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RISMedia » Finance and Economy
‘Green’ Buying Remains Strong	4/19/2009 12:06 PM
RISMEDIA, April 20, 2009-The economy has not dampened the green commitments of most U.S. consumers, according to a recent national poll in which more than two thirds of those who purchase “green” products or services said their “green” buying habits are unchanged and one quarter said they’ve actually increased their purchase of “green” goods or [...]
56% of Americans Say News Paints Mixed Economic Picture	4/19/2009 12:02 PM
RISMEDIA, April 20, 2009-The proportion of Americans saying they are hearing a mix of good and bad news about the economy - rather than mostly bad news - continues to steadily increase. Currently, 56% of Americans say they are hearing a mix of good and bad economic news, up from 46% in March and just 19% [...]
Despite Economic Conditions, Retirement Plans Seen as Important Benefit	4/18/2009 12:02 AM
RISMEDIA, April 18, 2009-Amid the growing concerns about the current economy, small business owners continue to recognize that having a solid retirement plan as an important issue both personally and to their employees. This is according to survey results released by SunTrust Banks, Inc. Yet, despite this acknowledgement, almost 40% of small businesses do not offer [...]
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Helping More Homeowners - Loan Modifications Increasing	4/16/2009 2:29 PM
RISMEDIA, April 17, 2009-Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac modified nearly 24,000 loans during the fourth quarter of 2008, an increase of 76% over the third quarter. The modifications, along with the suspension of foreclosures that began November 26, reduced the number of foreclosures by nearly 27% during the quarter, according to data released by James [...]
Now’s the Time to Seize Summer Travel Bargains	4/15/2009 2:21 PM
RISMEDIA, April 16, 2009-AAA, one of the nation’s largest leisure travel organizations, is suggesting budget-minded consumers seize this summer’s travel bargains as similar savings may not be available in the future. Now is the time to separate general economic anxiety from personal financial reality. “Given all of the negative economic news of the past six months [...]
A Taxing Decision: 5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Tax Refund	4/14/2009 2:38 PM
RISMEDIA, April 15, 2009-Plasma TVs. Getaway vacations. Shopping sprees. The tax refund splurges of years past are not a reality for most Americans in 2009. Many people are likely wringing their hands over what to do with the money they receive back from Uncle Sam. Their concerns are well-founded: It’s more important than ever to [...]
March Retail Sales Disappoint as Retailers Wrap up First Quarter	4/14/2009 2:27 PM
RISMEDIA, April 15, 2009-Several months of stronger-than-expected retail sales provided hope that the industry was poised to bounce back, but March retail sales demonstrate that the industry is continuing to struggle. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail industry sales for March (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) decreased 0.6% seasonally adjusted from [...]
Facing Reality - Staying Optimistic in Today’s Economy	4/13/2009 2:22 PM
RISMEDIA, April 14, 2009-(MCT)-Optimism. For months, it’s been in rather short supply. Like a lingering cold you can’t shake off, the economy’s blues just hang on. It’s not just our bottom line that’s been battered, but our psyches, too. And even if you haven’t lost your job or aren’t facing foreclosure, it’s often hard to feel [...]
The Bailouts Continue - Life Insurance Receives Next Lifeline	4/12/2009 12:05 PM
RISMEDIA, April 13, 2009-(MCT)-The Treasury Department confirmed that life insurers are qualified to join banks and carmakers on the list of industries getting taxpayer bailouts. In a statement, the agency confirmed that certain life insurers are eligible to receive an unspecified amount of the money that remains from October’s $700 billion Wall Street rescue program. “There are [...]
Taxpayers Still Have Time to File or Amend 2005 Returns, but Must Act Quickly	4/12/2009 12:04 PM
RISMEDIA, April 13, 2009-With just a few days left to file income tax returns for 2008, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service is reminding tax filers of another important tax deadline on April 15: the deadline to file or amend returns for tax year 2005. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ecently reported that it has $1.3 billion in [...]

