A California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) official joins Realtors in fending off negative views about the housing market, saying he prefers to look at the positive side, and focus on opportunities still very much available for first-time homebuyers.
A real estate information service reported this month that Bay Area home sales plunged below 4,000 transactions for the first time in over 20 years during the month of January, due to the credit crunch and uncertainty among buyers, sellers and lenders. Realtors, on the other hand, note conditions are not as grim they seem and actually present a window of opportunity for those interested in buying a home on the Peninsula.
President George W. Bush has signed the two-year, $168 billion economic stimulus package into law, following an agreement by the Senate and House of Representatives. The stimulus package includes several important housing provisions, as well as incentives for businesses.
In light of the slowdown in the housing market, the California Department of Real Estate is starting to see the number of real estate licensees decline, the state’s top real estate officials told local Realtors. He also indicated the department has increased its community outreach services to help financially troubled homeowners.
The National Association of Realtors predicts soft market conditions for existing-home sales will continue in the months ahead, but expects some improvement by the second half of this year, as loan limits are increased.
| 02/11/2008 |
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»REALTOR®: NAR Projects Existing-home Sales to Remain Steady, Then Begin Upward Trend |
| 02/11/2008 |
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»REALTOR®: Realtors Believe Passage of Economic Stimulus Package Will Help Jumpstart Housing Market |
| 02/04/2008 |
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»REALTOR®: San Mateo County REALTORS® Foundation Donations Total $124,886 for 2007 |
| 02/04/2008 |
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»REALTOR®: San Mateo County Realtors Offer Free Help to Seniors and Homebound May 5-10 |
| 01/28/2008 |
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»REALTOR®: Realtors Hail Economic Stimulus Package |
| 01/28/2008 |
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»REALTOR®: California Foreclosure Activity Still Rising |
| 01/21/2008 |
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»REALTOR®: Bay Area Home Sales, Median Price Down in December |
| 01/21/2008 |
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»REALTOR®: NAR Begins Public Awareness Campaign on Real Facts about Real Estate |
| 01/14/2008 |
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»REALTOR®: NAR Expects Stable Existing-home Sales in Early 2008, then Gradual Rise |
| 01/14/2008 |
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»REALTOR®: New Law will Provide Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief for Homeowners |
| 01/07/2008 |
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»REALTOR®: Freddie Mac Warns Borrowers about Foreclosure Fraud Schemes |
| 01/07/2008 |
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»REALTOR®: SAMCAR Realtors Offer Homeowners Safety Information for Short-term Power Outages |
| 12/31/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: San Mateo County Realtors raise over $7,600 for Coastside Hope |
| 12/31/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Information for Homeowners Whose Lenders Have Closed or Gone Bankrupt |
| 12/24/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: California Home Sales, Median Price Fall in November |
| 12/24/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Price Picture Mixed in Bay Area |
| 12/17/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: San Mateo County Realtors Install 2008 Leadership |
| 12/17/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Realtors Hail Passage of FHA Modernization Bill |
| 12/10/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: SAMCAR Realtor of the Year Shares Thoughts about the Real Estate Market |
| 12/10/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Entry-level Housing Affordability at 24 percent in California and 17 percent in San Mateo County |
| 12/03/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: C.A.R. Reports Statewide Sales Decrease 40.2 percent, Median Home Price Falls 9.9 Percent |
| 12/03/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Conforming Loan Limits Remain Unchanged |
| 11/26/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: NAR Reports Median Home Prices Rise in Most Metros |
| 11/26/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Weatherproof Your Home for Winter |
| 11/19/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Realtors Convene in Record Numbers, Aim to Improve Market Confidence |
| 11/19/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: NAR Survey Shows Americans Believe Buying a Home Still a Good Financial Decision |
| 11/12/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Number of Agents will Decrease, but Housing Downturn Just Part of Cycle, according to DRE Commissioner |
| 11/12/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: C.A.R. reports sales decrease 38.9 percent, median home price falls 4.7 percent |
| 11/05/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Review Earthquake Safety Measures |
| 11/05/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: San Mateo County Real Estate Market in Enviable Position, according to C.A.R. Economist |
| 10/29/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Real Estate is Cyclical, California Market Will Rebound, Experts Say |
| 10/22/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Just How Important is Location? |
| 10/22/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: SAMCAR Realtors Suggest Ways to Create a More Sustainable, Environmentally Friendly City |
| 10/15/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Real Estate Is a Solid Long-Term Investment |
| 10/15/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Conditions in Mortgage Market Improving, Should Help Housing in 2008 |
| 10/08/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Realtors Applaud House Passage of Mortgage Cancellation Tax Relief |
