Salt Lake City, UT -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/11/2012 -- http://www.rentalprotectionagency.com announced their latest alias trace technology for Background checks and tenant screening. The new screening service allows landlords to accurately very tenants through advanced alias matching algorithms that identify possible name changes, fake names, married / divorced names. This change brings a higher standard to online background checks as it provides similar results a private investigator would take weeks to find.

The Rental Protection Agency new alias trace tenant screening service can be found here: http://www.rentalprotectionagency.com/background-check.php

Rental Protection Agency offers resources to assist landlords in making informed decisions about their tenants. Up to date, there are more than 106 million renters nationwide. The RPA provides latest technology to provide more accurate data to landlords and apartment complexes anywhere in the USA.

National background checks are instantly available for less than 30 dollars on the RPA website. Screening potential tenants is a commonly overlooked process by smaller landlords and ends up being one of the riskiest decisions for rental properties. One bad tenant can cost landlords thousands of dollars in lost rent, legal fees and stress.

Like most rental expenses, tenant screening reports are 100% tax deductible through the RPA. In many States landlords will pass on the cost of running such background checks onto their tenants. This application fee is a good alternative for properties running on tight budgets.

About rentalprotectionagency.com
The tenant screening reports available through the RPA are backed by a full money back guarantee and claim to be the most accurate online check available to landlords and property manager alike. This risk free screening report is provided to assure landlords that the RPA is doing everything possible to provide the best data on their potential renters. The data available is FCRA compliant and derived from records from all 50 States.

For more information please visit the RPA tenant screening page online. http://www.rentalprotectionagency.com/background-check.php

Contact:
Scott Paxton
Rental Protection Agency
http://www.RentalProtectionAgency.com
801-484-7368 (Phone)
800-780-1195 (Fax)
media@rpausa.com
2181 E Bengal Blvd UC300
Salt Lake City, Utah 84121

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/rental-protection-agency-launches-new-alias-trace-technology-for-tenant-screening-163858.htm

Buying a House is More Affordable in 35 Suburbs of West Australia

Toowong, QLD -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/11/2012 -- Good news has emerged for the people of West Australia who are renting their residences. Now they can afford to buy their own houses instead of buckling under huge rental payments every month. A recent report in Australia suggests that in 35 suburbs in the west side, it is cheaper to buy homes than it is to pay rent.

Recently, the Residential Property of Australia compiled data of 238 suburbs across the country to find out the amount of rent as well as the prices of the houses in different areas. According to the data of RP, there are 35 suburbs in West Australia where it is affordable and less expensive to buy a home than living on rent based on paying a deposit of 10 percent as well as the remaining amount gradually.

A list compiled by the Residential Property shows that Mt Hawthorn and Burswood are at the top with respect to the most affordable homes. According to RP data, the people living in Mt Hawthorn can save around $742 per month as a homeowner on an average rent, whereas in Burswood, people can save around $545 per month.

Tim Lawless, a representative from the Residential Property data, stated that the lower mortgage rates and easy financing facilities have made it possible to buy houses by paying less than rent. This will cause the people of West Australia to return to the property market.“These conditions have resulted in improved housing affordability. With lower mortgage rates and tight rental markets resulting in some rental increases and lower home values, many buyers may see now as a good time to either re-enter the market or buy their first home." – says Lawless according to WA Today.

About Ultraproperty.com.au
Ultraproperty.com.au (http://www.ultraproperty.com.au/) offers a wide range of property development approvals and guidance to the investors, landlords, and builders in Brisbane. Ultra Property ensures that reliable and quality service is delivered to the clients when buying investment properties.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/house-renting-more-expensive-in-west-australia-than-buying-reports-ultrapropertycomau-163774.htm

Helping veterans realize their homeownership dreams, MyVARefinance.net offers the lowest available rates for U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs loans.

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/12/2012 -- In honor of individuals in the military service who have dedicated their lives for America, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs created in 1944 mortgage financing instruments designed exclusively to reward active duty and retired service personnel. Tagged as the VA loan, the home and financing assistance from the federal government service ensures that service men and women had access to the American Dream.

At present, the VA loan program offers veterans with access to low home loan rates and a mortgage structure that is more financially beneficial than other options. While private banks actually finance VA loans, the federal government backs them - which results in banks having the confidence to offer lower VA mortgage rates and other terms that are less stringent than standard mortgage holders might be offered.

When in the market for a VA home loan, dealing with someone who will offer honestly, ethically and respectful service is a must.

MyVARefinance.net is in the business of helping veterans in multiple states obtain the financing necessary to make homeownership dreams come true. Founded by Dustin McAlister, the family owned and operated company helps ensure that every VA home loan is handled with professionalism, courtesy and respect. With more than 20 years in the industry, MyVARefinance.net has proven dedication to helping veterans with their VA refinance or VA purchase loan.

Happy customer W. Yatsko from Las Vegas, Nevada says about MyVARefinance.net: "Thank you for your excellent service. Your professionalism and down-to-earth manner really made our experience a pleasant one. You were great to work with; your company knew what they were doing when they hired you. We look forward to sending many more clients your way."

MyVARefinance.net visitors may simply submit their information directly to the website, and get an immediate same day quote of some of the best, if not the best VA home loan rates in the country.

