Commercial real estate covers varied sectors such as apartment buildings, offices, industrial spaces, and retail outlets. Certain areas perform better than others in an economic downturn. Which commercial sector will be the most stable during a recession? Health-Care Health-care real estate will do better than other commercial sectors because the field involves a necessity. Health-care will attract consumers - regardless of the economy. An in... [More]

The Wall Street Journal has released its latest 'real estate chart of the week' and the stories revolve around mortgages and mistakes. Obviously, we would expect talk about mortgages in a regular analysis. Do consumers expect mistakes in the real estate industry to be the news of the week? Well, possibly, yes! The industry is not that far removed from the breaking news about the flawed foreclosures. In that fiasco, lending officials appeared t... [More]

The real estate market fluctuates continually and values vary from region to region. Yet one constant remains amidst all this flux and diversity; specific factors drive the real estate market. These factors have tremendous influence on society. Keep in mind that real estate accounts for a substantial percentage of people's wealth. Almost one-third of the average North American's net worth can be attributed to real estate. The value of the enti... [More]

Buying a home is a big decision and step-by-step process. Real estate agents can handle the details and see if a purchase suits your needs. Yet ultimately, this house will be your home so you should prepare yourself for the process. Be ready to invest the necessary money, time, and effort. The investment is well-worth taking the time to follow a few careful and considered steps. Decision Buying a home should not be one of those 'spur of the m... [More]

Doug Overholt of BC (British Columbia) Hydro's Power Smart New Home Program is the latest official to encourage home owners towards energy-efficient products. Overholt points out the benefits of 'green' homes and insists that energy-efficiency is a factor in resale real estate value. The greener the house, the higher the resale value. Think Green Of course, saving energy also translates into more comfort, extra savings in the short and long ... [More]

Looking for a hot U.S. real estate market? Everyone is – especially those living through a cold and stormy winter. Buyers in a wintry climate might be looking literally for 'hot' U.S. real estate. Hot Market Of course, realtors in sunny climates recognize the plight of winter-weary potential buyers. Savvy real estate agents rev up their advertising campaigns to attract homeowners tired of shovelling snow. So, the 'hot' markets like Flor... [More]

Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) believes that the new proposal from the Obama administration will end the American dream of home ownership for the middle class. The plan points to the eventual end of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Now this initiative does not go into effect tomorrow. The changes have to pass through Congress. Actually, it could take several years for certain modifications to be in place. Proposed Reform Cardoza admits that... [More]

Do first-time home buyers prefer to buy a "fixer-upper" or a "ready to move in home?" Obviously, the choice will vary from buyer to buyer. Yet it is an interesting topic to explore on different levels. Fix Up or Move In On the average, do today's first-time buyers respond differently than a generation ago? Do urban buyers make different choices than rural buyers? Does modern society encourage home owners to want 'instant' results – the ... [More]

This week in real estate news, two stories on the same day (one Canadian, one American) focused on 'sky-high' debt and real estate prices as well as 'high in the sky' connections. Sky-High Debt Since 1999, TD Economics has been gathering Canadian data and creating special financial reports. Their latest edition gauges the financial vulnerability of households in regions across Canada. TD organized this report as a response to growing worries ... [More]

Everyone knows that neighborhoods affect real estate values. When it comes to property values, location, location, location, seems to be a true statement. ZIP codes matter in the real estate game. Positive and Negative Factors Living close to a beach or residing in the trendy part of town can be considered a plus. Having a home in a flood zone or near major traffic will not be viewed in such a favorable light. The market value of your home wi... [More]