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Got Attitude?

Got Attitude?

Posted on 08. Jun, 2010 by Rick Gregory.

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Economic forecasts are an interesting thing to consider.  Exactly 3 weeks ago, I read several forecasts that stated that the market was indeed recovering and that the total annualized home sales volume was going to exceed approximately 5.7 million units.  Today, I’ve read that May was down 25 – 30% in some markets and that, [...]

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What’s Happening with Rates?

What’s Happening with Rates?

Posted on 20. May, 2010 by Rick Gregory.

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I spend a lot of time with our franchisees discussing both macro and micro economic trends in various parts around our great country.  During a recent conversation regarding home affordability, a sales associate asked what causes mortgage rates to change so quickly.  This particular sales associate is newer to the business and apparently, just had [...]

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Next Step!

Next Step!

Posted on 05. May, 2010 by Rick Gregory.

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Last week, the tax credit expired. Is that good or is that bad? California has made their decision to state-fund their version of a tax credit in an attempt to continue to drive their housing market – but what about everyone else?

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Taking Suggestions

Taking Suggestions

Posted on 16. Apr, 2010 by Rick Gregory.

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The White House wants our input on how to overhaul the nation’s $11-Trillion mortgage market. Through the Office of the Federal Register, the administration will be asking the public to provide comments to questions regarding the futures of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the broader U.S. housing-finance system.

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Vegas and RESPRO – What Happened is Definitely Not Staying!

Vegas and RESPRO – What Happened is Definitely Not Staying!

Posted on 12. Mar, 2010 by Rick Gregory.

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I attended RESPRO’s (Real Estate Services Provider Council, Inc.) 2010 Annual Conference in Las Vegas and found the event time very well spent. This being my first time to RESPRO’s conference, I was a little unsure of what to expect.  I knew there would be presentations and content shared regarding all of the recent RESPA [...]

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One-Stop Shopping: What’s Happening?!

One-Stop Shopping: What’s Happening?!

Posted on 18. Feb, 2010 by Rick Gregory.

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It almost feels old fashioned to use the words “one-stop shopping”.  Heck, it was very common many years ago for real estate firms to own both insurance agencies and mortgage brokerages (even my great grandfather owned a real estate and insurance company back in the early 1900’s in Hackettstown, NJ.)  In today’s world, however, we [...]

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Job Loss Report – The Rest of the Story

Job Loss Report – The Rest of the Story

Posted on 11. Jan, 2010 by Rick Gregory.

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While many of my previous blog’s use of attempted humor to prove a point have generated some fun conversations, my goal is always to share relevant information that is hopefully found useful by many of our franchisees and sales associates.  After reviewing Friday’s jobless numbers, providing some direct factual information that can help shed some [...]

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Back to the Future (again)!

Back to the Future (again)!

Posted on 16. Dec, 2009 by Rick Gregory.

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As he asked for another from the bartender that thought a Commodore 64 was an old car, I realized that Bill was right on the money; we can’t forget about how we got here.   No, it wasn’t a discussion about creation versus evolution and it had nothing to do with me forgetting how to get [...]

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Spring Comes Early!

Spring Comes Early!

Posted on 10. Nov, 2009 by Rick Gregory.

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According to the 2010 Farmers’ Almanac, this coming winter “a large area of numbingly cold temperatures will predominate.”  However, I suspect the warming effects of the extension of the Homebuyers Tax Credit will make for a very “hot” winter in real estate. You don’t need an almanac to know that traditionally, the months of December, [...]

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