To know more about the VA home loan information assistance services from My VA Refinance, please visit http://www.myvarefinance.net/ for details.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/myvarefinancenet-honors-us-veterans-with-low-va-mortgage-rates-and-resource-164186.htm

Ciara Brennan of Mass Homes Realty has Received an Advanced Marketing Designation Which Recognizes Deep Understanding of Internet Marketing Strategies for Helping Customers Buy and Sell Homes

Hanover, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/12/2012 -- Ciara Brennan, a leading real estate professional with Mass Homes Realty in Hanover, MA, has been awarded the Internet Marketing Specialist Designation for her proficiency in using internet marketing strategies to help his customers market their properties on the world wide web.

Ciara Brennan is now completely trained in marketing real estate across the internet, including on all of the major search engines, social media channels, Craigslist and more – with proven strategies that drive the maximum traffic and inquiry volume to help homes get sold quickly and for the highest price possible.

“The most important attribute in choosing a real estate agent today is mastery of the internet as a marketing tool for your homes or property”, said Ben Kinney, founder of the Internet Marketing Specialist Designation. “Ciara Brennan of Mass Homes Realty has mastered the web marketing best practices that I actively use in my practice and she has effectively differentiated herself from amongst all other real estate professionals with these valuable skills.”

For more information about Ciara Brennan and Mass Homes Realty, 1100 Washington Street, Suite 5, Hanover, MA, please visit http://mass-homes.com or call 781 924 1142.

Ciara Brennan started practicing real estate in 2005. She quickly excelled to being one of the top agents in the company she worked for, winning many awards, including Top Producer. In 2012, Ciara decided to open her own real estate company, Mass Homes Realty. Mass Homes Realty is a full service real estate company servicing the South Shore of Boston. If you would like to search for homes for sale in Hanover MA, please contact us.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/hanover-ma-real-estate-agent-ciara-brennan-awarded-internet-marketing-specialist-designation-164189.htm

Fairfax, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/12/2012 -- Two people integral to your success in buying a home in Virginia are your Realtor and your mortgage lender. A professional Realtor at Debbie Dogrul Associates will help you find the house that suits all of your needs for a price that works with your budget. Meanwhile, your lender holds the purse strings to what may be the largest investment of your life. This professional plays a critical role in the success of your house purchase. And that’s why your Realtor should also be able to help you choose the best lender.

In the real estate market in Virginia, about 90% of homes are sold with a mortgage in place. If you intend to purchase a home in VA, of course you will want to receive the very best interest rate possible. But what truly makes the difference between receiving a “good” mortgage and an “excellent” one is not just the rate that you receive, but also the level of service and care that you receive from your lender.

At Debbie Dogrul Associates, we want to help you understand the mortgage process from start to finish. Before you apply for a mortgage, you should know which type of loan is best for you. There are several different types from which you can choose. Some of these include a fixed-rate mortgage, which means you will pay an unchanging amount of interest on your loan for a fixed amount of time; an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), which means the interest rate fluctuates within predetermined intervals; and a flexible payment ARM, in which the borrower can choose from different payment methods every month. Different types of mortgage repayment plans are suitable for different people, so it is a good idea to research what type of loan is best for you before completing the application process.

Once you apply for a mortgage loan, there are three main departments that it will go through before you find out whether your loan has been approved:

Processing Department: A representative will review your application to make sure that all of the information that is needed is present. You may be asked to provide pay check stubs, proof of your checking account balance, and/or other financial information. It helps to have all of this information organized and accessible before you begin your loan application process.

Underwriting: In this department, they review all of the information from the previous department. They go over everything with a fine-toothed comb, focusing on small details. A loan application may take several days in this department, as it is very detail-oriented.

Closing: Once the underwriting department has checked and confirmed the whole package, they send it to the closing department. The closing department then assembles the loan package paperwork and sends it on its way to the settlement company.

When you buy a house, you are really required to purchase several other items as well, including a home inspection, home owner’s insurance, a mortgage loan, and possibly membership in a home owner’s association. A good Realtor, like the ones at Debbie Dogrul Associates, can help you find the best mortgage lender for your unique situation. Visit TeamDDA.com for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/a-good-realtor-can-help-you-choose-the-best-lender-164492.htm

Property genie is a site created for all things property in new zealand

Alexandra South Island, New Zealand -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/12/2012 -- Property Genie has officially opened their doors on September 1 of 2012. Property Genie is a good directory for all things property. Whether you’re a homeowner or a property investor, The Property Genie provides you with details on property service providers all over New Zealand.

Since the official opening, many individuals are excited to learn more about Property Genie. During their research, they are going to find that there are a large amount of packages available on the Property Genie.

When visiting the home page, select “packages.” Here, users will be able to search for listing packages/prices by selecting their desired choice in the dropdown menu. This is great for individuals that are looking for accountants, appliances repair, home inspections, decorators, demolition, painting, roof coating and much more. Once the user selects what they are looking for, they will then be asked to select the region, followed by the city or town. For example, in the “I’m looking for …” drop down box, click on “accountants.” In the “region” dropdown box, click on “Auckland” and in the “City or Town” dropdown box, click on “Auckland City” and then click the green “start search” button. When doing this, individuals will find “Thorne Accounting Limited.” Property genie makes it easy for individuals to find exactly what they are looking for.

Property Genie is available to help businesses gain more exposure in search engines. They currently offer three packages: Basic, premium and Premium Plus. Users who order Premium Plus results will have their listings show up on the homepage of the site. Premium Plus is great for those who want to get extra exposure. With the Premium Plus Category Sponsor Listing, they also offer video marketing. All of the premium and premium plus new listings will be sent out to the Twitter community, which currently has 3,300 followers. With Property Genie, individuals can grow their business and increase sales.

