Home selling

Exercise Your Self-Directed IRA Options
Self-directed real estate IRAs are becoming more common. What about having your own checkbook control and handling all of your individual retirement account investments without the help of a custodian. Join David Nilssen as he explains a helpful wrinkle for consumers.

Accelerate Your Loan?
Is it a good idea to pay off your home as soon as possible? Or, would you rather use your home equity to make other investments? Join Glenn Froehlich as he explains some of the loan accelerator programs that are now available.

Revisiting Deductions and AMT Tax Laws
Tax laws have changed in recent days and homeowners should revisit what might affect them. Join accountant Rob Keasal as he explains home deductions and the recent moves in the alternative minimum tax.

Home Insurance Claims
Home insurance is a key part of homeownership â especially during the cold season. Join us for a candid look at what you can expect when making a home insurance claim.


Home (Sales) for the Holidays
Should you give up on selling your home during the holidays because potential buyer thoughts might be elsewhere? What if your home always looks great at Christmas and you want to show it for sale? Join Countrywideâs Eric Aasness as he discusses homes for the holidays.

Sage Market Predictions
How can the real estate purchase process change to ensure accountability? How will we know when local markets have rebounded? What group of buyers will spark the next buying frenzy? Join economist John Tuccillo for an interesting look at the housing picture.

Loan Options
Should you only consider fixed-rate loans? Do you now have to have perfect credit before applying for a mortgage? Join Countrywideâs Eric Aasness as he explore todayâs realistic loan options.
 

Calling It Quits
What is the difference between a quit claim deed and a deed en lieu of foreclosure? What instrument should you use if you are realistically considering bankruptcy or foreclosure? Join attorney Bob Pittman for candid discussion on the best legal methods.
 

Worry-Free Maintenance
For many new homeowners, the euphoria that comes with buying the perfect new house can soon turn into total panic. First-time buyers often feel overwhelmed by the amount of maintenance their new home requiresânot to mention the nasty problems and surprises that seem to be lurking around every corner (and in every wall). Author Sid Davis provides answers for common worries that plague every new owner.

Getting Started in Income Properties
What is the best way to build a rental portfolio? What do you look for in a rental property? Join Tom Hoban of Coast Management as he discusses the best way to get started in income properties.

Choosing Mexico Real Estate
Why are Americans choosing Mexico to live or retire? What kind of growth is expected from the American market for buying permanent or second homes in Mexico? Join Patti Kilpatrick who has trained real estate professionals and consumers for years on the pros and cons of living south of the border for a provocative discussion about our neighbor country to the south.

Real Estate Funding with an IRA
Donât have the funds to buy a property you feel certain will appreciate over time? Real estate can be purchased with an Individual Retirement Account, and more consumers are taking advantage of self-directed IRAs all the time. Join David Nilssen, president and CEO of Guidant Financial Group, as he explains the guidelines behind âcheckbook controlâ real estate IRAs.
 

Real Estate Auctions
Are all properties heading to an auction a desperate, last-resort attempt by the seller to dump a financial headache? Whatâs the difference between minimum bid and published reserve? Are there still bargains at auctions? What does it take to qualify as a buyer? Join Tim Reinertsen from Realty Marketing Northwest to learn the ins and outs of buying real estate at an auction.

We're Calling Flippers!
What does property âflippingâ mean? How are flippers received in a neighborhood? Can you really resell homes quickly in a âdownâ residential market? Join Nathaniel (Than) Merrill as he discusses ways to get into rehabbing houses.

The Early Mortgage Payoff
Should you pay off your home mortgage as fast as you can? Is there a program that allows for liquidity when you make a lump-sum payment? How much in interest can you save by paying the mortgage off before its term? Jim Charles Nay and Drake Dornfield for a provocative discussion regarding prepayment options.

Military Housing, VA Loans Q&A
Are those who served in the military reserves eligible for nothing-down loans insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs? Can you use your VA loan privileges more than once? What about VA loans for second homes? Join Vince Patton, director of community outreach for Military Advantage, in a helpful discussion on military housing

Home Sweet Financing for Education
Is a home equity loan the best way to finance a college education? If you have not contributed to college savings plan, whatâs the best alternative? Do you need some budget tips for a child heading out the door to her first apartment? Join personal finance expert Ilyce Glink as she offers some terrific information about saving for education.
 

