Real Estate

With the development of private property ownership, real estate has become a major area of business, commonly referred to as commercial real estate. Purchasing real estate requires a significant investment, and each parcel of land has unique characteristics, so the real estate industry has evolved into several distinct fields. Specialists are often called on to valuate real estate and facilitate transactions. Some kinds of real estate businesses include:

Appraisal: Professional valuation services
Brokerages: A fee charged by the mediator who facilitates a real estate transaction between the two parties.
Development: Improving land for use by adding or replacing buildings
Net lease: Sharing leased property amongst tenants
Property management: Managing a property for its owner(s)
Real estate marketing: Managing the sales side of the property business
Real estate investing: Managing the investment of real estate
Relocation services: Relocating people or business to a different country
Corporate Real Estate: Managing the real estate held by a corporation to support its core business—unlike managing the real estate held by an investor to generate income

Within each field, a business may specialize in a particular type of real estate, such as residential, commercial, or industrial property. In addition, almost all construction business effectively has a connection to real estate.
Professional university-level education in real estate is primarily focused at the graduate level. Focus in towards the commercial real estate sector, primarily real estate development or investment rather than residential real estate sales conducted by a REALTOR.
"Internet real estate" is a term coined by the internet investment community relating to ownership of domain names and the similarities between high quality internet domain names and real-world, prime real estate.

Real Estate News

Realty Times Real Estate News Channel
Real Estate News and Advice

Clean Crawlspace May Increase Home Sale
3 Sep 2010 at 12:00am
The name makes it sound like a place that you crawl in; however, most of us would probably rather pass on the crawl or even a walk-through of this area because of the lack of cleanliness. A crawlspace is typically a shallow area beneath your home between the soil and first floor. It can be very useful and even enticing to buyers if it?s kept up. On the other hand, a crawlspace can become a refuge for unwanted creatures, fungus, and termites.

The Law of Difficulty
3 Sep 2010 at 12:00am
The Law of Difficulty basically says this: The harder the task, the fewer the people who will try to accomplish it.

Modest Inflation Expectations Allow Mortgage Rates to Once Again Set New Reco...
3 Sep 2010 at 12:00am
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), and for yet another week, fixed-rate mortgages reached record lows, as did the 5-year adjustable rate in this survey.

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Inman News Headlines
Headlines Articles

Homebuyer tax credit off the radar
by Inman_News
3 Sep 2010 at 11:39am
GAO puts bill for program at $22 billion through 2019

Economic genie is out of wishes
by Lou_Barnes
3 Sep 2010 at 12:17pm
Commentary: Welcome to the political fun house

Control your online destiny
by Inman_News
3 Sep 2010 at 1:17pm
Agent Reboot Speaker Profile: Kristal Kraft

Fannie cracks the foreclosure whip
by Inman_News
3 Sep 2010 at 2:00am
Servicers warned to meet timelines or face fines

Finding what clicks in real estate
by Inman_News
3 Sep 2010 at 2:00am
Agent Reboot Speaker Profile: Mariana Wagner

2 companies seeking short-sale strides
by SteveBergsman
3 Sep 2010 at 2:00am
New approaches to expediting process

Reap benefits from cash-in refinance
by Jack_Guttentag
3 Sep 2010 at 11:00am
Return on investment can beat other low-risk options

4 common real estate deal-killers
by Dian_Hymer
3 Sep 2010 at 12:15pm
Emotions take back seat to money in today's market

A pro's take on attic ventilation
by Paul_Bianchina
3 Sep 2010 at 2:00am
A tip to properly exhaust hot air

Agents and their tech thingies
by Teresa Boardman
2 Sep 2010 at 10:39am
Realtor Notebook

CEO of Sacramento brokerage on leave
by matt_carter
2 Sep 2010 at 11:35am
County investigating alleged use of hidden cameras

Pending real estate sales inch up in July
by Inman_News
2 Sep 2010 at 11:48am
West sees biggest month-to-month rise

Mortage rates still seeking a bottom
by Inman_News
2 Sep 2010 at 12:43pm
With fears of inflation at bay, rates set new lows

Underwater real estate roulette
by Inman_News
2 Sep 2010 at 9:19am
Letter to the Editor

5 ways to stay positive in a down market
by Bernice_Ross
2 Sep 2010 at 2:00am
Be the agent your clients would love to work with

Don't mix banking with real estate
by Inman_News
2 Sep 2010 at 2:00am
Letter to the Editor

Communities get 'First Look' at many REOs
by Inman_News
2 Sep 2010 at 2:00am
Homes may be rehabbed, rented, resold or demolished

