Category Archives: Economics

How Important Are Comps? OR A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Closing.

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Tim Freund

Just how important are comparable sales in the home selling process?  In “Real Estate Principles,” the fundamental course for all real estate licensees, students are taught that market value is, “Whatever price a willing buyer and willing seller agree to, … Continue reading →

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Hug A Realtor Day

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Tim Freund

I know what you’re thinking, “Is this guy a nut job or what?” or maybe, “That’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard…. Hug a Realtor… they’re a bunch of over paid, fancy-car driving so-and-so’s.”  I mean, talk about an easy … Continue reading →

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Case-Shiller-Schmiller, Here Comes Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Tim Freund

I’m not sure I can explain why the Case-Shiller Index posted a decline for January except to say their numbers aren’t reflective of my experience.  Further given the National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Index numbers reported just a day … Continue reading →

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Real Estate Fraud and the Broken Moral Compass

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Tim Freund

I have been selling real estate for 22 years.  When I was younger I worked for a family owned developer selling tract homes.  It was a coveted job and one that required the highest ethical standards.  It was hammered into … Continue reading →

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The Guiding Light, All My Children and What We Know About Housing In 2012… So Far

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Tim Freund

Growing up, my mom was a stay-at-home mom.  Each day while doing the laundry, cleaning, and preparing the evening’s dinner she would watch soap operas on the television.  It really didn’t matter which show was on; the premise was always … Continue reading →

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I’m Mad As Hell And I’m Just Not Going To Take It Anymore

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Tim Freund

Peter Finch in Network, remember? Well I’m glad that’s over.  What?  Didn’t you hear?  The banks are settling the foreclosure debacle for $25 billion… that’s billion with a ‘B.’  I guess that means it’s all behind us now.  The banks … Continue reading →

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The Short Sale Effect vs. The Short Sale Dilemma

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Tim Freund

Selling short sale properties is a reality most Realtors have come to accept.  This past week I received an offer on a short sale listing, where my seller had already tried to modify their loan but had been declined.  In … Continue reading →

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Pending Home Sales And The Lessons of Rocky And Bullwinkle

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Tim Freund

The Pending home sales for December came out today and rosy is almost all you can say about them – not that you’ll find that in the headlines which read, “Pending Home Sales Down For December”, none the less, the … Continue reading →

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Change Is Gonna Come

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Tim Freund

This week we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King and with his memory as a backdrop I’m reminded of what in 1963 recording artist Sam Cooke wrote in response to the rising tide of a nation tired of racial inequality, “It’s … Continue reading →

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Pending Housing up Again! How Rosy Will 2012 Be?

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Tim Freund

Well that all depends.  The Rosy-ness depends on Congress not blowing it again; it depends on the election dialog and most importantly it depends on Jobs. The National Association of Realtors Pending Home Index posted another month of improvement and … Continue reading →

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