Tomie Raines

Predictions for the 2014 Housing Market

The attached link is to an article in the Greater Lansing Business Monthly authored by Debbie Barnett, the President and Owner of Tomie Raines, Inc. In it she discusses what is likely to occur in residential housing in greater Lansing in 2014. http://lansingbusinessnews.com/department-columns/36-real-estate/3428-what-s-ahead-in-residential-real-estate

Tomie Raines

Where Are Mortgage Rates Going?

The new Federal Reserve chief has recently pledged to continue the tapering of bond purchases at the current pace which will no doubt result in rising mortgage interest rates. The current Freddie Mac 30 year rate is 4.28%. So where do the

Tomie Raines

When Should You Stop Renting and Buy?

The answer is when it costs less to buy than to rent. But how do you calculate that? If you find two similar houses- one for sale and one for rent- divide the asking price by the annual rent. The difference is

Tomie Raines

Things Looking Up In Michigan

We've written about the vibrancy of the greater Lansing economy and what a great place it is to work and live. The state is also on a roll right now and this WSJ article describes what's happening. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304181204579367174200784080

Tomie Raines

Mortgage Foregiveness Tax Relief

Since the mortgage debt relief exemption expired at the end of 2013, distressed homeowners working with lenders to stay in their homes and avoid foreclosure or who have been forced to sell for less than the amount owed on the mortgage have

Tomie Raines

Foreclosed Borrowers Can Now Buy Again

Former homeowners who have gone through a foreclosure in the past few years, even as recently as twelve months ago, may now be qualified to buy a home once again. An FHA program called ‘Back to Work’ allows the purchase of a

Tomie Raines

Real Estate Forecast for 2014

Predictions are always tough but here is what we think is going to happen this year in the greater Lansing real estate market. Unit sales will increase at a more historical norm of about 3.8%. The inventory of saleable property is constrained and

Tomie Raines

Buyers and Sellers See Agent Ratings

Tomie Raines, Inc. REALTORS Rating System Gives Consumers Final Word Tomie Raines, Inc. REALTORS®, (http://www.tomieraines.com), the only solely woman-owned major real estate company in the mid-Michigan area expands their use of an online agent rating system to include RatedAgent.com, allowing for greater

Tomie Raines

How Is Supply and Demand Impacting Sales?

Motivated buyers are plentiful right now in greater Lansing. What is not plentiful is saleable listings. What does this mean for buyers? Sellers now have more leverage and consequently make fewer, if any, concessions in negotiations. Average selling prices are rising as