Real Estate News
KB Home says SEC investigation over
The home builder’s stock soars 11% after an announcement that there will be no action taken as result of an investigation into the company’s accounting procedures. Shares of Los Angeles-based KB Home soared on Wednesday after the home builder said an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission into the company’s accounting and disclosure procedures [...]
HUD offering interest-free loans to reduce foreclosures
Loans of up to $50,000 are for homeowners in ‘hard-hit’ areas; Washington not on list of 17 states eligible for aid.
Brick facades are sturdy, but keeping them that way requires care
As old as dirt, the sturdy brick is. Long before fairy tales with pigs and wolves came along, ancient peoples knew the strength, fire resistance and durability of the humble clay brick. Modern people know that it adds value and the aura of prestige to a home. Business – Construction and Maintenance – Materials and [...]
Home prices rise in June, but a drop may be looming
The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller index shows a modest 1% gain over May figures, with prices in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco increasing. However, some experts predict that the expiration of federal tax credits will have a negative effect. A closely watched national index showed Tuesday that home prices rose in June, the last [...]
Kirkland buys former Costco Home location
The city of Kirkland bought the former Costco Home store in Totem Lake Wednesday and plans to convert it into a new public-safety building.
Ask the Builder: Packing for a move is an art unto itself
DEAR TIM: I’m moving from one house to another and am overwhelmed. There seems to be so much to pack and I’m not sure how to proceed. I’ve received several bids from moving companies, and the cost for them to pack my possessions took my breath away. I’ve studied the “u-pack” moving options, but I… [...]
Moving away won’t shield ex-association board member
Question: Is a homeowner association legally responsible for the actions of any board member who has harmed any member of the association? What if the board member has moved away from the association when a lawsuit is pending against it?
Trying to rebuild the construction industry
The Puget Sound region’s depressed housing market has entered its third year. More jobs, 60,000, have been lost in the construction industry than any other sector of the state’s economy. Building permits have dropped by more than half in King and Snohomish Counties and the county planning staffs have also been slashed.
Organize association owners to hold board accountable
Q: Is there a time by which a condominium board of directors must reply and set a date for a special meeting? A number of us unit owners are concerned about the lack of disclosure of serious financial conditions and possible bylaw infractions by the board. Our bylaws require that the board call a… Associations [...]
Beware of ‘improvements’ that reduce a home’s value
Renovations that reduce the number of bedrooms or bathrooms and poorly planned expansions may kill a sale in the future. Every real estate agent has seen them: home “improvements” that turn out to be anything but, at least down the road when it comes time to sell. Instead of deal sealers, they are deal killers.