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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?

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Atlanta Real Estate: Metro Brokers/GMAC Atlanta real estate, Georgia, brokers, agent, buckhead, atlanta mortgage, cobb, midtown, homes for sale -- Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale Metro Brokers/GMAC Real Estate Community Search Builders/Developers New Home Services for Agents Order relocation kit Who's who in relocation GM Family First Quote Form Claims Dictionary FAQ's Privacy notice Services offered Businesses for sale Commercial division info Property search Agent roster Who wants to be a millionaire? Comprehensive sales training Broker support Coaching Agent Testimonials Contact us A little history Marketing Communications Technology Office locations/directions Market share comps Company News Premier Service Have a question? Ask your online guide. E-mail Metro Mike. Learn how to schedule appointments online to see properties. Order our FREE 250+ page home guide with thousands of area homes for sale. Click here to learn how to get a Georgia real estate license for free! Click here to view your shopping cart or create a new account. Metro Brokers Financial offers competitive rates on a variety of mortgage products. Click here to prequalify! Search the largest database of Atlanta homes for sale 72,310 HOMES more than any other website! Database last updated Dec 29 2005 6:58AM Market Share Comps Metro Brokers/GMAC Real Estate grew its Atlanta real estate market share by one percent in 2004, while every other local residential realty company with at least 2,000 closings lost market share – one company by 15 percent. Over the last four years, Metro Brokers has increased its metro area market share by 3.4 percent – far better than any other local company. In fact, Atlanta’s other top 10 residential real estate companies experienced market share declines over that same period by an average of 23.5 percent. Metro Brokers did even better in specific real estate submarkets of Atlanta. The company saw double-digit market share gains in Butts, Cherokee, Coweta, Dawson, Douglas, East Cobb, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gwinnett, Henry, Intown Atlanta, Newton, North Fulton, Paulding, Rockdale, Walton and West Cobb. The company remains the Atlanta market share leader south of I-20, with nearly 1 out of every 4 homebuyers represented by a Metro Brokers sales associate. According to Metro Brokers President and CEO Kevin Levent, the primary reason for the company's market-leading growth is the increased productivity of its sales associates. "Our associates sold more homes in Atlanta than any other year in the history of our company," Levent said. "Our training programs are invigorating experienced real estate sales associates and helping new real estate licensees hit the ground running." Metro Brokers is also the largest license holder in the state of Georgia. The market share study was completed by Smart Numbers, an independent, Atlanta-based company that provides residential real estate information. Smart Numbers used closing data from MLS and FMLS to compile its report. Company News ATLANTA - Once again, the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (HBA) has selected metrobrokers.com Best Realtor Website in the Atlanta area for the fourth consecutive year. MetroBrokers.com was chosen by HBA’s judges for its functionality, ease-of-use and overall design. The only organization recognizing Atlanta companies for excellence in website design, the HBA has been promoting, protecting and preserving homeownership in the greater area since its inception in 1945. HBA is an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), headquartered in Washington, D.C. During the last year, Metro Brokers became the first local company to successfully launch an appointment setting tool that allows homebuyers to schedule a showing while viewing a listing online. As a result, Metro Brokers has generated more than 2,000 real estate showing requests – a figure that’s 30 percent higher than the national average of other metro realty companies. REALTORS RESPOND TO METRO BROKERS’ NEW BILLBOARDS Joyce Hay of the Gwinnett office: “Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! I love the billboards. My clients think the boards are cool, too. They say it’s better than any other billboard they’ve ever seen and that Metro Brokers is far and above any other company.” Salim Lokhandwalla of the Tucker office: “It’s very eye-catching. The locations are excellent especially the one on I-85 south. If my 11 year old daughter notices it, I’m sure others will too.“ Jamie Hook of the East Cobb office: “It’s really impressive, especially when you have clients in the car and drive by it.” Radley Reiff of the Buckhead office: “I love it. I think it’s great for brand recognition…A perfect ‘10’.” Serrie Fields of the Stone Mountain office: “The billboard can’t be beat. It’s bold, easy to read in traffic and very visible. It makes our name well known in the community and reinforces our large market presence. I envision the billboards helping me on listing presentations when I mention them to customers.” Bo Krejci of the North Fulton office: “I think the billboard is great. It really pops out at you when you drive down GA-400. I can only imagine the impact on morning commuters as the traffic crawls by the billboard.” Real Estate Atlanta, Georgia

