Farmington Hills, MI  (Profitable.com)  Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE: ADC) (the “Company”) today announced the commencement of a public offering of 1,000,000 shares of its common stock pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company also expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 150,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any.  Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Janney Montgomery Scott LLC will serve as underwriters for the offering.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under its $85 million credit facility, to fund development activity and property acquisitions, and for other general corporate purposes.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the offered shares, nor shall there be any sale of such shares or a solicitation of an offer to buy such shares in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.  Any offer will be made only by means of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus supplement, forming part of the effective shelf registration statement.

Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and prospectus relating to these shares may be obtained, when available, by contacting Raymond James & Associates, Inc., 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716 or by calling toll-free at 1-800-248-8863.

Agree Realty Corporation is primarily engaged in the ownership, management, acquisition and development of single tenant properties leased to retail tenants. The Company owns and operates a portfolio of 88 properties, located in 22 states and containing approximately 3.6 million square feet of gross leasable area.  The common stock of Agree Realty Corporation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ADC.”

The Company considers portions of the information contained in this release, including the Company’s planned securities offering and anticipated use of proceeds, to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended.  These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s expectations, plans and beliefs concerning future events. Although these forward-looking statements are based on good faith beliefs, reasonable assumptions and the Company’s best judgment reflecting current information, certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements.  Such factors are detailed from time to time in reports filed or furnished by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

For additional information, visit the Company’s home page on the Internet at http://www.agreerealty.com .

New York, NY  (Profitable.com)  Pryor Cashman LLP is pleased to announce that its client, Castillo Grand LLC, has obtained a $44 million award against Starwood Hotels’ subsidiary Sheraton Operating Corp.  The substantial ruling was a result of Sheraton’s multiple breaches of its management contract with the owners and developers of the former St. Regis Hotel and Resorts. The parties had entered into a contract to bring New York’s famed St. Regis Hotel brand to Ft. Lauderdale’s Gold Coast, making it one of the first high-end, luxury hotel and condominium resorts in the beachside community at the time.

At the crux of the dispute was the absence of  “St. Regis-style” brand standards in the design and construction of the hotel, caused in large part by the revolving door of senior leadership within the Starwood organization.  There were four St. Regis regime changes during the design and construction of the hotel and with each change Starwood leadership imposed a new direction in the design for almost every facet of the hotel.  The disorganization created ever-evolving interior building specs for the St. Regis brand and a moving design and construction standard that led directly to extensive construction delays and vast cost overruns for Castillo Grand. By the time the hotel opened in 2007, it was millions of dollars over budget, two years behind schedule, and the Florida real estate market was cratering to historic lows.

“This case is a cautionary tale for the hospitality industry. Without clear and precise plans, design guidance and corporate infrastructure and coordination in bringing a brand to life, hotel companies risk sustained delays and difficulties in rolling out their new brands.  Poor planning can be devastating to a brand launch, can cause delays to particularized projects and result in multimillion-dollar problems. This process must be carefully managed as massive profits are at risk.  Sheraton learned the hard way,” said Todd E. Soloway, lead trial counsel and chairman of Pryor Cashman’s Real Estate Litigation Group.  ”This fair and just award also sets a new precedent for developers who may feel victimized by large and influential hotel chains who may impose unrealistic demands-they can win in the David vs. Goliath battle.”

In the case, Castillo Grand LLC v Sheraton Operating Corp., decided in New York State Supreme Court, Justice Alan Scheinkman found that Sheraton committed multiple breaches of its contract with the owners (Castillo) and engaged in a series of actions that depicted Sheraton’s leadership as acting in bad faith.  Most notably, the absence of brand standards for the design and construction of the hotel at the time Starwood was rolling out its St. Regis brand, as well as changes in senior leadership within the St. Regis organization were central to the failure of the project. The Court also found that, in a contrived attempt to coerce Castillo into paying a $3 million license fee, Sheraton plotted a surprise attack by sending a notice terminating the management contract unless the fee was paid within five days.  Sheraton walked off of the property, Castillo brought in Ritz Carlton, and the Court found Sheraton’s termination to be wrongful and held them liable as such.

Castillo Grand is optimistic that it will also prevail on its application for attorneys’ fees, which matter is now before the court.

The Castillo Grand LLC v Sheraton Operating Corp. decision is available at: http://www.pryorcashman.com/news-829.html

Hollywood, FL  (Profitable.com)  We all know the obvious consequences of facing foreclosure. Losing a home, facing a deficiency judgment for the difference between the value of the home and the amount of the mortgage, and dealing with damaged credit are a few; but unfortunately there is so much more associated with this process than just finances. Emotionally, losing a home can be extremely difficult. Often times, people build up an array of dreams composed of all the good things they expect to happen in their home as they grow older. Feeling hopeless as one seemingly watches those hopes and dreams slowly slip away only adds to the emotional loss. Couple the financial and emotional loss with the newly released scientific research that reveals a rise in stress related physical ailments discussed in a recent New York Times article titled “Foreclosures are Killing Us,” and it’s easy to see that foreclosure is not something to be taken lightly. However, Rosen & Rosen is releasing information about a strategy that can help give homeowner’s options.

There have been several stories in the news about so called loan modification experts who will either do nothing but take a person’s money in exchange for a slew of ‘too good to be true’ promises, or who will, possibly in good faith but still unwisely so, submit a person’s private financial information to a bank numerous times hoping the bank will respond to a plea for help. The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), a consortium of 220 private, non-profit fair housing organizations recently found that the loan modification industry is “rife with corrupt practices.” The FDIC has even published a booklet about foreclosure rescue and loan modification scams subtitled “If It’s Too Good to be True, It Probably Is.” Also, according to the Florida Bar “complaints are pouring”, “with four times more cases pending…” as a result of foreclosure fraud by lenders’, servicers’ and supposedly pro-borrowers’ attorneys. The overwhelming and “near universal agreement that the [federal government’s loan modification] program has failed to meet its goals, as stated by the Neil Barofsky, Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, only serves to highlight the fact that an approach which relies solely on corresponding with banks to ask for a modification is unfortunately rarely feasible. Moreover, attorney Evan M. Rosen from Rosen & Rosen advises his clients that divulging their financial history is not only irrelevant to any legal issue at hand but it is also typically not in one’s best interest to do so. The larger concern, as Mr. Rosen states, is that servicers’ repeated requests for financial information under the guise of a loan modification might instead just be a fishing expedition to see if there are any assets which would be recoverable in a deficiency.

However, there is hope. Thanks to a handful of highly trained, extremely hard-working and dedicated litigation lawyers, Rosen & Rosen wants homeowners to know that they can fight back and with very fair fee structures, they can do so for far less than one might think. Lawyers like those at Rosen & Rosen and others are seizing upon the opportunity left behind as a by-product of the banks’ rush to profit both when these mortgages were formed and now as they are falling apart. Through the application of leverage resulting from numerous legitimate legal and ethical defenses, while simultaneously educating the lender how they would be far better off in a workout than they will be post foreclosure; with one of these highly trained professionals, a person has a chance to substantially alter their circumstances. It can be a new day in court for homeowners armed with the right representation. However, it is important to thoroughly review a lawyers credentials before before jumping in with anyone.

Foreclosure defense and all its inter-related topics are part of a burgeoning new area of law. In addition to exploring all possible legal defenses and counterclaims that can be used in protecting a home, there are also several alternative actions a well-trained attorney can help with in order to possibly eliminate liability to the bank and/or prevent them from obtaining a deficiency judgment.

Be sure to ask for a lawyer’s credentials before signing up, see if they offer a free consultation and during that consultation ask questions to make sure they are well versed in real estate law, bankruptcy, civil procedure and all of the various state and federal consumer protection statutes. With the forthright, aggressive and well-informed approach from a true legal professional, a homeowner has a greater chance of saving their home, getting their finances in order, and getting back on track to reclaiming a piece of the American dream!

For more information on Foreclosure Defense, Debt Defense, Bankruptcy and more, please contact the author Evan M. Rosen at erosen(at)rosenandrosen(dot)com, or (954)981-1852. Rosen & Rosen has been designated a debt relief agency under Federal law. In addition to other legal services, they help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

Atlanta, GA  (Profitable.com)  An affiliate of Atlanta-based Noble Investment Group (“Noble”) has acquired the majority stake of the W Atlanta - Buckhead.  Already a minority owner of the prominent 291 room hotel, Noble also completed a long-term loan modification as part of the transaction.

“We are pleased to strengthen Noble’s investment position in the W Atlanta - Buckhead located in one of the Southeast’s most illustrious addresses,” said Mit Shah, CEO, Noble Investment Group. “With its premier location and strong market presence, the W Atlanta - Buckhead should continue to be a significant contributor to our portfolio.”

The W Atlanta - Buckhead Hotel is located at 3377 Peachtree Road in the heart of Buckhead, one of Atlanta’s most exclusive and most visited districts. Managed by Starwood Hotels and Resorts, the hotel features interiors by celebrity designer Thom Filicia, dining at MARKET featuring chef Jean Georges Vongerichten, and spectacular skyline views from its Whiskey Blue lounge. The W Atlanta-Buckhead is within walking distance to approximately 15 million square feet of first-class office space and some of the country’s finest shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.

About Noble Investment Group

Founded in 1993, the Noble organization specializes in the lodging and hospitality real estate sector as a value-added investor. Through its private equity real estate funds, Noble has invested more than $2 billion in hotels and resorts throughout the United States and the organization’s current discretionary real estate fund represents $310 million of capital commitments. For more information, please visit www.nobleinvestment.com

Appleton, WI  (Profitable.com)  LoanSifter, Inc. (www.LoanSifter.com), provider of the mortgage industry’s most complete and intuitive product and real-time pricing platform, has announced a strategic relationship with Google Inc. that gives consumers access to mortgage loan products and real-time pricing based on LoanSifter’s technology, including side-by-side comparisons of mortgage loan products from multiple lenders through Google’s Comparison Ads.

Google’s Comparison Ads help consumers shop for mortgages online by retrieving quotes based on the borrower’s specific loan criteria.  Through a strategic relationship between both companies, Google will leverage LoanSifter’s industry-leading technology – which automates pricing for lenders using the largest real-time database of investor pricing and eligibility content available in the mortgage industry — to provide Google users with information on mortgage products and pricing from the lenders using LoanSifter.  When Google users get these rates, LoanSifter’s lenders will receive qualified online leads.

Greg Ulrich, production manager at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation in Colleyville, Texas, believes that Google’s popularity provides a great opportunity as another channel for borrowers to reach the company, without substantial investment costs.  ”This saves us money, allowing us to pass a greater savings to the consumer,” Ulrich said.

“We chose LoanSifter for our Google auto-quoting because it enables us to customize our pricing more accurately and effectively,” Ulrich added.  ”Other vendors require manual supervision, which would have been problematic in keeping up with market shifts.”

Consumers who search for popular mortgage-related terms or phrases on Google are drawn to Google’s proprietary mortgage Comparison Ads, where they can anonymously provide details such as their desired loan amounts and credit scores.  Google will then retrieve multiple reliable offers from dependable lenders, placed side-by-side so the borrower can compare them.  After investigating different scenarios and choosing a lender, the borrower is then able to contact the lender by phone or e-mail.  Borrowers do not have to fill out lengthy forms or click through walls of advertisements in order to access up-to-the-minute loan products and rates, and the leads generated to lenders are anonymous, so that borrowers can protect their private information until they are ready to move forward in the mortgage process.

“Our relationship with Google will be of tremendous benefit to both lenders and consumers,” LoanSifter President Bruce Backer said.  ”A growing number of borrowers are using the Internet to find the best possible mortgage deals, and Google’s immense popularity makes it a first stop for many.  Borrowers benefit from the side-by-side comparison in an open marketplace, while lenders benefit from LoanSifter’s ability to accurately price mortgage scenarios on their behalf.”