California forgoes new foreclosure law
by matt_carter
2 Sep 2010 at 2:00am
Critic says legislation was 'unnecessarily burdensome'

Buyer beware of underfunded HOA
by Tara-Nicholle Nelson
2 Sep 2010 at 2:34pm
Home Sale Hindsight

Buyer's deposit off-limits in failed sale
by Tara-Nicholle Nelson
2 Sep 2010 at 8:44am
REThink Real Estate

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WSJ.com: Real Estate
Real Estate

Capital Freeze Thaws for Real-Estate Funds
1 Sep 2010 at 12:19pm
Real-estate funds saddled with boom-time properties are getting relief from Wall Street firms and other investors hoping to capitalize on their need for cash.
New Resorts Owners Roll Dice
1 Sep 2010 at 12:22pm
Morris Bailey and Dennis Gomes are paying $35 million for Resorts Atlantic City, at a time when gambling revenue is declining and customers are being siphoned off to Pennsylvania venues.
Citigroup Gets Burned in the Caribbean
2 Sep 2010 at 8:48pm
The bank is selling its mortgage on the Viceroy Anguilla to Starwood Capital Group at a hefty discount, the latest example of capitulation by a bank that has nursed a troubled real-estate project for years.
Corio's Turkish Strategy Stumbles
1 Sep 2010 at 3:47am
The Dutch company's expansion has yielded disappointing results due to the weak economy, competition and the difficulties of exporting Western shopping concepts to a country steeped in different traditions.
Help for Hyatt Isn't Enough
31 Aug 2010 at 3:57pm
A Jacksonville hotel missed paying its mortgage despite $5 million in help from the Hyatt chain.

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WSJ.com: Buying & Selling
Buying & Selling

Five Mistakes Home Buyers Make
1 Sep 2010 at 9:23am
Even in this market, buyers can get tripped up. Here are a few do's and don'ts for first-timers.
S'mores, Anyone?
26 Aug 2010 at 8:04pm
Three homes with outdoor fireplaces for under $3 million in Hawaii, Chicago and Georgia.
Paul Fireman Lists Nevada Ranch
3 Sep 2010 at 2:01am
Paul Fireman's ranch is one of the largest in the West, with an asking price of $50 million. Plus, Bret Saberhagen's home lists, and a Beverly Hills home asks $9.5 million.
Media Mogul Malone Buys New Mexico Ranch
19 Aug 2010 at 7:48pm
The 290,100 acres are 150 miles east of Santa Fe. Plus, a home designed by Marcel Breuer is on the market for $3.8 million, and an interior designer has cut the price on his Washington, D.C., home.
Homes with Saltwater Pools
20 Aug 2010 at 2:14pm
A look at houses with saltwater pools in California, Massachusetts and Washington state.
Lakefront Homes, Under $1 Million
13 Aug 2010 at 11:25am
See homes in Ohio, Minnesota, and New York.
Home With Presley Ties Lists
19 Aug 2010 at 4:21pm
A ranch-style home near Los Angeles linked to Priscilla Presley is listed for nearly $7 million. Plus, Jeff Moorad takes his Arizona home off the market, and scientist Roger Revelle's home lists in La Jolla.
It's a Mod World
5 Aug 2010 at 8:18pm
Midcentury-modern-style homes priced under $2 million in New York, California and Atlanta.
Joey Fatone Home Up for Auction
5 Aug 2010 at 5:55pm
Joey Fatone of 'NSYNC puts his Orlando, Fla., home up for auction, Plus, Larry Gagosian buys in Los Angeles, and a Montana ranch hits the market for $33 million.
Dr. Phil Buys in Beverly Hills
30 Jul 2010 at 8:48am
Dr. Phil buys an estate in Beverly Hills, Calif., for $29.5 million. Plus, a Forbes family ranch in Wyoming hits the market.
Living in a Barn
29 Jul 2010 at 11:31pm
These luxury "barn-style" homes in New York and Colorado have amenities like swimming pools and screening rooms.
Court Appointments
22 Jul 2010 at 3:53pm
Homes with tennis for less than $2 million. in New York, Washington, and California.
Chesapeake CEO Sets Ranch Auction
22 Jul 2010 at 4:26pm
Chesapeake Energy Corp. CEO Aubrey McClendon plans to auction off his ranch in Antlers, Okla. Plus, boxing promoter Don King has taken his nearly estate off the market, and an oceanfront home in Rhode Island is on the market.
Arts-and-Crafts Time
15 Jul 2010 at 5:30pm
Craftsman-style homes under $1 million in California, Seattle and Oregon.
Pritt Relists for $49.6 Million
19 Jul 2010 at 8:38am
Software-company founder Frank Pritt has relisted his Orange County mansion for $49.6 million. More.
Relative Values: Grand Garages
9 Jul 2010 at 11:47am
Homes that offer ample parking for the car collector.
Walker's Guide to Home Buying
2 Jul 2010 at 10:25am
Today's home buyers aren't just looking for good schools and low crime rates, many brokers say. They're paying much more attention to what they can walk to.
Bringing In the Outdoors
2 Jul 2010 at 10:27am
Homes with screened-in porches at $1.5 million and under in Texas, Florida and New York.
Good Schools, Bad Real Estate
25 Jun 2010 at 8:23am
Despite the housing slump, house hunting in good school districts frustrates parents who often have to settle for less house.
Housing Takes a Dive
24 Jun 2010 at 4:42pm
Homes with pools for under $400,000 in Georgia, Florida, and Texas.
Mottola Asks $27.5 Million for Ranch
24 Jun 2010 at 4:37pm
Former Sony Music Chief Tommy Mottola is seeking to sell his Aspen, Colo., property. Plus, Carole King is relisting her 128-acre Idaho ranch, and TV producer and executive Douglas S. Cramer has bought a Miami Beach house for $7.4 million.
Homes with Outdoor Kitchens
18 Jun 2010 at 9:00am
Tour homes in Hawaii, Dallas and Connecticut priced between $1.895 million and $2.45 million.
A Shore Thing
10 Jun 2010 at 9:08pm
A sampling of oceanfront homes under $1 million in Massachusetts, Florida, and the Bahamas.
Paul Allen's Malibu
2 Jul 2010 at 10:29am
Paul Allen has bought a contemporary oceanfront home in Malibu. Plus, Victoria Reggie Kennedy lists the Washington home she shared with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, and a bayfront mansion in Newport Beach, Calif., sells for $27 million.
Crichton's Hawaii, For Sale
11 Jun 2010 at 11:13am
A Hawaiian estate owned by the late author Michael Crichton is on the market for $12 million. Plus, more high-end listings.
$50 Million Bel-Air Mansion
18 May 2010 at 9:32am
An Indonesian buyer is in contract to buy a mansion in Los Angeles' Bel-Air neighborhood for around $50 million. If it closes, the deal may set a new record. Plus, more high-end real-estate news.
Borrowers Miss Out on Billions in Savings
3 Mar 2010 at 9:53pm
Millions of homeowners haven't benefited from the lowest mortgage rates in nearly a half-century because they can't or won't refinance.
Home-Credit Derby Has Its Price
6 Apr 2010 at 8:11am
Federal tax credits for home buyers are some of the best deals around?but you'll have to jump through some hoops to get one before the deadline.