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NOAA Home Page Thu December 29 2005 Home Contacts Media Disclaimer Search People Locator Home Page Menu Air Quality Aviation Charts Climate Coasts Contacts Disclaimer Diving Drought Fire Weather Fisheries Floods Hurricanes Jobs Lightning Meet the Administrator Navigation Ocean NOAA Leadership Past Weather Podcast Privacy Policy Question of the Month Research RSS Satellites Search this site Site Map Solar and Space Storm Watch Tornadoes Tsunamis Turtles Volcanoes Weather Weather Data Whales Site Map (includes pull-down menu text) NOAA RSS Podcasts Taking the Pulse of the Planet Your Local Forecast by City, State (not ZIP code) STORM WATCH Current Watches/Warnings Graphical Weather Maps and Other Weather Information Image of the Day • Meet the NOAA Administrator • NOAA Administrator's Speeches • NOAA Leadership • About NOAA • NOAA Strategic Planning • Annual Guidance Memo • FOIA • NOAA History • NOAA Organization Chart • Information Quality • Privacy Policy • Department of Commerce Emergency Information for NOAA Employees • Contracting • Employment • Diversity • Grants • NOAA National Weather Service • NOAA Satellites and Information • NOAA Fisheries • NOAA Ocean Service • NOAA Research • NOAA Marine & Aviation Operations • CIO/HPCC • Education Resources • Education and Sustainable Development • NOAA Corporate Services • General Counsel • Program Planning and Integration • IT Security • Legislative Affairs • NOAA Library • NOAA in Your State • Science Advisory Board • Employee Worklife Center • Hydrographic Services Review Panel • Media Contacts • News Releases • NOAA Background Info • Public Affairs • External Affairs • Story Ideas for Reporters NOAA TEACHER AT SEA PROGRAM LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE NOAA’s Teacher at Sea program launched a new Web site, better enabling teachers from kindergarten through college to find and apply for opportunities to get first-hand research experience aboard NOAA hydrographic, oceanographic and fisheries research vessels. Teachers who sail aboard NOAA ships write daily logs of their experiences and e-mail them to the NOAA program coordinator. The new Web site’s main feature allows access to these logs, which include information about sea temperatures and other data, research of the day, and interviews with scientists and crew. Full Story Inside NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE UNVEILS NEW PRECIPITATION WEB PAGE — High-quality precipitation analyses used for flood forecasts, drought monitoring and climate trends are being made available on the NOAA National Weather Service Web site on a trial basis through June 2006. During this time, comments regarding the service will be collected to determine whether it effectively meets users' needs and whether the service should be continued after the trial period. News Story Archive - Home page stories 1999 - Present NOAA SATELLITES HELP KEEP COMPETITIVE SAILORS SAFE — The international Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System (COSPAS-SARSAT) is giving an extra measure of safety for sailors competing in the worldwide Volvo Ocean Race. The SARSAT program is providing life-saving, alert capabilities for 21 emergency beacons, which were purchased by race organizers to use in the race. NOAA Magazine - The stories behind the headlines. Ocean Etiquette: Promoting Responsible Encounters with Living and Submerged Cultural Resources NOAA REPORTS WARMER 2005 FOR THE UNITED STATES, NEAR-RECORD WARMTH GLOBALLY: HURRICANES, FLOODS, SNOW AND WILDFIRES ALL NOTABLE — After a record-breaking hurricane season, blistering heat waves, lingering drought and a crippling Northeast blizzard, 2005 is ending as a warm year in the United States. It will come close to the all-time high global annual average temperature, based on preliminary data gathered by scientists at the NOAA National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. AccessNOAA - NOAA Employees Make a Difference Hurricane Katrina Environmental Impacts NOAA Conducts Aerial Photography Missions over Regions Affected by Hurricane Wilma NOAA Performs Aerial Survey of Regions Affected by Hurricane Rita NOAA Hurricane Katrina Support Activities; Aerial Photography Flights Yield Thousands of Images NOAA Hurricane Hunter Pilot Captures Katrina at Her Meanest Weather Watches, warnings, floods, hurricanes, Weather Radio... 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NOAA Answers Your Questions A new Web site to help you find NOAA information. • NOAA David Johnson Award — Nomination Deadline Dec. 1, 2005 • FY 2008 Annual Guidance Memorandum (PDF) • Economic Statistics for NOAA (PDF) — Fourth Edition 2005 • Strategic Plan for the U.S. Integrated Earth Observation System • NOAA 2006 Budget Request — "Blue Book" Online • Dept. Of Commerce Consistency Appeal of Islander East Pipeline Company (54-page PDF File) • NOAA Strategic Plan , 2005-2010 (PDF) • Coastal Zone Management Act Consistency Appeals • NOAA Cooperative Conservation • NOAA Climate Data at a Glance - Find 108 years of weather data for the U.S. • New England Red Tide Information Center • Search & Rescue Satellite-aided Tracking/Emergency Beacon registration - See how NOAA's SARSAT helps to save mariners, aviators and other people in distress. • NOAA and the Preserve America Initiative - Find out about the nation's oldest scientific agency. • NOAA Ocean Explorer - Ocean exploration without getting wet! • Beach Temperatures Drifting Iceberg Visit the NOAA Photo Library and view more than 40,000 images. Visit NOAA's Undersea Research Program, or NURP, where scientists investigate the undersea environment to put together the pieces of the ocean’s puzzle. Scientists use tools such as submersibles, remotely operated vehicles, mixed gas diving