About LoanSifter

LoanSifter, Inc. provides the banking industry’s most comprehensive tools for mortgage bankers, loan officers and secondary departments to price, market and manage loans. The company’s flagship technology solution is an accurate, web-based product and pricing solution providing bankers with advanced tools to improve their service levels and increase profits. LoanSifter boasts the most comprehensive investor database in the industry with over 160 correspondent and wholesale investors. LoanSifter is also the leader in delivering point-of-sale (POS) and marketing tools to lenders and loan officers, including its eOriginations suite solution, offering highly customizable website utilities (automated consumer-facing pricing search), automated email campaigns, automated quoting for Zillow and LendingTree, scenario-specific rate monitoring alerts, and automated marketing materials. Founded in 2004, LoanSifter is headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin.  For more information about LoanSifter, call 920.268.4770 or visit www.LoanSifter.com.

PRESS CONTACT:  
Warren Lutz
Strategic Vantage Marketing & Public Relations
(925) 270-3941
PR@StrategicVantage.com

Charleston, SC  (Profitable.com)  During tough economic times like this it is becoming increasingly important for home buyers to have a buyer’s agent in their corner. A major challenge that is adding complexity to the home buying process is when you have a real estate agent who is representing both the seller and the buyer. This often occurs when a prospective buyer finds a home listed on the Internet and contacts the selling agent directly. Since there are laws that require real estate agents to protect their client’s interest, the duty of the selling agent is with the seller, not the buyer. As a result, the sales contract may not favor the buyer. “As people go online and educate themselves about buying a house they realize that they need someone to represent them,” said David Kent, President, National Buyer’s Agent Alliance.

When working with an exclusive buyer’s agent, home buyers know their real estate agent is committed to hammering out the best agreement possible on their behalf. In fact, buyer’s agents have helped to negotiate better deals for their clients. “We want to thank you for helping us find and buy a home in Scottsdale,” stated a recent home buyer in Arizona. The buyer further stated that their buyer’s agent gave them the assurance to concentrate on finding a property that best met their needs. Also, the agent’s knowledge of the local real estate market and legal requirements was a critical success factor.

There are two types of buyer’s agents: exclusive and non-exclusive. An exclusive buyer’s agent works for a real estate agency whose sole purpose is to represent home buyers in their real estate transaction to purchase a home. Although they are licensed real estate agents, they do not list or sell houses. On the other hand, a non-exclusive buyer’s agent is a licensed real estate agent who works with a company that is able to represent both buyers and sellers, and therefore may not be able to represent the buyer in all transactions. The fiduciary duty of an exclusive buyer’s agent always remains with the home buyer.

Finding the right buyer’s agent can be a difficult and time-consuming process. This is compounded if you happen to be relocating to an unfamiliar city. You need to do your homework to make sure the buyer’s agent you hire has a good track record for getting the best terms for his or her clients. In the current market having a buyer’s agent on their side has helped many home buyers close transactions that otherwise might not have closed.

To avoid potential conflicts and to help buyers overcome the hurdles of the mortgage process, the National Buyer’s Agent Alliance provides a free service that matches home buyers with a pre-screened buyer’s agent in their new location. Within a few minutes their personal buyer’s agent is helping them to find and purchase a home.

Press Contact:

David Kent, President, National Buyer’s Agent Alliance, 843-367-0388
http://www.buyersagent.net

Seattle, WA  (Profitable.com)  Despite widespread volatility within the housing market and five consecutive years of home value declines, more than two in five (42 percent) of polled prospective home buyers believe home values typically appreciate by 7 percent a year, according to a recent survey by leading real estate information marketplace Zillow (NASDAQ: Z).

This is an unrealistic expectation as, historically, home values in a normal market tend to appreciate by 2-5 percent a year. (1)

Zillow, with Ipsos®, surveyed prospective home buyers (2), asking basic questions about the home buying process.

Despite the unrealistic expectations about home value appreciation, prospective home buyer respondents seem fairly knowledgeable about the home buying process, answering questions correctly more than half the time (65 percent). However, several important parts of the process confused them.  Two in five (41 percent) buyers think they are required to buy private mortgage insurance (PMI) regardless of the amount of their down payment.  In fact, lenders typically require PMI only when buyers are putting down less than 20 percent of the home’s purchase price.

Additionally, more than half of prospective home buyers who were polled confuse appraisals and inspections.  Fifty-six percent said the purpose of an appraisal was to determine if the home is in good condition, when in fact that is the purpose of an inspection.

“It’s troubling that we’re still in the midst of one of the worst housing recessions in history, and yet prospective buyers continue to have such high expectations for home value appreciation,” said Dr. Stan Humphries, chief economist at Zillow. “It’s great that buyers seem to have a fairly solid grasp of the home-buying process, but since this is one of the biggest financial decisions of most people’s lives, it’s even more important that they understand how that investment will appreciate after they sign the papers. Over-estimation of the appreciation potential will lead many to buy real estate when the time in which they plan to live in the house may make renting a better strategy.”

Additional Survey Findings

• More than one-third (37 percent) of prospective home buyer respondents believe buying homeowner’s insurance is optional.  In reality, lenders require that borrowers purchase homeowner’s insurance. This insurance protects the lender. If catastrophe strikes, the mortgage will be repaid from the insurance proceeds.
• Nearly half of polled prospective home buyers in the study do not understand when they will actually own the home they intend to buy. Forty-seven percent said a prospective buyer owns a home after the purchase contract is signed.  The purchase and sales agreement merely kicks off the closing phase, which can be a lengthy process.
• The majority (87 percent) of polled prospective home buyers know that closing costs are negotiable and can vary by bank and lender. Lender fees, like loan-origination fees, administrative costs and other clerical fees, are typically the most negotiable in the home buying process.

Interactive Online Quiz and Resources Available

An online version of the Zillow survey, the “Buyer IQ Quiz,” is available at http://www.zillow.com/mortgage-rates/buyer-iq-quiz/and contains the correct answers. Following the quiz, participants are given a score and resources to learn more about the home-buying process.

About Zillow, Inc.

Zillow (NASDAQ: Z) is the leading real estate information marketplace, providing vital information about homes, real estate listings and mortgages through its website and mobile applications, enabling homeowners, buyers, sellers and renters to connect with real estate and mortgage professionals best suited to meet their needs. More than 24 million unique users visited Zillow’s websites and mobile applications in September 2011. Zillow, Inc. operates Zillow.com®, Zillow Mortgage Marketplace,Zillow Mobile and Postlets®. The company is headquartered in Seattle.

Zillow, Zillow.com and Postlets are registered trademarks of Zillow, Inc.

Ipsos is a registered trademark of Ipsos S.A.

(1)Over the period from 1890 to 2006, the average annual growth in home values was 3.7%.  Source: Irrational Exuberance byRobert Shiller (Princeton University Press 2000, Broadway Books 2001, 2nd edition, 2005)

(2) These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted August 31-September 1, 2011.  For the survey, a national sample of 1,012 adults aged 18 and over residing in the U.S. was interviewed via Ipsos’ U.S. online omnibus.  Among them, 177 reported that they plan to buy a home within the next 3 years, which qualifies them as “prospective home buyers.”  A survey with an unweighted probability sample of 1,012 and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in the U.S. been polled.  The margin of error for a subgrouping of the survey population of 177 individuals would be +/-7.4.  These data were weighted to ensure the sample’s regional and age/gender composition reflects that of the actual U.S. population according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe.  All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

C2G, LLC has announced that consumers will never again have to wonder what it costs to drive places, or if its cheaper to fly, thanks to the launch of the revolutionary Cost2Drive iPhone application. The new iPhone app leverages C2G’s industry-leading Galculator technology to calculate the cost of driving anywhere in the US and compares it to the cost of flying, making it the only mobile app to help people quickly determine if it’s cheaper to drive or fly to a destination.

The Cost2Drive iPhone app, which launched in Apple’s iTunes Store over Labor Day weekend, quickly caught the attention of the press including CBS News affiliate WPEC (West Palm Beach, FL), CNET TV and Autoblog Green. It’s also currently being featured in a special ‘On the Road’ section of the iTunes App Store for top car apps and has already made it into the ‘What’s Hot’ category for popular travel apps.

“We had a good sense this would be a hit.” said Jim Kovarik, the President and Cofounder of C2G. “Visits to the Cost2Drive Website from mobile devices have been soaring recently and so we knew there was strong demand for a mobile version of the app.”

Some of the features include utilizing the smartphone’s location services to automatically fill in current location information and integrating with the iPhone’s address book to easily add the address of a friend or contact. The Cost2Drive app also enables users to store up to 5 vehicles and takes advantage of the iPhone’s touch screen to quickly compare the cost of driving different vehicles with a simple swipe of a finger.

Unlike other road trip apps that require the user to manually enter items like a vehicle’s MPG or local gas prices, the Cost2Drive app removes that burden by including fuel-efficiency information on over 20,000 cars and light trucks and by tapping into current fuel prices for three grades of fuel (regular, premium and diesel) from over 100,000 retail outlets across the US.

“We’re incredibly focused on creating a seamless experience” said Mr. Kovarik “so we do it all for you. We believe this focus on extreme simplicity is the key to delighting users.” The Cost2Drive iPhone app does provide users with the option to manually enter vehicle information to modify EPA ratings or to add custom vehicles like RVs and motorcycles.

There are many practical uses for the Cost2Drive iPhone app including:

• Discovering if its cheaper to drive or fly on vacation
• Seeing if a great deal 60 miles away is still worth it after factoring in fuel costs
• Divvying up fuel costs among friends for road trips
• Assessing the commuting costs for a new job or house purchase
• Determining which car to take on a trip
• Knowing what to charge for delivery orders or ride shares

The Cost2Drive iPhone application estimates trip costs based on the fuel-efficiency of a vehicle (as determined by the EPA) and current gas prices along a route. This is important as fuel prices can vary tremendously from city-to-city and state-to-state. The app also displays driving time and distance and provides a link to view additional information such as route maps and where to find the cheapest gas at refueling points along the way.

The US version of the Cost2Drive iPhone app requires Internet access and is currently available in iTunes for a special introductory price of $2.99. It’s available in all country stores so that people planning to visit the US can utilize the application to help plan their trip. Additional country versions are under development as are versions for the iPad and Android-powered devices. Routing and maps are powered by Google Maps API, fuel prices are provided by OPIS (Oil Price Information Service) and airfares are the cheapest airfares found by users of Kayak.com.

About C2G, LLC

C2G, which stands for ‘Cost To Go’, is located in Northern Virginia and is focused on helping people quickly determine the cost of going places. C2G President and Co-founder Jim Kovarik is a 20-year veteran of the online industry and served as the General Manager of AOL Travel before leaving to co-found C2G in 2008.

Learn more about C2G on our company blog and by following us on Twitter and Facebook.

Contact Information

For more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview with Jim Kovarik, please call him at 571-294-7418 or email him at jim(at)costtogo(dot)com.

Guoman Hotels is to welcome top London salesroom Dreweatts Bloomsbury to its Cumberland hotel on October 10th for two style-packed auctions. Eight works by legendary graffiti artist Banksy, a vintage Hermes crocodile ‘Kelly’ handbag and a collection of costume jewellery that once belonging to the Duchess of Windsor are among the lots on offer at the auctions taking place at The Cumberland.

Collectors and fashionistas are expected to pack the Marble Arch hotel – famed for its chic contemporary interior – when Dreweatts Bloomsbury hosts Luxury: Fine Handbags, Pens and Accessories (from 2pm) and Urban Contemporary art (from6pm).

Taking top billing is limited edition spray paint and emulsion work, ‘Mosquito’, by street art master Banksy (estimate £30,000-£50,000). Other notable items in the Urban Contemporary  sale include items from rising Brit star Eine, whose work was given to US president Barack Obama by prime minister David Cameron; French stencil king Blek Le Rat; and graffiti ace D*Face.