The Art of Home Staging
What, exactly, is home staging? If you cannot afford expensive furniture to help your home look great for an open house, what are some of the inexpensive ways to make your home look better than the other homes listed for sale? Join Jen Guyer and Leah Stahlsmith as they explain the art of home staging and help you get your home ready for market.

Log Homes Bring the Great Outdoors Indoors!
Today's log homes mean luxury and comfort in resort, retirement and vacation living.  Find out how to select the right design, materials, and builder for your log home or timber frame home. Our guest is Jim Young, president of PrecisionCraft which offers a Total Log Home Solution.


Finding Great Tenants
How do you find good renters? What are some ways landlords can better screen the people who apply to rent a unit? What must a landlord provide to a tenant who is turned down for a unit? Join attorney and author Janet Portman for a frank discussion about landlord-tenant issues.

General Real Estate Law
Real estate contracts, house trusts and purchase and sale agreements are covered in this general real estate law segment with attorney Bob Pittman.
 

Reverse Mortgages Revisited
What has made Reverse Mortgages so popular among senior homeowners? What are the ways funds can be received? Is it wise to refinance a Reverse Mortgage? Jim Wells Fargoâs Cheryl Chapin for an informative discussion about the most talked-about financing vehicle today.

Chatting about Chattel
If you've got rental properties, you may have tax savings waiting to be claimed through chattel depreciation. What is chattel? Chattel is the carpet, cabinets, fixtures, appliances and much more inside your rental properties. Join Myles Mayfield for an informative discussion about depreciation and chattel on investment properties

What makes the Tenant-in-Common Industry TIC?
What is the tenant-in-common industry, or TIC? Does it make sense to pool funds with others to buy tax-deferred property? Is it safe? What are the questions to consider? Join attorney Tom Oldfield for a candid discussion about a popular new wrinkle

Second Homeowner Q&A
Is it still wise to consider a second home as an investment? What is the best way to attract good renters? Do owners really need a property manager or can they handle all the chores themselves? Join author Christine Karpinski as she helps clarify many of the questions second home owners are facing.

First Home Buying: A Single Woman's Perspective
What do single women have to gain by buying a house on their own? What types of homes appeal to women, especially regarding safety? Ilona Bray is an attorney and co-author of "Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home." Join us for a candid discussion.

Recreational Investments
What makes a good recreational investment? Is it important to have a property manager help you with finding great renters? Join us for an interesting conversation about second homes and recreational properties featuring author and recreational property specialist, Christopher Cain.

Interactive Home Loan Lessons
What are the basics you need to prepare yourself for a home purchase and mortgage? Susan Martin of Countrywide home loans joins us to discuss an interactive learning center which includes comprehensive coverage of five topics: Basic Finance, How Credit Affects You, Preparing for Home Ownership, Steps for Buying a Home, and Life as a Homeowner.
 

What's up with Prefab Homes?
Whatâs the difference between a modular home and a prefab home? What homes still are towed to manufactured home parks? Does a custom, prefab home qualify for conventional financing? Join author Sheri Koones for an informative discussion on the state â and variety â of todayâs prefab homes.

When Buying a Home, Attitude is Key
It's National Homeownership Month and lenders and agents are packaging consumer information to help the home buying process easier to understand. Join actor and author Suzanne Whang for some helpful tips on getting ready to buy a home. In a capsule, your attitude is the key.



Listing and Selling Green Homes


First-time Buying
How does a first-time buyer enter an expensive market? Should you continue to rent, expecting prices in some markets to drop even more? Join first-time buyer specialist Ardell DellaLoggia for a frank discussion about what's possible for first-timers attempting to be owners.



Residential Appraisals
Is it difficult for an appraiser to find comparable sales in a down market? What is the appraiser's relationship with the lender making a loan on a house? What, exactly, constitutes market value? Join appraiser Bill King for a candid discussion of residential appraisals.

