Ira Freireich's (bestbroker) Blog

Given the recent experience in housing is real estate an asset that should be abandoned? Obviously not but that mentality has grown dramatically within many segments of our nation. Can you blame people for never wanting to venture back into the real estate market? No. It is understandable but it...

Did you lose your house to foreclosure this year? Did your lender forgive some of your mortgage debt because the house sold for less than it the mortgage balance? If so, you could be facing a big tax hit It is IRS policy to tax forgiven debt you are personally responsible for as if it is income....

  With spring comes blooming flowers, warmer weather, birds chirping, tax refunds and the need for spring-cleaning for both your home and your finances. If you’re looking for ways to simplify your personal finances, look no further. Here are 6 ways to spring-clean your personal finances: 1. CHECK...

  You may have seen reports that the federal government is proposing new mortgage finance rules under which only home buyers who can afford a minimum 20 percent down payment on a conventional loan would get a shot at the best available interest rates and terms. That is correct, and it’s deeply so...

There are several advantages to buying fixer upper properties. One is the ability you will have to make necessary repairs and updates, then turn around and sell the house at a much higher price. This can be a great advantage to anyone looking to make money through real estate investing. Fixer up...

A soft, green lawn is a wonderful thing. Here’s some simple advice for growing terrific turf. Prevent weeds before they come up. You can stop weeds from gaining a roothold in your lawn before they even germinate by using a pre-emergent herbicide. This type of product controls the dreaded crabgra...

    Russian billionaire pays $100 million for California home a massive price tag shows that the upper tier of the luxury housing market still has some strength. The sale of a Los Altos Hills, Calif., home to a Russian billionaire last week may be a sign that the ultra luxury real-estate market i...

Prospective buyers have an edge in a down market, but this doesn’t mean they are guaranteed to make money on the properties they buy. When real estate sales are slow and there is a glut of homes for sale, buyers have an opportunity to pick up a house at unheard of prices. The operative word here...

  For all the debate surrounding the causes of the financial crisis, one thing is for sure: the government made a huge mistake guaranteeing mortgage financing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These big pseudo-private firms were exposed to a huge number of bad mortgages, for which taxpayers are ...

In many areas of the country, Spring is here, and with the warmer weather outside comes a desire (and a need) to do some things around your home that may have taken a beating while keeping you kept warm throughout the winter. Protect Against Germs Germ Warfare: Replace your air filter! Taking in...