Individuals who are interested may want to click here to create their account and listing today.

About Property Genie
Property Genie is a directory that has been designed to connect individuals who have property or real estate with anything who provides goods and/or services to property owners. Businesses can have their company listed on this page in order to increase their sales. Users who have questions can email Hadar Orkibi at Hadar@propertygenie.co.nz or call 021 103 6161.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/property-genie-has-officially-opened-their-doors-163885.htm

Leigh-On-Sea, Essex -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/13/2012 -- Selling a house in the UK can be an expensive process, with most estate agents asking for between 2% and 4% of the house value to market and sell a property. These percentages amount to thousands of pounds in fees eroding the money owners take away from their sale. These traditional high fee agents have been losing ground to iThinkProperty, an online estate agent that has been getting a lot of attention lately thanks to its market leading pricing structure, with fees starting from £225.

Eighty to eighty five percent of people begin their search for a new home online, according to recent statistics. Yet, once they have found properties they are interested in online, they move on to deal with traditional estate agents and their higher fees. iThinkProperty is an award winning online estate agent that performs all of the tasks that a traditional agent does for a fraction of the price.

A spokesman explained,

“A few years ago, telling you that you can sell your home for £225 might have sounded laughable, but as word spreads about us and our successes, people are starting to understand how much they can save by using us as an alternative to private sales or traditional estate agents. We’ve even attracted mainstream media attention from The Sunday Times, who featured a young family that saved over £2,000 in agents fees and sold the house for over £10,000 more than they bought it. It’s simple: our system works.”

The site operates a simple four step process for listing a poroperty: upload photos and text (to be verified by their local agent); this is then syndicated through major listings websites like Rightmove, viewings are qualified and arranged by iThinkProperty, then offers, negotiations, sales and rentals are administrated by an expert property team, all for the initial listing cost with 0% commission.

iThinkProperty believe their sales process is as comprehensive as any traditional Estate Agent, a spokesperson explains:

“Even though our fees are a fraction of traditional agents we still offer a premium service. Many house sellers mistakenly believe they will have to take their own photographs, or do without some marketing materials, but that’s not the case. For each of our customers a local agent visits the property and takes professional photographs, designs a floor plan and measures the property for the property particulars. In terms of marketing we market through a huge range of online portals way in excess of the marketing efforts of most agencies.”

Their process has earned them awards within the industry from the Estate & Letting Agent Awards, as well as official recognition from The Property Ombudsman. The site was also nominated at the 2012 Growing Business Awards on account of how rapidly they’re catching on with mainstream sellers.

About iThinkProperty
iThinkProperty are the UK&aposs most affordable online estate agents, offering everything sellers would expect from an experienced estate agent. Sellers get their own personal account displaying all the information on their property sale, from the interest it&aposs creating to all viewing enquiries, offers and even full online access to every detail of your sales progression once the sale is made. For more information, please visit: http://www.ithinkproperty.co.uk/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/ithinkproperty-announces-market-leading-estate-agent-fees-for-property-sales-164231.htm

North Las Vegas, NV -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/13/2012 -- Private Money Exchange announced today that their ground-breaking peer-to-peer lending is the best way to help real estate investors and real estate borrowers both get what they want and build a profitable alliance at the same time. In addition, the company announced they have the Private Funds needed by investors right now and encouraged interested parties to head to their website.

Robert S Singleton, Media Contact of Private Money Exchange, explained that real estate investors do not need to have great credit scores and can get the money they need quickly. Recently, Singleton told the press, "When investors are looking for Real Estate Investment Funds and they know banks will not lend to real estate investors, we can and we do loan. The truth is, we have more money than we can get placed. What we really need right now is real estate investors to bring great real estate investments deals to Private Money Exchange so that we can get the money the investor needs for funding. We don&apost care about your credit or your past credit woes, we work to build alliances that make both parties money - this is what we do and it&aposs our passion."

When asked how someone that is interested in becoming a real estate investor would get started, Singleton stated, "I&aposll be honest with you, the easiest way to get going on becoming an investor is by going to our site at http://www.privatemoneyexchange.com and fill out the short form. We have a team that is ready to contact you with information on investing and funding options that are available." Singleton also mentioned that it is not hard to get funding for investors when going through Private Money Exchange and the nicest aspect is, you can "buy them, fix them, and flip them quickly", which then creates the alliance between borrowers and investors.

Asked about the future of Private Money Exchange and Singleton said with a wide smile, "The future is bright - we continue to add investors and borrowers daily. We are one of the fastest growing peer-to-peer funding businesses available and we&aposre unique because we work quickly. We&aposre definitely not going anywhere and currently looking for more growth opportunities - we have a lot up our sleeves that we know investors and borrowers are going to love. The company is solid and I&aposm thrilled to be a part of making dreams come true everyday."