| 10/08/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Bay Area real estate conditions, how to prevent foreclosures, will be discussed at Oct. 25 Multi-Cultural Real Estate Summit |
| 10/01/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Statewide home sales down in August, but market strong in San Mateo County |
| 10/01/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Burlingame Mayor on State of the City |
| 09/24/2007 |
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»SAMCAR Charity Spaghetti Feed and Auction raises $30,000 for Samaritan House, |
| 09/24/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Foreclosure re-sales do not yet have market-wide effect on prices |
| 09/17/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Realtors welcome proposed FHA changes |
| 09/17/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: As market softens, now is good time to buy a home |
| 09/10/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Pending Home Sales Index falls, but Realtor officials indicate problems are temporary |
| 09/10/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Realtors observe Realtor Safety Week by sharing safety tips with homeowners |
| 09/03/2007 |
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»First Bay Area Multi-Cultural Real Estate Summit set for Oct. 25 |
| 09/03/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Oversized garages on top of home buyer’s list, NAR survey shows |
| 08/27/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Realtors and clients need to practice safety at open houses |
| 08/27/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Realtor officials attribute drop in July sales to tighter lending standards, negative news about foreclosures and subprime situation |
| 08/20/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Filipino American Realtors raise $31,000 for homeless abroad |
| 08/20/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Six Steps to Avoid Foreclosure |
| 08/13/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Safety at the office |
| 08/13/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: June pending home sales up nationwide |
| 08/06/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: California Foreclosure Activity Continues to Rise |
| 08/06/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Real estate fraud increasing in San Mateo County |
| 07/30/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: San Mateo County Realtors support HEART with annual charity golf tournament and auction |
| 07/30/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Filipino American Realtors and affiliates seek to build homes for impoverished abroad |
| 07/23/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Bay Area home sales still slow, prices up |
| 07/23/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: NAR predicts home prices to recover nationwide next year |
| 07/16/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: SAMCAR Realtors can help educate clients on Hetch Hetchy Right of Way |
| 07/16/2007 |
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»REALTOR®: Pending Homes Sales Rise in West and Northeast |
| 07/09/2007 |
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»Burlingame ranks among top California cities with highest median price |
| 07/09/2007 |
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»C.A.R. President says Realtor 2.0 is the future |
| 07/02/2007 |
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»May existing-home sales show soft real estate market |
| 07/02/2007 |
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»C.A.R. reports sales decreased 25 percent in May, but median home price is up 4.8 percent last year |
| 06/25/2007 |
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»Realtors have a strong stake in preventing abusive lending |
| 06/25/2007 |
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»Bay Area market healthier than others; experienced Realtors doing better, according to C.A.R. official |
| 06/18/2007 |
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»Realtors promote National Homeownership Month in June |
| 06/18/2007 |
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»San Mateo County fares well despite slower pace in Bay Area home sales |
| 06/11/2007 |
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»Millbrae Councilwoman Gina Papan speaks to San Mateo Realtors |
| 06/11/2007 |
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»Legislative Day brings Realtors to Sacramento |
| 06/04/2007 |
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»In California, April home sales are down 27.8 percent, but median home price still up |
| 06/04/2007 |
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»Local Realtor official points to NAR subprime lending policy advocating responsible lending practices |
| 05/28/2007 |
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»Tighter lending standards affect April existing-home sales nationwide |
| 05/28/2007 |
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»SAMCAR Realtors receive HEART Golden Hardhat award |
| 05/21/2007 |
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»Realtors adapt to changing markets and technologies |
| 05/21/2007 |
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»Entry-level housing affordability drops slightly in San Mateo County |
| 05/14/2007 |
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»Realtors give back to seniors in their communities |
| 05/14/2007 |
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»Realtors offer more advice to keep families in their homes |
| 05/07/2007 |
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»State median home price continues upward trend, even as home sales slowdown |
| 05/07/2007 |
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»Foreclosure activity up, but defaults least likely in San Mateo County, analysts note |
| 04/30/2007 |
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»SAMCAR Realtor awarded Congressional Medal |
| 04/30/2007 |
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»Emerging markets will impact real estate industry |
| 04/23/2007 |
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»A preparedness checklist for home sellers |
| 04/23/2007 |
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»Disclosure - great for seller, buyer and real estate professional |