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WSJ.com: Second Homes
Second Homes

The Shrinking Second Home
11 Aug 2010 at 8:53am
Developers of high-end vacation homes are building smaller, less expensive houses in resort communities as home sales slump in major markets across the country and inventories of unsold homes rise.
My Not-So-Exotic Garden
14 May 2010 at 8:31pm
After 10 seasons spent "futzing" with his garden, columnist Bart Ziegler feels a growing insecurity.
Politically Incorrect Gardening
8 Jun 2010 at 12:22pm
Purists insist the best way to take care of the Earth is to grow only the native plants that nature has provided in your region. Our columnist is unconvinced.
Fun and Games
28 May 2010 at 7:23am
Homes sporting game rooms with pool tables and other amusements in New Mexico, Nevada, Florida.
Gourmets Down the Road
3 Jun 2010 at 5:30pm
Homes near some fine-dining spots in California, Texas and New York.
Club Life
15 Apr 2010 at 9:09pm
This week's column looks at homes in Las Vegas, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Boca Raton, Fla., that overlook golf courses.
10 Summer Home Mistakes
1 Apr 2010 at 2:21pm
Prices for high-end houses are the lowest they've been in some time, making it tempting to get swept away in a less-than-ideal transaction. Here are some pitfalls to avoid.
Sell to Renter or Short Sale?
2 Apr 2010 at 8:18am
Underwater on the mortgage to their second home, a California couple debates a short sale, possibly to the home's current renter. June Fletcher offers tips.
10 Gardening Lessons, Learned the Hard Way
26 Mar 2010 at 1:01pm
In a new column, Bart Ziegler offers some advice to novice gardeners with limited time. First off, those zucchini jokes are true.
Keeping Cool and Green
25 Mar 2010 at 2:48pm
This Relative Values column looks at homes in California, New Mexico and Thailand with an ecological focus.
Where the CEOs Roam
18 Mar 2010 at 3:31pm
Sports executive Dave Checketts, former Citigroup chief financial officer Gary Crtittenden and Armstrong Relocation head Tom Watson are among the owners in this massive luxury gated community in rural Utah.
Keeping Warm and Green
12 Mar 2010 at 1:18pm
Ecologically focused homes for cold temperatures in Colorado, New york, and Massachusetts.
Paging Rapunzel
4 Mar 2010 at 8:35pm
A look at homes in Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts that come with a turret or two.
Baby, It's Iconic Outside
25 Feb 2010 at 4:47pm
Homes looking out on famous landmarks in New york, Seattle, and Virginia.
Broker Troubles
12 Mar 2010 at 1:37pm
A New Jersey apartment hunter wants to know why her broker takes so long to return calls and whether or not using an agent is even necessary.
Should I Become a Landlord?
17 Mar 2010 at 11:21am
A reader wonders whether to sell a home in Great Neck, N.Y., or start seeking tenants for it.
Buying 'As Is'
26 Feb 2010 at 8:53am
A buyer wants to know what, exactly, the meaning of 'as is' is. June Fletcher offers advice.
10 Best Places for Second Homes
12 Mar 2010 at 2:12pm
Prices of luxury real estate are finally starting to rise, as bargain hunters swoop in. Some of the best deals are in second homes with discounts of as much as 40%.