Private Money Exchange is part of Secured Investment Corp., and is specifically for providing private funding for Real Estate. These are for investors that cannot get the funding they need in a traditional sense, such as banks. It allows even those with poor credit to take advantage of investing while earning a profit when selling the property. In addition, Private Money Exchange allows those that are retired and wish to invest in safe returns such as real estate a great opportunity to do so. The system is set up to be a win-win platform for both investors and borrowers in the real estate market.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/website-offers-peer-to-peer-real-estate-investment-borrowers-with-investors-164293.htm

Horbury, Wakefield -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/13/2012 -- Thurston Group, a leading supplier of prefabricated modular, portable and temporary building solutions including portable offices, is now offering MultiSpace Fastrack Buildings. The company is expecting success and a high level of customer inquiries in the near future about their newly-launched product.

MultiSpace is dedicated to delivering alternative modular solutions. As the economy continues to struggle, there is more need for innovation in the construction industry. With its flexible product lines, MultiSpace provides portable building alternatives that will help meet their clients’ requirements and drive their project forward until its successful completion.

For example, as part of its product lineup, MultiSpace Fastrack Buildings have just launched the innovative new Bath PODs, which it anticipates will help “pod-ulate” the building market.

As an article on the Thurston Group website noted, prefabricated bathroom PODs allow for quicker construction programmes and significantly reduced requirements for on-site skilled labour, which in turn provides valuable time and cost efficiencies over traditional construction methods.

“MultiSpace combines innovative design with engineering knowledge and manufacturing expertise to deliver a solution that exceeds the demanding standards of today’s construction industry,” the article noted, adding that by offering standard and bespoke designs to both commercial and residential projects, the company’s project team will work closely with its clients to design, deliver and install the bathroom PODs that will give a professional and stylish finish to any build project.

MultiSpace also features Retail PODs that can be used to expand a business. Like the Bath PODs, they are easy to install and relocate.

Customers who are interested in learning more about Thurston Group and its entire product line are welcome to visit its user friendly website at any time and browse through the vast selection of modular office selections, portable buildings, prefabricated buildings and much more. Handy category tabs that are listed on the left hand side of the home page will help customers find the specific type of product they are looking for quickly and easily.

The keys to Thurston Group’s success as a company are the flexibility, quality and experience that the employees bring to every building project.

“We work in partnership with you and offer a wide range of choice in the manufacture and finish of your building so that we can meet your exact requirements from branding to hygiene standards,” an article on the site noted.

“By choosing Thurston, you will not just be choosing a supplier, but a business partner, who will work in collaboration with you to build your business for the future.”

About Thurston Group
Thurston is a leading provider of premium quality modular and portable buildings for use in every industry and market sector, including health, education, transport, construction, defence, and telecommunications. The company has just added the MultiSpace Fastrack Buildings to its lineup.

For more information, please visit http://www.thurstongroup.co.uk

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/portable-buildings-selection-from-thurston-group-now-includes-multispace-fastrack-buildings-164394.htm

Fairfax, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/13/2012 -- By the time you have decided to put your house on the market in Fairfax, you probably already know that the appearance of your home, both inside and outside, is extremely important. But did you know that there is another element that is frequently overlooked, is equally important to how potential buyers perceive your house, and is right under your nose? The smell!

When potential buyers are viewing your home, the way that it smells is just as important, if not more important, than the way that it looks. The brain’s limbic system, which stores memories, is also responsible for identifying a particular odor as it is received by receptors, so emotional memories and smells are very powerfully connected. A clean, refreshing scent can leave people with a positive impression of your property, and a dirty or musty scent can leave people thinking that they simply could not imagine themselves being comfortable in that space. So, as you and your Realtor prepare to show your VA home, follow these tips to ensure that your home has a nice, fresh smell.

(1) Launder all of your curtains and bed linens. Fabrics can be magnets for foul odors.
(2) Place foul-smelling items, such as kids’ sports equipment and shoes, into airtight containers.
(3) Wipe down all of your floors, kitchen countertops, and windows with white vinegar. Although vinegar has a distinct smell when you use it, the smell dissipates and is then neutralizing. Plus, white vinegar is an excellent nontoxic cleaner. Use half of a cup of white vinegar in 1 gallon of hot water.
(4) Hire a professional company to steam clean all of your carpets.
(5) Before showing your home, empty all of your garbage cans.
(6) Pay special attention to the pets and pet areas in your home. Place all pet toys in a closet or airtight container before showing your home. Bathe your pets to ensure that they are clean and fresh-smelling. Make sure to empty cat litter boxes and clean up dog waste in your yard. If your pets are indoor pets, you may wish to put them outside or ask if a friend can pet-sit for you while you are showing your home.
(7) If you smoke in your home, you should consider only smoking outside for several weeks before showing your home. Cigarette smells linger and can be very difficult to remove from a home.
(8) Because pet odors and cigarette smoke are the most common smell offenders, be as diligent as possible about smoking outdoors, removing ashtrays from your home, and keeping pet areas inside the house as clean as possible.
(9) Don’t simply rely on chemical “neutralizing” air freshener sprays to cover up offensive odors. Focus instead on removing the source of the odors.
(10) Once you have cleaned and/or removed odor sources, you can add in a pleasant scent to your home. Keep it light and subtle for the best effect. Natural scents such as sage, lavender, eucalyptus, and pine are clean and refreshing. Food scents such as cinnamon rolls, baking bread, or chocolate chip cookies are warm and homey. Or, for a quick and easy home freshener, simply run a few citrus peels through your garbage disposal.