| 04/16/2007 |
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»Realtors® reaffirm pledge to every American's Fair Housing Right |
| 04/16/2007 |
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»Study shows Californians expect major earthquake, but not many are prepared |
| 04/09/2007 |
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»2007 presents challenges and opportunities in real estate |
| 04/02/2007 |
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»Housing market may see short-term impact from subprime reforms |
| 04/02/2007 |
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»C.A.R. reports sales decrease in February, but California median home price up 5.7 percent from year ago |
| 03/26/2007 |
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»Realtor service program for seniors extends from SF Peninsula to all of Santa Clara County |
| 03/26/2007 |
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»Realtors help families maintain homeownership |
| 03/19/2007 |
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»10 helpful tips to take the trauma out of buying a home |
| 03/19/2007 |
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»Real estate still path to wealth in San Francisco region, according to real estate expert |
| 03/12/2007 |
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»Realtors help home buyers find the right home and mortgage |
| 03/12/2007 |
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»Realtors learn about green aspects of architecture |
| 03/05/2007 |
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»Realtor volunteers assist seniors |
| 03/05/2007 |
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»Sales of California vacation homes see some decline |
| 02/26/2007 |
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»Housing market study reveals trends in buyer and seller behavior |
| 02/26/2007 |
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»Affordability continues to be a concern, according to annual report from C.A.R. |
| 02/19/2007 |
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»Changing demographics are altering California’s housing market landscape |
| 02/19/2007 |
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»Bay Area home prices edge down, but San Mateo County housing market is doing well |
| 02/12/2007 |
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»Realtor® volunteers assist seniors |
| 02/12/2007 |
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»Number of real estate licensees continues to rise despite market transition |
| 02/05/2007 |
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»Bubble is not bursting in housing market, Realtor official says |
| 02/05/2007 |
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»December median price of California home up 3.7 percent from year ago |
| 01/29/2007 |
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»As conditions stabilize, 2007 looks like a balanced year for Bay Area housing |
| 01/29/2007 |
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»Opportunity knocks for many buyers, but timing is key |
| 01/15/2007 |
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»Home sales projected to rise gradually this year |
| 01/08/2007 |
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»Avoid predatory lending by asking right questions |
| 01/08/2007 |
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»Learn warning signs associated with predatory lending |
| 01/01/2007 |
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»Pending home sales fall, a sign housing market is stabilizing |
| 01/01/2007 |
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»Rapid increase in foreclosure rates concerns Realtor® officials |
| 12/25/2006 |
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»Housing production drops nearly 11 percent in October |
| 12/25/2006 |
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»Foreclosure activity on the rise, but still in normal range |
| 12/18/2006 |
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»Realtors assess resale value of remodeling projects in shifting markets |
| 12/18/2006 |
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»NAR Technology Survey reveals heavy tech investment by Realtors |
| 12/11/2006 |
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»Luxury home values hit record highs in three California markets |
| 12/04/2006 |
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»San Mateo County homes continue to appreciate |
| 11/27/2006 |
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»C.A.R. sees no downward spiral in 2007 housing market |
| 11/27/2006 |
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»Housing affordability improves slightly from last quarter |
| 11/20/2006 |
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»Realtor Officials Warn Consumers Not to Fall Prey to Predatory Lenders |
| 11/20/2006 |
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»New Poll Finds Consumers Still See Housing as Strong Investment |
| 11/13/2006 |
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»Conditions for Buyers Improve, Market Should Be More Balanced in 2007 |
| 11/10/2006 |
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»Realtor Survey Shows Sellers Value Experience, Trust, Integrity in Their Choice of a Realtor |
| 11/06/2006 |
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»Homebuyers Should Take Action Now While Conditions Remain Favorable, NAR advises |
| 11/03/2006 |
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»Worst of market corrections may be over as existing-home sales and inventory ease |
| 10/27/2006 |
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»Bay Area Housing Market Outperforming Rest of the State, C.A.R. Official Says |
| 10/23/2006 |
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»Homeowners: Be Aware of Pet Liabilities |
| 10/16/2006 |
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»Baby Boomers are Driving Force in Housing Market, Study Shows |
| 10/13/2006 |
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»SAMCAR President Gives REALTORS His Perspective on Dynamics of the Real Estate Industry |
| 09/22/2006 |
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»Be Careful About Hiring Unlicensed Contractors to Perform Work on Your Property |
