Rob Kennedy's (robkennedy) Blog

Unless you've bought a home recently, you might not have heard of an FHA loan. FHA loans have been around since the 1930s, and they are insured by the Federal Housing Administration (part of HUD). Thanks to all of the recent financial turmoil, lenders have tightened their requirements for approvi...

The recent "stimulus" legislation contains a number of provisions designed to help strengthen the real estate market. The major benefit is that first-time home buyers will now be eligible to receive a refundable tax credit of 10% of the home price or $8000, whichever is less. To get the credit, h...

Have you been dreaming of that picture-perfect home with the snazzy kitchen, modern fixtures, and manicured lawn?  If so, then new construction might be a great option for you -- and now is a fantastic time to be in the market for this type of housing!   Here's the deal.  We are nearing the end o...

Unless you've been living in a cave for the last year or so, you've no doubt heard that foreclosures (aka "bank-owned" properties) are on the rise.  A foreclosure happens when a homeowner can no longer pay their mortgage and, as a result, the bank obtains ownership of the property.  This unfortun...

Now that colder weather is upon us, I wanted to pass along some tips for ways that you can prepare your home for the winter.  It's not too early to start thinking about these things, so don't wait too long or you might be sorry!  TIP 1 -- Check the heating system. Check the filter, pilot light an...

This month, I wanted to expose an increasingly common "trick" that many "ghoulish" real estate agents are playing on unsuspecting clients.  It goes something like this...   You're planning to sell your property and you invite one of these agents over to present their marketing plan.  During the d...

I will now be running a quarterly referral program, complete with some great prizes to sweeten the deal!  Here's how it works...  Send me the names and contact information (phone number and/or email) of your friends, family, neighbors, etc., who may be planning to buy or sell real estate.  When t...

You're thinking about buying a home.  Lucky you!  Now is a great time to be a buyer.  The market is loaded with homes for sale, and sellers are downright desperate to make a deal (obviously their agent hasn't read the previous article).  On top of that, mortgage rates are still very reasonable, a...

It's a buyers market.  Average home prices are declining.  What should sellers do?  First of all, don't panic.  There are lots of potential buyers out there, and the key to successful selling involves an understanding of 3 key factors that are driving sales (no, it's not "location, location, loca...

Without a doubt, the most delicate part of my job these days is helping clients to set competitive asking prices for their property.  Price is THE most important factor that is driving sales right now, and getting it right is critical to a successful outcome.    The purpose of establishing an ask...