real estate agents Money

Feds probe real estate agents - Apr. 22, 2005 Web CNN/Money Buying & Selling Investment Property Home Improvement Million $ Life Financing Best Places SAVE | EMAIL | PRINT | SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY | Feds probe real estate agents Money magazine investigation shows Justice Dept. looking into anticompetitive practices. April 22, 2005: 5:27 PM EDT By Jon Birger, Money Magazine NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Did you pay your real estate broker too much? The U.S. Department of Justice may be set to turn Tulsa, Okla. into a test-case for ending the stranglehold 6 percent commissions have over the real estate brokerage business. MONEY has learned that Justice's Antitrust Division is gathering information on the bully tactics that full-commission brokers in Tulsa allegedly use against their discount rivals to discourage commission-cutting. The probe follows other recent efforts to spur competition in the real estate industry. According to a copy of a Justice Department subpoena obtained by MONEY, federal investigators are seeking information on "possible anticompetitive conduct in the provision of real estate services in the Tulsa area" as well as "documents related to refusal to cooperate on real estate transactions." An Antitrust Division spokeswoman confirmed the existence of the investigation but declined to provide additional details. Al Unser, executive director of the Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors said: "We received a CID [civil investigative demand] from the Justice Dept. and we have responded." Economists who study real estate, such as the University of Cincinnati's Norm Miller, believe anti-competitive behavior is the primary explanation for the persistence of the 6 percent commission. J.D. Smith and Bob Meyer are two Tulsa discount real estate agents who say they were interviewed by federal investigators. They say the investigators wanted information on full-commission agents' alleged refusal to show home-buying clients properties listed by discount brokers -- a tactic known as boycotting. Boycotting exploits the one major weakness of the multiple listing service. The MLS's upside is that it centralizes all homes for sale in a single electronic marketplace that can be accessed by all agents -- and these days by Web-savvy consumers as well. The downside is that brokers must depend on one another to help sell their homes, and that discourages them from undercutting each other's commissions. While boycotting the listings of discounters is generally considered an antitrust violation -- if undisclosed, it's also a breach of fiduciary duty to clients -- industry insiders are well aware that boycotting goes on, even if they claim not to condone it. For Smith, the Feds' investigation comes a year or so too late. His realty business on the brink of ruin, Smith recently abandoned discount brokerage and went back to charging 6 percent. "In one week," Smith said, "I've had more showings and more offers from other realtors than I had in the previous two months." The Tulsa investigation is part of an ongoing Antitrust Division foray into the sharp-elbowed realty world. In March, the Antitrust Division sued the Kentucky Real Estate Commission over a state law that prohibits real estate brokers from offering commission rebates to consumers. More recently, Assistant Attorney General R. Hewitt Pate sent letters to lawmakers and regulators in Oklahoma and Texas, urging them to reject proposals that would effectively prohibit brokers from engaging in limited-service or fee-for-service realty -- such as listing a home for sale on the multiple listing service for a flat fee of $500. Bruce Hahn, chairman of the American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance, argues that state prohibitions on rebates and fee-for-service discourage competition and inflate commissions paid by consumers. "We've talked to Justice, and we think what they're doing is tremendous," he said. E-mail Jon Birger at jbirger@moneymail.com. The Hot List Most profitable renovations How risky is your 401(k)? Big new tax credits for hybrid cars More Real Estate How to buy and build on rural land Most overvalued housing markets When booms go bust... contact us | magazine customer service | site map | glossary | RSS | press room OTHER NEWS: CNN | SI | Fortune | Business2.0 = Money subscribers = Premium content -- * - Time reflects local markets trading time. † - Intraday data is at least 15-minutes delayed. Disclaimer © 2005 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Terms under which this service is provided to you. privacy policy Reprints of site stories are available. Top Stories Most overvalued housing markets Risks to the economy in 2006 Which was the worst ad of all in 2005? After the ride, a rest Hilton brands reunite after 40 years YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS Real Estate Antitrust Division Corporate Governance Oklahoma or Create your own Manage alerts | What is this?

