fair weather construction and renovation projects. Painting, fencing, pool replastering and roofing are but a few of the major items that fit the profile. There are several practical reasons for starting the process early:
There is a "vicious dog" that threatens unwary homeowner associations. It"s called the "Home Equity Loan". It doesn"t even belong to the association but the community homeowners. It looks pleasant enough and promises never to bite. Some of your neighbors have acquired it hoping to make their lives better. But some come to find they"ve exchanged their hard earned long term home equity to pay off short term debt.
This is the framework of how a homeowner association works in conjunction with state laws, the governing documents, management company and the Board of Directors. Learning the terminology will help you understand the
The "powers that be" seem intent on statistical manipulations to prove we are not in a recession. Smart consumers will ignore these financial semantics and tackle the "R"-word head on.
In 1995, the IRS issued a Tax Advice Memorandum relating to the audit of a Florida time-share association. In this Memorandum, the IRS drew parallels between time share and homeowner associations relating to filing tax form 1120. When a homeowner association files tax form 1120-H, the IRS considers it a homeowners association. When that same association files form 1120, the IRS considers it a "nonexempt membership organization" just like a time-share association.
Volunteers serve on the homeowner association Board for a variety of reasons.
It"s been ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States. Despite this ranking Auburn, Maine, has still seen sales decrease by 11 percent since last year -- a downward trend felt in much of the nation.
San Francisco, California, has seen the resale of homes drop 30 percent from last year -- a downward trend seen in much of the state.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, housing reports indicate that average days on market has increased from 65 to 81 days in the last year, a common trend for much of the country.
Falls Church, Virginia, is a classic American city -- full of rich history and landmarks.
Austin, Texas, the 4th largest city in Texas, saw demand drop 10 percent at the end of summer, despite an increase in inventory of homes on the market.
This summer saw inventory increasing in Sherman Oaks, California. This is great news for buyers looking to have a competitive edge over sellers.
Local real estate experts report that despite the quality and attractions of Waipahu/Waikele, Hawaii, the area was "in the doldrums this quarter with sales declining and days on market increasing."
Phoenix, Arizona, could be seeing the bottom of its market. Inventory continues to increase, despite depressed home sales.
Last year about this time, local Detroit experts reported that home price deflation was the worst in the nation -- down 10.5 percent from 2005. At that point, NAR"s President sent out a hopeful word that the market was bottoming out -- and was a result of steep job losses in city.
San Jose, California, the 10th largest city in the United States has seen prices rise 2.4 percent since last year.
Sales are down 28 percent in Chandler, Arizona, from last year, say local experts.
Located near the state capital, Belle Meade, Tennessee, is seeing an average list price near $866,000.
Las Vegas, Nevada, has been a hub of the real estate industry for many years now. And local realtors don"t see that changing any time soon.
Realtors Pete and Terry Slater say, "The current market conditions have been changing. Even with the threat of interest rates climbing, home values have held. Level of inventories have increased to over 10,000 single family homes on the market. If this trend continures you will probably see a decrease in home values. There are some indicators that show us that by the end of the year home sales may again be on the move. Generating fewer homes on the market will only cause homes values to again increase. When will the bubble burst? Some thought it would burst ten years ago. If you could see what is in store for the Las Vegas Valley in the future and already on the drawing board, you would realize that this area will continue to grow for years to come."
Reatlor Jim Dishman says, "Finding a neighborhood to call your own is a breeze in St. Petersburg, where your options abound. From single-family residences to urban condominiums to palatial waterfront estates, you are sure to find that one of the more than 100 neighborhoods fit your lifestyle. Design elements of homes in St. Petersburg include elegant Mediterranean revival homes, charming wooden bungalows and contemporary loft projects. Waterfront views, pink streets and tree-lined historic neighborhoods are some of the unique features of St. Petersburg."
Realtor Anne Kadin notes, "Portland, Oregon, is a wonderfully livable city with mild climate, friendly people and a wide variety of things to do. The Portland Oregon Visitors Assn. (POVA) calls Portland "the city of books, beer, bikes and blooms." But that overlooks the Portland Trailblazers, the symphony and art museum. Portland is located 78 miles from the ocean and 65 miles to Mt Hood. The population is approx 510,000 within the city limits and 1.8 million within the metro area. We have a bad reputation in Portland for always having rain. But the average precipitation is 37" per year -- less than Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston or Seattle."
Even a strong sellers market can"t keep buyers away from these islands, say local Realtors.
Some rental home investors may have a temporary window in time to take advantage of a rare tax law "twofer" -- profiting from not just one, but two of the latest changes to the Internal Revenue Code.
Colorado Springs will soon be welcoming fall weather. Will it be welcoming a booming market as well?
During the last 18 months, Wichita has seen an increase in aircraft industry orders and real estate sales. Are these increases connected? Wichita real estate agents believe so.
San Diego realtors report that the market is leveling. While prices may be on a moderate rise, inventories are low.
Avon, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, is known for a wide array of industries, which surprises and delights homebuyers, say local Realtors.
Vancouver, Washington, Realtors say real estate is hot on multiple offers, with spectacular views, a moderate climate and culture to attract homebuyers.
