Gary Giffin's (giffin) Blog

Appraisers Not Responsible for Low Appraisals     RISMEDIA, October 20, 2009—Responding to recent testimony before the House Small Business Committee, the Appraisal Institute, one of the nation’s largest organizations of real estate appraisers, reminded the Committee’s leaders that appraisers ar...

Industry’s Most Powerful Associations Send Letter to Administration Advocating for Extension of Homebuyer Tax Credit   RISMEDIA, October 20, 2009—The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) along with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) sent ...

1.4 Million Families Have Taken Advantage of First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, More Claims Expected   RISMEDIA, October 8, 2009—With the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit deadline quickly approaching, the Internal Revenue Service recently reminded potential home buyers they must complete their fi...

A Fix-Up Strategy Works in Long Run: If You Have Time on Your Side, Improve and Enjoy Your Home RISMEDIA, October 17, 2009—(MCT)—You’re thinking of selling—but not just yet. Let’s say you’ve got a five-year plan to prepare an older, lived-in house for sale.  Maybe ...

Economic Growth Expected to Slow in First Half of 2010 before Picking up in Second Half   RISMEDIA, October 16, 2009—MBA expects economic growth to continue through the rest of 2009 before slowing in the first half of 2010. Unemployment is expected to climb to 10.2% by the middle of 2010 before ...

$8,000 Tax Credit’s Hoops Frustrate House Hunters RISMEDIA, October 16, 2009—Mary Shanklin (MCT)—                   This summer, Brian Smith decided he should buy a house. Prices were at record lows; “for sale” signs were common, and, most important, he could get a tax credit of as much as $8,000...

•October 2, 2009  Basics of the Housing Market If you have been looking to purchase or sell real estate, you may have heard the terms sellers’ market and buyers’ market.  You may also have wondered what these terms mean and how each market impacts you as a buyer or seller.  Here is a brief explan...

Looking Ahead – California Association of Realtors Releases 2010 Housing Market Forecast   RISMEDIA, October 15, 2009—“California’s housing market continued its strong sales rebound this year, resulting from the continued pace of distressed properties coming to market,” said California Associati...

Foreclosure Activity Increases 5% in Third Quarter   RISMEDIA, October 15, 2009—RealtyTrac, one of the leading online marketplaces for foreclosure properties, released its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for Q3 2009, which shows that foreclosure filings—default notices, scheduled auctions and ban...

Gary | Keller Williams Realty | 858-401-0204 2626 6th, San Diego, CA Mission Hills Banker Hill Home with views to Balboa Park.Your opportunity to live in the park is here and in grand style. 2BR/3BA Condo offered at $1,649,000 Year Built 2006 Sq Footage 2,500 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 3 full, 0 parti...