Category Archives: Industry News & Discussion

Although Colorado’s economy has fared better than most of the country, the economic squeeze is still being felt here, as it is in much of the nation. Unfortunately, a tight economy increases many an opportunity for professional scammers who prey off feelings of consumer desperation. While it may be easier for scammers to find victims these days, a healthy dose of skepticism and a little bit of knowledge can keep you from getting caught in their net.  Let’s take a quick look at some of the most recent scams directed at homeowners. Mortgage Loan Audit Scams: The FTC calls it… Read More »

Denver is again ranked No. 9 on the list of best cities for finding a new job, according to a report released Wednesday. The CareerCast.com/JobSerf Employment Index for December sandwiched Denver between New York and Philadelphia.  Washington, D.C., was the best city for finding a new job, followed by Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Baltimore, Atlanta and Chicago. The index shows managerial hiring activity based on online job postings, and includes 30 metro areas. The number is tied to population. Overall hiring fell in December across the country, according to the index, but a 26-point bump in the index over December… Read More »

Could a Brand New Home be a Bargain for You? In many areas, the housing market is hot for sellers right now. Mortgage programs abound for every type of borrower, and homes are in high demand.  What many people don’t realize is that in many Midwestern and Southern U.S. locations, new home builders have become overly zealous in recent years. Many new home developments have vacant homes just waiting for the right buyer.  Educated consumers realize that the sellers (builders) are desperate to sell these homes and recoup their building costs. After all, a home that sits vacant and doesn’t… Read More »

Image via Wikipedia At Hearing, Bennet Presses Witnesses on Unnecessary Confusion, Difficulty of Modifying Home Loans Washington, DC – November 17, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today renewed his push to help Colorado families stay in their homes by pressing for more transparency and clarity and a new appeals process in foreclosures. In a Senate Banking Committee hearing, Bennet shared the stories of two Colorado families in danger of losing their homes to highlight the need for changes to the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) and to how mortgage servicers handle foreclosure cases. “I’ve had 22… Read More »

Image via Wikipedia MarketWire updated 11/24/2010 1:12:00 PM ET 2010-11-24T18:12:00 WASHINGTON, DC — As the holiday season approaches, the National Association of Realtors® is giving thanks to American troops. NAR will provide care packages and housing assistance to support soldiers and their families here in the U.S. and abroad. Two national charities will receive support from NAR — Operation American Soldier and USA Cares. “During this Thanksgiving and holiday seasons, the Realtor® family would like to recognize the tremendous sacrifice by our service men and women, as well as their families,” said NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in… Read More »

Employers, give your workers some more money! By Allison Linn, senior business writer, from MSNBC.com,  Nov. 11, 2010 Here’s a crazy idea for reviving the economy: Give your workers a great big raise. Maybe it’s actually not that crazy. After all, it worked out pretty well for Henry Ford. John T. Landry, a contributing editor to the Harvard Business Review blog, proposed the idea in a blog post earlier this week. According to Landry, in 1914 Ford decided to double his workers’ salaries from $2.50 a day to $5. The move had the effect of making workers more loyal, and… Read More »