Meanwhile, Luxury: Fine Handbags, Pens and Accessories will feature a wealth of vintage and modern collectibles, including a 1960s Hermes brown crocodile Kelly bag (estimate £8,000-£12,000); four pieces of fabulous costume jewellery designed byAlexis Kirk for the Duchess of Windsor; and a number of contemporary pieces by Cartier, Gucci, Tiffany and Bulgari.

Tim Cordon, General Manager of the luxury London hotel commented: “The Cumberland has a long history of being at the cutting edge of the London design and fashion scene, so it’s fantastic Dreweatts Bloomsbury is bringing these two incredible auctions here. The striking ‘gallery’ feel of the hotel makes it the ideal venue to showcase the incredible items going under the hammer.”

About Guoman Hotels

Guoman Hotel Management Limited operates two hotel brands within the UK market; Guoman Hotels, an exclusive collection of deluxe hotels located in central London and Thistle Hotels, a chain of quality full service hotels in the UK’s major cities.

Guoman Hotels in the UK consists of four landmark properties; Charing Cross, the Cumberland, The Royal Horseguards (current AA London Hotel of the Year 2010/11) and The Tower. Whilst each hotel in the portfolio is different with its own unique identity and style, each provides the very highest levels of comfort and service to its guests.

In 2010, Guoman Hotels launched internationally with its new property opening in Shanghai.  In the UK, The Grosvenor Victoria property will join the collection in 2011.

Guoman Hotel Management Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GuocoLeisure Ltd, part of the Hong Leong Group which has hospitality and leisure businesses across the globe with hotels in Europe, USA, Australasia and Asia.

For further information please visit http://www.guoman.com

Home Warranty of America has been named to the exclusive Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies for the fifth year in a row.  HWA was the only residential service contract company to be listed amongst the Top 50 Insurance Companies list.  The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy – America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs.

“Our growth of 36% in three sales years is phenomenal considering the current state of the real estate marketplace, and we’re honored to be named again to this prestigious list for the fifth year in a row.  I can’t say it enough that if it weren’t for our helpful employees, the astute guidance of our entire leadership team, and the continued loyalty of our customers, vendors and real estate community, we wouldn’t be here.  We pride ourselves on our service to our customers and work hard to improve it on a daily basis,” said Marc Roth, CEO and President.

In a stagnant economic environment, median growth rate of 2011 Inc. 500|5000 companies remains an impressive 94 percent. The companies on this year’s list report having created 350,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $366 billion, up 14 percent from last year. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and a list of the fastest-growing companies that can be sorted by industry and region can be found at www.inc5000.com.

About Home Warranty of America

Home Warranty of America, Inc. of Buffalo Grove, IL, was founded in 1996 to provide home warranty coverage for houses, town homes, and condominiums. The Company has experienced remarkable growth to become a leading supplier of residential service contracts (home warranty) across the United States, and provides its services through real estate agents, insurance professionals, relocation companies, developers, title companies, bankers, and mortgage brokers. The Company also provides its comprehensive home warranties directly to the homeowner and takes the worry out of buying and owning a home. It offers full coverage for every buyer without the home age restrictions that are common on competitor’s products. Service is a convenient 24/7 toll-free call away and repairs are performed by qualified, approved technicians. The Company offers a 30-day, money back guarantee on every home warranty. More information is available at www.hwaHomeWarranty.com.

Vacation rental owners report a better than expected summer travel season, with strong bookings and rental revenue, according to HomeAway, Inc. – the world’s largest online marketplace for vacation rentals. The latest “HomeAway® Vacation Rental Marketplace Report” finds 84 percent of owners say their rental business during the summer was about what they expected or better.

More than two thirds of owners (68 percent) with vacation rental properties in areas where summer is the peak season(1) report occupancy rates of 76 percent or higher this summer.  These owners also report an average weekly rental rate of$1,685 or $241 per night, to book an entire home.  By comparison, Smith Travel Research, Inc. – a hotel industry research firm – reported the average occupancy rate for U.S. hotels from June to August was approximately 68 percent with an average rate of$101.99 per room. In addition, for owners with vacation rentals in destinations where summer is not the peak season, more than half of owners (55 percent) with properties considered in “shoulder season” and 18 percent with off-season rentals report occupancy rates of 50 percent or higher.

Owning a Vacation Home:  A Love Affair from the Beginning

While owners witnessed strong bookings this summer, the love they have for their properties began before ever renting their home.  According to the report, 62 percent of owners report “it was love at first sight” when describing when they fell in love with their vacation home.  Fifteen percent fell in love “when they got to know ‘her’ better,” after staying in the home for some time and 10 percent say the love came “when she got a job” and started producing rental revenue.

Owners also pour a lot of care into their vacation rental properties.  More than half (56 percent) spent more money on improvements – everything from interior and exterior painting to new furniture and appliances – to their vacation home in the past 12 months than they did on improvements to their primary residence.

Winter 2010/2011:  Likely to Be a Jolly Holiday for Some

Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, nearly a quarter of vacation rental owners’ (24 percent) bookings for the last four months of 2011 are higher than the same time last year, up from 16 percent in 2010.  Approximately 44 percent of owners say bookings for the end of this year are about the same as last year.

Forty-one percent of those owners who report higher bookings this year are raising their rental rates; 52 percent are keeping them the same as last year.

As the key year-end holiday travel season draws closer, 37 percent of vacation rental owners “have no idea yet what Santa will bring” in terms of rental business, but 22 percent say “it’s going to be a jolly holiday.” According to the report, when vacation rental owners were asked to share their outlook for the year-end holiday rental season:

• 37% have no idea what Santa will bring
• 22% believe it’s going to be a jolly holiday
• 19% say it looks like the same old thing under the tree
• 13% say with the end of summer, my year is over
• 9% believe there will be a lump of coal in their stocking

Sharing the Love with Travelers:  Owners Open up Their Homes

Most owners originally purchased their vacation home for personal use (35 percent) or as a long-term investment (22 percent). Upon purchase, 66 percent of owners are choosing to rent to travelers to cover some or all of their expenses.

While vacation home owners are turning their homes into vacation rentals to help offset ownership costs, very few owners (9 percent) say they just rent their home out without thinking about the house during the rental season.  Instead, most (67 percent) say they like to be a good neighbor, checking in regularly to see how renters have treated the home, and 24 percent say they check-in occasionally.

According to the HomeAway report, the historic river town of Galena, Ill., had the largest increase in people listing their vacation home for rent on HomeAway.com during the second quarter of 2011, putting the city in the top two markets with the largest increase in new vacation rental listings for the past three quarters. Mesquite, Nev.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Bradenton, Fla.; and St. George, Utah, also ranked among the top 10 markets with the largest increase in new vacation rental listings for the first time. The top 10 new listing markets during the second quarter of 2011 are:

1. Galena, Ill.
2. Mesquite, Nev.
3. Colorado Springs, Colo.
4. Charleston, S.C.
5. San Clemente, Calif.
6. Rockport, Texas
7. Hollywood, Calif.
8. Bradenton, Fla.
9. Amelia Island, Fla.
10. St. George, Utah

Emerging Travel Destinations Present Opportunity for Those Looking to Buy

For those who haven’t taken the plunge and are looking to buy with the intent to rent, they might consider Venice, Fla., which saw a 367 percent increase in inquiries from travelers looking to rent vacation homes on HomeAway.com during the second quarter of 2011.

The top 10 markets where traveler demand is on the rise, based on a year-over-year analysis (Q2 2010 vs. Q2 2011) of inquiries from travelers looking to rent a vacation home, include:

1. Venice, Fla. (up 367%)
2. Fort Morgan, Ala. (up 347%)
3. Indio, Calif. (up 337%)
4. Miramar Beach, Fla. (up 313%)
5. Port Aransas, Texas (up 281%)
6. Carillon Beach, Fla. (up 265%)
7. Charlottesville, Va. (up 260%)
8. Sonoma, Calif. (up 237%)
9. Rockport, Texas (up 226%)
10. Sunnyside, Fla. (up 223%)

About the HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace Report

Data for the HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace Report was collected via surveys that polled HomeAway.com, VRBO.com and VacationRentals.com customers who own vacation rentals. Based on HomeAway, Inc. internal customer satisfaction research, owner results are based on 490 responses received between Aug. 26 and Sept. 11, 2011.  Market trends were based on a combination of in-depth research of renter and traveler information from the HomeAway, Inc. database.

About HomeAway, Inc.

HomeAway, Inc., based in Austin, Texas, is the worldwide leader in online vacation rentals, with sites representing more than 625,000 paid vacation rental home listings throughout more than 145 countries. HomeAway offers an extensive selection of vacation homes that provide travelers with memorable experiences and benefits, including more room to relax and added privacy, for less than the cost of traditional hotel accommodations. The company also makes it easy for vacation rental owners and property managers to advertise their properties and manage bookings online. The HomeAway portfolio includes the leading vacation rental websites HomeAway.com, VRBO.com and VacationRentals.com in the United States; HomeAway.co.uk and OwnersDirect.co.uk in the United Kingdom; HomeAway.de in Germany; Abritel.fr and Homelidays.com in France; HomeAway.es in Spain; AlugueTemporada.com.br in Brazil; and HomeAway.com.au in Australia.

In addition, HomeAway operates BedandBreakfast.com, the most comprehensive global site for finding bed-and-breakfast properties, providing travelers with another source for unique lodging alternatives to chain hotels. For more information about HomeAway, please visit www.HomeAway.com.

(1) Vacation rental owners were asked whether they consider summer to be their peak season, a shoulder season or an off season.

Aiming to provide real estate professionals with a new resource for real estate advice, leading real estate web design and internet marketing firm Agent Image recently launched http://www.AgentWebPros.com. Featuring realtor forums and the latest updates on trends in web design and internet marketing, the blog is a resource for agents and realtors who want to ensure that their websites and marketing campaigns are cost-efficient, effective and on-target.

“There are dozens of real estate message boards online, but those that actually offer relevant, up-to-date information are few and far between,” says Tiger Bitanga, CEO of The Design People and Agent Image. “Through AgentWebPros, we not only provide industry updates, we also serve as the host of an online venue where real estate professionals and web design and marketing professionals can mix and mingle. Our goal is to foster meaningful discussions and to help individuals and firms make the most of the various online platforms that are now available to all of us.”

Designed to be as user-friendly as possible, AgentWebPros.com has a streamlined and easily navigable interface. Since its launch, a variety of topics have already been introduced, from how to create great taglines to search engine optimization (SEO) strategies.

“The internet is about sharing information and making connections,” says Director of Marketing, Ryelle G., “and this, in essence, is what AgentWebPros.com is all about. Do you want to find out what other real estate agents think about something? Start a thread on our real estate forum. Thinking of revamping your website or starting a social media marketing campaign? You can get tips and advice here, post a topic that can spark a discussion between your fellow agents and our professionals, or contact us directly.” To find out what today’s hottest topics are, visit http://www.AgentWebPros.com.

About Agent Image

Agent Image provides the very best real estate websites and has enabled thousands of real estate professionals to drive and sustain improved business results through their proven marketing solutions. The firm is a wholly owned division of The Design People, Inc., an El Segundo, California web design company that specializes in website development and online marketing for businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit http://www.agentimage.com

A secluded, tranquil estate with a newly-built “Fieldhouse” located on nearly 6.5 landscaped acres known as The Laurel Road Estate, just one hour from New York City, will sell during a live, on-site auction on October 20th, Concierge Auctions has announced. Originally listed for $12.5 million, the property will sell absolute, meaning it will sell to the highest bidder regardless of price. The sale is being conducted in cooperation with listing agent Darlene Letersky of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

“The owner’s decision to sell absolute creates a tremendous opportunity for prospective buyers to own one of Fairfield County’s most premier estates,” Letersky stated. “This is an unbelievable property with unrivaled amenities in one of the Northeast’s most exclusive neighborhoods, and we are excited to work with Concierge to identify its new owner on Auction Day.”

