As more sellers turn away from agents as a way to increase profits, flat fee real estate listing services have emerged as a way to reduce seller costs while still taking advantage of the real estate listings network. Here's a look at the common features of flat fee listing services. The basics of a flat fee listing service are simple: A single fee covers listings in the Realtor's Multiple Listing Service...

The December 1, 2009, deadline to get the first-time home buyer income tax credit for Louisville real estate purchases is fast approaching. Under the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, first time home buyers who purchase a home between January 1, 2009, and December 1, 2009, will qualify for up to $8,000 in income tax credit. According to a recent ruling by the United...

Even though homes sales have increased for three straight months, the combination of several factors have real estate professionals concerned about a winter slowdown for home sales. The two biggest contributors to surging home sales over the last several months—artificially low interest rates and the federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers—will end. The New York Times reports that mortgage...

Mortgage fraud continues to plague homeowners, and lenders and criminals are constantly creating new ways to separate people and mortgage lenders from their money. However, a new website provides free assistance to prevent homeowners from becoming victims of a new and especially problematic type of fraud called "house theft."  The new site—ePropertyWatch.com— monitors public documents associated with...