Brian Ripp's Blog

The financial reform legislation signed into law on July 21 by President Obama will precipitate some key changes within the mortgage market that will likely affect homebuyers, according to U.S. News and World Report. Under the legislation, a new consumer financial protection bureau will be set up...

Remodeling spending is expected to increase by the end of the year and accelerate to double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2011, according to the latest Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.Kermit Baker, directo...

When you buy a home, there will be many jobs to accomplish, from changing your address and having your utilities shut off at your old residence to cleaning and unpacking at your new home.  Don't overlook these important tasks to help ensure your safety: * Immediately have the locks changed.  You ...

Whether you're in the market for a new home, or applying for a loan, before you start looking at neighborhoods, you need to look at something else-your credit score.  Here are some of the key terms you should know: Payment History-Your payment history is a significant factor in determining your c...

Landscaping with native wildflowers and grasses improves the environment.  A native plant species is one that occurs naturally in a particular region, ecosystem and/or habitat without direct or indirect human actions.  Natural landscaping affects a variety of beneficial insects, birds, butterflie...

Congress passed a bill this week extending the deadline to close escrow and qualify for the federal home buyers tax credit. President Obama is expected to sign the bill extending the deadline to Sept. 30, 2010, instead of its original June 30 deadline. KEEP THIS IN MIND • The bill extends the dea...

New research suggests buyers applying for mortgage loans immediately after house hunting often make poor choices-sometimes selecting the first loan option presented, regardless of the terms with which it is associated. KEEP THIS IN MIND • The research, conducted by two George Washington Universit...

Foreign investor interest in U.S. real estate grew sharply in the fourth quarter of 2009, according to the latest survey by the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate.  More than half of the respondents (51%) believe U.S. real estate provides the best opportunity for capital appreciation...

Before placing your house on the market, make as many repairs and improvements as you can.  It will be worth it.  "New" and "just replaced" are the magic words to attract home buyers. Steam clean or replace carpet, fix loose door knobs and railings, make sure windows and doors open and close easi...

Two top housing economists provided some encouraging news about the housing market during an economic session at the NAR Midyear Legislative Meetings and Expo this week. Both NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun and Moody's Economy.com chief economist Mark Zandi agree that job creation is the key to ...