360-364 Laurel Road includes a Williamsburg Colonial-style residence that has been fully renovated to deliver the architecture and presence of a refined country house. The classic 16-room home has unsurpassed detailing and amenities. The grand stone entryway opens to a formal living room with fireplace, elegant dining room, a gourmet kitchen appointed in French antique limestone, and adjacent family room. A paneled library and game room are tastefully done. Seven bedrooms en suite include a first floor master wing with fireplace, his and hers baths and private office. Several rooms spill onto patios and terraces, and oversized windows frame inspiring panoramic views of the countryside.

The grounds include a freeform pool, spa, cabana, waterfall and multiple stone terraces. Additionally, the estate offers a newly built 14-room “Fieldhouse” – a $7 million sports and entertainment retreat. Amenities of the Fieldhouse include a professional cinema for up to 30 viewers and a Full Swing Golf electronic indoor golf course with over 50 courses from around the world. A game room features a wraparound bar for refreshments, a bowling alley, and an indoor basketball court that can transition into a personal indoor auditorium. This one-of-a-kind, 10,000-square-foot masterwork also includes a full kitchen, three bedrooms, baths, an elevator to all floors, and grand living and dining spaces that will enhance any event, gathering or party. A separate cottage guesthouse can accommodate a myriad of flexible living arrangements and is comprised of a kitchen, family room, bedroom and bathroom. The compound is affectionately named “The Gathering Place”.

“The Laurel Road Estate is a sports and entertainment playground for children and adults alike. It is a true, private compound – a rare delight to have such seclusion while a mere hour from Manhattan,” stated Laura Brady, Vice President of Marketing for Concierge Auctions. “Following our recent sale of the Cove House in nearby Darien, we look forward to continued success inFairfield County with this auction.”

New Canaan is located in Fairfield County, Connecticut. It is approximately eight miles northeast of the Stamford town center and one hour from New York City, both easily accessible by car or train.  The town is one of the most affluent communities inthe United States, with a population just over 19,000.  In 2008, CNN Money ranked New Canaan first in the nation with the highest median family income. The charming downtown is a quintessential New England setting.  There are over one hundred shops, many small local boutiques that have been here for years, as well as the quaint movie theater, right in the heart of town.  The pride of New Canaan is its public school system that offers academic courses and athletic programs geared to the individual student’s needs and abilities. The school system has gained national recognition for its high performance, and graduates of New Canaan High School attend top universities throughout the US.

The auction of 360-364 Laurel Road will be conducted “live” on October 20th. Bidders can participate in person or proxy via the telephone or Internet. See Auction Terms and Conditions for full details. The property will be available for preview daily from 1 to 4 pm and by appointment. For more information call 800-436-0972 or visit LaurelRoadAuction.com.

About Concierge Auctions

Concierge Auctions is the preeminent luxury real estate auction firm serving high net worth sellers nationwide. Through an accelerated marketing process Concierge has a track record of obtaining fair market value in as little as a 60-day timeframe. As a preferred auction partner to Sotheby’s International Realty® the company has executed auctions from New York to Hawaii and hosts a database that includes more than 100,000 luxury real estate buyers and cooperating agents from all 50 states and 38 countries. The principals of Concierge Auctions have been involved in the transfer of more than $2 billion in luxury real estate sales over the past 10 years.  For more information, call 888-966-4759 or visit ConciergeAuctions.com.

The Homeowners Consumer Center is one of the premier advocates for homeowner protection, and corporate responsibility in the United States.The Homeowners Consumer Center says, “We do not have time for the November 2012 elections for the U.S. Congress to get innovative about job creation, and or stabilizing a vital part of the US economy-our residential real estate markets. Our proposed Home Buyer Tax Credit initiative would not only dramatically impact our residential real estate markets in a meaningful way, it would also put tens of thousands of U.S. Citizens back to work in the private sector.” The group says,”We cannot afford to allow our U.S. residential real estate markets to decline, or flounder any longer, and we say Congress needs to move forward with this legislation right away.” The group says, “As opposed to one of President Obama’s Shovel Ready Jobs Gambles, a congressionally sponsored robust, U.S. residential real estate federal tax credit initiative would produce an instant positive effect for the floundering U.S. economy, and it would be enormously helpful in stabilizing the U.S. residential real estate markets. If we will not get meaningful economic ideas from the Obama Administration, or the White House, we are urging U.S. House Speaker Boehner, and his congressional colleagues to step up to the plate with something that will work. However, to really work the program must include all types of residential real estate buyers, including investors, and we think the tax credit should be $15,000 per house.” http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.Com

The Homeowners Consumer Center says, “The average U.S. citizen is tired of Politics as usual in Washington,DC. Our suggested U.S. Residential Real Estate Tax Credit legislative initiative will put real estate agents, home inspectors, mortgage brokers, insurance agents, contractors, and all types of people back to work, as well as doing something dramatic to stabilize the US residential real estate markets.We have just a couple of simple requests with respect to this legislation, we want a up, or down vote, with no earmarks, or additions, and we have one other strong suggestion-only qualified individuals can participate in this program. In other words if you cannot afford to buy a house, or afford to make the monthly payments, this program does not apply to you.” http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.Com

The Homeowners Consumer Center is warning, “In the June 2005 edition of Money Magazine one of our affiliated groups warned that the U.S. real estate market was about to have a train wreck, because of bank , and homebuilder appraisal fraud. We were 100% correct. We are now warning if the U.S. House of Representatives does not step up to the plate, and enact robust residential real estate home buyers tax credit legislation our real estate markets, and our economy could be going places no one wants to go. We have millions of US home foreclosures that are sitting empty. These need to get sold, to families, or investors now.” The group says, “Its pretty obvious President Obama, and his Administration do not have a clue with respect to creating jobs. Our Residential Real Estate Tax Credit Initiative will not only help stabilize the U.S. residential real estate markets, it will put, tens, and tens, of thousands of U.S. citizens back to work in the private sector, and it will pay for itself. This is a win-win for the U.S. economy, but the Congress, and its leaders need to move on this now, before its too late.” http://HomeownersConsumerCenter.Com

Jetsetter (www.jetsetter.com), the leading private sales website that helps members discover and book the world’s best vacations, today announced the launch of Jetsetter Homes, a collection of more than 200 curated, verified homes around the world, available at Jetsetter exclusive prices.  Jetsetter is once again disrupting the travel industry with a better way for travelers to book vacation homes utilizing live inventory, honest first-person reviews by experienced travel writers, and custom 360-degree photo tours.  No more emailing owners about availability, haggling over price, or worrying about whether your vacation rental will live up to the owner’s description.

“As anyone who has researched and booked a vacation home knows, the process is archaic and time consuming,” said Drew Patterson, Jetsetter Founder and CEO.  “Jetsetter makes the research process a delight with great photography, including our revolutionary 360-degree tours which transport the user into beautiful homes and fabulous infinity pools around the world.  Unbiased first-person reviews from Jetsetter correspondents ensure that our members don’t end up with the unpleasant surprise of a tired vacation home.  And, of course, we streamlined the booking process with instant booking capabilities.”

More than 200 hand-selected, verified homes will be available for rent at Jetsetter exclusive prices 365 days per year under the new “Homes” section of the site, and the collection will grow each month.  Each week, Jetsetter will feature five to 10 homes on sale with savings from 20-50 percent off.  Homes featured in flash sales are available for a limited time, while availability lasts.  Jetsetter’s inventory of vacation homes is located around the world, with a high concentration in the Caribbean, Mexico, the American West, California, France and Italy.  Size and price vary from a five-bedroom house in Crete for $310 per night to a palatial 14-bedroom mansion on a private Caribbean island for $53,000 per night.

The Jetsetter Homes product delivers features that spare users from the usual challenges and frustrations of vacation rental websites including:

• Live Booking: Jetsetter members can search for homes with live availability and pricing and book instantly, rather than having to email back and forth with a home owner.
• Curated and Verified Collection: Jetsetter curators’ hand-select each vacation rental featured and negotiate members-only pricing.  A Jetsetter correspondent has visited each property personally to provide an unbiased review, removing the risk of owner-created editorial.
• Revolutionary 360-Degree Photos: Many of the vacation homes will feature 360-degree photos providing a virtual window into each home.  Jetsetter designed a camera to shoot dozens of high resolution photos which are stitched together to form 360-degree images.  Unlike virtual tours, Jetsetter 360-degree photos pan smoothly about the room on multiple planes, without choppy pauses and distortion to give users a more realistic sense of what the home offers.
• Jetsetter Is Trusted Merchant Of Record: Jetsetter members feel secure in purchasing through Jetsetter.  There will be no rate negotiations between traveler and owner.  And, no more paying a stranger by mailing a check or worrying about whether or not a safety deposit will be returned.
• Great Deals: Vacation homes featured in the flash section of the site will be 20-50 percent lower than rates found anywhere else.
• Simplified booking process: Like the rest of the site, Jetsetter Homes will feature a clean, uncluttered interface.  Amenities and features most important to renters will be clearly highlighted including the number of bedrooms and baths, square footage, and maximum occupancy.  Rates are conveniently broken down by day, week and month and also per person, for members wanting to share the cost of a home with friends or family.

“Booking a vacation rental through Jetsetter Homes is like renting from a travel-savvy friend with homes all over the world,” continues Patterson.  “Members trust Jetsetter to feature only the best-in-class properties in desirable locations and to provide an objective review.  They know their money is safe with Jetsetter.  And, if there are any problems, Jetsetter’s dedicated Members Service team is available to assist at any time.”

Special Launch Sale

In celebration of the launch, more than 50 percent of homes from the Jetsetter 24/7 collection will be 10 percent off until Oct. 12.

About Jetsetter

Jetsetter.com is the leading members-only website that helps travelers discover and purchase the world’s best vacations.  Each vacation featured on the site has been hand-selected by a team of curators and personally verified by a Jetsetter correspondent to assure that all Jetsetter trips meet the expectations of discerning members.  Jetsetters can browse offerings on sale in flash at prices up to 50 percent off; or peruse Jetsetter 24/7, a collection of more than 500 hotels, resorts and vacation homes available 365 days a year at Jetsetter exclusive prices.  Jetsetter correspondents are available for private consultations through the Personal Travel Planning Service. Jetsetter apps are available for the iPhone and iPad.  For more information, visit www.Jetsetter.com.

For more information about Jetsetter Homes or to interview Founder & CEO Drew Patterson, contact:

Kellie Pelletier
Director of PR, Jetsetter
917-514-5851
kpelletier@jetsetter.com

Wise Vacations, the Killington area’s largest vacation rental company, successfully met a challenge last week during the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Killington was completely cut off as a result of 3 main arteries leading to the Access Road sustaining major damage due to over flowing waterways. The company’s challenge was gaining access to the 200+ private homes and condominiums they manage and rent out. No doubt the second homeowners who put the care of their investments into the able hands of the Wise Team were anxious to know the fate of their homes.

Since transportation was not an option, the Property Management team at Wise took matters into their own hands. One staff member volunteered to hike and mountain bike his way to the mountain to access the office vehicle marooned in Killington. Ultimately, managed properties were checked and assessed, under demanding circumstances. Owners were informed in a timely manner, and communication from the Property Management Team to Wise’s owner base was done on both a mass email communication scale, and an individual and personalized attention level.

In the days immediately after the storm and still to date, accessing Killington’s Access Road requires a hike through the woods, and multiple modes of transport. The dedicated Wise staff did not think twice about the complicated travel required to get the job done. All in all, Wise’s customers were given the peace of mind that comes with having a professional property management company manage their home. Second homeowners who do not have a Killington property management company have reached out to Wise Vacations and are receiving similar confidence that their home will get the same attention not only during this emergency but ongoing in the future.

“I’m inordinately proud of my staff and we are clearly on the front lines in Killington in doing what it takes to get to our homes. It’s taken hiking, mountain biking, and in some cases, crossing unstable road washouts on foot in Killington East to clamber up to homes. Jeremy is our newest Property Manager, and I’m in awe of his commitment to getting there. Lisa has worked communications to exhausting detail, contacting owners and fielding owner questions.”- Sally Sweet, Owner, Wise Vacations.

