Estate Rebate Blog

Home ownership – an integral part of the American dream - is the "dream that never dies." Despite a difficult economy, the dream of home ownership is alive and well and living in the hearts and mind of potential home owners. Actually, there are plenty of reasons to continue to live the dream. Heart's Desire Home ownership starts in the heart. The need for home and family is at the core of our being. If you are located in eastern Canada,... [More]

Often consumers feel overloaded with debt. In reality, many people try to handle too much debt for their available resources. Credit repair is possible but borrowers must be willing to admit that they are in trouble. Addressing Debt When it comes to debt, burying your head in the sand will just add to your burden. It does no good to avoid bankers' phone calls. Definitely, it does no good to buy 'more' to try to make yourself feel better about... [More]

Real estate therapy is an extension of retail therapy – except the stakes are higher and there are not as many players. You will find more people buy clothes or gadgets for 'feel-good' therapy than stack up houses on their shopping list. Yet real estate therapy is a reality. Psychological Issues Real estate – buying and selling – is tied up in psychology as much as it is in money. More than one person moves – and moves... [More]

'Renovation' is a powerful word. It can send chills down your spine or fire up your creative urges. Yet renovation is not a 'black and white' issue. Even a minimalist style can have a touch of drama! There is always a grey area. Should I or shouldn't I? A Real Dilemma Whether you are a home buyer or home seller, nobody escapes the 'renovation' question. Will I renovate before I sell my home? Should I buy a bargain and bring it back to life? ... [More]

Many things look good in Dubai – at least, according to tourist statistics. Dubai is the one of the most visited cities in the world. As one of the seven United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai is expecting to accommodate 15 million tourists by 2015. Looking Good Everything looked promising today as Cityscape Global 2010 (the world’s largest business-to-business real estate investment and development event) opened in Dubai. Sheikh Makto... [More]

Selling a home has never been an easy process. It requires effort and commitment at the best of times. In today's market, however, selling a home can be much more of a challenge. Yet home sellers can put themselves in a favorable position. They have to know how to adapt to today's economic climate. Many home sellers make serious blunders and end up waiting much longer to sell their homes. Selling a Home – Top Mistakes 1. Pricing Too Hig... [More]

Today's home buyers are facing a different marketplace than home purchasers in past decades. Even if we look at home buyers during previous economic downturns, today's buyer is not living the same reality. Yet a glaring similarity exists between modern home buyers and purchasers in other decades (or even - centuries) in US history. Home buyers have a dream.   Home Buyer Education Programs Another fairly common thread between home buyers... [More]

The FHA (Federal Housing Administration) Short Refinance Program, an initiative to help qualifying underwater US home owners, came into effect on September 7, 2010, and is set to run until December 31, 2012. The program will help home owners who owe more on their mortgage than the worth of their home. To qualify, borrowers must be current with their monthly payments. Low Demand Many home owners find themselves 'underwater' as sale prices in s... [More]

Decreased Demand Commercial real estate has not been doing much business during the economic downturn. When businesses are closing and joblessness is rampant throughout the country, the demand for commercial space decreases except in a few big cities that weather the economic storm. Start-up businesses (except in specific categories) are few and far between during poor economic times. Scarcity of Start-Up Home businesses tend to be on the ri... [More]

Buying a home should not start on the day that you begin looking at houses. Surprisingly, some home buyers go that route and do not prepare to make the purchase. If individuals don't get ready for a home purchase, they will find home buying much more stressful than the prepared buyer. Buying A Home = Hopes and Dreams Everyone recognizes home buying as a major commitment. Yet purchasing is a home is also tied in with emotions and hopes and dre... [More]