Local Real Estate Market Trends

Queen Creek 3 bedroom homes under $80K
Queen Creek 4 bedroom, 2000+ SqFt homes under $110K
Florence 4 bedroom, 2000+ SqFt homes under $100K
Queen Creek 5+ bedroom homes, 3000+ SqFt under $275K
Queen Creek 4 bedroom homes, 2500+ SqFt under $150K

Wall Street Journal Real Estate News

Helmsley Estate Sells Manhattan Hotel	3/10/2010 9:13 AM
The Helmsley Carlton House is being sold to a partnership between private-equity firm Angelo, Gordon & Co. and Extell Development for about $170 million.
BofA Lawyers Rebuked in Cabi Case	3/9/2010 9:48 PM
BofA lawyers have agreed to reimburse lawyers for a Miami developer after a judge's rebuke for trying "to score a litigation point" in an ongoing foreclosure dispute.
European REIT Rollout at Hand	3/10/2010 8:58 AM
With European property markets beginning to recover from the market downturn and global recession, there are signs that the REIT revolution could be at hand.
General Growth Debt Bet Pays Off	3/10/2010 9:03 AM
A handful of investors dug to the bottom of the discount bin and snapped up General Growth's convertible bonds at three cents on the dollar. They now trade at 103 cents.
Marriott Expands in Europe	3/9/2010 7:10 AM
Forty thousand more hotel rooms on the Continent would have Marriott brand names in the next few years under the company's plan.

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RISMedia » Real Estate
U.S. Foreclosure Activity Decreases 2% in February 2010	3/10/2010 11:00 PM
RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—RealtyTrac, a leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, released its February 2010 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows foreclosure filings—default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions—were reported on 308,524 U.S. properties during the month, a decrease of…
3 Real Estate Market Challenges to Tackle Throughout the Year	3/10/2010 4:30 PM
RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—It’s not likely anything could surprise us as much as the sheer magnitude of the slowdown we’re experiencing. Just be prepared for anything going forward. If you made adjustments and found some stability in 2009, then you’re probably…
More Consumers Pay Credit Card, Skip Mortgage Payments	3/10/2010 4:24 PM
RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—(MCT)—U.S. consumers are starting to look like a frugal, debt-fearing lot as they pay down billions of dollars in credit card obligations. But an alarming trend is emerging: A small but growing number of people are skipping…
Regional Spotlight: Connecticut Home Sales, Prices Increase in January 2010	3/10/2010 4:22 PM
RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—The median price for single-family homes in Connecticut climbed 6% in January 2010 compared to a year earlier, while sales increased for the fourth consecutive month, according to a report by The Warren Group, publisher of The Commercial…
Appraisal Institute Opposes Obama Administration’s Plan for Homeowner Short Sales	3/10/2010 4:20 PM
RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—Citing concerns about increased mortgage fraud, four organizations representing more than 35,000 real estate appraisers recently voiced their opposition to changes to an Obama administration program that will encourage short sales of homes. The coalition was led by…
Long & Foster Enhances Website with Video Content	3/10/2010 4:11 PM
RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—One of the nation’s largest privately owned real estate companies is the latest firm to partner with VScreen for production of customized video content for its website and marketing efforts. Based in the Washington DC area, Long…
Alex Chaparro Named Chairman of NAHREP	3/10/2010 4:08 PM
RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) announced the appointment of Alex Chaparro, a Chicago-based independent real estate broker, as the 2010-2011 chairman of one of the nation’s fastest growing trade associations for Hispanic real…
DocuSign Unveils Exclusive Realtor Edition for the National Association of Realtors 1.1 Million Members	3/10/2010 4:07 PM
RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—DocuSign, a leading provider of on-demand electronic signature solutions, announced the release of DocuSign REALTOR Edition. This exclusive eSignature service is specifically tailored for and available to members of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). DocuSign Realtor…
Countrywide Acquires UK Franchise for Sotheby’s International Realty Brand	3/10/2010 4:06 PM
RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC announced the signing of an exclusive 25-year licensing agreement for the United Kingdom with Countrywide, one of the U.K.’s largest estate agency and property services group. Under the agreement, Countrywide has the exclusive…
Mortgage Rates Decline; Current 30-Year Fixed Rate Is 4.76%	3/10/2010 4:04 PM
RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—The 30-year fixed mortgage rate on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace is currently 4.76%, down four basis points from 4.80% compared to this same time last week. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fluctuated between 4.76 and 4.82 during the…

Local Real Estate Market Trends

Wall Street Journal Real Estate News

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