Work continues on all 3 roadways leading to Killington and reconstruction is expected to continue into October, but will be done in time for the winter ski season. Fall events are still expected to take place, and Killington is planning a welcome back party for their featured Fall event, the Killington Brewfest.

About Wise Vacations

Wise Vacations is a locally owned and operated full service vacation rental company and has been doing business based in Killington, VT for over 30 years. For more information and to book a Killington or Smugglers’ Notch vacation visit http://www.wisevacations.com

Navy Federal Credit Union understands that purchasing a home for the first time is a big deal, which is why they are offering a First-Time Homebuyer Package for military family members and personnel in the military. Home loans are often time consuming, which is why Navy Federal does its part to help make buying a home easier.

As of April 15, 2011, Navy Federal Credit Union offers the First-Time Homebuyers Plus package for new applications for first mortgage purchase loans. The package includes no down payment with up to 6% seller contribution, waived application fee, and additional cash incentives, including a $200 Visa Prepaid Loyalty Card, cash back of $5,050 with RealtyPlus(1), and a rate match(2) guarantee. It is open to current military personnel, their family members, or any retired Veteran. Mortgage loans by Navy Federal Credit Union’s First-Time Homebuyer Plus program work to bring low rates for first-time home buyers.

Navy Federal Credit Union is committed to providing financial support at home and abroad to personnel in the military. Mortgage loans will be essential as many return and buy a home for the first time. Plus, for a limited time only, Navy Federal will pay up to $2,500 of your closing costs!*

Find more information about Navy Federal Credit Union and home loans for military personnel and their families at the Navy Federal website: http://www.navyfederal.org.

(1) Cash rebates from $400 to $5,050 are available in most states. You must be represented by the assigned RealtyPlus real estate firm at closing to qualify. Contact RealtyPlus for terms and conditions.

(2) Limited-time offer available for purchase and refinance first mortgages. Certain product exclusions may apply. Good Faith Estimate (GFE) from competing lender must be dated and received within 3 calendar days of locking interest rate at Navy Federal. The terms of the competing loan must be identical to Navy Federal’s loan. If the loan does not close within the commitment period, the rate match may be voided. To receive $250, member must provide a signed, executed copy of the final HUD-1 Settlement Statement and a copy of the mortgage note within 30 calendar days of loan closing with another lender. Offer not valid if original loan terms or conditions change prior to closing. Once approved, $250 will be automatically deposited into member’s Navy Federal account within 30 calendar days of receiving the necessary documentation.

*Limited-time offer effective August 10, 2011 is available for all first mortgage purchase and refinance loans except HomePath®. Member cannot receive cash back from this offer. Certain restrictions may apply. Ask for your loan officer for details.

About Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal Credit Union is the world’s largest natural person credit union with $40 billion in assets, more than 3.5 million members, over 200 branch offices, and 7,100 employees worldwide. The credit union serves all Department of Defense military and civilian personnel and their families. For additional information about Navy Federal, visit http://www.navyfederal.org.

CONTACT: Jennifer Sadler
Public Relations Manager
Phone: (703) 206-3137
E-mail: Jennifer_Sadler@navyfederal.org

Recently named of one of the “American’s Most Beautiful Places to Live in 2011” by Good Morning America, the location of Ranch Marketing Associates’ Walton Ranch is in one of the most wealthy counties in America and its pristine, unspoiled natural beauty just minutes from downtown Jackson has created global attention and interest by investors and buyers desiring to acquire recreation and agricultural property as a way to accumulate wealth.

It’s all about the land. Ninety-seven percent of Teton County is comprised of national parks and conservation easements, with only 3% of land available for private ownership. Add these pristine yet limited resources to easy airport access, world-class ski resort, gold-medal fishing waters a thriving arts and entertainment culture, and the lure of Jackson Hole and the value of its real estate becomes evident.

Preservation and conservation is key; the Walton Ranch is protected by the largest conservation easement ever established by the Jackson Hole Land Trust. This working cattle ranch along the spectacular Snake River encompasses 1,848 acres of woodland and meadows and is characterized by unsurpassed views over the entire valley and abundant wildlife, including eagles, bear, deer and its own resident elk herd.

“Land is the ultimate luxury and the safest long-term investment today,” says RMA Partner, Billy Long. With the Grand Tetons as its dramatic backdrop and close proximity to downtown Jackson, the Walton Ranch epitomizes the American dream.

RMA brings over 50 years of experience representing high-end recreational and agricultural ranch properties. Partners Ron Morris and Billy Long, have combined sales of over 2.5 million acres and over $500 million in sales. Together, they’ve assembled the most knowledgeable ranch real estate business throughout the American West. RMA Brokers combine unsurpassed marketplace knowledge with extraordinary client service. RMA Brokers live the life of Ranchers and possess true insider perspective and knowledge of all aspects associated with land investment and the ranch real estate industry overall. For more information, visit http://www.RMABrokers.com

The Mortgage Inspection Service is a vital mortgage document review and inspection service, designed for any homeowner about to refinance, or any individual about to purchase a home. The group’s Mortgage Document Inspection Service is actually a comprehensive written review of a proposed mortgage that offers a written analysis of the suitability of the type of mortgage product being offered, the interest rate being offered, and the fees being charged by the lender, or bank. The cost for the proposed refinance, or mortgage review, and report is $95, and the mortgage document audit typically saves the average US consumer about to finance or refinance a home hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. The Mortgage Inspection Service provides a homeowner about to finance or refinance a home with a narrative report detailing what mortgage fees are legitimate, and or what mortgage fees are junk or unwarranted charges. Homeowners about to refinance, individuals about to buy a home, or family or friends are encouraged to share this press release with their loved ones. For more information about the Mortgage Inspection Service please call 866-714-6466, or visit their web site at http://MortgageInspectionService.Com.

The Mortgage Inspection Service says, “Over the years we have saved thousands of consumers hundreds,if not thousands of dollars on each report we have done. There is no service even close to the Mortgage Inspection Service in the US.” The group says, “The only reason we do a consumer mortgage document inspection and review before a refinance or home loan finance, is to save consumers money and or to prevent them from being cheated.”

What does the Mortgage Inspection Service mortgage document inspection & review report include?

• The written report and review will focus in on if the home loan borrower or homeowner about to refinance is getting a fair interest rate.
• The mortgage document review report will analyze the interest rate and the mortgage product being offered to the consumer to make certain they are getting the best possible mortgage rate.
• The report will focus in on the fees being charged by the bank or mortgage broker.
• The report will focus in on the title insurance or escrow costs.
• The written mortgage document review uses the Good Faith Estimate the borrower gets before closing as the platform for its review.
• The cost of the report is $95 and the turn around time from start to finish is typically 48 hours or less. For more information a consumer or interested party can call the Mortgage Inspection Service anytime at 866-714-6466 or visit their web site at http://MortgageInspectionService.Com.

Credibility Matters: Americas Watchdog & or its Mortgage Inspection Service have been featured on CNN, CBS, NPR, and in Newsweek Magazine, Money Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Good Housekeeping Magazine, CBS Market Watch, The Daily Telegraph of London, and numerous other national or international publications. For more information about the Mortgage Inspection Service anyone can call the group at 866-714-6466 or visit their web site at http://MortgageInspectionService.Com.

iHOUSEweb, producers of the MLS Property Search Tool – IDXPro, have recently released a new Facebook App that lets REALTORS® add property search tools to their Facebook page.

With over 80% of Real Estate Agents using social media (reports Mashable.com) and a growing number of IDX Vendors entering the foray, one thing is for certain, Real Estate Agents have begun to embrace Facebook and are now beginning to realize it’s true marketing potential.

IDXPro has struck a chord with Agents in particular by bringing something new to the table that they haven’t seen before. REALTORS® now have access to a portable search tool that’s not just for Facebook, but can be copied and pasted anywhere an Agent wants to offer home buyers interactive property search tools.

Key components include Google Map Search, Lead Tracker, Visitor Registration, Property Slideshows, Mobile Search and a free plugin for WordPress. IDXPro can easily be copied and pasted anywhere on the web. Since it’s launch in May, the IDXPro MLS Search Widget has been downloaded and test drove over 10,000 times!

IDXPro is hosted by iHOUSEweb a Real Estate Technology firm which currently services over 30,000 REALTORS® and has access to 400 MLS feeds nationwide. IDXPro is completely free to try and users can take a fully functional test drive of the product right on their website or Facebook Page.

Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). After changing little over the past month, both long- and short-term mortgage rates followed Treasury yields higher this week. The 30-year fixed averaged 4.60 percent, and the 15-year fixed averaged 3.75 percent.

News Facts

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.60 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending July 7, 2011, up from last week when it averaged 4.51 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.57 percent.  
• 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.75 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.69 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.07 percent.  
• 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.30 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.22 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.75 percent.
• 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 3.01 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.97 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 3.75 percent.  

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following links for Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details and Definitions.

Quotes

Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

• “Mortgage rates followed Treasury yields higher over the holiday week but remain quite affordable by historical standards. For instance, interest rates on all mortgages outstanding in the first quarter of this year averaged just under 6 percent. With today’s rates, these homeowners who have the ability to refinance could shave $169 per month in interest payments on a $200,000, 30-year fixed mortgage.”

Get the latest information from Freddie Mac’s Office of the Chief Economist on Twitter: @FreddieMac

Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation’s residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Over the years, Freddie Mac has made home possible for one in six homebuyers and more than five million renters.

Kinecta Federal Credit Union today announced that it now provides HomePath® Mortgages for buyers purchasing a Fannie Mae-owned home.

The HomePath Mortgage offers special financing terms for the purchase of HomePath properties (Fannie Mae-owned homes) across the nation. Only a few lenders in the U.S. are approved by Fannie Mae to provide these HomePath products. Kinecta is the only approved credit union in California and one of only two in the nation.

“Kinecta is constantly looking for ways to offer more affordable financing options to potential homeowners,” said Brian Robinett, Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at Kinecta. “With the HomePath Mortgage, borrowers receive special financing terms on single-family homes, condominiums and town houses in a variety of neighborhoods. It’s a great option for virtually anyone looking for a home, from first-time homebuyers to experienced investors.”

Borrowers will benefit from very low down payment options and no appraisal or mortgage insurance requirements*. To find HomePath properties, simply go to www.HomePath.com to search the nationwide listings of available homes.

For a free mortgage consultation, interested borrowers can call 800.854.4501, visit www.kinecta.org/HomePath or email homeloans@kinecta.org.

*Ask your loan officer for cost details on loans without mortgage insurance.

Kinecta Federal Credit Union is one of the nation’s largest credit unions, with approximately $3.5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2011; 24 member service centers, 49 Nix customer service centers, and 9 Kinecta at Nix locations throughout Southern California; and more than 227,000 members nationwide. Headquartered in Manhattan Beach, Calif., Kinecta offers its members a full range of financial products through the Credit Union and its subsidiaries, Kinecta Financial & Insurance Services, Apollo Insurance Services Inc., and Kinecta Alternative Financial Solutions, dba Nix Check Cashing. Kinecta Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, financial cooperative that is owned by its members, and exists to provide a safe and convenient place for member/owners to conduct their financial business. For more information about Kinecta, visit www.kinecta.org. For more information about Nix Check Cashing, visit www.nixcheckcashing.com.

HomePath is a registered trademark of Fannie Mae.

The search power of Realtor.com is now available on the iPad at http://www.realtor.com/mobile/iPad. Launched today by Move, Inc., (NASDAQ: MOVE), the leader in online real estate, the Realtor.com iPad app is the only real estate search app delivering everything from listings with maps and GPS directions to personalization tools that keep users organized and connected when searching across country or across town. Realtor.com mobile apps are also the only real estate search apps with access to Realtor.com, the largest and most accurate collection of online property listings, with more than 80 percent of all property listings updated every 15 minutes.

