According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), owning your home still remains “essential to the American Dream.” A recent survey backed by the NAHB found that Americans “see beyond the immediate housing market to the enduring value of homeownership.” NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen reports that 75 percent of those polled said owning a [...]

WCR Presents CITY TALK Come and hear what is new in our city and what the future holds. Join us as we welcome the following city representatives: Mario Rodriguez, Long Beach Airport Director, Gary Delong, Council member Robert Garcia, Council member Braden Phillips, Long Beach Police Department Robert Zur Schmiede, Long Beach Redevelopment Department Representative [...]

Despite tightened credit for many domestic buyers, the United States is still a top spot for foreign purchases. The National Association of Realtors reports that “international purchases surged by $16 billion this year, one of the highest increases in recent years.” “The U.S. has always been a desirable place to own property and a profitable [...]

John Ulzheimer, president of Consumer Education at SmartCredit.com, the credit blogger for Mint.com, is an expert on credit reporting, credit scoring and identity theft. Formerly with FICO, Equifax and Credit.com, Elzheimer is a rare editorial source — a recognized credit expert who actually comes from the credit industry. He often references in his writings the [...]

Low mortgage rates have stayed in place which resulted in an increase in mortgage applications for both purchases and refinances. Freerateupdate.com’s daily survey of wholesale and direct lenders showed that mortgage rates have been consistent and still at the lowest levels of 2011 for the past week. Conforming 30 year fixed mortgage rates are at [...]

FRAUD WARNING REGARDING LAWSUIT MARKETERS REQUESTING UPFRONT FEES FOR SO-CALLED “MASS JOINDER” OR CLASS LITIGATION PROMISING EXTRAORDINARY HOME MORTGAGE RELIEF By Wayne S. Bell Chief Counsel, California Department of Real Estate I. HOME MORTGAGE RELIEF THROUGH LITIGATION (and “Too Good to Be True” Claims Regarding Its Use to Avoid and/or Stop Foreclosure, Obtain Loan Principal [...]

In legislation news this week the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is applauding Representatives Gary Miller of California and Brad Miller of North Carolina for introducing bipartisan legislation aimed at “the flow of acquisition, development and construction (AD&C) credit to the housing sector to help spur job growth, support a recovery in the housing [...]

We are often asked whether it is better to rent or buy in the current housing market. The answer to that question is: “It all depends.” There are certain situations where renting short term probably makes sense. It may make sense if you are retiring to a different region of the country and are not [...]

A Calabasas real estate investment firm paid $49.5 million for Sherman Plaza, a two-building office complex in Van Nuys. Majestic Investments bought the 267,955-square-foot complex on 7 acres from Embarcadero Capital Partners, real estate broker Bob Safai of Madison Partners said. Tenants in the buildings at 15350 and 15400 Sherman Way include the California Franchise Tax [...]