News

SecondShelters.com: Dreaming of Mexico’s Pacific Coast

By Joanna England | June 21, 2013 |

  We have a fabulous Top-5 Friday over at Second Shelters today profiling some of the great values and even better vacation homes for sale in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. This is such a gem of a town, and we’re sure you’ll love it as much as we do!  

Top-5 Friday: Puerto Escondido is a Great Escape For Beach Lovers

By Joanna England | June 21, 2013 |

Mexico is often an affordable place to buy if you’re looking for a beach property without a ton of competition. The Pacific coast of Mexico is just as gorgeous as the more popular tourist destinations without all of the crowds. There’s surfing and seafood, and wonderful culture! Honestly, I am in love with Puerto Escondido,…

Would You Ever Market a Home on CraigsList? Some Brokers Use Free Classifieds, But Should They?

By Joanna England | June 21, 2013 |

So, CraigsList. I don’t know if I would ever buy a house off of the free classified site. Maybe rent one, yes, but buy? I don’t know. Between all they “Se Vende Casa” posts and “OWNER FINANCED!@!@!” listings, I just don’t see it as a credible source. Still, people use it. I mean, it’s free,…

Our New Mortgage Alphabet Soup: Dodd-Frank Brings New Terms and Regulations, And Guardian Mortgage Can Help You Navigate Them

By Joanna England | June 21, 2013 |

The real estate landscape is constantly changing, thanks to a regulatory environment that is learning from its past. After the housing bubble burst, fueled by the sub-prime lending market crash, lawmakers were in a frenzy to control the damage. The question is, though, with regulatory belt-tightening, will there be unintended consequences? How can this actually…

Friday Five Hundred: Straight Out of a Wisteria Catalog, This Lake Highlands Home Will Knock You Over

By Joanna England | June 21, 2013 |

I am going to be pinning the hell out of these listing photos, y’all. Don’t let me be the only one. Seriously, from the exposed beam ceilings, the expert whitewashed look, and the pops of color that just suck you in, this Lake Highlands home is just perfection. This home, built in 1940, has been…

Fed Moves and Grooves: What Does This Mean for Mortgage Rates????

By Candy Evans | June 20, 2013 |

Mortgage rates are rising, the Fed is going to ease out of bond purchases and choke back on the reins. What does this mean for our real estate market, specifically, home mortgage rates? I grabbed Guardian’s Marcus McCue fresh out of a meeting with the Mortgage Bankers Association. In fact, he wrote his response while in…