Today, 10 properties are viewed every second on a Realtor.com mobile app, including the iPhone, Android, Windows Phone 7, and now iPad at http://www.realtor.com/mobile. Realtor.com mobile apps have been downloaded 3.6 million times and active users have increased by 79 percent in four months.  

“With a Realtor.com mobile app, there’s no waiting or wondering anymore if a property is on or off the market, how much it costs, or if it will fit your needs,” said Steve Berkowitz, chief executive officer of Move, Inc., operator of Realtor.com. “Mobile is changing the way people buy and sell homes and our iPad app opens up real estate to millions of people with an amazing visual search experience. It combines mobile’s instant gratification and investigative component that everyone loves with Move’s search technology. We’re very excited to expand our mobile offerings and deliver the power of Realtor.com to millions of iPad users.”

Finding the ideal home among the millions of properties on Realtor.com is fast, easy and fun with the Realtor.com iPad app:

• Draw Your Own Search Boundaries anywhere in the U.S. with Area Highlighter. It’s fast and allows for hyper-local searches down to street levels. Tap the Show More Listings button, and more properties instantly populate the map. Use the iPad’s finger controls to slide, pinch, zoom and pan through a map to drill down into a neighborhood or particular street.  
• Personalize your experience by rating properties and saving personal notes on each home for later reference or to share with an agent via email. Sort, refine or filter your search results according to what’s important to you – price, distance, square footage, etc. Create new searches for homes or open houses nationwide or nearby based on your location, MLS ID number, or by city, state, or street name. Tap My Real Estate to instantly access My Listings, My Saved Searches, or My Recent Searches.
• Stay Connected with an agent from each listing detail page via email with questions or to schedule a tour. Store their contact details within the app so it’s easier to send notes, comments and ratings about properties to your agent. Keep friends and family connected to your house hunting adventure by sharing favorite properties via email, Facebook and Twitter.

“The Realtor.com iPad app gives buyers and agents everything they need when they need it most to work together successfully in finding properties,” said Realtor.com President, Errol Samuelson. “In the past year, Realtor.com mobile apps have contributed to a 240 percent increase in consumer outreach to local agents, and open house views have increased by 459 percent in just four months. Even more exciting, in-app communication between agents and consumers (1) has increased by 148 percent since December. We’re very excited with the fast adoption of Realtor.com mobile apps by agents and consumers. We expect these numbers will only improve with the launch of our iPad app because it includes so many easy-to-use interactive features that encourage collaboration between agents and consumers.”

The Realtor.com iPad app offers other notable features including:

• Easy-to-Use results feed directly from Realtor.com to a pull down menu that floats over a map with property pins or in a magazine-style gallery view with bold photos. Switching between views and three mapping options is easy, and diving into a listing’s detail page for open house dates, property details, large photos, agent contact details, map’s with GPS-based directions, and share buttons requires one touch. Scroll through the helpful search tips on the homepage.
• Self-Contained Listing Detail Pages feature maps enabling users to view properties on a street or satellite view and scan the neighborhood for items of interest. With one touch, quickly enter the information into your personal notes field saving notes on why a listing has great appeal, such as proximity to a local park or hiking trail. There’s no need to exit the app for directions, maps, or for property details.
• Remain Organized by using the visual ‘Check marks’ that appear on map-based property pins, the pull down menu and gallery view to track previously viewed properties. Buyers can also add open house events to their calendar, and save favorite listings or frequently used searches to their Realtor.com account for later use.

Realtor.com 2.0 iPhone App Also Announced

Today, Realtor.com also announced the availability of key updates to the app compatible with the iPhone iOS 4.0, including a new home screen with grouped features and easier access to recent searches, Area Highlighter and Area Scout. In addition, a “My Real Estate” screen has been added that includes Saved Listings, Saved Searches, Recently Viewed Listings and Recent Searches. A simplified location selection in Search mode and a more prominent Search button on the search screen are also now available. A new Viewed indicator on the list and map views displays once a user has looked at a Listing Detail Page, while an “in-page” send and share option have been added to the iPhone iOS 4.0 search experience.

The free Realtor.com Real Estate iPad app is compatible with iPad iOS 4.0 or higher and can be downloaded at itunes.apple.com/us/app/real-estate-search/id336698281?mt=8# or by going to http://www.realtor.com/mobile/iPad. Additional photos and short videos on key features can be found at: http://www.realtor.com/mobile

ABOUT MOVE, INC.

Move, Inc. (Nasdaq: MOVE) is the leader in online real estate with 14.5 (2) million monthly visitors to its online network of web sites. Move, Inc. operates: Move.com, a leading destination for information on new homes and rental listings, moving, home and garden and home finance; Realtor.com(R), the official web site of the National Association of Realtors(R); Moving.com; SeniorHousingNet; Top Producer Systems, and ListHub. Move, Inc. is based in Campbell, California.

ABOUT REALTOR.COM®

Realtor.com®, where the world shops for real estate online, is operated by Move, Inc., (NASDAQ: MOVE) and is the official web site of the National Association of Realtors®. Ranked as the #1 homes-for-sale site, Realtor.com® currently offers potential home buyers access to over four million property listings, as well as the most brokers and agents. It also provides Realtors® and the home sellers they represent with the Internet’s largest real estate marketplace, reaching more than 12.7 (2) million consumers in March 2011. Agents and companies have the power to customize Realtor.com® resources to maximize their brand and productivity.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including information about management’s view of Move’s future expectations, plans and prospects, within the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of Move, its subsidiaries, divisions and concepts to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These risk factors and others are included from time to time in documents Move files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, its Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Move’s future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Move cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Move expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Mortgage rates continued to rise this week, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising to 5.08 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.41 discount and origination points.

To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages/.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage inched to 4.27 percent, and the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate moved up to 5.57 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were slightly lower this week with the average 5-year ARM slipping to 3.87 percent and the 7-year ARM dropping to 4.21 percent.

Mortgage rates moved higher, but not very much, as investors looked past global concerns and took in a better-than-expected jobs report. The employment news validated other improving economic data and interest rates moved higher in response. Mortgage rates are closely related to yields on long-term government bonds. Even though mortgage rates have increased in each of the past three weeks, they’ve remained in a narrow range since late February, owing to a tug-of-war between better economic news and worries about rising oil prices and overseas events that could upend the economic recovery.

The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was Nov. 2008. At the time, the average 30-year fixed rate was 6.33 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 5.08 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,083.44, a difference of $158 per month for anyone refinancing now.

Survey Results 

30-year fixed: 5.08% — up from 5.01% last week (avg. points: 0.41)

15-year fixed: 4.27% — up from 4.25% last week (avg. points: 0.43)

5/1 ARM: 3.87% — down from 3.89% last week (avg. points: 0.42)

Bankrate’s national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.

For a full analysis of this week’s move in mortgage rates, go to http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/mortgages-follow-food-and-gas-prices-up.aspx?ic_id=tsLgpic1

The survey is complemented by Bankrate’s weekly Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next seven days. More than half of the panelists, 56 percent, predict rates to increase further. Of the remaining panelists, 38 percent think that rates will remain more or less unchanged and the remaining 6 percent forecast a decline in mortgage rates over the next seven days.

For the full mortgage Rate Trend Index, go to http://www.bankrate.com/RTI.

About Bankrate, Inc.

The Bankrate network of companies includes Bankrate.com, Interest.com, Mortgage-calc.com, Nationwide Card Services, Fee Disclosure, InsureMe, CreditCardGuide.com, Bankaholic, CreditCards.com and NetQuote.  Each of these businesses helps consumers to make informed decisions about their personal finance matters. The company’s flagship brand, Bankrate.com is a destination site of personal finance channels, including banking, investing, taxes, debt management and college finance. Bankrate.com is the leading aggregator of rates and other information on more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used auto loans, money market accounts and CDs, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Bankrate.com reviews more than 4,800 financial institutions in 575 markets in 50 states. Bankrate.com provides financial applications and information to a network of more than 75 partners, including Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO), America Online (NYSE: AOL), The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times (NYSE: NYT). Bankrate.com’s information is also distributed through more than 500 newspapers.  Bankrate, Inc. was acquired by Apax Partners, one of the world’s leading private equity investment groups, in September 2009.  Apax operates across the United States, Europe and Asia and has more than 30 years of investing experience. For more information on Apax, visit: www.Apax.com.

NEW YORK  (Profitable.com)  Mortgage rates increased again this week, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising to 5.01 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.41 discount and origination points.

To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages/.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage jumped to 4.25 percent, and the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate moved up to 5.55 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were higher, as well, with the average 5-year ARM climbing to 3.89 percent and the 7-year ARM rising to 4.23 percent.

Mortgage rates climbed as worries eased over recent global events and investors returned to a risk-taking mindset, whether corporate mergers and acquisitions or individual investors moving money from cash to stocks. While the same global events persist – Japan’s nuclear crisis, Europe’s debt issues, and conflict in Libya – there was less worry about possible downside to the economy, and mortgage rates notched higher. Mortgage rates are closely related to yields on long-term government bonds, a frequent safe haven when investors’ nerves are frayed.

The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was Nov. 2008. At the time, the average 30-year fixed rate was 6.33 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 5.01 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,074.87, a difference of $167 per month for anyone refinancing now.

SURVEY RESULTS

30-year fixed: 5.01 % — up from 4.96% last week (avg. points: 0.41)

15-year fixed: 4.25% — up from 4.16% last week (avg. points: 0.41)

5/1 ARM: 3.89% — up from 3.78% last week (avg. points: 0.40)

Bankrate’s national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.

For a full analysis of this week’s move in mortgage rates, go to http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/spring-fever-sends-mortgage-thermometer-up.aspx?ic_id=tsThumb1.

The survey is complemented by Bankrate’s weekly Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next seven days. More than half of the panelists, 59 percent, predict rates to increase further. Of the remaining panelists, 35 percent think that rates will remain more or less unchanged and the remaining 6 percent forecast a decline in mortgage rates over the next seven days.

For the full mortgage Rate Trend Index, go to http://www.bankrate.com/RTI.

About Bankrate, Inc.

The Bankrate network of companies includes Bankrate.com, Interest.com, Mortgage-calc.com, Nationwide Card Services, Fee Disclosure, InsureMe CreditCardGuide.com, Bankaholic, CreditCards.com and NetQuote.  Each of these businesses helps consumers to make informed decisions about their personal finance matters. The company’s flagship brand, Bankrate.com is a destination site of personal finance channels, including banking, investing, taxes, debt management and college finance. Bankrate.com is the leading aggregator of rates and other information on more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used auto loans, money market accounts and CDs, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Bankrate.com reviews more than 4,800 financial institutions in 575 markets in 50 states. Bankrate.com provides financial applications and information to a network of more than 75 partners, including Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO), America Online (NYSE: AOL), The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times (NYSE: NYT). Bankrate.com’s information is also distributed through more than 500 newspapers.  Bankrate, Inc. was acquired by Apax Partners, one of the world’s leading private equity investment groups, in September 2009.  Apax operates across the United States, Europe and Asia and has more than 30 years of investing experience. For more information on Apax, visit: www.Apax.com.

For more information contact:
Kayleen Yates
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
kyates@bankrate.com
(917) 368-8677

CHICAGO  (Profitable.com)  What price could you sell your home for? That number means everything to homeowners, whether they are considering selling, or calibrating a remodeling budget. ForSaleByOwner.com now offers a new pricing tool that enables homeowners to fine-tune pricing factors to get the closest possible apples-to-apples comparison when pricing their home.  

The ForSaleByOwner.com Real-Time Home Value Estimator gives homeowners a way to draw on the same sources used by licensed appraisers, for $40 — a tenth of the cost of a full appraisal. The Real-Time Home Value Estimator is distinct from other options available to consumers because it includes data about houses currently under contract, as well as data about recently sold homes. Homeowners need both types of data to correctly price their homes in today’s volatile housing market.  Other automated valuation tools rely only on publicly recorded data, which quickly becomes outdated and leaves homeowners without essential pricing comparisons. With the ForSaleByOwner.com Real-Time Home Value Estimator, consumers will no longer be vulnerable to ‘comparable market valuations,’ which are geared to reel in listings by real estate agents.