Denver Real Estate

Denver real estate; temporary housing Denver Relocation Package Relocation buyers need extra help, learning about the area, schools, drive times and finding the best neighborhood to suit your lifestyle isn't easy. I can assist you with a relocation package relevant to your needs. [ Click Here for More ] Search Denver MLS Personalize your search and have results delivered to your inbox daily. This HomeFinder service is the most popular of all. [ Click Here for More ] House Hunting What to expect, how long will it take and what to bring. [ Click Here for More ] Cost of Living Comparison Check out the cost of living in Denver vs. your city. [ Click Here for More ] Denver Growth Past, present and future good growth news, see for yourself. [ Click Here for More ] Denver Climate Bring an umbrella if you want, but most of us don't own one! [ Click Here for More ] Moving Check List Stress-free moves require planning, use this list. [ Click Here for More ] Relocating Your Pet Don't forget Tabby and Fido, they deserve attention too! [ Click Here for More ] Temporary Housing In the event it is not possible to purchase and make one move to your new home, temporary housing is available in the Denver metro area. Most of these facilities specialize in short term housing, offeringfurnished rooms, condominiums and apartments, complete with fully appointed kitchens for youcomfort and convenience. AvenueWest Specializes in privately owned customized furnished lofts, condos and homes to service your temporary housing needs.Through the years AvenueWest has worked with Executive Travelers, Relocating Families, Displaced Homeowners/InsuranceClaims, Theatre Performers and Professional Athletes to list just a few categories. Please call Geri Gulesian at 303.825.7628 ext 208 or toll free 877.944.8283 303-850-9486 A Summit Executive Inns Serving DTC, Lonetree, SE Denver, Highlands Ranch, Federal Center, Lakewood, Golden, Denver West 888-208-9103 toll free or 303-771-8955 Corporate Housing Solutions Offering uniquely furnished apartments and condominiums for temporary living, 30 day minimum required.Specializing in the Denver metro area. 720-493-5335 Kristal Kraft , ABR, CIPS, CRS Licensed real estate broker selling Colorado Since 1984 The Berkshire Group Realtors, Inc. 3801 E. Florida Ave, Suite 502, Denver, Colorado U.S.A. 80210 800-319-7738 toll free | 303-589-2022 direct | 720-554-7961 fax E-mail: Kristal Kraft, Realtor 1998-2005, © Reflective Motion Inc. | Privacy Policy | Site Credits | Disclaimer | Site Map ~2 ~3 ~4 Denver Relocation | Buy a Home In Denver | Sell a Home in Denver | Denver Map | Denver Neighborhood Profiles | Denver Sales Statistics | International Real Estate | A Bio | My Favorite Places | Real Estate Resources Denver Loft Homes | The Berkshire Group | Buy and Sell Denver | We Sell Denver | Denver Colorado Real Estate | Denver Blog

