Cost-vs-Value studies consistently reveal Kitchens and Baths recoup 77-85% of the remodeling cost at resale. For sellers, a little extra work can mean not only a difference in how much they can ask for their home but also if they get to the closing table at all. Most buyers will not invest in a house that has only one bathroom no matter how [...]

When I learned last week that the Governor's proposed budget for fiscal year 2008 includes a retroactive cap on the Historic Tax Credits, I was not very happy. The program supplies tax credits worth 30% of construction costs and while it is true that the state loses in tax revenue, it also creates economic output through new jobs, [...]

In the long run, the value of Real Estate will always go up, but the day to day, especially these days, can be pretty scary. If you are in the market today, you are aware of market psychology and its role in the current downturn. As with everything else, knowledge is power; a better understanding of the market is the key to turning bad [...]

Freddie Mac reported last Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.69 percent, marking the second week that 30-year mortgages have been below 6 percent and the third week that rates dropped. This week's average was the lowest since the week of July 14, 2005 when the 30-year mortgages were at 5.66 percent. So, with interest [...]

Did you feel like you were living in the mall this holiday season? My final guests of the year, Michael Townsend and Adriana Yoto, along with 6 others, did just that. These 8 artists lived in their 750 square foot apartment, complete with an entertainment system, off and on for 4 years until they were caught by mall security last fall. When [...]