Once you’ve removed the sources of odors in your home, all you need is a fresh, light scent to really appeal to home buyers. There is no need to go overboard with strong smells or air fresheners. The scents that appeal most to home buyers are subtle. Debbie Dogrul Associates can help you to make sure that your home smells nice and clean, leaving a positive, lasting impression on potential home buyers. Visit TeamDDA.com today for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/selling-your-home-in-northern-va-did-you-know-that-smell-matters-164493.htm

Josh Stein Realtor and SEOMiracle.com together created a survey to find out how affordable Miami Beach luxury condos can get.Josh Stein Realtor and SEOMiracle.com together created a survey to find out how affordable Miami Beach luxury condos can get.

Miami Beach, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/13/2012 -- Miami Beach is by far the best place to own a luxurious condo. Getting up from the bed in the morning and taking a look at the most beautiful Bay view is priceless. Ever since Miami area became rich with business people who do international and domestic business in the heart of Miami every day, the need for Miami Beach luxury condos has increased. Real estate business is blooming in Miami Beach and it almost became impossible to find a good condo on your own, without a help of a real estate agent. One of the Miami’s top real estate agents, Josh Stein, has once again proved to be a man who cares about his clients. Josh Stein Realtor, together with SEOMiracle.com created a survey, querying about what people think about how affordable Miami Beach luxury condos are.

Josh Stein is one of Miami’s top Real Estate agents and leading the way in selling ultra-luxury condos to wealthy Brazilians and Europeans. Many of his clients are trying to locate the very best properties available in Miami. Josh works with both sellers and buyers, to ensure the highest quality of service. Josh Stein has been a Miami Beach Real Estate agent for more than 10 years, selling Miami condos and lofts, as well as luxury waterfront homes and historic art deco condos.

Josh Stein made a comment on his recent survey, “Yes, we have created a really cool survey about Miami Beach luxury condos. Marketing experts from SEOMiracle.com came up with a few answers that might help us get inside our customer’s head and see what they think about today’s condo prices. I already made a bunch of comments on how luxury condos are a terrific investment for the future because the prices keep going up all the time and they are not looking to go back any time soon. However, I get at least one international entrepreneur a day who is interested in buying a luxury condo in Miami Beach because they see that as great potential to get high return on investment fast.”

If you would like to give your opinion on what you think how affordable today’s Miami Beach condos are, visit their website http://www.joshsteinrealtor.com/luxury-condos or call their phone number at 305-791-5596 to get more information about their services.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/josh-stein-realtor-and-seomiraclecom-create-a-survey-on-whether-miami-beach-luxury-condos-are-affordable-options-164551.htm

Osage Beach, MO -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/14/2012 -- If the bottom falling out of the housing market was a sure signal the country was in a recession back in 2009, the increased sales of Real Estate in the Ozarks in 2012 is a great indication that prosperity is around the corner. According to the National Housing Report, sales are up for July from 2011 by over 10.3% and median house prices have risen too, 3.7% over July 2012. According to Betty Ellerbroek of Re/Max Lake of the Ozarks, "The Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate market is growing steadily, offering excellent opportunities for buying and selling. The housing recovery may finally be coming out from the shadows."

Land and homes in the Ozark area of Mossouri are in demand, not just as a vacation spot, but as a place to call home. Says Ellerbroek, "Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate and the surrounding area is one of the most beautiful destinations in Missouri. Our community is not only a vacation destination but a year round growing community." Others are apparently figuring this out too as the population of the area is expected to rise over 7% in the next four years.

According to Ellerbroek, there&aposs something for everyone in the area. "It doesn&apost matter if you&aposre looking for a golf course house, waterfront home or a convenient condo, there&aposs something for everyone in the Lake of the Ozarks area. If we can&apost find it here, we also cover Four Seasons, Horseshoe Bend and Sunrise Beach, too." The Re/Max leader of the BettyEllerbroekTeam.com website explains what makes the area so special. "Some of the benefits of owning Lake of the Ozarks real estate are excellent boating, fishing, camping, golfing and other activities around the area. Regardless of your age, there&aposs something for everyone." Ellerbroek says.

The Lake Ozark area is expected to see great growth in the coming years, but if you&aposre looking for a home in the area, Ellerbroek cautions you to find someone with the "knowledge, experience, and dedication that it takes to get the results you are looking for." She continues to explain, stating that the real estate agent should know the area well and "earn your trust as you work together towards a common goal."

As to whether the recession is truly over for the country, no one can tell, but Betty Ellerbroek is quite optimistic. "I believe that to best serve my clients it is important to treat their real estate needs as if they were my own. I have been listing and selling real estate at the Lake of the Ozarks for 15 years with platinum level sales production. I&aposve seen good times and bad and I am certain that homes are once again the purchase to make, especially in this area of the country."

The Betty Ellerbroek Team RE/MAX Lake of the Ozarks, specializes in properties for sale in Osage Beach, Lake Ozark, Four Seasons, Horseshoe Bend, Porto Cima, The Villages, Shawnee Bend, Linn Creek, Camdenton, Sunrise Beach, Laurie, North Shore/Gravois Mills and surrounding areas. They encourage home buyers to sign up for a free home finder account at their website, http://www.bettyellerbroekteam.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sales-of-homes-and-real-estate-in-lake-of-the-ozarks-indicate-recession-is-almost-over-165193.htm

One of the leading real estate appraisal companies in Florida, Home Appraisals Inc., was featured on CBS News to discuss the recent decline in real estate values.