Real Estate Broker

Alaska Premier Realty, Alaska Real Estate, Soldotna Real Estate, Kenai Real Estate, Seward Real Estate, Homer Real Estate, Kenai Peninsula Borough Real Estate, Kenai Peninsula Real Estate, Homes for sale in Alaska, Homes for Sale in Kenai, Homes for sale in Soldonta, Tracy Prior Select Page Sell your home For Sellers Seller Info Buyer/Seller Tips Search Alaska MLS Your Home's Value Marketing Plan Request Local RE Guide My FICO Score Free Reports Bulletin Board Community Links School Information Apply Online Interest Rates Calculators Real Estate News Resource Center Useful Tools Consumer Links Local Partners Out of State Realtors Favorite Links Contact Form Link To Me Tracy Prior, Broker (907)262-4170 Alaska Real Estate - Kenai Peninsula Borough Soldotna, Kenai, Sterling, Nikiski, Seward, Homer and surrounding areas Featured Homes - Looking for just the right property? Check here first! Buyer/Seller Tips: Read through helpful tips of information on buying or selling your home! What is your Home's Value? Let me figure out how much your home is worth in today's market! Local Schools: Identify the best school district for your family with my free schools reports. Alaska Weather: Get up-to-date information on weather in the surrounding communities. Map & Driving Directions - Need a map to my office or anywhere else? Translate this page into: Select Language French Spanish German Italian Portuguese Soldotna Real Estate - Kenai Real Estate Search the Alaska MLS Homes for sale in Alaska Commercial Business for sale in Alaska I want to be your REALTOR® of choice. I promise to give you the real estate knowledge and resources that you will need to make your home buying and selling a positive experience. My web site contains information regarding homes for sale in Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski, Sterling, Kasilof, Homer, Seward and other areas in the State of Alaska. It also contains useful information for buyers and sellers including valuable real estate tools such as Mortgage Calculators and a Rent vs. Buy Calculator, along with Virtual Tours. Information about open houses, condominiums, apartment or house rentals, building and new construction is also available. Whether you are buying in the Soldotna, Kenai Peninsula area, selling your home, or moving up to your dream home, I hope you will find this site useful, and contact me about becoming your Alaska Real Estate Agent! Your Realtor for Alaska - Soldotna, Kenai, Homer, Seward & Kenai Peninsula Borough! Premier real estate services. No gimmicks, no pressure, just honest advice , diligent service , and total commitment to helping you with your real estate needs! If you´re looking for a real estate professional with excellent interpersonal skills and in-depth knowledge of the Kenai Peninsula area market, it´s time to give Tracy Prior a call. Tracy has lived & worked in the area since 1991 and is extremely knowledgeable about the Kenai Peninsula neighborhoods. While her customers appreciate her expertise, they enjoy her personality even more. Her combination of friendliness and professionalism make Tracy an ideal real estate representative. She gets to know her customers quickly, keeps them informed and very often maintains long-term friendships with them. Tracy is a natural when it comes to superior customer service, as her experience demonstrates. In her spare time, Tracy serves as the Vice President for Soldotna Chamber of Commerce and Director at Large for the Kenai Peninsula Board of Realtors. She also also enjoys coaching for the Soldotna Little League softball team, basketball, fishing, hunting, in addition to spending time with her family and friends. If you´re considering buying or selling in the Soldotna - Kenai Peninsula area, make sure you give Tracy a call. Offering property management and accounting services. Loss Mitigation Consultant services. If you are considering purchasing a new home or other property or if you are considering selling your existing home and would like a private consultation, please call Tracy today at 907-262-4170 or e-mail her at: Tracy@realestatealaska.org . Tracy Prior - Broker Alaska Premier Realty 265 Wilson Lane, Suite A Soldotna, AK 99669 (907)262-4170 business (907)252-1665 cell (907)262-4185 fax E-Mail: Tracy@realestatealaska.org Other Realtor Links Selected State Realtors - The State's Best of The Best Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia , Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire , New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma , Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Changing LINKS Local Utilities Links Gas Telephone / ISP Electric Other Local Links Off Campus Network Apartments for Rent - Apartments Home Rentals - Apartment Rentals Alaska Real Estate Counter by RelmaxTop Alaska (Alaska State) Real Estate Alaska (Alaska State) real estate listings. The Real Estate Directory Alaska Real Estate Agent Directory Real Estate Agents AllAmerica Movers - Relocation Services AllAmericamovers offers relocation services all across the US. Find Movers nationwide for residential and commercial moving needs. Epowered Professionals Real Estate Agents Directory real estate in alaska alaska new homes alaska foreclosures home for sale in alaska alaska apartments rentals alaska roommates alaska vacation rentals alaska timeshares mortgage guide USA Real Estate Directory - United States Real Estate link exchange directory featuring realtors, agents, property, construction, manufacturers and home services. America Realtors Directory Remote Hire Man Realtor Directory Business Directory Alaska [ Join Now | Ring Hub | Random | < Web Site Design and Hosting Provided By: Advanced Access © 1998-2005

Real Estate Listings

RE/MAX | residential and commercial real estate Residential Home Page Property Search Luxury Home Search Find an Agent Find an Office Real Estate 101 Mortgage Tools Moving Assistance Commercial Home Page Commercial Property Search Find a Commercial Agent Find a Commercial Office Commercial Wants Why RE/MAX Commercial Inside RE/MAX Home Franchise Opportunities Become an Agent News & Events Corporate Relocation Corporate Information Welcome to RE/MAX , home of real estate's most experienced and professional agents. Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX. "Everybody Wins" A new book gives homebuyers and home sellers their first in-depth look at the world's most successful real estate network. "Everybody Wins: The Story and Lessons Behind RE/MAX" is an independent view of the history, culture and leadership of the organization that revolutionized the real estate industry. MORE Children's Miracle Network Susan G. Komen Foundation RE/MAX Worldwide Select your Country United States Canada Antigua / Barbuda Anguilla Argentina Aruba Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Belgium Belize Bonaire Botswana Bulgaria Caribbean Cayman Islands Central America Chile Croatia Costa Rica Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Dominican Republic Estonia Europe Germany Central Germany East Germany North/West Germany Southwest Germany Bayern Greece Guam Guatemala Honduras Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Kuwait Latvia Lebanon Lithuania Luxembourg Mauritius Malta Mexico Namibia Netherlands Nevis New Zealand Nicaragua Norway Oman Panama Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Saudi Arabia Scotland Singapore Slovakia Southern Africa Spain St. Barth St. Croix St. John St. Maarten/St. Martin St. Thomas Sweden Switzerland Turkey Turks & Caicos United Arab Emirates UK Midlands UK London UK North UK South U.S. Virgin Islands Venezuela Wales Zambia remax.com en español RE/MAX Mainstreet | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact RE/MAX © 2005 RE/MAX International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The RE/MAX franchise network is a global real estate system of franchisee owned and operated offices and their affiliated independent professionals. RE/MAX affiliates lead the industry in professional designations, experience and production. RE/MAX International is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports the Fair Housing Act. Please select from the menu above

