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?
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Virginia Real Estate: Charlottesville, Richmond, Northern Va Virginia Real Estate, Homes, Farms and Land, Charlottesville, Richmond, Northern VA WELCOME to the leading online Virginia real estate site for property listings and some of the finest luxury homes, land and farms for sale in the state, including equestrian acreage, beautiful country estates, condominiums and residential properties. The glorious landscape, radiant skyline and rolling hills that cascade along the country side of stately manor homes and luxurious estates that comprise our Northern Va, Richmond and Charlottesville real estate listings offer a peaceful and enlightening backdrop for raising a family and living life to its fullest. When you are ready to search for and/or sell your home and need an experienced Virginia real estate agent , consider the realtors that who strive to provide the best personalized and professional service for each and every client. We feature some of the finest Virginia MLS properties and offer experienced relocation services for Charlottesvi l le real estate , Albemarle County, Scottsville, Va., Madison, Greene, Scottsville, Augusta County, Richmond MLS, Central Va., Northern Va. and beyond... See our Statewide Exceptional Properties See our Middleburg Exceptional Properties FEATURED VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE Virginia Real Estate in Charlottesville, Scottsville, Augusta County, Staunton, Northern VA We maintain strategic partnerships in order to provide additional Virginia realtor and home buying , sales, services and resources in Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William County, Middleburg and Rappahannock, including homes, estates, farms and land for sale. Listing some of the most beautiful estates properties and residential real estate in Virginiahomes in the Old Dominion , o ur professional realtors, agents and luxury realty brokers are ready to find the right home for you. If you are searching for a home neighboring the nicest folk in the country, look no further than the Old Dominion, where peace of mind comes naturally. We are the Virginia realtors with residential homes for sale and luxury real estate from in and around town and across the state, not only Central Va and Richmond , but also Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Wintergreen, Staunton VA real estate , Nelson County, Greene County, Madison County, Scottsville , Augusta County, Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William County. Among our Virginia real estate listings and properties, you will find a balanced climate, and a venerable tradition of social and economic stability that have combined to create what Thomas Jefferson called "the Eden of the United States." Perhaps that is why Jefferson chose the Charlottesville country side, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, to build his home, Monticello, and to found the University of Va. Charlottesville is a cultural hub permeating with a laid-back, enjoy-life attitude, and one of the best places to experience this first-hand is on the Historic Downtown Mall. Closed to vehicles, the Downtown Mall is a brick-paved, pedestrian-friendly row of lively restaurants, cafés, and bars—most with outdoor seating under the tall, shady oak tress, and many amplified in the evening with live local jazz, rock, funk, and more. If you decide to choose a life amidst the beauty, peace, serenity and security of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you will find that at any one time, the market offers a broad selection of properties and Va homes for sale, from Colonial farm houses to Jefferson-type estates in a wide range of prices. In addition, the market for attractive and luxurious Virginia homes for sale extends up and down the valley, from Northern to Central Va. stretching beyond the mountains to the eastern shore beaches. Take a tour in whatever location you choose with one of our qualified relocation agents or find your perfect luxury home within our pages and pages of featured property listings drawn from area association MLS multiple listing services. We offer a wide range of properties, land, houses, luxury real estate and homes for sale by owner - whether it is a country cottage or an elegant estate with farm land in Albemarle County, Va., or a condominium in Northern Virginia, we specialize in representing your interests in all aspects of the contractual process and promise to find the best available property at the best price. Our Virginia realtors and agents list some the most beautiful properties and homes and land for sale in the Charlottesville MLS/IDX, Richmond area real estate, the Shenandoah Valley, Northern Va, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, and Middleburg. Our selected luxury estates, residential homes, Virginia horse farms, land and equestrian real estate property range from any where around $250,000 to well over $1 million. With a plethora of beautiful estates, manor homes, luxury real estate, Virginia farms and down-home country estates, the great countryside of Virginia is a sanctuary for those looking to escape "the big-city life". Please make sure that you look through all of our estates, land and farm listings from Charlottesville, Richmond and Northern Virginia. Quick Site Map Welcome to Virginia | Virginia Home | Our Realtors & Agents | State Photo Tour | Va Realtor Services | Real Estate Services Statewide Exceptional Homes | Charlottesville, Albemarle Co. Homes | Charlottesville MLS Search | Richmond Va Real Estate Scottsville Homes for Sale in Albemarle Co. | Lynchburg, Va, Amherst County Homes | Staunton Va, Augusta Co. Real Estate Nelson County, Va, Wintergreen Properties | Madison. 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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..
