Highlights
Buying a house, condo or other real estate the largest and most complex purchase most Americans will ever make -- remains a huge part of the economy. In 2007, a dismal time for the business, about 6.3 million housing transactions occurred in the United States, according to the Realtor's trade group. But the market has taken a serious body blow in recent years. The National Association of Realtors predicted the sales of existing homes in 2007 would be 10.8 percent below 2006. Sales of new homes were expected to be at the lowest level in a decade. The Internet has made it much easier for a layperson to locate properties that fit their needs and budget. As a result, while about 90 percent of tr...
Buying a house, condo or other real estate the largest and most complex purchase most Americans will ever make -- remains a huge part of the economy. In 2007, a dismal time for the business, about 6.3 million housing transactions occurred in the United States, according to the Realtor's trade group. But the market has taken a serious body blow in recent years. The National Association of Realtors predicted the sales of existing homes in 2007 would be 10.8 percent below 2006. Sales of new homes were expected to be at the lowest level in a decade. The Internet has made it much easier for a layperson to locate properties that fit their needs and budget. As a result, while about 90 percent of transactions involve a real estate agent, the rest were simply buyers and sellers hooking up independently. By-owner sales are popular among many people, in part because it saves on commissions. But even more buyers favor using a real estate agent who has the expertise and time to negotiate the complex processes. It may be obvious that no purchase in your life will ever be as crucial, but the good news is that it does not have to be as intimidating as you think. The single best piece of advice is not to let the big numbers and the jargon unnerve you. Simple, easy-to-understand step-by-step advice and instructions are available in literally hundreds of books in the library, on-line articles and websites (enter the words "real estate tips" and "selling" or "buying" in any search engine). Most give the exact same information although each may have a bit of a bias such as favoring by-owner or using a Realtor. Other significant advice: have patience; this can often be a long process and time usually is on your side. Trust your instincts; if a deal seems too good to be true, there's often a reason. Believe in options; just like buying a used car, there is always another house out there. Buying a home is essentially a lengthy parade of complex decisions, starting with whether this is the right time to be making a transaction. But the websites and books lay out the specific criteria you can use to make an informed judgment call rather than just making a blind guess. For buyers, the process includes finding out precisely how much you can spend on a house without destroying your standard of living; locating financing; identifying a large array of potential homes so you are not focused on one choice; visiting, inspecting and evaluating properties; negotiating a deal, and closing the deal.
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Burbank home sales still falling
The number of single-family houses on the market in Burbank remained sparse last month, but the number of condominiums for sale held steady, according to the latest real estate figures. There were 128 single family homes on the market last month, down...Tags: Realty, Services and Shopping, Auto Trends, Real Estate, Homes
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Gambling on a cell tower
I am a homeowner in Burbank and reside a block from the proposed T-Mobilecell phone tower at the Little White Chapel. I am vehemently opposed to this tower because it is being placed in our residentially zoned neighborhood. If these cell phone towers are...Tags: Services and Shopping, Lymphoma, Real Estate, Immune System
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Buyers vie for fewer Burbank homes
A low inventory of single-family homes is still making an impact on the local real estate market, resulting in multiple offers and buyers snatching up homes quickly while interest rates are low. There were 135 single-family homes on the market last...Tags: Services and Shopping, Real Estate, Inventories, Homes, Money and Monetary Policy
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Home sale inventory drops
Fewer homes were on the market last month compared to a year ago, according to the latest real estate statistics. It’s a trend that’s been growing the past several months due to low interest rates and declining home prices. There were 140...Tags: Rentals, Realty, Services and Shopping, Real Estate, Inventories
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Realtors rally behind Habitat for Humanity
While real estate agents are known for their professional service in the buying and selling of houses, rarely are they known for actually building them. That, however, was the case as members of the Burbank Association of Realtors (BAR) took up shovels,...Tags: Human Interest, Elections, Education, Politics, Homes
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Family gives $1M to hospital
Providence St. Joseph Medical Center is one step closer to diagnosing people just like they do on television. Thanks to a $1-million contribution to the new Hycy and Howard Hill Neuroscience Institute from the Cusumano family of Burbank, the hospital can...Tags: Aneurysm, Human Interest, Stroke, Health, Real Estate
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On The Town: Realtors revel, recognize and reorganize
Every community has its long-standing holiday traditions and along with the ornament-gilded tree standing in front of City Hall, another local seasonal tradition has been the Burbank Assn. of Realtors' annual holiday breakfast. Always a festive occasion,...Tags: Real Estate Sellers, Burbank (Los Angeles, California)
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Still a few kinks with bike lanes
While I do support creating more bike lanes, an article in the Nov. 6 Leader, "Bike-path decision delayed," contained a comment that, to me, indicates that further study and traffic signalization changes are needed before stamping the project with an...Tags: Mortgages, Financial and Business Services, Foreclosures, Economy, Business and Finance, Travel
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On the Town: Fundraising is murder
Ask any nonprofit or charitable organization how they are doing and you will most likely get an eye-roll, a shrug and an explanation that in today's economic environment raising funds is murder. The Burbank Assn. of Realtors and the Burbank Temporary...Tags: Crime, Law and Justice, Dining and Drinking, Elections, Bars and Clubs, Comedy (genre)
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New water rules pass
After nearly a year of back-and-forth between Realtors and city officials, an ordinance requiring all buildings to be retrofitted with water-saving fixtures upon resale narrowly passed this week. The ordinance — approved 3 to 1 on Tuesday with...Tags: Water Supply, Real Estate Agents, California, Real Estate Sellers, Burbank (Los Angeles, California)
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'Indy's most infamous home' on northeast side for sale
Dubbed ‘Indy’s most infamous home’, it is one of the most unique houses in the area. However, if you like dolphin fountains, one-of-a-kind designs and spiral staircases, this house is for you! That is, as long as you have $2.2...
Tags: Services and Shopping, Real Estate
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Neighborhood objections delay new 'workforce housing' near Boynton Beach
Growing opposition to an influx of price-controlled homes helped temporarily delay plans for a 400-home development proposed west of Boynton Beach. Neighboring residents this month flooded county commissioners with emails objecting to the Toscana Isles...Tags: Rentals, Palm Beach County, Religion and Belief, Personal Income, Local Government
May 22, 2012
|Story| Burbank Leader
May 4, 2012
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Apr 10, 2012
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Mar 20, 2012
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Aug 23, 2011
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Feb 4, 2011
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Dec 22, 2010
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Nov 9, 2010
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Dec 1, 2010
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Jul 24, 2010
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May 25, 2012
|Column| WXIN-LTV
May 25, 2012
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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