Las Vegas real estate

Real estate investors cast watchful eye on Las Vegas' high stakes housing game SFGate Home Business Sports Entertainment Travel Jobs Real Estate Autos SFGate News Web by Real estate investors cast watchful eye on Las Vegas' high stakes housing game Kelly Zito, Chronicle Staff Writer Monday, March 7, 2005 now part of stylesheet -- More... Printable Version Email This Article Las Vegas' lucky number last year was 52 -- as in 52 percent. That's how much real estate prices jumped in the nation's fastest-growing city in one year, as a housing shortage set off a wave of speculation by investors from California and other states. But as any gambler knows, Lady Luck eventually turns a cold shoulder. Las Vegans wanted to cash in, too, and so many put their houses up for sale that they flooded the market. By the end of the year, some homebuilders were slashing prices. For investors from states like California where prices seem to move in only one direction -- up -- it was a stark example of a deflating bubble. "When you lose money in real estate, you really feel it,'' said Igor Doncov, a software engineer in Half Moon Bay who bought two new houses in Las Vegas early in 2004 but sold them at a loss after his builder, Pulte Homes, cut prices on its new models by $180,000. "I thought I couldn't lose," he said in a telephone interview. "But it turned into a total disaster." Housing analysts don't think Las Vegas' slowdown is a sign that prices will soften soon in other fast-appreciating regions. But they say it is a warning of what could happen in the Bay Area as interest rates go up -- particularly for people trying to "flip" houses for a quick profit. "Everyone is watching Las Vegas with its price appreciation and flipping," said John Karevoll, an analyst at DataQuick, the La Jolla real estate research firm. "If something weird happens, it'll happen there first." For years, Las Vegas real estate was cheap. Myrna Kingham, president of the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, remembers not-so-distant days of driving around in a pickup wearing high heels and showing clients dusty 5-acre parcels listed for $20,000. But as the population of Las Vegas and surrounding Clark County grew 81 percent in the 1990s, adding 621,160 people, housing prices caught up, matching the national median of $145,000 in 2001. Then last year, the market caught fire, boosted by healthy job gains, a growing stream of retirees, Californians drawn to lower home prices and an influx of investor money. Builders, faced with a shortage of workers, had trouble keeping up. Add rock-bottom interest rates, and the scene resembled the go-go days of the Bay Area's tech boom. Hundreds of would-be buyers descended on open houses, and home prices seemed to increase as quickly as the progressive jackpots in the slot machines on the Strip. Record appreciation In the spring of 2004, the median price for a single-family house was $269,000, 52 percent higher than the year before -- a national record for appreciation, according to the National Association of Realtors. "The market was hotter than blazes," Kingham said. "People were looking for affordability -- they wanted a nice home in an area with nice weather that they could buy for $200,000." Californians, who pay some of the highest home prices in the nation, took notice. Golden State residents have snapped up nearly 27,000 Las Vegas properties since 2000, according to DataQuick. In 2004 alone, California residents bought 11,600 homes -- 12 percent of the transactions in Clark County for the year. Bay Area residents bought nearly 7,800 Las Vegas properties over the past five years. In the second quarter of 2004 alone, the number who bought Las Vegas property doubled from the same quarter the year before, to more than 800,surpassing investment in Sacramento, the Tahoe region and Palm Springs for the seventh straight quarter. But in less time than it takes to build a single house, the market changed. Egged on by the stratospheric prices their neighbors were asking -- and getting -- homeowners in Las Vegas flooded the market with "for sale" signs. The number of existing houses posted for sale on the Multiple Listing Service ballooned from about 1,400 in February to more than 16,000 by October. Among them were never-lived-in homes offered by investors who had bought them only months before from national homebuilders -- who were selling their own brand-new houses literally across the street. In early fall one of those builders, Pulte Homes, took the extraordinary step of slashing prices by $25,000 to $180,000 on more than 20 of its Las Vegas-area developments. The move sent shock waves through the Las Vegas building industry and angered investors like Igor Doncov. Doncov, a 57-year-old engineer who was a victim of the technology flame-out, was one of thousands of investors who hoped to turn a quick profit by buying and selling Las Vegas property within a few months. Early last year he bought two new houses from Pulte Homes for $515,000 each. By the end of the summer, he said, the houses were worth well over $600,000, based on Pulte's prices