Opinion

Jun

27
2008

Letter to Editor

Frustration breeds innovation

Re: 'Where's the 'wow'?' (June 26)

Dear Editor:

I think Teresa is right on target with her observations. Today's sales professionals are being stormed by vendors promising this and that for a very few that really know or understand why.

My suggestion is to separate the product or service shopping list into two categories: business optional and business critical. After that analysis, your buy or no-buy decisions should become much, much clearer.  more...

Jun

24
2008

Letter to Editor

$1.4 billion in housing subsidies would be well spent

Re: 'Clock ticking again on seller-funded down payments' (June 17)

Dear Editor:

In my opinion, by not allowing seller contributions towards down-payment assistance the current housing market will be hurt. In this market we need activity to keep it alive, prices strong, and buyer sentiment strong. Since the federal government has failed at regulating the appraisal process and the lending process in general, they should provide additional cushion for the blow.  more...

Jun

23
2008

Letter to Editor

Home prices at 1990s levels? Never gonna happen

Re: 'Owning home not always better than renting' (June 12)

Dear Editor:

I think it is important people view purchasing a home as a long-term investment and not one of short term, as has been the case in the last several years. While people purchasing homes may be low now, keep in mind that even with home values on the decline you will never be able to purchase a home for the price people spent for one in the 1970s, '80s or even '90s.

Another benefit to purchasing a home is that if you're smart enough to get a fixed mortgage your payments will essentially never increase, while typically your income will over the course of a typical 30-year note. On a final note, I can guarantee over the course of 30 years your rent will increase. In my humble opinion, if an individual or family has the intention to live in a specific area for at least five years or more then purchasing a home should be a serious consideration.  more...

Jun

19
2008

Letter to Editor

Buyer beware at auction sale

Re: 'Lawsuit challenges real estate auctions' (June 17)

Dear Editor:

I am glad to see someone taking action against this sales process. Additionally, (some real estate auction companies) require that the consumer pay the marketing fees normally charged to the lender or seller, including sales commissions. And a buyer's agent is not compensated at a level to assume the liability associated with representing the buyer.  more...

Jun

18
2008

Letter to Editor

Yield spread transparency is what consumers need

Re: 'RateSpeed rolls out mortgage pricing tool' (June 17)

Dear Editor:

Hopefully this tool will be used by consumers to find good professionals and reasonable pricing. More likely it will add to the borrower's distrust of the industry. It will certainly add to the borrowers contacting an inordinate number of lenders to bargain for a rate deal like they were at a local car lot.

Without taking time to educate the consumer about the national average yield spread on any given rate and the way yield spread can be used to assist in reducing closing costs, it will just add to the confusion. Right now they are introducing this as a tool with no sales side. After a number of years in the industry I think I can venture a good guess that the beta test inviting the industry to participate is the beginning of a sales tool.  more...

Jun

17
2008

Letter to Editor

U.S. needs higher interest rates to survive

Re: 'Fed foolish to raise rates now' (June 13)

Dear Editor:

Any nation that runs a budget deficit cannot afford to keep its benchmark rates low for too long. Why? Because foreign direct investment finances our nation's huge deficit. By keeping interest rates low, foreign direct investment into our dollar-dominated debt decreases, devaluing our nation's currency. Since our nation -- due to high taxes, high labor costs and egregious environmental restrictions on our industry -- cannot ever compete with other nations, the United States is a net importer of goods and services. Our devalued currency has caused inflation to balloon.

   more...

Jun

12
2008

Letter to Editor

MLS security fears are overblown

Jun

10
2008

Letter to Editor

Old building materials pose hazards

Re: 'Double standards hamper green building' (June 6)

Dear Editor:  more...

Jun

5
2008

Letter to Editor

Foreclosures can be a solid investment

Re: 'Foreclosures are NOT bargains' (June 5)

Dear Editor:

While the current market is ripe with foreclosures, it is a sign of the times. Greed brought us here with guidelines that should NEVER have been underwritten: "I'd like a 100 percent non-owner occupied residential loan, please." If someone (tenant or owner) coughs wrong, bingo! Foreclosure.  more...

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