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        <title>Orange County Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/local-real-estate/</link>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/real-estate-review-cash-vs-mortgage1.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/real-estate-review-cash-vs-mortgage1.html</link>
            <author>veronica@condosetc.com (Veronica Hicks)</author>
            <title>Real Estate Review, Cash Vs. Mortgage</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Often people
considering investing in real estate weigh the option of cash vs.
mortgage.&nbsp;There are some great deals in today&rsquo;s market and often offering
a cash deal can make a deal even sweeter.&nbsp;When cash is involved there is
no mortgage, therefore no chance of a financial contingency getting in the way
of closing.&nbsp;Cash is king, but is cash the best avenue for you and your
real estate transaction?


Cash is great for:




negotiating
power


negating
a financing contingency&nbsp;sp... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:29:41 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/high-end-real-estate-pulling-in-wealthy.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/high-end-real-estate-pulling-in-wealthy.html</link>
            <author>veronica@condosetc.com (Veronica Hicks)</author>
            <title>High End Real Estate Pulling in Wealthy</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
High end real estate
is pulling in the wealthy, otherwise known as the people who have the money to
buy expensive properties at hugely discounted prices.&nbsp;While the
recessional economy has taken its toll on many, there are people who survived
with plenty of cash still left in their bank accounts, as well as those who
have made a great deal of money from these tough times.&nbsp;


The recession proved
to be a great platform for investors who had money to invest, and now that there
is a light... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:59:41 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/combating-high-property-taxes1.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/combating-high-property-taxes1.html</link>
            <author>veronica@condosetc.com (Veronica Hicks)</author>
            <title>Combating High Property Taxes</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Combating high
property taxes is something people should be aware of in a time when condo
values have dropped significantly.&nbsp;It can be a puzzling question to many
homeowners, if my condo&rsquo;s value has dropped 25% why have my property
taxes not decreased by the same amount?&nbsp; Your property tax bill
can be adjusted if you make an effort to challenge it.


The first step is to
take a good look at your property tax bill.&nbsp;This year&rsquo;s assessment and
last year&rsquo;s assessment should be list... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:55:07 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-sellers-conducting-inspections.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-sellers-conducting-inspections.html</link>
            <author>veronica@condosetc.com (Veronica Hicks)</author>
            <title>Pros and Cons of Sellers Conducting Inspections</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
There are pros and
cons to sellers conducting home inspections before listing and selling a condo.
Many people in the real estate business see the merit of an inspection before
listing a condo because it enables problems that could become deal breakers to
be resolved before they ever become known to a potential buyer.&nbsp;Of course
a pre-listing home inspection can also unveil a laundry list of issues that a condo
owner may not be prepared to deal with or pay for.


If a seller decides to
... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:25:42 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/real-estate-recovery-picking-up-speed.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/real-estate-recovery-picking-up-speed.html</link>
            <author>veronica@condosetc.com (Veronica Hicks)</author>
            <title>Real Estate Recovery Picking Up Speed</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The real estate
recovery appears to be picking up speed.&nbsp;Helping to accelerate the sales
of condos is the extremely low cost involved.&nbsp;While condo values may still
drop in many areas, it appears that volume may start accelerating.&nbsp;The
high number of foreclosed condos has pushed the prices of condos very low in
many parts of the country, helping to create extremely reasonable
affordability.


An interesting
examination of real estate sales data uncovers the fact that cash buyers are
... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:38:03 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/update-your-kitchen-on-a-budget1.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/update-your-kitchen-on-a-budget1.html</link>
            <author>veronica@condosetc.com (Veronica Hicks)</author>
            <title>Update Your Kitchen on a Budget</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
It is possible to
update your kitchen on a budget.&nbsp;Remodeling a kitchen can turn out to be
one of the most expensive projects in a condo, as the price of new cabinets,
new appliances, new counters, and installation can all add up to a hefty price
tag.&nbsp;Of course often a kitchen is what sells a condo, and considering the
kitchen is one of the most lived in rooms in a condo this makes sense.


If you are considering
selling your condo and don&rsquo;t have a lot of money to pour into it to pre... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:42:09 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/good-credit-goes-hand-in-hand-with-acquiring-a-mortgage.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/good-credit-goes-hand-in-hand-with-acquiring-a-mortgage.html</link>
            <author>veronica@condosetc.com (Veronica Hicks)</author>
            <title>Good Credit Goes Hand in Hand with Acquiring a Mortgage</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Good credit goes hand
in hand with acquiring a mortgage these days, especially a loan with a
reasonable interest rate.&nbsp;That being said, examining your credit rating
should be the first step you take before applying for a home loan.&nbsp;


A free credit report
is accessible from AnnualCreditReport.com,
which will give you access to your credit rating from the three main credit reporting
agencies, Experian, Equifax and Trans Union.&nbsp;What these reports will not
give you is your FICO score, s... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:28:22 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/real-estate-update-affordability-driving-buyers-market.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/real-estate-update-affordability-driving-buyers-market.html</link>
            <author>veronica@condosetc.com (Veronica Hicks)</author>
            <title>Real Estate Update, Affordability Driving Buyers Market</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Examining the nation&rsquo;s
real estate uncovers that people buying real estate are doing so because of the
incredibly high affordability levels.&nbsp;While mortgage rates have been
dipping and rising in recent weeks, housing prices have continued to drop, if
ever so slightly in comparison to a year or two ago.&nbsp;The high inventories
in most markets are keeping prices from rising and sellers are forced to
swallow the fact that if they want to sell they have to do so for less than
originally thou... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:32:44 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/tax-benefits-of-selling-real-estate.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/tax-benefits-of-selling-real-estate.html</link>
            <author>veronica@condosetc.com (Veronica Hicks)</author>
            <title>Tax Benefits of Selling Real Estate</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
There are tax benefits
to selling real estate.&nbsp;Most people are aware of the tax benefits of home
ownership and the ability to write off the mortgage interest paid when it comes
to filing an annual tax return.&nbsp;In addition the tax laws regarding capital
gains that are received when selling a condo are in a seller&rsquo;s
interests.&nbsp;If a homeowner&rsquo;s profit is $250,000 or less he does not have to
pay a capital gains tax.&nbsp;Likewise if a couple owns a condo together they
can earn up to $500,0... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:30:29 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/short-sale-frustrations.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.condosetc.com/blog/short-sale-frustrations.html</link>
            <author>veronica@condosetc.com (Veronica Hicks)</author>
            <title>Short Sale Frustrations</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Short sale
frustrations could easily be the reason so many condos head to foreclosure. The
lengthy time frame to complete a short sale, combined with hanging in the
balance waiting for the mercy of the lender is wearing to say the least. A
short sale can be a great way to avoid foreclosure and save a credit rating but
it often takes thick skin and a whole lot of patience.


One of the most
frustrating things about a short sale is the fact that if the condo were
already foreclosed upon i... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:15:45 -0600</pubDate>
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