Home appraisals defy the market [South Florida]

Home appraisals defy the market [South Florida] Despite a collapsing real estate market, appraisers determined that the value of a surprising 48 percent of homes actually went up in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. In Manatee County, 85 percent of single-family homes built before 2006 rose in value, while 39 percent of similar properties in …

Home buyers wait years, but lots are still empty

Home buyers wait years, but lots are still empty Minh-H-Nguyen and her husband, Ha Ngoc Nguyen, took out a loan for a down payment on a “dream home” in Lake County two years ago after being dazzled by pictures of a sprawling house with a screened pool. “The dream has not come true,” said Minh-H-Nguyen, …

Buying homes through short sales can lead to long waits

Buying homes through short sales can lead to long waits Jamie Schmitt and Valerie Azinheira liked the two-bedroom house in San Francisco’s Merced Heights. It was near a nice park where their 3-year-old son, Gabriel, could play. They made a no-contingency offer for the full $629,000 listing price on June 20. Then they waited. And …

‘Escrow’ has at least two meanings in real estate

‘Escrow’ has at least two meanings in real estate Q: I used to live in California where the word “escrow” referred to the closing of a real estate sale. For example, we said, “We’re in escrow for the sale of our house.” But then I moved to Florida where the term “escrow” seems to have …

Tarragon, in Credit Crunch, Expresses Doubts on Future

Tarragon, in Credit Crunch, Expresses Doubts on Future Apartment and condominium builder Tarragon Corp. raised doubts about its ability to remain in business amid weak demand and an inability to raise new financing, in the latest fallout from the spreading credit crunch. It also disclosed that the wife of the company’s chief executive sold stock …

Miami condo units to be auctioned [South Florida]

Miami condo units to be auctioned [South Florida] Panoramic views of Biscayne Bay. A short distance to the Carnival Center and downtown Miami. Living in the heart of Miami’s emerging Edgewater neighborhood. It’s all yours — for auction next month inside a Marriott Hotel ballroom. In what may preview the straits the ailing South Florida …