| ADVERTISEMENT ONLY 5 DAYS until Connect SF '09! Connect SF '09 is THE leading Real Estate industry technology conference. How can you afford to miss it? REGISTER TODAY TODAY'S TOP STORIES = Premium Member News - Join Now » Friday, July 31, 2009 Difficult economic equations: Do the math Interest rates are a hair lower at week's end, more in relief that another massive Treasury borrowing -- $109 billion in term debt alone -- came off without injuries. However, long-term Treasury rates have been elevated since May, pushing mortgages to 5.5 percent, past the edge of refinance demand, and near the limit of buyer demand. The economy is living on government spending, in today's report up 5.6 percent in the second quarter, but consumer spending falling faster than GDP, -1.2 percent vs. -1 percent. More » RealtyBaron offers Agent Bid widget Consumers, agents can query agents through partner sites Everyone's a critic at Yelp.com CEO: 'Customer service is the new marketing' Second-guessing the purchase offer Home Sale Hindsight A visit to Fadsville Why do homebuyers covet 'impractical' features? Tenant uses job loss to break lease Steps landlord should take to obtain unpaid rent OTHER TOP STORIES Own a vacant home? Take precautions Services seek to maintain property, deter vandals Mobile tagging is not a crime Tech Tool Shed Survey: consumers want added services Agent performance matters most in satisfaction Judge throws out RESPA rule challenge Mortgage brokers must credit rebates to borrowers When dual agency works Letter to the Editor Latest News » NOTABLE QUOTE "These days I end up having a conversation with sellers outlining how it all works and what to expect and, of course, going over my services and fees. I also find myself spending a bit of time going over the things that can go wrong -- maybe too much time." --Teresa Boardman |