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WSJ.com: Commercial Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate

New Resorts Owners Roll Dice
1 Sep 2010 at 12:22pm
Morris Bailey and Dennis Gomes are paying $35 million for Resorts Atlantic City, at a time when gambling revenue is declining and customers are being siphoned off to Pennsylvania venues.
Citigroup Gets Burned in the Caribbean
2 Sep 2010 at 8:48pm
The bank is selling its mortgage on the Viceroy Anguilla to Starwood Capital Group at a hefty discount, the latest example of capitulation by a bank that has nursed a troubled real-estate project for years.
Corio's Turkish Strategy Stumbles
1 Sep 2010 at 3:47am
The Dutch company's expansion has yielded disappointing results due to the weak economy, competition and the difficulties of exporting Western shopping concepts to a country steeped in different traditions.
Help for Hyatt Isn't Enough
31 Aug 2010 at 3:57pm
A Jacksonville hotel missed paying its mortgage despite $5 million in help from the Hyatt chain.
Kerry Buys Luxury Hong Kong Site
31 Aug 2010 at 12:19pm
Kerry Properties bought a luxury residential site in Kowloon Tong for a higher-than-expected price at a government land auction.
Simon Closes Purchase of Prime Outlets
30 Aug 2010 at 4:37pm
Simon Property Group said that it closed on its acquisition of Prime Outlets, which had come under FTC scrutiny for possible antitrust concerns.
On Horizon, New Manhattan Skyline
30 Aug 2010 at 1:58pm
The approval of an office tower near the Empire State Building is a reminder that New York is poised for a wave of new skyscrapers -- if the economy cooperates.
Singapore to Damp Property Market
30 Aug 2010 at 11:02am
Singapore announced measures to cool off the property market as the island state's rapid economic recovery fuels prices.
Toll Is Back in the Black
26 Aug 2010 at 7:53am
Shares of luxury builder Toll Brothers climbed following a surprise fiscal third-quarter profit, its first in nearly three years, as revenue fell far less than analysts expected.
Henderson Land's Underlying Profit Falls
26 Aug 2010 at 8:13am
Henderson Land Development's underlying first-half net profit fell 37% due to losses stemming from the cancellation of some property sales.
Omni Snares Bankrupt Amelia Island Resort on Florida Coast
26 Aug 2010 at 7:42am
Omni Hotels & Resorts plans to expand the Amelia Island Plantation by more than 100 rooms after prevailing in an auction this week to buy the bankrupt oceanfront resort in northeast Florida.
Commercial Property Owners Choose to Default
25 Aug 2010 at 9:11am
Like homeowners walking away from mortgaged houses, some large commercial property owners are defaulting on debts and surrendering to lenders buildings worth less than their loans.
Houston Sees Market Go Wobbly
24 Aug 2010 at 9:52pm
The aviation and energy industries boosted Houston during the downturn, but the events of the last six months have injected a new uncertainty into the city's economy?and, by extension, the office market.
Developers Circling Berlin Airport
24 Aug 2010 at 5:05pm
Two years ahead of the opening of the Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, investors are beginning to build in anticipation of demand by companies eager to be close to Berlin's new travel hub.
Capital Freeze Thaws for Real-Estate Funds
1 Sep 2010 at 12:19pm
Real-estate funds saddled with boom-time properties are getting relief from Wall Street firms and other investors hoping to capitalize on their need for cash.