for the same models. Then Pulte cut the price by about $180,000. Doncov sold the two properties in December and January for $480,000 and $490,000; after closing costs and sales fees, he estimates he lost $100,000. He is working with a lawyer to try to recoup the losses from Pulte, on the grounds Pulte misled investors by systematically raising new home prices, then abruptly lowering them. Many people in Las Vegas shrug at tales like Doncov's, saying any plan to get rich quick is fraught with risk. "There are people who come here and lose all kinds of money on the card table," said Keith Schwer, an economist at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. By December, it was clear the peak of the frenzy had passed. Residential building permits that month were 34 percent below the previous December's, as measured by the Center for Business and Economic Research, which Schwer directs. And 15 percent fewer people were moving to Las Vegas -- some undoubtedly spooked by the region's steep jump in home prices. Pulte officials would not comment on the price reductions. In the wake of Pulte's move, other builders also cut prices but made no formal announcements. KB Home, the region's largest home builder, didn't cut prices but did tighten its policies on sales to investors. Contracts now stipulate, that, barring the loss of a job or other major problem, those who resell their properties within a year have to give KB Home the profit. Despite the builders' moves, Schwer and other experts say the Las Vegas market remains healthy. In recent months, they say, the number of homes for sale has declined and homes are selling faster. In January, however, there were still 13,800 homes for sale. Though the median price for a new home climbed 6 percent to $307,500, the median for an existing home -- $251,000 - was up only one half of one percent from a year before, according to Schwer. Over the long term, the area's job growth -- including a new 8,000-employee casino opening in April -- warm climate, entertainment options and well-equipped airport will continue to draw buyers, Schwer said. On a Friday morning in February, Bill Jeffers, who owns Valley Furniture in Livermore, toured a $731,000 home in a subdivision called Inverness. By buying a home in Las Vegas, Jeffers, who has lived on Maui for several years, will shorten his twice-monthly commute to the store and put his grandchildren into strong school systems. "I tried to get in last year, but there were just too many other buyers," said Jeffers, a Livermore native. Some making profits And some investors who bought wisely are making profits. Stephanie Wedge, a San Jose real estate agent who also brokers property in Las Vegas, bought a house for $625,000 last May. She put the 5-year-old home on the market on Feb. 23 for $775,000, and she expected to get an offer the following week. "That's a really good turnaround," said Wedge, who also has reserved a condo in a yet-to-be built high-rise. "I think it depends on where the property is -- and this is in a gated, country club community." The continued pace of construction serves as an outward sign of the region's confidence. On a stretch of freeway south of the Strip, a sign reads "KB Home, Next 5 Exits." Adding more houses to a market already flush with them would seem to only exacerbate any stagnation in the market. But Dennis Smith, president of Las Vegas' Homebuilders Research Inc. pointed out the vast majority of new homes are presold. The market "is still in correction mode because of the high inventory in the resale segment,'' he said. "It will probably take at least six months for that to end." So, will what happened in Vegas, stay in Vegas? Schwer doubts Las Vegas' deceleration will bleed into the Golden State -- or any other state -- in part because Las Vegas growth rates were so far above the norm. Others say the arc of Las Vegas' recent experience may contain a hint of the Bay Area's future. While the nine-county region saw much lower price appreciation last year than Las Vegas -- an increase of about 17 percent -- Ed Leamer, a UCLA economist, contends that both regions are enveloped in a speculative frenzy. In Las Vegas, an oversupply of homes relative to demand may spell price declines. Back in the Bay Area, Leamer thinks rising interest rates will take some of the air out of the market as fewer people qualify to buy expensive properties -- though any correction would be far less dramatic than Las Vegas'. "Because the market has cracked in Las Vegas doesn't mean it's imminent in other areas," Leamer said. "But it gives you a sense of what may happen in these areas in the face of rising interest rates." E-mail Kelly Zito at kzito@sfchronicle.com . Page A - 1 Get up to 50% off home delivery of the Chronicle for 12 weeks! MARKETING Compelling writer? Action 36 Cable 6 (KICU-TV) MECHANIC SF tugboat co POKER Expert poker player needed REAL ESTATE Sales *FREE TRAINING! Prudential CA Realty SALES Can you sell the President? IPA SALES Benefit package AGI Publishing SALES $125K PLUS In-Home Kitchen Kitchenworks, Inc. 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