Real Estate Agencies

Cozy Up With a Space Heater in San Francisco

Christopher Hurst — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:48:31 +0000

All potential buyers should ask how the home is heated when shopping for a house and/or condo. This is especially important in older homes that make up the bulk of properties for sale in San Francisco. The season is irrelevant here where we all know summer can be as cold as winter. Also, year round there are rarely more than a few warm days before the fog rolls in and we are all turning on the heat.

Living in San Francisco over the years, I’ve found a combination of central heat and space heaters have worked well for my family. During the winter when I found myself at home alone and did not want to crank up the heat for the whole house and only wanted to heat one room, I used a space heater. Th

Get more info…

Why Hiring Local Movers In Miami Makes Sense

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:04:15 +0000

When moving to Miami or within the city itself, you should always hire a local mover. There are many benefits to doing this but one of them is that you will get a better price. Being that cost is a huge factor when moving, you want to do whatever you can to limit your expenses and this is a great way to do so. There are dozens of local moving companies in Miami, so finding the best one will be fairly easy to do.

Another reason why hiring a local mover makes sense is because they are already there. When moving within the city you are better off using a moving company that is close by so that they don’t charge more for their driving time. T Get more info…

Mortgage Rates: Low Mortgage Rates Continue After Euro Ministers Postpone Greece Bailout

Toby Rowallan — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:21:45 +0000

Current low mortgage rates continue today after Euro Ministers announced that the crucial meeting to decide on the bailout for Greece, which was scheduled for Wednesday, has now been postponed. Despite fairly decent economic data coming out of the U.S. today, investors have sent stocks down and MBS prices up.

Remaining flat, todays 30 year fixed mortgage rates are at 3.500%, 15 year fixed mortgage interest rates are at 2.875% and 5/1 ARM loan rates are at 2.750%. These lowest conforming mortgage rates are available to well qualified borrowers with 0.7 to 1% origination fee. Qualifications include good credit, stable employment and enough funds to complete the mortgage transaction.

Get more info…

Coldwell Banker Listing for Tennis Pro, Mats Wilander, Featured in Wall Street Journal

Zoe Mair — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:56:34 +0000

Todd P. Conklin and Stephanie Reed of Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties recently landed a listing that has every ski and wildlife fanatic drooling: the 80-acre Sun Valley, Idaho estate and ranch home to former World No. 1 Swedish tennis player, Mats Wilander.

The Wall Street Journal took notice today, and featured the truly spectacular home in its Private Properties section, among an exclusive collection of the nation’s top listings.

Wilander says that both the home and its surroundings are breathtaking and while he is sad to bid the home goodbye, he knows that someone else will fall in love with the estate and much as he and his family has.

With nearly every luxury amenity available, the home is also perfect for those seeking the simple things like enjoying a cup of hot cocoa by the fire. T

Get more info…

OA Development Acquires 2 Offices in Alpharetta

Christopher Hurst — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:53:50 +0000

OA Development, an acquisition and development firm, purchased two office buildings at Lakeview 400 Office Park in Alpharetta, GA, for $10.4 million, or approximately $77 per square foot. The total sales price came to $11.2 million after closing costs. Sentinel Real Estate Corp. sold the 88 percent leased properties at 2555 and 2575 Westside Parkway.

The first structure at 2555 Westside is a 45,442-square-foot building that was constructed in 1997 on 4.47 acres. The other facility at 2575 Westside is 89,719 square feet on 8.66 acres. The complexes are in the North Fulton/Forsyth County submarket.

Thomas Shafer of Resource Real Estate Partners represented the seller. Eric Singer of Singer & Co. handled the deal for the buyer. Get more info…

Organizing Your Closet

Toby Rowallan — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:39:40 +0000

It’s time to organize… AGAIN. If you’ve been following along with the last two posts about rearranging and de-cluttering your home office and bathroom, you’ve probably got the fever. Yep, it’s known as the freshen-it-up fever, and don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. I find it hard not to get all hot and worked up to start my next project when I see a freshly organized locale in my house. It makes me run around the house straightening picture frames, shoes, knick-knacks, kitchen appliances… everything. Ever felt the same way? Like you just CAN’T STOP organizing and rearranging? You’ve had the fever, my friend. And it rivals Bie Get more info…

U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte NC – Events, Packages and Programs

Zoe Mair — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:30:28 +0000

The U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte NC offers several types of water and land sports, from whitewater rafting to zipline canopy tours and much, much more. Learn how to do stand up paddle boarding, or get an exhilarating taste of stuntman-ship with the outdoor mega jump!

If youre looking for a deal, consider purchasing an AllSport Season Pass, which entitles you to all the AllSport activities as well as exclusive benefits all year long!

In addition to offering adrenaline-fueling activities, the USNWC also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including outdoor concerts and charity races.

Like to run? Then be sure to check out the upcoming Charlotte Running Company Trail Race on Jan.

Get more info…

This week’s real estate transactions

Christopher Hurst — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:53:29 +0000

The transactions listed below include properties sold for $150,000 or more and recorded between Nov. 28-Dec. 2.

Celia Simon sold Unit 8D, 14 Lockwood Drive, Ashley House to Frank Crawford Stewart for $230,000.

Ecovest Development LLC sold Unit 403, 175 Concord St. to Donald D. Leonard for $850,000.