Getting Into Investment Property
How do you choose your first investment property? What should you expect from a property manager? Join income property specialist Tom Hoban for an interesting discussion about getting into the investment property game.



Divorce and the Home
A home is typically the largest financial asset the average person owns. When a divorce enters the picture, only one spouse usually remains on the title. Do you refinance and cash out the spouse moving on? What instrument do you use? Join family law attorney Mike Fancher for a candid discussion on the home in a divorce.

Tax-Free Real Estate Exchange
What are the most-asked questions tax-free exchange facilitators receive? What's new in the 1031 Exchange world? Can you exchange property out of a corporation? Join attorney Tom Oldfield for a candid conversation on one of the most valuable tools in real estate.

Searching for Real Estate Online
When it comes to real estate, what kinds of things are people  searching for online? Homes for sale by price? Neighborhoods? Schools? Advice? etc. What are the new, popular features emerging to make it easier for searchers to find the information they seek? Join online search specialist Larry Sivitz for an informative, useful discussion on "Searching for Real Estate Online."

Foreclosure Rescue: Fact or Fiction?
What is a foreclosure rescue program? Are all of them scams? What are the questions to ask if you think you are being offered such a program? Join Rebecca Jacobsen, assistant Washington State Attorney General, for a candid discussion on foreclosure rescues.



Real Estate Blogging
What, exactly, is a blog? How can consumers and real estate professionals benefit from blogs? Join blog expert Ardell DellaLoggia a she explains what makes a compelling real estate blog.

Last Minute Tax Tips
What charges on your home loan are tax deductible? Do the energy upgrades you just finished on your rental qualify for an extra credit from the IRS? How much mortgage interest can you really deduct from your home financing? Join us for Last Minute Tax Tips before the April tax deadline.



Your Home and Medicaid
How is the home handled when it comes to aging and the issue of Medicaid? Are there realistic strategies to consider when it comes to paying for elder care? Join certified senior advisor George Shipe for a candid
discussion about your home and Medicaid.


Inspection FAQs
What should you expect from a residential building inspector? Should you  walk away from a deal of all he finds is negatives about the home you  would like to buy? What about environmental concerns? Join building inspector Cris Ugles as he pinpoints some of his most-asked questions when examining a home.

New Reverse Mortgage Options
Reverse mortgages have become an important vehicle in the lives of many seniors. From health care to taxes, the need for home improvement or a  grandchild's tuition, reverse mortgages now serve a growing variety of financial challenges. Wells Fargo recently introduced a new reverse  mortgage product with lower interest rates.

Investigating Your Loan
What are federal regulators doing about the growing number of mortgage foreclosures? Have lenders gone too far to extend credit to consumers? Join Chuck Cross, Director of Special Projects with the Conference of State Bank Supervisors in Washington, D.C. for a candid discussion on home loan programs.



Long Term Loans
Is there any merit in considering a 40-year mortgage on your home? What about a 50-year loan? Do "exotic" loans still have a place in the market, given the recent rise in defaults and foreclosures? Join Eric Aasness from Countrywide Home Loans for a candid discussion of home loan programs.

Credit: New, Used and Repaired
How many credit cards is too many? Do the credit bureaus care if you ask to raise your credit limit? Join credit repair expert Michael Kahl as he explains what the credit bureaus are looking for in consumer spending  habits.

Living Above Retail
What's it like to live above a retail space? When did mixed-use projects really become accepted in the United States? Does the in-town lifestyle really cater to families? Join national developer Dell Loy Hansen, an expert in apartments and condominiums, as we explore "living above retail.''

Real Estate Research (The Data Behind the Data)
Why is real estate research more popular than ever before? What companies are interested in residential information other than agencies that specialize in listing and selling homes? Join Mike Simonson, CEO of Altos Research, as we explore the topic



Recreational Property
Is the recreational market across the country softening like many residential markets? Is a ski-side condo still an emotional purchase? A great place for an investment? Join recreational property expert Russ McClellan for a candid discussion on why some markets continue to chug along.

