by Dexter Dix The recovery of the real estate market has contributed to a significant number of properties appraising for more than the sales price. There can be unintended consequences accompanied with these higher appraisals. The amount in excess of the sales price can have varied impacts on the transaction.   There are times when the property appraises for $2K-$3K above sales price and it seldom causes much concern in the transaction....

by Tisha Gay Here are some more amazing buildings from around the world:     Haewoojae (Toilet House) – Suwant, South Korea.   The late mayor of Suwon, South Korea, Sim Jae-Duck, built this toilet-shaped, two-story home to mark the 2007 inaugural meeting of the World Toilet Association. It is now a toilet museum. The 4,520-square-foot steel, concrete, and glass structure features a showcase, glass-walled bathroom at it’s center....

The number of homes purchased with a home loan has been dropping steadily since May, according to RealtyTrac. Instead, cash is king for many reasons. As mortgage rates began creeping up, some homebuyers started opting to purchase with all cash. And that trend may continue as new loan requirements become more strict. However, for those buyers who do need to purchase a home with a loan, expect to see some changes in the loan requirements as the...

As a member of the real estate industry for more than 30 years, I’ve never seen the market bounce back as well as it did in 2013. It was a great year for the real estate industry including agents, sellers and buyers. One of the best indicators for housing is new construction, and it took a huge leap in 2013. Purchases of new homes surged towards the end of the year. In October, sales jumped 25.4% to an annualized pace of 444,000 nationally....

Prices are rising and perhaps there are fewer homes for sale where you want to live. What can you do to put the odds in your favor? First, get preapproved by a lender. That means sharing your financial information, going online and playing with a mortgage calculator. Give the lender the documentation they need, such as salary stubs, revolving credit obligations, and bank statements. You’ll know for certain how much you can afford, how...