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DQNews and Custom Reports
DataQuick News and Custom Reports Feed

DQNews - Denver Press Release
by (author unknown)
1 Sep 2010 at 7:25pm
Denver Region July Home Sales

Denver-area home sales dropped in July to the lowest level for that month in at least a dozen years. A total of 3,405 new and resale houses and condos closed escrow in July across the eight-county Denver-Aurora metro area. That was down 30.2 percent from June and down 28.8 percent from a year earlier, according to MDA DataQuick of San Diego. The firm tracks real estate trends nationally via public property records.

July sales were 43.8 percent below average fo...

DQNews - Portland Press Release
by (author unknown)
1 Sep 2010 at 7:25pm
Portland Region July Home Sales

A total of 1,935 new and resale houses and condos closed escrow during July in the five-county Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton metro area. July sales fell 35.7 percent from 2,291 sales in June and fell 35.3 percent from 2,993 in July 2009, according to MDA DataQuick of San Diego. The firm tracks real estate trends nationally via public property records.

Last month's sales were 51.8 percent below average for the month of July and were the lowest for a July since...

DQNews - Seattle Press Release
by (author unknown)
31 Aug 2010 at 10:36am
Seattle Region July Home Sales

Seattle-area home sales plunged in July to the lowest level for that month in at least 16 years amid a soft economy and the expiration of federal home buyer tax credits. The median sale price rose slightly as the share of transactions above $300,000 increased, a real estate information service reported.

A total of 2,983 new and resale houses and condos closed escrow during July in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan statistical area encompassing King, Sn...

DQNews - Phoenix Press Release
by (author unknown)
26 Aug 2010 at 12:12pm
Phoenix Metro Area July Home Sales

Phoenix region home sales dove to a 15-year low last month, falling more than 25 percent from both a year ago and from June, as the impact of home buyer tax credits faded and new-home sales plunged. The overall median sale price fell slightly on a year-over-year basis for the first time since January, a real estate information service reported.

Last month a total of 7,610 new and resale houses and condos closed escrow in the combined Maricopa-Pinal counti...

DQNews - Las Vegas Home Sales Report
by (author unknown)
24 Aug 2010 at 3:36pm
July Las Vegas Metro Area Home Sales

The Las Vegas region logged its biggest year-over-year drop in home sales in more than two years last month as low mortgage rates failed to compensate for the weak economy and the fading influence of the federal home buyer tax credits. The median sale price fell from the prior month and a year ago to its lowest level since February, a real estate information service reported.

A total of 4,310 new and resale houses and condos closed escrow in the Las Veg...

DQ Custom Reports Bay Area ReleaseD
by (author unknown)
19 Aug 2010 at 10:30am
Bay Area July Home Sales Down Sharply; Median Price Slips From June August 19, 2010

La Jolla, CA.----Bay Area home sales dropped sharply last month to the lowest level for a July in 15 years as the economy sputtered along and the housing market adjusted to life without federal home buyer tax credits. The median sale price dipped below the prior month and rose only slightly from a year earlier, a real estate information service reported.

Last month a total of 6,773 new and resale homes clo...

Southland home sale report
by (author unknown)
17 Aug 2010 at 12:01pm
Southern California Home Sales and Median Price Dip in July August 17, 2010

La Jolla, CA---Southland home sales saw their biggest year-over-year drop in more than two years last month as the market lost most of the boost from the federal home buyer tax credits. The median sale price dipped for the second month in a row, the result of a shaky economic recovery, continued uncertainty about jobs, and the expiring tax breaks, a real estate information service reported.

A total of 18,946 new a...

DQNews - California Press Release
by (author unknown)
15 Jul 2010 at 3:33pm
California June Home Sales July 15, 2010

An estimated 43,964 new and resale houses and condos were sold statewide last month. That was up 7.3 percent from 40,965 in May, and down 0.5 percent from 44,167 for June 2009. California sales for the month of June have varied from a low of 35,202 in 2008 to a peak of 76,669 in 2004, while the average is 50,405. MDA DataQuick's statistics go back to 1988.

The median price paid for a home last month was $270,000, down 2.9 percent from $278,000 in ...

DQNews - Miami Press Release
by (author unknown)
3 Jun 2010 at 4:27pm
Miami Region April Home Sales June 3, 2010

Miami-area home sales in April dipped from March and remained well below average, but they shot up over the unusually low year-ago level for the 14th consecutive month as investors, first-time buyers and vacation-home buyers targeted lower-cost condos and other abodes. The median sale price fell slightly from March and was 9.1 percent lower than in April 2009, marking the smallest annual decline in almost two years, a real estate information servic...

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