Bay area home prices defy trend

Business: Bay area home prices defy trend Statewide and nationwide, the housing boom shows signs of winding down. But in the Tampa Bay area, prices keep climbing. The median resale price among single-family houses rose 4.9 percent locally to $225,700 last month, up from $215,200 in September. By comparison, the median – or midpoint – …

Pension funds play catch-up with high rise of real estate

Pension funds play catch-up with high rise of real estate After several years of robust performance and enviable returns, public and private pension funds are hitching their bandwagon to the bull-run real estate market. Time will tell if their rearview-mirror investment strategies are too late. “The pension fund universe was underfunded in recent years,” says …

Season for bargains

Season for bargains Cold months are a good time to get a deal on a house As the slower fall months arrived, however, the asking price of the Barbour Manor house fell more than $10,000 from the original $225,000. The Prices negotiated the cost down even further — and they had their house in September.

How long should you take to pay off your mortgage?

How long should you take to pay off your mortgage? This is another installment of a series on the decisions mortgage borrowers should make prior to entering the market. Previous articles were about selecting the best type of mortgage, and selecting among three options: paying points, waiving escrows, and accepting a prepayment penalty. This article …

More Return On Equity For Your Investment Property Dollar

More Return On Equity For Your Investment Property Dollar Few would deny that real estate is a solid investment. It provides an attractive combination of stability, reliable cash flow, preservation of principal and capital appreciation. However, many investment property owners nearing retirement find themselves in a quandary. They are equity rich, but cash poor, with …