Tieing Up Legal Loose Ends
Do you have legal issues that must be answered before the end of the year? Join attorney Bob Pittman as he discusses some of our listenersÃïÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂàneeds and real estate challenges, especially regarding wills and trusts.

Online Tools
Consumers have access to some terrific online tools for searching home values and information. Check out the latest to hit the market - Cyberhomes.com - and listen to the program's developer on why the tool was introduced and the audience it hopes to target.



All About Refinance Fees
Interest rates are at their lowest point of the year. Should you pay to refinance? What fees are legitimate and what fees are questionable? Join Eric Aasness of Countrywide Home Loans for a candid discussion on mortgage interest rates and fees.

Reverse Mortgage Strategies
Does it make sense to refinance a reverse mortgage? How do the closing costs on reverse mortgages compare with a "forward" mortgage? Join industry veteran Jeff Taylor as we discuss the changes and flexibility of a now-popular financing option for persons over age 62.

Understanding Real Estate Debt
How much housing debt should you really shoulder? Should you use home  equity to invest in other real estate opportunities? Join author and mortgage broker Steve Dexter and consider the possibilities.

Building Green!
We are deluged with information about energy efficiency in homes, but what does it really mean? Join Ben Kaufmann, real estate broker who specializes in "green homes" to better understand what you can do to improve the how your home can operate better and safer.



Your Home and Inheritance
How do you handle the home when the parents are ready to move out? What are some of the important steps to take before you leave an asset to your children or friends. Join us for a discussion about the home and inheritance.

Finding Condos Worldwide
Have you ever wondered about buying a condo in Mexico, or Costa Rica or Dubai? What are some of the great new areas and developments that people are excited about for vacation and investment? Join condo expert Cliff Bowman as he explains his new portal for worldwide condominiums.



Downtown Living (Condos & Townhomes)
Urban living continues to be a big draw in many cities throughout the  United States. What has sparked this trend? Join us for an interesting  conversation of why consumers are looking to the amenities available in downtown condos and townhomes.

Special Needs Contracting
Remodeling a bedroom is one thing, but doing so for someone with a  disability or an aging senior often takes a different set of sources. Join us for some great information about choosing a contractor to help you, or a  loved one, age in place.

Aging In Place and The Comforts of Home
What is Aging in Place? How do you incorporate the concepts of universal  design into a person's home? Join us for a discussion of how to make  changes to your home live more comfortably.

Reverse Mortgages: Know Your Options!
Reverse mortgages have become a very valuable tool for persons age 62 and over. Seniors now used reverse mortgages to age in place, buy new cars, fund a grandchild's education or host a family. Find out if a reverse mortgage is right for you - or your older friends.

The Rental Real Estate Nest Egg
Real estate is still a terrific long-term investment, despite what you might read about the present interest-rate environment. Starting with one, small rental you can still create a nice nest egg for your retirement.



Fixed vs. Adjustable: Decisions, Decisions!
Is your adjustable rate mortgage about to move upward? Have you been told the only way to go is a fixed-rate loan? Join us for a candid discussion about what's possible for your next loan.

Senior Issues in Focus
How much health care can we expect to receive at home? Are there methods to save for our old age needs? When should you move into assisted living? Join Jerry Grim for a discussion of senior issues in the home.



VA Loans for Military and Reservists
Did you ever spend time in the military? If so, did you ever consider a no-downpayment, VA-insured loan? Reservists are eligible, too. Hear about  the latest in VA loans for all personnel, and veterans plus other benefits of service.



Purchasing Property with your IRA
Can you really purchase property with your Individual Retirement Account funds?  Not only is the process relatively easy but it is also certainly worth the research - especially if you believe in the long-term benefits of real estate.



Appraising Appraisals!
How do you determine value for a problem property? Are all celebrity homes expected to sell for more than their market value? Does Mexico offer a safe process for American investors? Join appraiser Bruce Greenberg for answers to all of these real estate questions.

