Robert Johnson's (absolutepropmgr) Blog

Forget the old saw that all real estate is local. What's pummeling housing prices in your nabe is the same thing that's hurting them around the country: the credit crisis. You know the drill - banks' troubles have made it harder for many home buyers to get mortgages, and those who do qualify have...

When you're planning to spend thousands of dollars on home improvements, the last thing you want is for your investment to go down the drain. For that reason, it's crucial to make sure you've taken all the necessary steps to insure your project before you begin. Step One: Contact your insurer Maj...

In good markets and bad, real-estate agents are constantly announcing that "now" is the best time to buy. With housing prices weakening, inventories rising and sales slumping, this attitude has drawn a lot of ridicule in the press. But you know what? Now may actually be a very good time to buy, o...

The American housing market, where the global economic crisis began, is far from hitting bottom. Home prices across much of the country are likely to fall through late 2009, economists say, and in some markets the trend could last even longer depending on the severity of the anticipated recession...

The level of distress among apartment sellers is increasing rapidly, according to the latest Capital Trends Monthly report on the apartment sector, released by Real Capital Analytics (RCA). The continuing effects of the collapsed condo conversion market have elevated levels of distress since 2006...

Scenarios when borrowing might make sense You have erratic or hard-to-prove income: Because home equity borrowing is a secured loan and a number of lenders still base loan approval on credit score alone, you have a better chance of approval, providing your credit score is good. Plus a line of cr...

You've found your dream condo, and you're ready to relax among the mango trees and swaying date palms. Hold everything. To keep from getting stuck with a lemon, you've got to do some homework. Here are the seven most important questions you need to ask before buying a condo. 1. "What's the Beef?"...

Real estate may be considered a long-term investment, but you should be keeping track of your home's short-term value just as you would the rest of your portfolio.With foreclosures reaching an all-time record in the third quarter, the housing market has been flooded with the highest number of sin...

In hindsight, the red flags were waving, says Karen, a suburban Atlanta homeowner. But in the hubbub of her home-remodeling project she didn't spot them in time. If only she had. "The financial dealing over this addition has been a nightmare," says Karen, who prefers to remain anonymous given the...

Co-ops and condos can be a good option for first-time home buyers. They are also attractive alternatives for people who own a house but want to downsize because they don't need the space anymore. But while co-ops and condos generally cost less than free-standing houses and require less upkeep, th...