Bennett E. Bozarth sold Unit 314, 150 Bee St., Bee Street Loft to Brenda Piaskowski for $166,350.

Georgia C. Bell sold Unit 104, 3 Chisolm St., Chisolm Street HPR to Georgette K. Stone for $560,000.

Aiquyen Thi Tiet sold 226 Calhoun St. to Hallenbreck Sisters LLC for $1.4 million.

Fadila Hilali sold 76 Cypress St. to Howard Wilson Taylor for $257,000.

Dale M. Davis sold 40 Peachtree St.

Get more info…

Debt Reduction – Get Out of Debt Plan

Toby Rowallan — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:21:41 +0000

It is important for a consumer to work on a Get Out of Debt Plan once he/she finds it difficult to repay monthly installments for multiple debts. The debt may have been caused due to excessive spending on family by obtaining unnecessary loans and using Credit Card Service. The Get Out of Debt Plan makes use of Credit Services such as Debt Consolidation, Debt Settlement, Bankruptcy Management and Consumer Credit Counseling Service.

Companies offer consumers the relief of debt elimination within a fixed time frame according to a formal agreement. Some companies work for profits while other do this work for free. The ultimate result of using these services is that the consumer shall be free of threat calls and legal notifications from creditors any further.

Get more info…

New poll: Voters open to changing the mortgage interest deduction

Toby Rowallan — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:40:55 +0000

With the political season heating up, it should come as no surprise that the public is increasingly tying housing matters to the next election.

What may come as a surprise is the level of opposition to the mortgage interest deduction and other traditional write-offs.

A new poll from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says that voters of all political stripes are in favor of the mortgage deductions we now have in place.

Get more info…

Seller of businesses, realty to merge in Stuart

Christopher Hurst — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:50:50 +0000

Action Business Sales Inc. is merging with the Real Estate Company International, Inc., which is a division of The Real Estate Company — Treasure Coast, Inc.

Action Business Sales Inc., of Stuart, has 11 agents and deals exclusively in the sale of businesses throughout the United States. “It also has numerous relationships with many foreign business interests and investors,” the company said in a news release.

The announcement was made in a joint statement by Stephen Brodsky, president of Action Business Sales Inc., and Jim Weix, owner of the Real Estate Company International Inc. and The Real Estate Company — Treasure Coast, Inc., also of Stuart.

Wind-less storm brews over skyrocketing premiums

Zoe Mair — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:48:02 +0000

Linda Sapp’s reaction to her insurance bill was sticker shock: The annual premium doubled to $4,800, adding hundreds to her monthly mortgage payment.

Her first thought: “There’s no way I can afford my house.”

Her son needs daily help with a medical condition that causes severe swelling in his legs. The Acreage resident works 20 hours a week at Subway to supplement her husband’s income as service manager for a fire-sprinkler company. Her State Farm bill sent her scrambling to find another insurer.

In Boynton Beach, retiree Thomas Spatafora is on a fixed income and said he has never filed a property claim. But annual premium increases just keep on coming from the state’s insurer of last resort, Citizens.

Get more info…

Salesforce.com, Inc. Signs Major Lease for its Spot in Downtown SF

Christopher Hurst — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:19:48 +0000

Theyve done it again—in addition to the 14 acre Mission Bay Campus being built in 2013—it appears Salesforce.com, Inc. needs additional space to house all of its employees and peripherals. The company just signed a $339M lease at 50 Fremont Street for 18 years; the city’s longest term in the last 10 years. The big move is scheduled for this summer. This will certainly be a boon for the neighborhood, adjoining businesses and stimulate growth in our city.

Mortgage Rates: Low Mortgage Rates Holding On Despite Jobs Report

Toby Rowallan — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 04:21:33 +0000

Low mortgage rates are holding on today despite the released jobs report which showed that the unemployment rate for December dropped to 8.5% which is the lowest level in three years. Although this is good news, investors are still worried about European banks and their financial issues.

Conforming mortgages rates have continued to remain consistently low this first week of another year. Current 30 year fixed mortgage rates are at 3.500% and 15 year fixed mortgage interest rates are at 2.875%. 5/1 ARM loan rates are at 2.250%. Having good credit will allow borrowers to obtain these lowest mortgage rates with 0.7 to 1% origination point.

Get more info…

U.S. News and World Report Ranks Best Places to Retire

Zoe Mair — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:39:58 +0000

For many of us, starting the New Year means getting back to the grind as we put away our party shoes and head back to work. However, some lucky retirees are hanging up their working hats for good, and thanks to U.S. News and World Report (as featured on Yahoo!) they now have a list of the ideal spots to spend their golden years.

Ranking the 10 best places to retire in 2012, U.S.

Get more info…

In The Pipeline: CoStar Development & Construction News for Jan. 1-7, 2012

Christopher Hurst — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:17:26 +0000

In The Pipeline is a column on significant acquisitions of commercial land for sale, and other transactions and trends affecting office, industrial, flex, multifamily, mixed-use, hotel and public works developers. Send us news leads about your new commercial real estate project — to receive future In the Pipeline columns by e-mail.

Follow me on Twitter for live news updates.

Commercial Construction Finishing 2011 On a Stronger Note

Private nonresidential construction spending rose 4.5% in November compared to the same period last year, with solid gains across all sectors led by boost in manufacturing projects, according to new Commerce Department data. Get more info…