Top real estate posts of the day for 11/2/2009

1) How long do mortgage rates quotes last? – It’s a problem I hear with buyers often, they are given a quote then the next day the rate is different. I think lenders need to do a better job explaining to buyers when they do give them quotes.

2) What happens in escrow? – You can read all the details on what is involved in the escrow process or you can jump to the end and have have it explained like he explained it to his 6-year old.

3) I love my dogs but… I also had a bad experience with a cat getting out at a showing a few months ago. Homeowners, agents please make sure you notify people of pets in the house.

4) Broker to Congress: Don’t extend the credit (just keep rates low) – Now here is one I can appreciate, don’t give away more or my money and drive us further into debt, just do what you can to keep rates low.

5) National Association announces 2010 buyer MLS system – This is not a real story, but the idea actually has some merit. It would be an interesting idea to look at going forward.

6) Zemanta blogging with training wheels – but worse – If you are a geek like me Zemanta may have been one of the things on your long list to try. This may save me some time.

7) The net effect of government intrusions in the real estate market is to create a standing wave of foreclosures amid steadily-declining home values – Greg as always writes a thought provoking column and uses his unique style to explain it. And again, as much as I may not want to, I have to agree with him. The staggering part? The National Association of Realtors reports that 59% of all new home loans this year were underwritten by the Federal Housing Authority, the Veterans Administration or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. So basically the federal government owns 59% of the houses purchases this year.

8) A word with the Broker – Technology policies and monitoring tips – Every Broker should read this one, doing to much or not enough are both bad options.

9) Search engine optimization tip – word separators – If you are a blogger read on… if you are not, go to number 10.

10) Just one successful way to use Facebook – A Facebook agent who uses Facebook to keep in touch with her community, but not promote she is an agent.