North Miami Beach, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/14/2012 -- Home Appraisals Inc. is a company that specializes in real estate appraisals. Having a real estate appraisal performed by the company is both easy and affordable, and interested property owners can obtain a free estimate on the company’s website, HomeAppraisalsInc.com. Although they are based out of Florida, the company provides appraisal services in several states across the country.

Home Appraisals Inc. was founded back in 2000 and has since blossomed into one of the most reputable and professional real estate appraisal companies in Florida. Joseph Castaneda, CEO, stated his company strives to provide accurate real estate and home appraisals. He also prides himself on offering excellent customer service to private property owners and large lenders alike.

The turnaround time for having a piece of real estate appraised by Home Appraisals Inc. is often shorter than the turnaround time of most other home appraisal companies in the area. The majority of the appraisal orders placed with this company are completed within one week. However, according to company spokespeople, Home Appraisals Inc. strives to complete most of these orders within three days. Clients are also supplied with periodic progress reports throughout the process.

Home Appraisals Inc. is based in sunny Miami Beach, Florida. However, this location does not stop them from offering their home appraiser services across most of the United States. Currently, their licensed real estate appraisers serve 26 states – including Florida, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and New York – as well as the District of Columbia.

CBS News 4, recently used the expert opinion of the company CEO when they did a report on the decline of real estate value in certain areas of Florida. Because of the company’s reputation as an accurate and professional appraisal firm, Joseph Castaneda CEO was featured in a recent news story about upside-down mortgages. In the story, Castaneda explains a little about how a person could end up owing more than his home is worth. He goes on to assert that he believes the decline in real estate value in south Florida is a continually growing problem.

About Home Appraisals Inc.
Home Appraisals Inc. has been in business for over a decade, since 2000. In this time, the company has established quite a name for itself. The licensed appraisers at Home Appraisals Inc., including licensed home appraiser and CEO Joseph Castaneda, strive to go above and beyond for their clients and provide affordable and accurate real estate appraisals as quickly as possible. The company has grown considerably since its inception, and it now serves clients in 26 states across the US as well as Washington DC.

To get a free quote and estimated turnaround time, potential clients can visit the company website at http://www.homeappraisalsinc.com/ and fill out a quick form. Professionals can also be reached by phone at (866)533-7173 or by emailing info@homeappraisalsinc.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/experts-at-home-appraisals-inc-featured-on-cbs-news-165314.htm

CurriProperties.net is a new website of the Curri Properties team of experienced realtors that provide professional real estate services to discriminating luxury buyers and sellers in Melbourne, Florida.

Melbourne, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/14/2012 -- Owning and relocating to a new home promises to be a great experience. Nothing beats the excitement that comes with finally settling in a house that was personally determined and picked to become the perfect place for a family. To ensure a smooth journey toward finally owning a house in the State of Florida, assistance from a dedicated team of realtors should be sought. While many real estate companies offer the same services, not all of them are created equal.

Curri Properties is the to-go real estate company that specializes in Florida property, homes, and real estate. While mainly focusing in Brevard County, Indian River County and Volusia County, the team represents buyers and sellers everywhere in Central Florida.

Madelaine and Bob Cave from Colorado thanks Curri Properties for assisting them in their search for a home in Florida: "Curri Properties treated us as if we were buying a million dollar home and spent time getting to know us. They showed us several homes that we liked; took us to visit schools; and helped us with some excellent advice, local knowledge and tips. Everyone we dealt with at Curri Properties was friendly, knowledgeable and professional."

CurriProperties.net was recently launched to showcase the services of Curri Properties online. The new website was developed with an aim to better serve consumers looking for a new home, or visitors looking to better acquaint themselves with the company.

For convenient access to properties for sale, rent or lease in Brevard County and Central Florida, CurriProperties.net offers the Multiple Listing Service or map based MLS search feature. From high-end oceanfront property for sale to the more modestly priced, single-family Melbourne homes for sale, CurriProperties.com helps ease the task of searching, and ensures a smooth and painless transaction.

To know more about the Melbourne Florida real estate services from Curri Properties, please log on to http://www.curriproperties.net for information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/curri-properties-launches-melbourne-florida-real-estate-services-online-164960.htm

Homes in The Villages of Parkwood is a Gated Family Community located near The Villages Florida (FL) which contains affordable single family homes for sale.

Oxford, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/17/2012 -- The Villages of Parkwood provides a freshly traditional take on community living with the Villages of Parkwood subdivision, consisting of custom built homes, a friendly and neighborly atmosphere and a host of amenities meant to draw in homebuyers of all backgrounds.

The custom built single-family homes for sale the Villages FL offers eight different models, each with its own distinctive layout and included accouchements and accessories. From the modestly-priced Daisy model, which offers a 2-bedroom home with an open floor plan, to the more expensive, larger square footage of the Evergreen, there is enough to satisfy the palette of even the most discriminating homeowner. These homes in the villages offer more than just a beautifully-built structure; they offer a sense of community missing in many of the neighborhoods constructed today.

The Villages of Parkwood provides a number of community-wide amenities that include a community swimming pool and a club house available for private rental by residents of the community. In fact, this structure has a workout room for those interested in getting a workout in without leaving the property as well as state of the art equipment. Moreover, there is a covered lanai space that offers a respite from the sun, looking over the swimming pool, which further lends to the perfect setting for a special event of any size.

