Blog Topic

FHA: Creating a New Bubble?
Posted by: Chesley Payne
October 11, 2009

This is an op-ed from the Wall Street Journal concerning how FHA is taking a risk in becoming the nation's residential loan underwriter.

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Appraisals Trending Downwards
Posted by: Chesley Payne
October 04, 2009

This article highlights a common issue concerning appraisals in the real estate market.

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First-Time Homebuyer?
Posted by: Chesley Payne
September 27, 2009

First-Time Homebuyer? Remember the $8,000.00 Tax Credit which all first time homebuyers are eligible for runs out on December 1, 2009.

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Home Sales Are Improving!
Posted by: Chesley Payne
August 30, 2009

he article linked above tells us that home sales are increasing. Good news? Maybe

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Money?s Too Tight To Mention (With Apologies to Simply Red)
Posted by: Chesley Payne
August 02, 2009

The article linked below brings up a point I have been hearing from various sources in my practice for the past 6-7 months.

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They're Here.
Posted by: Chesley Payne
July 12, 2009

No, it's not poltergeists.

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Local Banks are Still Not Over This Real Estate Crisis
Posted by: Chesley Payne
July 05, 2009

I have attached a link to a news story about a few banks in our area who are dealing with a glut of real estate loans.

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Property Values in a Slow Market
Posted by: Chesley Payne
June 28, 2009

I am attaching a link below to an excellent story from the Birmingham News from June 14, 2009, about declining market values.

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Vacation Homes and the Market
Posted by: Chesley Payne
June 21, 2009

I have pasted a link to an excellent article from the the Wall Street Journal that deals with issues surrounding second homes.

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Death and Real Estate
Posted by: Chesley Payne
June 07, 2009

The most common title issue I deal with are those issues concerning a property that has been in the same family for more than one generation.

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The Other Shoe?
Posted by: Chesley Payne
May 10, 2009

This blog is usually focused upon reasons for optimism about the real estate market.

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Title Insurance: What and Why
Posted by: Chesley Payne
April 26, 2009

Title Insurance is the item most people purchase at the closing and have no general idea what it is they are paying for.

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Mortgage Rates Will Continue to Fall
Posted by: Chesley Payne
April 19, 2009

There has never been a better time to refinance.

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Types of Estates
Posted by: Chesley Payne
April 14, 2009

According to Black's Law Dictionary, an "estate" is the degree, quantity, or nature of a person's rights in property, especially in land.

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Statutory, General, or Quit Claim?: What Do the Different Types of Deeds Mean to You?
Posted by: Chesley Payne
April 05, 2009

Often a real estate sales contract identifies different types of deeds that the Seller will give to a Purchaser.

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Alabama May Not Be A "Sweet Home" for Non-Resident Sellers of Real Property
Posted by: Chesley Payne
March 29, 2009

The Alabama State Legislature has decided that if you are a non-resident who owns property in Alabama it will require that the purchaser hold back some funds (3% - individual; 4% - corporate entity) and send it to Montgomery.

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The Real Estate Market: How the Recent Downturn Affects You
Posted by: Chesley Payne
March 22, 2009

The link above is to an excellent story in Sunday's Birmingham News showing the impact of the downturn on the real estate market and the effect it has had on unfinished subdivisions.

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The Three Day Right of Rescission: Oops! I Didn't Mean to Refinance my House!
Posted by: Chesley Payne
March 08, 2009

The three day right of rescission is a component of that consumer friendly federal law known as the "Truth In Lending Act".

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Buying A Used Home? In Alabama, its Caveat Emptor.
Posted by: Chesley Payne
February 15, 2009

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Rent to Own: It's Not just for Big Screen TV's Anymore.
Posted by: Chesley Payne
February 08, 2009

This article highlights a solution for many who may be looking for a new home but need some additional time to raise the cash needed or improve your credit score.

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