Brandon DENT's Discussions

While 80 percent of home buyers used the Web to search for properties, only 42 percent visited open houses last year, reports the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. But does that mean open houses are a waste of time? Depends on whom you ask.Broker John Hodnett, of Lilia Delman Real Estate in Coastal Rhode Island, has only held one open house in his 16-year real estate career. He says serious buyers tend to view properties online and make appointments to tour the specific properties that truly spark their interest. On the other hand, open houses often are frequented by people who simply want to see what a home looks like with no plans of making a purchase. However, Hodnett notes that some sellers demand open houses because they want to know their agent is working hard to sell the home. Real estate practitioners who believe in the benefits of open houses say they allow buyers to view properties without having to make an appointment or work with a real estate agent. In a modern twist, some agents are scheduling the events at nontraditional times, tantalizing prospects with refreshments, and working with competitors to organize multi-agency tours. Advocates say this marketing tool also provide a means for agents to develop relationships with prospective buyers, who often go on to work with them to purchase a different home.

CNN: "Looking for Ways Out of the Subprime Mortgage Crisis,"USA Today: "Neighborhood Finds Real Estate Loans Too Good to Be True" Washington Post: "Foreclosure Rate Hits Historic High"We've all seen the headlines. What consumers need now is a lifeline. 1. Download our newest brochure, "How to Avoid Foreclosure and Keep Your Home," which provides outstanding information for existing homeowners who may not be able to afford their current mortgage, including phone numbers, counseling services and just plain good advice. Download here. 2. Download the brochure, "How to Avoid Predatory Lending" and use it to help avoid unfair lending practices. Download here. 3. Visit NAR's subprime Web page for additional information on this growing problem and plenty of great resources.

CNN: "Looking for Ways Out of the Subprime Mortgage Crisis,"USA Today: "Neighborhood Finds Real Estate Loans Too Good to Be True" Washington Post: "Foreclosure Rate Hits Historic High"We've all seen the headlines. What consumers need now is a lifeline. 1. Download our newest brochure, "How to Avoid Foreclosure and Keep Your Home," which provides outstanding information for existing homeowners who may not be able to afford their current mortgage, including phone numbers, counseling services and just plain good advice. Download here. 2. Download the brochure, "How to Avoid Predatory Lending" and use it to help avoid unfair lending practices. Download here. 3. Visit NAR's subprime Web page for additional information on this growing problem and plenty of great resources.

There were two major developments last week that could put the credit markets on the path to recovery.First, there was an announcement that Fannie Mae would sell $7 billion dollars of preferred stock. They also decided to cut dividends by $0.30 a share. These two decisions will free up some much needed funds, which can be used to buy mortgage-backed securities or lend to homeowners directly. It will take some pressure off of what has come to be called the "credit crunch."Then, the government stepped in with a plan of their own. They came to an agreement with banks whereby lenders will freeze rate increases for up to five years for borrowers with adjustable rate mortgages. This only applies to homeowners who have been making payments on time, so it won't save everyone. But, it has been estimated that this program will benefit over one million people.As we know, nothing takes immediate affect. But at least we can see that the government and lenders are taking steps to solve the problems in the mortgage market. It is now the Federal Reserve's turn, as they will probably cut their rate by .25% to a .50% on Tuesday. It won't change rates by that much immediately, but it should lead to some longer term improvements.

There were two major developments last week that could put the credit markets on the path to recovery.First, there was an announcement that Fannie Mae would sell $7 billion dollars of preferred stock. They also decided to cut dividends by $0.30 a share. These two decisions will free up some much needed funds, which can be used to buy mortgage-backed securities or lend to homeowners directly. It will take some pressure off of what has come to be called the "credit crunch."Then, the government stepped in with a plan of their own. They came to an agreement with banks whereby lenders will freeze rate increases for up to five years for borrowers with adjustable rate mortgages. This only applies to homeowners who have been making payments on time, so it won't save everyone. But, it has been estimated that this program will benefit over one million people.As we know, nothing takes immediate affect. But at least we can see that the government and lenders are taking steps to solve the problems in the mortgage market. It is now the Federal Reserve's turn, as they will probably cut their rate by .25% to a .50% on Tuesday. It won't change rates by that much immediately, but it should lead to some longer term improvements.

It's ironic that the very reasons that investors expect rates to drop is the reason that has been causing bond prices to fall and, in turn, mortgage rates to rise. When the Fed lowers rates, investors expect consumers to be able to spend more and businesses to be able to borrow more money for business expansion. Therefore, they invest their money in stocks, usually drawing that money out of bonds. As bond prices dropped last Thursday, they fell out of the short-term upward trend. They initially found support at the 10-day moving average (blue line), but margin covering and psychological factors forced prices lower at a blinding pace. This shoved rates up by roughly a .25% in just two days, after hitting their lowest levels in two years at the beginning of last week. The downward momentum for bonds may continue this week, but hopefully the long-term upward trend will get bond prices moving higher once again.

Rumors are spreading that on Monday, Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Vice President and current Democratic presidential candidate will call for a 5 year halt on the rates of adjustable mortgages, and a 90 day stop on home foreclosures. She is said to be doing this through a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, Henry Paulson.Comments have also been made stating that the U.S. Treasury Department will be meeting with the heads of the mortgage industry. Supposedly, rate regulators and several mortgage firms, such as Wells Fargo & Co, Citigroup Inc, Washington Mutual Inc and Countrywide Financial Corp will be having a conference as well.Clinton has reported to newspapers that she is ¨very pleased the administration is responding to this crisis,¨ Over the next two years, over 2 million mortgages are expected to have rate adjustments, which could definitely cause a jump in foreclosures if no preventative action is taken. Her move may most likely be a sign that the political forefront is switching from an emphasis on domestic and foreign affairs to more economic issues, such as health insurance, high gas/price prices, low home values, and stock market fears.by: LeadtoRealty.com

Rumors are spreading that on Monday, Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Vice President and current Democratic presidential candidate will call for a 5 year halt on the rates of adjustable mortgages, and a 90 day stop on home foreclosures. She is said to be doing this through a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, Henry Paulson.Comments have also been made stating that the U.S. Treasury Department will be meeting with the heads of the mortgage industry. Supposedly, rate regulators and several mortgage firms, such as Wells Fargo & Co, Citigroup Inc, Washington Mutual Inc and Countrywide Financial Corp will be having a conference as well.Clinton has reported to newspapers that she is ¨very pleased the administration is responding to this crisis,¨ Over the next two years, over 2 million mortgages are expected to have rate adjustments, which could definitely cause a jump in foreclosures if no preventative action is taken. Her move may most likely be a sign that the political forefront is switching from an emphasis on domestic and foreign affairs to more economic issues, such as health insurance, high gas/price prices, low home values, and stock market fears.by: LeadtoRealty.com

When I try to update my listings that have expired... this is the page that I get...We're sorry, there is a problem with the site. Please try one of the following: Use your browser's Back button to return to a previous page. Check the URL for proper spelling and capitalization and try again. The link you followed might be broken or expired. Try going to the www.zillow.com home page and following the links there to find what you need.So I do what it says and still get the same message for 3 different listings now.Please help.Thanks,Brandon

Please re-activate these listings since we are unable to do so anymore...2101 Canter SW, Albuquerque, NM 871212105 Canter SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121Lands of Leo Gabaldon, Belen, NM 87023Thanks