Your Realtor:

Jan Tucker-Vaughn
February 2012
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BECAUSE YOUR MOVE MATTERS!
Copyright © 2012 Realty Times
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Daily News And Advice
Updated 01:00 AM CST Today 
Today's Feature Stories

The Tax Planning Countdown to 2013 Starts Now!

As we begin 2012, all real estate investors need to pay very close attention to the ever changing tax landscape. Particular attention needs to be paid to the significant tax increases slated to occur in 2013. FULL STORY->


Inside The Interior Design Show

Where do interior designers go for trendsetting ideas and out-of-the-box design ideas? PJ Wade gives us an insider view of The Interior Design Show and tips for 2013. FULL STORY->


Amendment to REALTOR® Code of Ethics Reflects Changes In Business Practices

The class of persons about whom Realtors® should not knowingly or recklessly make false or misleading statements has recently been expanded. An examination of what this means and how it came to pass may be of interest. FULL STORY->


Real Estate Outlook: New Home Sales and Prices Decline

Pending existing-home sales may be up across the nation, but new home sales fell for the first the first time in three months in December. These latest figures come from the U.S. Commerce Department. FULL STORY->


Real Estate Marketing Strategies: Powerful Tips for Maximizing Your Success

The biggest obstacle to obtaining success is how you think of yourself. If you spend your day putting yourself down, then you will never move forward. Be conscious of how you talk and think about yourself and when it turns negative, stop yourself and think. There is always something to be happy about and you, loving yourself is certainly worth celebrating. FULL STORY->


Why You Want a Guaranteed Loan

Today's buyers are facing quite a diverse housing market. There are great deals for buyers and investors alike. Home prices are at all-time lows and interest rates are creating some enticing conditions. There are many deals to be had, but how does a buyer know when it's really safe to buy? FULL STORY->


Headlines

Average Mortgage Rates Ease Setting New Record Lows
In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey®, the average mortgage rates dropped to new all-time record lows as data on economic growth fell short of market projections. All products in the PMMS survey, except the 1-Year ARM, averaged new lows. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Drops But Second Home Market May See Increase
While homeowners fix up their properties, millions of baby boomers (40.7 million people ages 50-59 in the U.S.) prepare to retire and many are predicted to enter the vacation and rental property markets, which would fuel the demand for these types of properties for the next several years. FULL STORY->

Agents: Expanding Your Scope in 2012
Has your market weakened in the aftermath of the 2009 recession? If so, you’re not alone. Many agents are facing the need to expand their business in the coming year. What can you do to ensure your business survives even when times are lean? FULL STORY->

Fewer Real Estate Agents Wearing Rose-colored Glasses
A certain whistle-while-you-work sanguineness comes with the territory in the real estate sales business, but many of California's real estate professionals are having a tough time keeping a song in their hearts about housing. FULL STORY->

The Selling Power of Closets
At first glance your closets may seem like insignificant or unassuming rooms in your home. The truth is, however, that closets can be real selling features. Homes must have storage. From clothes to food to cleaning supplies, closets are the heart of every clean house. FULL STORY->

Mortgage Rates Remain Low While Mixed Reports Flourish
After several positive housing reports released this month, the National Association of Realtor's Pending Home Sales Index decreased 3.5% in December. Since it tends to be a slow month for housing due to several holidays, this report should not come as a shock. According to the Commerce Department, New Home Sales were also down 2% for the month of December. FULL STORY->

Clean up Your Credit
More than ever having a healthy credit score is important. It may mean the difference between securing a home loan or not. Don't let old habits or debts stand in your way of taking advantage of historically low interest rates and great deals on housing. FULL STORY->

Falling In The Cracks
When faced with a homeowner association maintenance or repair issue, the starting point is to determine whether the HOA has the duty to maintain or repair. This may not be as simple as it sounds. While the governing documents generally define the common elements and repair responsibilities, sometimes the item in need of repair may fall into a gray area. FULL STORY->

Canada's Most And Least Affordable Housing Markets
Windsor, Ontario is Canada's most affordable housing market, while world-wide, Vancouver is the second-least affordable of 325 markets surveyed. The study authors say restrictive land use policies are to blame for high real estate prices. FULL STORY->

California Association of REALTORS® To Build Ethics Violations Data Base
Rules and principles designed to uphold or strengthen the NAR Code of Ethics are very good things indeed. But, without specific provisions and programs designed to help implement them, they may not amount to much. The recent action of CAR’s Professional Standards Committee will give teeth to Article IV, section 2, of the NAR Bylaws. FULL STORY->

Real Estate Outlook: Existing-Home Sales Rise Again

Mortgage Rates Reverse Course on Positive Housing Data

Are Homeowners Glad They Own?

The Twelve Types of Sales Call Reluctance®

Buying in an HOA

Super Bowl Host Indianapolis Stepping Up Its Game In The Housing Arena

Real Estate Marketing Strategies: Create Your 2012 Success Blueprint

Why Buy a Home?

Ask the HOA Expert

Accidental Property Managers May Pose Problems for Brokerages

Kitchens Sell a House

'Grown Up' Means The Right to Live at Risk

Real Estate Outlook: Housing at Forefront of Concerns

Impact of Rural India on American Real Estate Values

30-year Fixed-rate Mortgage Averages 3.88 Percent


15 Tips for Living Green

Homeownership Still The American Dream, Fuels Economy

Principal Reduction Will Solve The Housing Crisis and Jumpstart The Economy

Kitchen Makeover Without Spending a Fortune

Buyers: Making the Right Choice

Homes Powered by the Sun: Sell For More, Becoming New Standard

Top Ways to Spruce up Your Home

A Way Up and Out For Sellers

Five Great Things about Homeownership

Tying the Knot? Good Way Couples Can Save for a Down Payment on a Home



CURRENT
MORTGAGE RATES

Interest Rate Watch
30 yr fixed: 3.87%
15 yr fixed: 3.24%
1 yr adj: 2.74%
(U.S. Daily Averages)


LIBRARY
Buyers Advice

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Homeowners Advice

Advice for New Homes

Advice For Borrowers

Rental Advice

Homeowner Association News

NAR News




Jan Tucker-Vaughn, Broker,ABR®,e-PRO®,SRES®,SRS
E-mail: Jan@Jan-Tucker.com
Web: http://www.Jan-Tucker.com
865-680-0589 Mobile

Lakeside Real Estate Group
865-458-9600 Office
100 Chota Center
Loudon, TN 37774


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