“Traditionally, estimating market value is an art, but our new Real-Time Home Value Estimator tool gets as close to science as possible,” said Eddie Tyner, general manager of ForSaleByOwner.com. “For only $40, homeowners can get the information they need to decide if they can afford to sell, and if so, for how much. This is also a powerful tool for buyers, who can quickly get a valuation snapshot that position them to make a strong offer likely to be accepted.”

The ForSaleByOwner.com Real-Time Home Value Estimator puts all the tools used by professionals to estimate market value into consumers’ hands.  Key elements of the Real-Time Home Value  Estimator include:

• The tool presents only the most relevant comparable properties
• Customers can eliminate foreclosures and distress sales from the equation
• For many major markets, ‘pending sale’ data from local multiple listing services is included – the most relevant data for estimating current value
• Customers can adjust value according to ‘soft factors’ such as neighborhood popularity, quality of school district, and property amenities highly valued by locals
• The estimator provides graphs that illustrate the relationship between asking price and selling time  

The ForSaleByOwner.com Real-Time Home Value Estimator is available to all consumers at http://www.forsalebyowner.com/pricing_report.

About ForSaleByOwner.com

ForSaleByOwner.com is the nation’s largest and most robust “by owner” real estate website. In 2010 alone, ForSaleByOwner.com facilitated sales of $1.8 billion worth of residential real estate, enabling homeowners to keep at least $72 million* in home equity for themselves.  

Since 1999, ForSaleByOwner.com has saved home sellers more than one billion dollars by coaching and equipping them with information, tools and services that enable them to buy and sell houses directly.

By selling directly, homeowners can recoup more of their home equity by controlling transaction fees. The company charges $89 to $689 for its wide range of advertising, listing services and related information and tools. A homeowner selling a $300,000 home through a full service real estate agent would lose $18,000 in equity, based on the traditional 6% commission.

ForSaleByOwner.com was acquired in 2006 by Tribune Digital, a division of Tribune Companies, and is based in Chicago.

*Based on some home sellers paying a 2% commission to the agent representing the buyers of their homes. The traditional real estate commission is 6%.

CHICAGO  (Profitable.com)  For the first time in years, the apartment rental market is beginning to experience signs of recovery as the U.S. economy slowly begins to strengthen. Reuters reported the rental vacancy rate fell to 9.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010 from 10.3 percent in the July-September period—the lowest since the second quarter of 2007. Witten Advisors predicts rents will increase 4.5 percent in 2011 as operators become aggressive in raising rents with little fear of losing customers to other housing options. In response to this news, Apartments.com conducted a national survey to more than 1,800 of its January website visitors to find out about their 2011 moving plans, including reasons they are moving, when they plan to move and which tools they value most during their apartment search.

Socioeconomic factors are often the leading indicator of growth in the housing industry. Apartments.com survey results revealed nearly three times the number of respondents—or 28.8 percent—are looking to move to relocate for employment opportunities in January 2011 compared to 10.4 percent from the previous year, further corroborating news of an improving rental market in 2011. Other key findings from the survey demonstrated many renters are starting their apartment search earlier in the year, a large volume of current homeowners and first-time renters are entering the market and having access to accurate apartment information is paramount when looking for a new place to live.

The primary factor fueling moves for survey respondents are new job opportunities. However, the desire to have more space, affordability and living in a safe neighborhood also topped the list. Apartments.com provides the five most popular responses on why their website visitors are moving in 2011:

1. Relocating for employment opportunities: (28.8%)
2. Looking for a bigger apartment: (13.3%)
3. Shopping for a less expensive apartment: (9.7%)
4. Rent increase: (6.7%)
5. Wanting to live in a safer neighborhood: (5.7%)

A significant number of respondents indicated they are apartment shopping now for a move that will not take place until much later in the year. According to the survey, nearly 20 percent of respondents are starting their apartment search three to four months in advance and nearly a quarter are looking as early as five months to more than a year out.

“It’s a good idea to lock into a lease right now,” states Chris Brown, vice president of product management, Apartments.com. “Many management companies have announced rent increases and we’re starting to see this reflected in the rents advertised on our site. As vacancy rates continue to drop and the rental market improves, we expect to see the upward trend grow. Deals can still be had, but they’re getting harder to find. Use the tools available online to search for apartments by rent ranges that work with your budget.”

Supporting a growing trend in the industry, more than 20 percent of respondents looking for an apartment this year said they are current homeowners. From these survey respondents who said they are current homeowners, 32 percent are also first-time renters, indicating a significant number of current homeowners and new renters are turning toward the rental market in 2011.

Survey respondents who are former homeowners also said they are renting this year because it affords them a lifestyle they prefer, including flexibility to relocate for employment opportunities and to live where they choose.

Apartments.com visitors want access to accurate apartment information and the option to tailor their searches by price and location when looking for a new place. According to the survey, 64 percent of respondents said being able to check real time availability of a specific apartment matters most and 72.2 percent said the two most popular ways they prefer to search for an apartment is by the “cost of rent” or “location.”

It is also clear that renters are tapping multiple resources to find their next apartment. While 81 percent of Apartments.com visitors surveyed said they are using an Internet Listing Service (ILS) during their apartment search, they are also utilizing popular search engines, listening to recommendations from others and reading their local newspapers. Only five percent said they are using social media websites during their search. Renters ranked their top apartment shopping tools as follows:

1. Internet Listing Service (e.g. Apartments.com, Rent.com and MyNewPlace.com): (80.9%)
2. Online apartment classified listing websites (e.g. Craigslist and Oodle):(46.2%)
3. Search engines: (38.4%)
4. Word of mouth: (31.1%)
5. Local newspaper: (27.1%)

Renters also want instant access to information on the go. According to the survey, 80 percent of respondents indicated they use a mobile device during their apartment search. Nearly half of these respondents said they use a smart phone or device including iPhone®, iPad®, Android or Blackberry® during their apartment hunt. Apartments.com answers the needs of on-the-go renters by offering a mobile version of the website and an app for iPhone and iTouch users. Apartments.com also offers a “Send2Phone” feature where renters can send information about an apartment listing from the Apartments.com website to their mobile phones as a text message.

To ensure no important details are missed before moving into their new apartment, ready-to-rent apartment shoppers are encouraged to check out the moving checklist (http://living.apartments.com/moving-checklist/)on the “Apartment Living” section of Apartments.com.  

As part of its monthly “What Renters Want” research series, Apartments.com surveys renters on various topics. For more information on these surveys or to receive a copy of the results, please contact Tammy Kotula at tkotula@apartments.com.

All trademarks are property of their respective owners.

About Apartments.com

Apartments.com (http://www.apartments.com) is a leading national apartment Internet listing subscription service with more than 50,000 unique addresses representing millions of rental units from managed properties, newspaper classifieds and for-rent-by-owner properties. By incorporating the most relevant products to reach renters including personalized searches and highly visual ads featuring live chat, real-time rent, online video walk-through demonstrations, professional photography, a mobile website and iPhone app, Apartments.com creates easy access to its listings. Providing unmatched exposure to its advertisers through an intuitive name, strategic search engine placements, featured partnerships including Zillow, Yahoo! Real Estate, Univision and more than 120 newspaper websites and innovative emerging media, Apartments.com reaches millions of renters nationwide, driving both qualified traffic and highly-engaged renters to leasing offices nationwide. Apartments.com is a division of Chicago-based Classified Ventures, LLC. The Apartments.com network of apartment rental websites includes Apartment Home Living (http://www.apartmenthomeliving.com), a leading social media apartment website distinguished by a “live for fun” community experience, proprietary lifestyle matching and local living guides to help renters find their perfect place to live.

CAMPBELL, Calif.  (Profitable.com)  Four years after widespread subprime mortgage defaults touched off an international financial crisis, getting a mortgage today is so difficult two out of three Americans (70.6%) believe access to affordable mortgages is a serious problem, according to a national survey released today by MortgageMatch.com.  

The survey also found that understanding the mortgage process and coping with lenders’ requirements are the most challenging aspects of getting a mortgage today.  In fact, survey respondents ranked it more challenging (32.3%) than getting the mortgage itself (23%) or negotiating the sale price on the home (25.3%). In addition, three out of four (79%) recent homebuyers, especially those earning $50,000 a year or more, report getting a mortgage was as, or more, difficult than they expected.

According to the MortgageMatch.com survey, today’s lending environment is so confusing many borrowers are experiencing high levels of stress and frustration accompanied by the potential for distrust.  One in five recent homebuyers (20.9%) said waiting to hear if they were approved for a mortgage was more stressful than waiting to hear if they got a job. One in ten borrowers (10.8%) report their lender gave them a higher interest rate than what they were originally quoted, and 9.1 percent said their lender asked for seemingly inappropriate information. Almost twice as many female buyers (11.7%) as male buyers (6.4%) said they were asked for inappropriate information.

Adding to the confusion, nearly one-quarter (22.9%) said applying for a mortgage was challenging because documentation requirements from their lender kept changing.  One in five borrowers (21.6%) said their lender used too much technical jargon, and 20.7% said finding a lender that was easy to work with was challenging.  Borrowers considered these particular problems more challenging than the amount of time it took to fund a loan (19.1%) or problems they experienced in qualifying due to their credit rating (6.9%).

In spite of frustrations and confusion, many recent buyers that participated in the MortgageMatch.com survey said they successfully secured loans and purchased homes in the past three years.  Most were highly qualified buyers, with just over half (54.6%) reporting they had FICO scores exceeding 700.  More than two-thirds (67.7%) of the survey respondents that successfully took out a mortgage said they were able to put down less than 20 percent of the purchase price.

“Over the past few years, a lot of buyers have had a hard time not only getting a loan but getting through the process,” said Sue Stewart, senior vice president at Move, Inc., (Nasdaq: MOVE), operator of MortgageMatch.com.  ”This survey is a wakeup call and clearly points to the fact that borrowers want a process that’s easy to understand and follow.  They don’t want surprises and they want to be able to depend on their mortgage lender.  For most people, the home buying process isn’t about the mortgage – it’s about getting a home.”

Stewart points out that the survey found strong evidence confirming first-time buyers will continue to be an important group in the next 36 months.  According to the survey, three out of five (58.4%) Americans planning to purchase a home in the next three years identify themselves as first-time buyers, significantly higher than the current market share of 33 percent (1), and a twenty-one (21%) increase from a Move, Inc., survey taken in October, 2009 (2).  At the same time, the MortgageMatch.com survey found first-time home buyers are significantly more concerned than other buyers about the problems they face in getting a mortgage today by almost 13 percent. First-time buyers (25.7%) also said waiting to hear if their mortgage was approved would be more stressful than waiting to hear if they got a job.

“First-time buyers are critical to the recovery of our real estate economy and the future of homeownership,” Stewart said.  ”They’re also the group most susceptible to interest rate bait and switch tactics that could cost an extra $43,559 dollars over the life of a loan for a $220,000 home (3). That’s significant, and can be avoided if you have access to the right information and an easy to understand lending process similar to what we provide at MortgageMatch.com.”  

Public concern today over mortgage financing also extends to public policy in 2011, but support for direct government intervention has softened since the height of the credit crisis in 2008 (4).  Americans today say President Obama’s top priorities to help homeowners in 2011 should be to help those in trouble avoid foreclosure (27%) and to keep interest rates low (27.9%), down 3.5 percent from October 2009 (5).  Only 12.9 percent feel the President’s top priority to help homeowners should be to make more affordable housing credit available, while 11.4% identified helping first-time homebuyers buy as a top priority today as compared to 10.4 percent in October 2009.