Finding Great Tenants
Real estate is still an attractive investment . . . especially given the skittish performance of the stock market. If you get in to the property game, how do you choose great tenants? Join attorney, author and landlord-tenant specialist Janet Portman for some key landlord tips and terms.

Financing Manufactured Homes
What, exactly, is a manufactured home? How do the differ from the "trailers' of the 60s and 70s? What type of financing is available for manufactured homes and what is the interest rate structure? Join us for a discussion on a very popular home and financing product.



Neighbor Law
How do you handle a neighbor's fence on your property? Can you pick the  apples that hang from your neighbor's tree  - but in your yard? Join attorney Bob Pittman for some legal solutions to neighbor issues.



Internet Home Buying Alternatives
Can you really buy and sell property via the Internet? What happens if you  would like to do most of the transaction yourself? Join Glenn Kellman,  president and CEO of online brokerage Redfin, as discusses his company's
first six months in the real estate business.

At Home and Abroad: Buying Real Estate with IRAs
Let's say you take the trip of a lifetime to Italy, France, Spain or Mexico  and discover a property you would love to purchase. However, the only funds you could possibly use are in your Individual Retirement Account. Tom Anderson, president of PENSCO Trust Company, shows how  consumers can buy real estate abroad, and in the states, using their IRAs.



Creating Habitats for Humanity


Vacation Property Getaways


Home Sweet Annuity
The home is more than a shelter - it has become a huge piece of an investment portfolio. Should a person, especially an older homeowner, tap into the home to purchase an annuity? Join two veteran Certified Senior Advisors in a helpful discussion.



Throwing the Book at Mortgage Fraud
What, exactly, constitutes mortgage fraud? What are its most common forms? Join an investigator who actively charts and prosecutes lenders who are stretching loan rules to illegal areas.

www.stopmortgagefraud.com


Seniority and Reverse Mortgages
How have reverse mortgages changed in the eyes of seniors? Are they still the last-ditch desperation effort to help seniors find more income? Join one of the nation's top reverse mortgage leaders - Wells Fargo's Jeff Taylor - to learn more about the most under-utilized financial tool for homeowners over the age of 62.

Does Your Home Need a Lawyer?
Are attorneys really necessary for a residential real estate transaction? What are the major mistakes buyers and sellers make during a home deal? Join Ken Lamance, general counsel for legalmatch.com as he discusses these questions and others.

Nuts and Bolts of Title Insurance
Don't understand title insurance? You're not alone. Title insurance is the most misunderstood element of most residential real estate transactions. Listen to one of the country's top title insurance communicators explain the nuts and bolts of the industry.

Dotting the I's, Crossing the T's
Do you ever wonder what furnishings are including in the sale of a residential property? Should you put a note on the refrigerator or mark the plants you want in the yard? Real estate attorney Bob Pittman offers some practical solutions.



Internet Marketing
If you are seeking greater exposure for your home for sale, there are some easy ways to get greater exposure - especially on the Internet. Listen to what some consumers are doing to supplement sales efforts - with or without Realtor assistance.



Timeshare Resales
While timesharing is extremely popular with consumers, bargains are readily available on the resale market. Timeshare specialist Mike Manoske explains how to get a great deal - and where sellers should go to sell their units.



For Sale By Owner - Pros and Cons
Ever wonder what it takes to sell your home by yourself? Lori Alden, a  Cal-Berkeley graduate who holds a PHD in Economics from UC-Davis, has launched a website to help consumers understand the pros and cons of going "FSBO."




Last Minute Tax Tips



Your Home & the IRS



Buying Property in Mexico


Tools at Tax Time


Renting vs. Buying?
Guest: Sheryl Garrett, Certified Financial Planner

Meet Zillow, The New Kid on the Block


Timeshares, Fractionals and Destination Clubs


Reverse Mortgages and Refinance


Landlord-Tenant Relationships


The Ameriquest Mortgage Settlement


Individual Development Accounts


What's New with Foreclosures?


Real Estate Today: "The Facts about Real Estate IRAs"


Real Estate Today: "Baby Boomers in West Florida"


Real Estate Today: "What's IN for 2006?"