Property Search How Fannie
Resources: Fannie Mae-Owned Property Search Our Business Is The American Dream Search Home Fannie Mae News Media Initiatives Issues & Commentary Translated Documents About Us About Fannie Mae Corporate Governance Investor Relations Careers For Business Partners Affordable Housing & Community Development Single-Family Multifamily Tools & Resources Debt Securities Mortgage-Backed Securities For Home Buyers & Homeowners Homepath Find a Mortgage Find a Lender Search Resources Calculators Checklists, Tip Sheets & Worksheets Counselors & Agencies Fannie Mae-Owned Property Search How Fannie Mae Saves Home Buyers Money Glossary Fannie Mae-Owned Property Search To help your search, please provide the state where you want to search for a property. Or, for a more specific search, provide the state and city; the state and ZIP code; or the state, city, and ZIP code. You can also search for a specific property type by selecting either single-family, 2-4 unit, or condo/co-op from the "Property Type" drop-down menu. You can sort your results by price, type of property, or ZIP code by selecting from the "Sorted By" options. Your use of the Fannie Mae-Owned Property Search is subject to the following terms and conditions. Price Range: No Minimum $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 More than $1,000,000 to $0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 No Maximum City: (To include multiple cities, separate each city by a comma.) State (required) : Select a State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware 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 Washington, DC West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Guam Puerto Rico Virgin Islands ZIP Code: Property Type: Any Single-Family 2-4 Unit Condo/Co-op Sorted By: No Sort City Price Type Zip ©1998-2004 Fannie Mae Contact Us FAQ Site Map Advanced Search Privacy Legal
Las Vegas Real Estate
Las Vegas Nevada Real Estate Agents - Summerlin Real Estate - Sun City Real Estate - Las Vegas MLS Home Page Your Home's Value View Our Listings Las Vegas High Rise Info Lake Las Vegas Exchange Links Real Estate Resources Contact Us Property Request Vegas Has Changed!!! Resources - US East Resources - US Middle East Resources - US Middle West Resources - US West Resources - Other Resources - Canada Resources - Real Estate Related Resources - International 702.871.3400 Description: Incredible 4 bed 3 bath home on one acre! Pool, Spa, Tennis Court, Outdoor BBQ Pit, and so much more!!! $1,499,990 Looking for a new home in Las Vegas? ALWAYS TAKE YOUR OWN AGENT !! You've decided that you want to look at new homes around Las Vegas. So you grab the Sunday paper with its handy reference map, jump into your car and start driving around the city looking at the new home tracts, right? WRONG!!! This is a common mistake that could cost you thousands of dollars and a lot of peace of mind! Unless you are a contractor in Las Vegas, it is unlikely that you will know the builders as we do. New home or resale, you should always have your own agent - it costs you NOTHING! But you must take your own agent with you on your first visit into the new homes sales office. • We know each builder's quality . Not only do we see those beautiful professionally decorated models, we know whose workmanship lasts through time. • We know which builders are the most cooperative when it comes to making changes on your new home. • We know who has the best customer service if there is a problem. Even new construction can have minor defects which will remain undiscovered until you've lived in the home a while. A builder who comes in and makes these corrections promptly is priceless! • If there are any special buyer incentives we will know about them first ! The Las Vegas new homes builders actually advertise to real estate agents because they want us to show you their homes. But if you come into the development by yourself, they have no need to offer you an incentive. And the tract agents work for the builder. They won't mention any special promotions if they don't have to. • We will look over all contracts before you sign them and make sure there are no "red flags" in them. • We will help you obtain the best financing . Quite often the new home builders will offer an incentive of $500 to $5,000 if you use "their" lender. Depending on the interest rate charged and other "garbage fees" put into the loan, this may or may not be lower than what you may find elsewhere. • We will assist you with lot selection . Location is crucial and we know how to pick the best lots. • We will recommend professional home inspectors to check out the structure before we close escrow, and we will be there to do your final walk-through with the builder. We know what is acceptable workmanship and what is not. • We will also save you lots of time . We have a complete database of all the new homes in the Las Vegas and their floor plans! We can eliminate unwanted features without driving all over the valley! And you get all this help for free! The builder, by law , cannot sell the home any cheaper to you if you come in without your own agent. But if you do, the tract may refuse to allow you to bring back your own agent later. So resist the impulse to "shop" without us, we're there to help you and we can save you money when you are buying a new home in Las Vegas! Home • Resale Home • New Homes • Our Listings • High Rise Info • Meet the Team • Turnberry Towers • Trump Towers • Newport Lofts • Sandhurst • MGM Grand Residences • Turnberry Place • SoHo Lofts • Streamline Towers • Las Ramblas • Mortgage Marketing / Mortgage Web Design By