Anyone in the real estate business can tell you that it’s not just about homes for sale in the Villages. It’s about location as well and what a location this community can boast. In fact, Villages of Parkwood is near just about everything, including easy access to Greater Orlando and Tampa, Florida area, including Disney, Sea World and Universal Studios. A home in the Villages also provides tennis, volleyball, basketball, a park, and a children’s playground. This kind of access makes this an attractive draw for singles and families alike, and is part of the reason why these homes are selling so quickly and with much success.

For more information please visit http://villagesofparkwood.com/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/new-community-hearkens-back-to-traditional-neighborhoods-and-custom-built-homes-164280.htm

Anwar-barbouti.com to provide video, blogs, and advice on using social media in the commercial real estate business.

Indianapolis, IN -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/17/2012 -- In the ever changing commercial real estate markets consumers and professionals are always looking to new ways to communicate, and according to Anwar-barbouti.com spokesman, “social media is an area that is often over looked in the commercial property marketing, and we are going to work to make sure people know what social media can offer.”

According to search engine stats over 49,000 people search each month for the term “commercial real estate” on Google.com alone. According to spokesman, “we feel the trends show that in the next few years you will see a growing focus on commercial real estate in the social media field, and this will require some education on how it works to some segments of the market.”

One of the topics covered on the website is what the different social media options are, and what are the uses for each topic. According to Spokesman, “Some social media channels are best used for linking with business professionals, while others are better for sending friendly messages to the consumer market.” The website features a video that touches on the different social media outlets, and what are the keys uses for each media channel.

In addition to social media education the website will continue to feature more general commercial real estate topics such as choosing a broker, leasing a business space, and commercial real estate markets. According to spokesman, “We will still continue our main focus of informing the public on commercial real estate trends, and information as well as focus on social media.”

The site in the past has been focused on the Houston TX real estate market the expansion into social media expands the site scope well beyond the traditional market. According to Spokesman, “social media is something that everyone involved in the commercial property market will come into contact with, and we will take a broad perspective on building information around this topic.”

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/commercial-property-firm-launches-campaign-to-educated-people-on-using-social-media-in-real-estate-165398.htm

New short sale guidelines will help homeowners who are current on their mortgage.

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/17/2012 -- Homeowners who have a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan will now have some better short sale guidelines that will help get through the process quicker and with less damaging effects to the credit.

The new short sale rules will help qualified homeowners who are; still current on their mortgage, short sale help for military personnel and increased financial incentives to subordinate lien holders. This is all according to newly published rules advertised by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s overseer.

These new rules also aim to consolidate the already existing short sale programs such as the HAFA program (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative) in order to make the process less confusing.

A short sale is the process in which a homeowner sells their home for less than what they owe on the mortgage. This is all contingent upon having a buyer and a lender that agrees to take less.

In the past a short sale had been reserved for homeowners who had already defaulted on their mortgage payments and would traditionally take well over 120 days to complete.

The new federal short sale rules which go into effect on November 1, 2012 will be a nationwide effort on behalf of the banks and the government to streamline the short sale process.

Prior rules in regards to short sale timelines which are still in effect are:

- Lender to respond to short sale requests within 30 days of receipt of a short sale offer.
- Provide weekly short sale updates to the seller.
- Make and communicate final decisions to the borrower within 60 days of receipt of the offer.

Here are some of the additional rules that are going in effect as of Nov 1:

- Qualifying borrowers must have an existing Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage.
- The borrower must demonstrate a financial hardship, including unemployment, divorce, long-term disability, distant employment transfer and others
- Borrowers who need to relocate more than 50 miles away for a new job, including military service members, can be current or delinquent on their mortgage.
- HAFA II short sellers will not be eligible for a new mortgage backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac for at least two years after a short sale.

For those who qualify, the new rules will:
- Streamline the process by reducing or eliminating documentation for borrowers who have missed several mortgage payments, have low credit scores, and serious financial hardships.
- Enable servicers to quickly and easily qualify borrowers who are current on their mortgages, but face financial hardship.
- Automatically qualify military service members who are being relocated, even if they are current on their existing mortgages.
- Allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to offer up to $6,000 to second lien holders to expedite a short sale. Previously, second lien holders could slow down or derail the short sale process by negotiating for higher amounts.

This article was written by Bradford Damm, the CEO and owner of Short Sale San Diego Realty (http://shortsalesandiego.com) a San Diego real estate company that specializes in distressed property sales in all of San Diego County. The Short Sale San Diego office can be reached at 619-825-0000or by emailing info@shortsalensandiego.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/short-sales/fannie-mae-short-sales/sbwire-165404.htm

Cascade Sotheby International Reality participates in the 2012 Sotheby’s International Realty Leadership Forum of more than 220 worldwide network members.

Bend, OR -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/03/2012 -- The 2012 Sotheby’s International Realty Leadership Forum brought together real estate professionals from around the globe in a three day event from September 10 to September 12. The conference was held at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile in Chicago located on 505 North Michigan Ave. Owners, managers, brokers and other real estate professionals were invited to attend the conference to share ideas, best practices and network with one another.

“The annual Leadership Forum provides a great value to our firm,” said Deb Tebbs, Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty. “It offered the opportunity to network with some of the world’s most talented real estate professionals and learn more about the industry and the Sotheby’s International Realty brand’s vision for the future.”

