NEW YORK NY – The previously high-growth $7.4 billion market for home organization and storage has slowed down due to the housing collapse and enduring economic problems, according to “Home Organization in the U.S: General Purpose, Closet, Garages, and Storage Sheds,” a report released Monday (Nov. 14, 2011) from a market research firm called Packaged …
Generational Tastes, Move To Smaller Homes Driving Storage Read More »
HARRISBURG PA – Home builders are applauding passage of a bill Monday (March 7, 2011) by the Pennsylvania House to repeal the state’s home sprinkler mandate, and called for quick action by the state Senate, according to The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review newspaper. “We are pleased by the large and bipartisan support to remove this costly and …
Pennsylvania Home Builders Applaud Sprinkler Repeal Vote Read More »
WASHINGTON DC – Federal income tax deductions for home mortgage interest took a hit Saturday (Jan. 1, 2011) in The Washington Post newspaper, which published an editorial titled “Trim the Excessive Tax Subsidy for Real Estate.” Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS, responded by describing how mortgage interest deductions benefit primarily …
Mortgage Interest Deductions Help Homeowners, NAR Replies Read More »
ALLENTOWN PA – As homeowners around the country continue to struggle to fend off foreclosure proceedings, a working group of attorneys general and banking officials from all 50 states has been gathering evidence in a probe of potentially improper or illegal lending and servicing practices, according to an article written by reporter Tim Darragh and …
Mortgage Service Practices Probe Results Expected In 2011 Read More »
HARRISBURG PA – Pennsylvania homeowners are being urged by the state Attorney General to file complaints concerning questionable or improper mortgage foreclosures. AG Tom Corbett said on Oct. 6 (2010) the filings would be included in an ongoing investigation by his office’s Bureau of Consumer Protection to determine if laws were violated by lenders or …
Got A Foreclosure Complaint? Let Attorney General Know Read More »
WASHINGTON DC – McMansions may be a thing of the past. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the average size of a new home dropped by more than 2,000 square feet in 2009. Some speculate the cause is downsizing due to tough economic times. Read the story, published by WFMZ-TV of Allentown PA, here.
HAZLETON PA – A federal appeals court ruled Sept. 9 (2010; Thursday) that Hazleton PA could not fine landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, or required prospective tenants to register with City Hall and pay for a rental permit. The court ban against both measures, part of the city’s crackdown on illegal immigrants, is seen …
Court Bans Landlord Fines, Renter Registration In Hazleton Read More »
HARRISBURG PA – An e-mail was distributed Tuesday (May 18, 2010) from Florida, with a subject line that blared “Real Estate Agents Get Lower Health Insurance Rates in Pennsylvania.” Sound appealing? It’s not. Be wary of such messages, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department has warned. Real estate licensees and others should be suspicious if someone tries …
Coming Flurry Of Health Care Offers To Make Agents Wary Read More »
LOS ANGELES CA – OK, here’s the pitch. You’re a first-time home seller; that buying thing has been so-o-o-o done to death already. And you’re located in the eight-county Philadelphia area. And you want to be on television in one of those prime-time reality shows. Here’s your chance for 15 minutes – no, wait, make …
Home And Property Sellers, Here’s Your Half-Hour Of Fame Read More »
HARRISBURG PA – A change to the Pennsylvania Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act, signed into law last Monday (July 6, 2009) by Gov. Edward Rendell, might prevent heartache for future purchasers who find their dream home deal has fallen through. Senate Bill 241, written by Bucks County (PA) state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson and passed …
New Law Affecting Brokers Could Free Up Escrow Money Read More »
