VK HowTo - Real Estate

Previewing Summerlin

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:29:39 -0800

One of the best known secrets of living in Las Vegas is the beautiful master planned community of Summerlin. Summerlin has been one of the best selling master planned communities in the Las Vegas valley for over a decade. Conceived and developed by the Howard Hughes Corporation, the community was named after Hughes’ grandmother, Jean Amelia Summerlin. The initial purchase of the land that would become Summerlin was made in the 1950’s and was considered almost worthless at the time.

Boat Homes: A Unique Option for Sausalito California Home Buyers

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:57:01 -0800

Boat homes or floating homes don't usually come to mind when buyers are looking for a new home, but good floating homes are a way of life in the Northern California town of Sausalito. If you've ever wanted a unique home buying experience, look at the option of possibly buying one of many floating homes in Sausalito, California.

San Anselmo Living

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:48:23 -0800

If you are looking at real estate in the San Anselmo California area, you may be in for an experience unlike anything you have ever experienced. While most large towns are densely populated throughout the Californian coast, the San Anselmo area provides you with the unique opportunity to live in a prosperous area that values its natural surroundings more than development.

Discover Novato California: A Family Friendly Town in Marin County

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:42:27 -0800

If you are looking for a wonderful place to raise your children in a warm climate and plenty of naturalistic opportunities, you might want to look into real estate in Novato, California, a true family friendly town. Novato is the picture perfect town to live in if you want a rural experience for your children, but with a bustling enough downtown area and quality education to keep yourself busy and occupied.

Mortgage Rates Down For Fourth Straight Week

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:01:34 -0800

For the month of October we saw mortgage interest rates bouncing up and down pretty wildly. For the month of November we have not seen any large one week changes but a steady trend downward. The 30 year mortgage rate has moved down for the last 4 weeks. For the most part the other three major mortgage products have moved down as well the last four week. With the 30 year moving down to 5.97 this marks the first time the 30 year rate has moved below 6 since October 9th. As far as the other mortgage products the 15 year fixed and the 5 year arm remained relatively stable while we saw a decent drop in the 1 year arm with it moving from 5.29 to 5.18. Here are mortgage rates for the major mortgage products for the last few weeks.

Loft Living in the San Francisco Bay Area

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:50:53 -0800

One of the increasingly popular ways to live in the densely populated city of San Francisco is in a residential or mixed-used live/work loft. Although lofts can be traced back to the early 1900’s, it was during the 60’s that loft living really started to become a fashionable way to live. This loft-living movement was led by progressive artists who loved the idea of loft living because of the tremendous amount of open space and structural design that can inspire art itself.

Central Austin Profiles : Travis Heights

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:30:40 -0700

Travis Heights is one of the most eclectic neighborhoods in Austin, and has a rich history. The neighborhood was originally an exclusive suburb south of the Colorado River, now known as Lady Bird Lake, and the neighborhood was established in 1913 by the Newning and Swisher families, along with General Stacy, for whom the parks in the area are named. The neighborhood was actually originally settled in the late 1900s, informally, but did not really expand or become fashionable until the early twentieth century, when it grew rapidly. The neighborhood's borders are generally considered to be I.H. 35 to the east and the lake to the north, and Oltorf to the south and Congress Avenue to the west, so the area is very accessible to the downtown area and the freeway, as well as the recently developed shopping and nightlife area referred to as "SoCo" for its location on South Congress Avenue.

The City of Manor, Texas

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:29:29 -0700

Manor is the name of a small city east of Austin, and this small community has many noteworthy attractions. The city was settled in 1872 when it was named after its first postmaster, James Manor. Manor currently has an approximate population of 5,500, a figure which was derived from the number of utility service connections, and the city is twelve miles northeast of downtown Austin. Manor has an area of 1.1 square miles, and in the 2000 census, there were 405 households reported, including around 289 families. 365 of the households in Manor reported children under the age of 18 living in the home, and 47% of the households included married couples. The median age of the population of Manor is 32 years, which is about average for the state of Texas. The racial makeup of Manor is quite diverse: 53% of the inhabitants report being White, while 16% claims African-American ancestry. 25% of the inhabitants report other racial backgrounds, and 48% report some Hispanic or Latino ancestry, and many of the residents are a combination of the above.

Seven Ways to Help Sell Your Home

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:07:50 -0700

In a slower real estate market, sellers cannot afford to ignore any part of the marketing process. Price, preparation, and presentation must be excellent in order to attract a buyer. The price must be set realistically. Preparation should include fresh paint, de-cluttering, updated floor materials, and no glaring repair needs. And, presentation should be meticulous, with drapes open, lights on, lawn mowed, and interior cleaned.

Downtown Austin – Urban Living

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:40:37 -0700

One of the more recent developments in the Austin real estate market are the multitude of loft condominiums springing up smack-right in the middle of downtown. This new push towards urban living reflects an interest in a pedestrian-oriented community, optimal for those who work in Austin's business center, but also attractive to others who appreciate an abundance of amenities offered within walking distance. Downtown Austin has much to offer Austin residents, whether they work, live, or visit this area which truly represents the cultural heartbeat of the city.

Tips And Tricks For Home Staging

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:30:32 -0700

Staging a home can end up being a valuable tool in selling the house. Not only can it assist in selling a house, but it can also help the seller get top dollar.

The amount of staging needed varies wildly from a small scale de-cluttering of a home to hiring staging professionals to the tune of several thousand dollars, but the goal is the same- creating a pleasant mood by making a house appear bigger, brighter and warmer while neutralizing the area so prospective buyers can visualize how their own furniture and belongings can be incorporated into the home.

Travis Heights

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:14:03 -0700

One of the coolest neighborhoods in the Austin real estate market has to be a cute little neighborhood called Travis Heights. Featuring historic houses, charming shopping streets, great restaurants, and an unbeatable central location, this area is one of the most sought-after in Austin. The streets ramble and roll, curving over hills, through ancient trees, lending an air of serenity to a neighborhood in close proximity to Downtown Austin, as well as the bustling Soco shopping area.

Kitchen Countertops - A Value Added Upgrade

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:58:56 -0700

The material that covers your kitchen counters is one of the most visible and memorable features in your home. It helps to establish the design, color theme, and level of finish out. Today there are new choices in countertops, and old ones are making a comeback. If you are thinking of making a change, here are a dozen countertop choices for you to choose from:

Illinois New Construction Prices Offer an Affordable Option For Home Buyers

Fri, 23 May 2008 20:20:04 -0700

New construction is one facet of the real estate industry that’s been hit particularly hard by the market downturn. Builders have had to respond to low interest by slashing prices. The big question is: how low can it go?

Credit Crunch: Light at the End of the Tunnel

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:05:50 -0700

When thinking about the economic slowdown now gripping the United States, one might think of the naked emperor of yore, who could not realize his condition until told by a child. By the time analysts and the White House recognize the extent of the credit crisis, its effects will probably not be noticeable. So where are we now? Several times since last August's signs of an imminent drop in growth, markets have rallied due to speculation that problems in the area of sub-prime mortgages have "bottomed out." Alas, thus far it appears to have been in vain.