Deb Tebbs has been a full-time Oregon Realtor for nearly 20 years and has been recognized in the “Who&aposs Who of Luxury Real Estate". She currently oversees the offices of Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty which has several locations in Central Oregon. Highlighting the advantages of Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty, the firm is able to offers exclusive Sotheby’s International Realty marketing visibility, advertising strategies and referral services that are designed to attract well-qualified buyers to the firm’s luxury property listings. Plus, clients also benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house, which promotes real estate referral opportunities with auction house clientele.

"We are proud to be affiliate with the prestigious name and reputation of Sotheby&aposs International Realty and are committed to represent our client&aposs properties with the utmost professionalism and success," continued Tebbs.

As a Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate, the firm also has the unique advantage to be able to refer its real estate clientele to the auction house for other services such as jewelry, art, unique furniture and collectible appraisal.

“The Leadership Forum brings together our network members from all over the world with the common goal of sharing their own unique experiences,” said Michael R. Good, chief executive officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “The event also provided insights from some of our most successful owners into recruiting strategies, growing through mergers and acquisitions and leveraging the unique relationship with the Sotheby’s Auction House.”

To learn more about Cascade Sotheby International Reality or the 2012 Sotheby’s International Realty Leadership Forum, please visit http://www.debtebbsbend.com for details.

For additional information, please contact (541) 323-4823. The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has more than 12,000 sales associates located in approximately 625 offices in 44 countries and territories worldwide.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/cascade-sotheby-international-reality-attends-the-2012-sothebys-international-realty-leadership-forum-169019.htm

Colorado Improving in Housing Industry, too

San Francisco, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/03/2012 -- New reports are showing an improvement in the housing market in Colorado and nationwide.

Within the state, the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors shares statistics revealing that home sales have gone up nearly 8% from last year. Homes are selling at a low interest, high prices, and quickly.

Ted Bachara, a Broker Associate for RE/MAX Properties, states, “If you&aposre in the market right now to be a seller or a buyer it&aposs an absolutely perfect time to be there.”

He comments on the interest rates, “They&aposre at 3.25 to 3.5%. You can do a 3% on a 15 year loan. These are fixed rate loans, the lowest in probably between 50 and 60 years.”

"A lot of buyers are buying homes for less than they were paying for rent," he claimed, explaining that the lower the interest rate, the more affordable the home is in the end.

"A lot of sellers are starting to get their homes sold were in the past they couldn&apost sell them because there were too many homes on the market, too much competition, lots of bank owned and short sale properties, and that&aposs gone away," Bachara said.

Bachara also points that there is a drop in the inventory of houses available for the sale, which is causing prices to rise.

He explains that the inventory in Colorado Springs is around 13% lower than last year which is creating a higher demand for good homes."With that drop in inventory it&aposs causing the prices to bump."

Responding to the trickiness of the situation, Bachara has this to advise readers who are interested in buying a home: "Make your offer good. Don&apost beat the sellers up because if it&aposs priced well somebody else is probably going to be coming in there," he said. "As a seller you want to price your home extremely competitively. You&aposre in a price war as a seller and you&aposre in a beauty contest."

About ColoradoSpringsHomeSource.com
ColoradoSpringsHomeSource.com (http://coloradospringshomesource.com/) offers information on buying, selling, or just inquiring about homes in the Colorado area, Colorado Home Springs is here to help you.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/new-trend-shows-housing-market-on-the-rise-nationwide-reports-coloradospringshomesourcecom-169326.htm

Toronto, Ontario -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/03/2012 -- Chris Allen, vice president of the Scarborough-Guildwood Conservative EDA (Electoral District Association), recently attended the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) EDA Presidents Meeting to discuss the coming riding redistribution and other matters.

Mr. Allen, of Slavens & Associates Real Estate inc., attended to represent the people in his Scarborough-Guildwood district and to learn more about what Parliament has planned so he could share that with clients and residents alike.

“This meeting allowed us to meet with our members of parliament and find out what they want to do with riding redistribution. Because this can greatly affect the future makeup of Parliament, it is important for us to know what may happen,” he said. “We need to know what we can do to help define the new districts. When the new districts are created, then we have to let people know what district they are in.”

The meeting also discussed Toronto real estate, the Canadian economy and what the private sector and government can do to improve it.

“As a businessman myself, I know what the effects government can have on businesses from small to large. We discussed what Parliament has planned and gave lawmakers our input on what should be done,” he said.

Chris Allen, the authority keeping your cash-flow goals on target, is a Toronto-based realtor who specializes in the sale of commercial & residential properties, a solid concern in the Toronto area. He spent time talking with the lawmakers and EDA Presidents about the real estate situation in the Toronto region.

“I came away from this meeting much heartened by what I learned and eager to do my part as VP to help. Our lawmakers were very interested in what we had to say and promised to take our suggestions to Parliament,” he said.

Prime Minister Steven Harper was unable to attend due to a conflicting engagement but he sent his regards and urged those attending to work toward the common goal of creating a better Canada. Members of Parliament, Corneliu Chisu, Jim Flaherty and John Carmichael were on hand to discuss the Canadian economy, riding redistribution and Toronto real estate.

About AllenEstates.ca
After an accomplished military career including being awarded the General Campaign Star, numerous international assignments and similar success with investment real estate in western Canada, Chris Allen joined Slavens & Associates to extend the very same performance-driven attitude to clients in the Toronto area with a focus on commercial real estate.

For more information visit http://www.AllenEstates.ca or call 416.483.4337.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/real-estate-agent-chris-allen-attends-conference-on-economy-riding-redistribution-and-real-estate-169255.htm