gear, underwater laboratories and observatories, and other cutting edge technologies to explore the undersea universe. The Emmy award-winning NOAA documentary, Saving Springer , is a remarkable and inspirational story about the work that NOAA does every day. Springer, a young abandoned killer whale, might have faced a solitary existence, left to make her way as best she could. Instead, the work and dedication of NOAA professionals gave Springer a new chance at life and helped her return to her family. Want to Know About NOAA? — You'll need RealPlayer to view this streaming video clip. Click here for video text. Presidential Visit to NOAA Wells Estuary in Wells, Maine. You'll need RealPlayer to view this streaming video. Click here for video text. NOAA Launches the First of Four Planned NOAA Fisheries Survey Vessels — You'll need RealPlayer to view this streaming video clip. Read the story . Publication of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce . Last Updated: December 28, 2005 1:12 PM http://www.noaa.gov

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Maine Home Mortgage Home Page. Welcome to Maine Home Mortgage Choose Experience and the Lowest Mortgage Rates in Maine . Serving Maine for over 15 years . Now is the perfect time to take advantage of low interest ratesto purchase real estate in Maine or refinance a mortgage in Maine. Use our web site to applyfor a mortgage online , use our home mortgage tools , view our home loan programs , contactus , or learn more aboutus ! It only takes 10 minutes to apply for a Maine Home Mortgage by phone or online! Local: 1-800-LOW-RATE / Out of State: 1-800-471-5730 Free Credit Report with Mortgage Application! We offer a variety of loan application options , including a Quick Application, a Standard Application, and a 5 Step Application that allows you to log in and complete your mortgage application later. To see how easy it is to apply for a mortgage online with Maine Home Mortgage, click here . Whatever your Maine mortgage residential financing needs, we will tailor a home loan that's right for you: Purchase Refinance Construction Home Improvement Home Equity Loans Investment Properties 100% Financing Debt Consolidation Loans Stated Income Loans Damaged Credit Loans! VA/FHA Seasonal Properties And more ! Distressed Credit? Get Answers Here! SELECTED RATES. CHECK MENU FOR MORE Rate APR Disc. Points 30 Year Fixed 6.125% 6.182% 0.000 20 Year Fixed 6.000% 6.076% 0.000 15 Year Fixed 5.875% 5.970% 0.000 30 Year Fixed Jumbo 6.375% 6.384% 0.000 15 Year Fixed Jumbo 6.000% 6.015% 0.000 3/1 ARM 5.750% 7.224% 0.000 5/1 Year ARM 5.875% 8.336% 0.000 Assumptions Apply Now! Portland Lewiston Bangor Augusta Maine Home Mortgage, your experienced, statewide mortgage lender and mortgage broker, offering the lowest rates for all kinds of home loans, whether for purchase or refinance. Check rates and apply on-line, or call 1-800-471-5730. It only takes a five minutes, so apply now. Equal Housing Lender. © 2005 Maine Home Mortgage. Trade/service marks are the property of Maine Home Mortgage and/or its subsidiaries. Back to Top | Apply Now | Contact Us | Home | Privacy | Licensing DESIGNED AND POWERED BY ETRAFFICERS, LLC .

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Real Estate Loan main page Home | Search | Sitemap | Contact Us | Your Privacy | Reorder Checks Credit Cards | Account Aggregation | Mortgages | Buy Stocks | Online Banking About Us Join Us Save with Us Borrow from Us Invest/Insure with Us Your Rates Your Tools Your Business Borrow from Us Auto Loans Consumer Loans Credit Cards Real Estate Loans Apply now Rates 80/10/10 Mortgages Adjustable Rate Mortgages Construction Mortgages Fixed Rate Mortgages Flexible Mortgages Home Equity Line Of Credit Land Loans Lending Area Refinancing Zero Down Mortgages Payment Protection Whether you are buying a new home or you've decided to remodel, as a member of Redstone Federal Credit Union, you have access to many different low annual percentage rate loans and refinancing options. At RFCU, we provide you with the financial resources you'll need and the personal service you've come to expect. Take a look and please feel free to contact our Real Estate Department for more information. We'll be happy to help you decide what type of loan will work best for your particular needs. Real Estate Lending Area Click here to locate the geographic area that our real estate lending area covers. 80/10/10 Mortgages A great way to finance your new real estate purchase and have cash on hand to make improvements, renovations, or add that personal touch. Learn more.. Adjustable Rate Mortgages With our Adjustable Rate Mortgages, you can reap the benefits of our low interest rates. Learn more... Apply Now Construction Mortgages Ready to build on your dream property? Here's the best way to make it happen. Learn more... Fixed Rate Mortgages Sometimes change is good. When interest rates go up, well, let's just say you'll wish you had a Fixed Rate Mortgage with RFCU. Learn more... Apply Now Flexible Mortgages When a low down payment is what you need, we offer two types of Flexible Mortgages. Learn more... Home Equity Line Of Credit (HELOC) Hey, it's your money, put it to good use with a HELOC. Learn more... Land Loans It's a buyers market and we provide you with options of how to acquire the perfect land to call your very own. Learn more... Refinancing Are rates lower today than when you first purchased? If so, you may consider refinancing. Learn more... Apply Now Zero Down Payment Mortgages Need your cash for something other than a down payment? With our Zero Down Payment Mortgage, it's possible! Learn more..