Just as it has been for decades, Winter Park, Florida, is one of the premier destinations of the state for relocation, retirement and vacation, say local Realtors.
Irving, Grapevine, and Arlington are comfortably situated with easy access to one of the world"s largest airports, Dallas-Fort Worth International. The cities boast large entertainment venues, such as theme parks and race tracks, and they work consistently to bring high-paying jobs and fine homebuilders to their areas.
A Realtor who sells real estate in the towns of Appleton, Fremont and Greenville, Wisconsin says that a country atmosphere near big city conveniences is what many buyers want today as she sees home sales heating up.
The stunning natural beauty of Vancouver invites a wide variety of outdoor recreation, making it one of the most desirable cities to live in or visit in Washington, say local Realtors.
Winchester, Virginia, homesellers are benefiting from their close proximity to Washington, D.C., say local Realtors with a feverish seller"s market in progress.
A suburb of Columbus, Ohio, the town of Worthington offers an idyllic lifestyle close to the city, say Realtors.
Though originally designed as a master-planned community by a company known for its retirement demographic specialty, Anthem, Arizona, has much to offer all ages of homebuyers, say local Realtors.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has been stabilizing with rising inventories but local Realtors say that is the calm before the storm of spring homebuying.
Steady increases in housing prices and sales with a drop in the average days on market signal a rising sellers" market in Clearfield, Utah, say local Realtors.
The economy continues to send mixed messages -- some encouraging for real estate, some not -- but this week the positive are edging out the negatives.
"The Town of Yorktown, which includes such hamlet areas as Yorktown Hts., Shrub Oak, Mohegan Lake, and Jefferson Valley is an extremely diverse community," says Realtor Geri Schwalb. "Each hamlet area has an identity all its own; from commercial centers to historic and charming neighborhoods, the town is spread across 40 miles and boasts multiple accesses to the Taconic State Pkwy."
"Springfield, whether, North, West, or Central, continues to be a very popular area for buyers," says Realtor Lauren R. Smerbeck. "It"s an established area conveniently located next to I-95 and the Metro station. It is especially popular among the first-time homebuyers or move-up buyers, as affordability prevails in this area. Single-family homes and townhomes are still selling quickly, however buyers have a little breathing room and time to think. Buyers should still be prepared to move fast, and be approved for their mortgage before submitting an offer on their dream home."
Historical Alexandria, Virginia, centuries later, is still the place to be near Washington, D.C.
Year over year, prices are rising in Charleston, South Carolina, and after a record-breaking 2004, Realtors in the area believe the spring buying season will really heat up.
Realtors in Ann Arbor, Michigan say the town is so hot that there is relatively little inventory for sale.
Realtors say that despite slightly slowing sales and more negotiations on prices, San Clemente is still hot property to buyers thanks to its fabulous Pacific Coast location and predominantly Mediterranean architectural style.
For buyers wanting a waterfront lifestyle, Cape Coral"s miles of canals to the Gulf of Mexico are in great demand, say local Realtors.
With an ideal North Texas location, Trophy Club, Texas is a sophisticated bedroom community north of Fort Worth.
While sales stabilized or were reduced over the holiday and winter months, Realtors in Cape Cod, Massachusetts say that spring always means higher prices and more competition for buyers.
The Georgian Triangle is made up of twelve municipalities stretching from Meaford to Stayner and from Wasaga Beach to the hills of Mulmer, says Ontario Realtor Marg Scheben-Edey.
Demand for more urban amenities is sparking renewal in "Uptown" Charlotte, North Carolina, where residents can be close to entertainment, higher learning, dining, and other attractions.
Virginia Realtors report a housing market that is reeling between a seller"s market and a more neutral market, depending on the neighborhood.
Encinitas, California"s housing is slowing down with the rest of the San Diego market, say local Realtors.
Despite a market turndown, Realtors remain optimistic that Durham and other nearby North Carolina communities will hold their value due to the many amenities they offer.
Realtors in New Hampshire"s charming roadside towns report that the housing market is cooling with higher end homes flat and longer selling periods for homes in general.
Local Realtors all agree on one thing, housing sales in Fairfax County, Virginia continue to be more than fair.
Historical Falls Church, Virginia continues to be a popular relocation destination for those who wish to live within 10 minutes commute to Washington, D.C.
Howard County, Maryland real estate is so hot that Realtors are recommending buyers have preapproval letters from lenders in hand before they even start looking at homes.
Realtors in South Fulton, Paulding, and McIntosh counties in Georgia are reporting strong market conditions due to continuing low interest rates, good community planning and affordable buys in housing.
Sprint"s headquarters is in Overland Park, Kansas where the quality of living is great, say local Realtors.
Realtors serving Monument, Colorado say the scenery, new homes and friendliness of the town make it an ideal place to relocate.
Located 20 miles north of Dallas" downtown, Plano, Texas was once hailed as an "All-America City" by the National Civic League and Allstate Foundation in 1994 and a "Best City for Women," by the Ladies Home Journal in 2000 but the city has been in a housing funk due to mass layoffs because of tech-wreck. But now, local Realtors say the city is slowly pulling out of it.