Klor Strong Team Blog

Do you really know the square footage of your home? Do you really know if that room you use as a den could be considered a bedroom in case you want to sell? You’re not alone.  Take a look at this article for instructions on how to measure using the most common technique.

http://www.zillow.com/blog/2011-06-09/how-do-you-measure-square-footage-what-is-defined-as-a-bedroom/

Foreclosure filings and repossessions fell to their lowest level since 2007 last year.

Total filings were down 33% for the year to 2.7 million, according to RealtyTrac, the online marketer of foreclosed properties.  Read this article for more details:

http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/12/real_estate/foreclosures/index.htm

As mentioned in this link, if you stay organized and focused and keep excellent records, you can take advantage of every tax break, deduction, and credit at your disposal. Just ask me for a top-notch tax consultant if you need answers about taking advantage of these breaks.

http://www.zillow.com/blog/2012-01-19/6-tax-breaks-every-homeowner-should-know/

A bright spot has appeared – with the lowest reading for loan delinquencies as a share of total loans outstanding in nearly three years.  Take a quick look at this link to read more:

http://eyeonhousing.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/mortgage-bankers-newly-delinquent-mortgage-loans-fall-to-lowest-share-in-nearly-4-years/

In 2010, 27% of first-time buyers received a gift from a friend or relative to use toward their down payment. That’s up from 22% in 2009 and 23% in 2005, according to statistics from the National Association of Realtors.  Here is the link to read further:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dont-let-down-payment-gifts-hold-up-your-mortgage-2011-12-19

Take a look at these recent positive reports: Sales of existing homes rose 12% year-over-year; home building spiked nearly 21% compared with 12 months ago; and mortgage rates hit record lows.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/23/real_estate/new_home_sales/index.htm?iid=HP_LN

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said these are early signs of what may be a sustained recovery. “The pattern of home sales in recent months demonstrates a market in recovery,” he said. “Record low mortgage interest rates, job growth and bargain home prices are giving more consumers the confidence they need to enter the market.”

http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2012/01/ehs_dec

Here is an interesting article.  Out of all of the candidates, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney owns the most real estate, including a townhouse in Boston and a beachfront home in La Jolla, California.  Take a look at this link to read more.

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2012/real_estate/1201/gallery.candidate-homes/