Stewart said, “By offering real loans with real rates and real terms up front, sites like MortgageMatch.com can make vital contributions to the housing recovery by creating relationships with borrowers built upon transparency and trust.  MortgageMatch.com is here to help buyers avoid the traditional pitfalls through a transparent, fast and realistic process.”

About the MortgageMatch.com Survey

This survey is based on interviews conducted January 7 through 9 and 14 through 16, 2011 from two samples for each week’s OmniTel survey conducted by GfK Custom Research North America.  Waves consisted of 1,000 completed interviews each, and were made up of male and female adults (in approximately equal number).  All survey participants were 18 years of age and over. The margin of error on weighted data is +/- 3%. OmniTel is a weekly national telephone omnibus service of GfK Custom Research North America. The raw data are weighted by a custom designed computer program, which automatically develops a weighting factor for each respondent. This procedure employs five variables: age, sex, education, race and geographic region. Each interview is assigned a single weight derived from the relationship between the actual proportion of the population with its specific combination of age, sex, education, race and geographic characteristics and the proportion in our sample that week. Tabular results show both weighted and unweighted bases for these demographic variables.

MortgageMatch.com  was developed to give first-time buyers and refinancing owners the tools they need to find and prequalify for the right loan in as little as 10 minutes.  MortgageMatch.com leverages the first online consumer-facing decision and pricing engine designed specifically to empower buyers to explore their mortgage options in real time with real loan products backed by real rates using a multitude of scenarios that reflect their situation.

ABOUT MORTGAGEMATCH.COM

MortgageMatch.com is operated by Move, Inc. (Nasdaq: MOVE).  Through a partnership with a national mortgage banker (d/b/a Mortgage Match), a variety of quality loan products are offered to home buyers interested in financing the purchase of a property or current homeowners interested in refinancing their current mortgage.  Consumers can access such products at www.mortgagematch.com.

ABOUT MOVE, INC.

Move, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOVE) is the leader in online real estate with 12.1 million (6) monthly visitors to its online network of websites. Move, Inc. operates: Move.com, a leading destination for information on new homes and rental listings, moving, home and garden and home finance; REALTOR.com®, the official website of the National Association of REALTORS®; MortgageMatch.com, Moving.com; SeniorHousingNet; ListHub; and TOP PRODUCER Systems. Move, Inc. is based in Campbell, California.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including information about management’s view of Move’s future expectations, plans and prospects, within the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of Move, its subsidiaries, divisions and concepts to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These risk factors and others are included from time to time in documents Move files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, its Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Move’s future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Move cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Move expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

(1)  December 2010 Existing Home Sales Release, National Association of Realtors.

(2)  Survey on Homeownership Issues by GfK Custom Research North America, October 10-11, 2008.

(3)  30 yr fix rate, $198,000 purchase price at 5%, 10% down payment = $1124.22 principal / interest monthly payment vs 4.5% rate with payment of $1003,23 monthly payment

(4)  Move, Inc., GfK Survey Results – 70.6% Jan 2011 vs 81.6 percent Oct 2008

(5)  Home Buyer/Foreclosure Study by GfK Custom, Research North America, October 16-18, 2009.

(6)  comScore Media Metrix, December 2010.

WASHINGTON  (Profitable.com)  As soon as they hit the market, foreclosed homes of all sizes and prices are quickly snapped up by buyers because of their irresistible deals. In today’s flat real estate market, buyers can purchase move-in ready homes at significantly reduced prices. Hudson & Marshall will auction nearly 200 banked-owned homes January 25th-29th in the Washington, DC area, Baltimore, Richmond and Norfolk.

“Over the past few years, due to the economic downturn, Hudson & Marshall has seen more move-in ready foreclosures hitting the real estate market. These homes are particularly popular with first-time homebuyers or buyers looking to trade up for a larger home because of their pricing,” said Dave Webb, principal, Hudson & Marshall.

The National Association of Realtors found foreclosures accounted for two-thirds of the distressed sales and sold at an average discount of 15% in November 2010. NAR also reported short sales were discounted 10% in comparison with traditional home sales.

All properties auctioned by Hudson & Marshall come with an insurable title and are sold “as-is,” and buyers should inspect properties before placing any bids. For homes being auctioned in DC, Maryland and Virginia, buyers will be required to make a cash or certified check deposit of $2,500 for each property for which they are the winning bidder.

Homes may be viewed during the open house scheduled January 22nd and January 23rd  from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. or by contacting listing agents to schedule appointments. Complete property details and additional information may be found at  www.hudsonandmarshall.com or by calling 866-539-4172.

Hudson & Marshall will auction the homes on the following dates:

January 25th–Norfolk  (52 homes)-7:00 p.m.-Norfolk Marriott Chesapeake

January 26th–Richmond (35 homes)-7:00 p.m.-Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Innsbrook

January 27th–Baltimore (34 homes)-7:00 p.m.-Holiday Inn BWI International Airport

January 29th-Washington, DC area (60 homes)-11:00 a.m.-Sheraton Premiere Tysons Corner

Prior to auction, buyers can purchase property online by visiting the website and clicking on the Bid-Now icon. Sellers typically respond to offers within 24 hours. This is a reserve auction, which means sellers have the right to accept, reject or counter any bid; however, in past auctions conducted by Hudson & Marshall, the majority of offers have been accepted. Having sold over 80,000 homes for sellers in the past ten years, Hudson & Marshall, Inc. is the most experienced, trusted leader in the REO auction industry. The company’s accelerated sales process enables it to swiftly and efficiently sell large volumes of property in a way that minimizes expenses for sellers and maximizes return. Over the past five years alone, Hudson & Marshall’s total sales have topped $3.5 billion and the company anticipates selling another 15,000 homes in 2011.

About Hudson & Marshall of Texas, Inc.

H&M is America’s Premier Auction Authority. Our 45-year history combined with our continued process enhancements have allowed us to become one of the largest and most respected real estate auction firms in the United States. H&M has set the standard as a full service auction company and continues to consistently raise the bar for our industry. Our number one priority is to provide top-quality service to our customers. Buyers know they can count on H&M to provide value and service from the initial property offering through the closing process. This same approach provides sellers with a one stop single solution to the disposition of real estate assets. Sellers particularly appreciate H&M’s streamlined approach that handles their assets from marketing through closing and funding. The H&M process allows the seller to minimize expenses and maximize return. H&M has assisted clients ranging from individuals to large, medium, and small corporations, government agencies, and financial institutions. Since 1999, H&M has sold and closed over 80,000 homes throughout the country. See more about H&M at www.hudsonandmarshall.com.

Mortgage rates continue to yo-yo up and down, with the average rate on the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling back to 4.94 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.42 discount and origination points.

To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages/.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage retreated to 4.32 percent, while the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate settled at 5.59 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were mostly lower, with the average 3-year ARM sinking to 3.9 percent and the 5-year ARM dipping to 3.99 percent.  

After a sharp run-up in mortgage rates that started in early November, mortgage rates have spent the past month bouncing back-and-forth over the 5 percent mark. While mortgage rates stayed range-bound through the holiday season, the tone of economic data has been decidedly better and a looming jobs report could push mortgage rates higher if it shows evidence of increased hiring. Mortgage rates are closely related to yields on long-term government bonds, which rise along with the fortunes of the economy.

The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was Nov. 2008. At that time, the average rate was 6.33 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 4.94 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,066.32, a savings of $175 per month for a homeowner refinancing now.

Survey Results

30-year fixed: 4.94% — down from 5.02% last week (avg. points: 0.42)

15-year fixed: 4.32% — down from 4.39% last week (avg. points: 0.41)

5/1 ARM: 3.99% — down from 4.00% last week (avg. points: 0.44)

Bankrate’s national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.

For a full analysis of this week’s move in mortgage rates, go to http://www.bankrate.com.

The survey is complemented by Bankrate’s weekly Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next seven days. Half of the panelists predict mortgage rates will climb over the coming week. The others are split, with 31 percent expecting mortgage rates to remain more or less unchanged and the remaining 19 percent forecasting a retreat in mortgage rates over the next seven days.

For the full mortgage Rate Trend Index, go to http://www.bankrate.com/RTI.

About Bankrate, Inc.

The Bankrate network of companies includes Bankrate.com, Interest.com, Mortgage-calc.com, Nationwide Card Services, Savingforcollege.com, Fee Disclosure, InsureMe CreditCardGuide.com, Bankaholic, CreditCards.com and NetQuote.  Each of these businesses helps consumers to make informed decisions about their personal finance matters. The company’s flagship brand, Bankrate.com is a destination site of personal finance channels, including banking, investing, taxes, debt management and college finance. Bankrate.com is the leading aggregator of rates and other information on more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used auto loans, money market accounts and CDs, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Bankrate.com reviews more than 4,800 financial institutions in 575 markets in 50 states. Bankrate.com provides financial applications and information to a network of more than 75 partners, including Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO), America Online (NYSE: AOL), The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times (NYSE: NYT). Bankrate.com’s information is also distributed through more than 500 newspapers.  Bankrate, Inc. was acquired by Apax Partners, one of the world’s leading private equity investment groups, in September 2009.  Apax operates across the United States, Europe and Asia and has more than 30 years of investing experience. For more information on Apax, visit: www.Apax.com.

NEW YORK  (Profitable.com)  Mortgage rates climbed higher this week, with the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rising to 5.02 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.44 discount and origination points.

To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages/.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage increased to 4.39 percent and the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate rose to 5.64 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages also went up, with the average 5-year ARM rising to 4 percent and the average 7-year ARM reaching 4.43 percent.

The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was Nov. 2008. At that time, the average rate was 6.33 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 5.02 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,076.09, a savings of $166 per month for a homeowner refinancing now.

SURVEY RESULTS

30-year fixed: 5.02% — up from 4.96% last week (avg. points: 0.44)

15-year fixed: 4.39% — up from 4.29% last week (avg. points: 0.4)

5/1 ARM: 4.00% — up from 3.92% last week (avg. points: 0.45)

Bankrate’s national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.

For a full analysis of this week’s move in mortgage rates, go to http://www.bankrate.com.

The survey is complemented by Bankrate’s weekly Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next seven days. More than half of the panelists, 55 percent, believe mortgage rates will continue to rise.  27 percent expect mortgage rates to remain more or less unchanged while the remaining 18 percent think rates will decline over the next seven days.

For the full mortgage Rate Trend Index, go to http://www.bankrate.com/RTI.

About Bankrate, Inc.

The Bankrate network of companies includes Bankrate.com, Interest.com, Mortgage-calc.com, Nationwide Card Services, Savingforcollege.com, Fee Disclosure, InsureMe CreditCardGuide.com, Bankaholic, CreditCards.com and NetQuote.  Each of these businesses helps consumers to make informed decisions about their personal finance matters. The company’s flagship brand, Bankrate.com is a destination site of personal finance channels, including banking, investing, taxes, debt management and college finance. Bankrate.com is the leading aggregator of rates and other information on more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used auto loans, money market accounts and CDs, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Bankrate.com reviews more than 4,800 financial institutions in 575 markets in 50 states. Bankrate.com provides financial applications and information to a network of more than 75 partners, including Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO), America Online (NYSE: AOL), The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times (NYSE: NYT). Bankrate.com’s information is also distributed through more than 500 newspapers.  Bankrate, Inc. was acquired by Apax Partners, one of the world’s leading private equity investment groups, in September 2009.  Apax operates across the United States, Europe and Asia and has more than 30 years of investing experience. For more information on Apax, visit: www.Apax.com.

The November Mortgage Monitor report released by Lender Processing Services, Inc. (NYSE: LPS) shows that the volume of loans moving to REO continued to drop as moratoria further delayed foreclosure sales. While the 90+ delinquency category has steadily declined, the number of loans moving to seriously delinquent status beyond 90 days far outpaced the number of foreclosure starts.  Nearly 2.2 million loans are 90 days or more delinquent but not yet in foreclosure.

Foreclosure inventories also continued to rise for the fifth straight month as delinquent accounts are referred for foreclosure, but the sale of foreclosure properties continued to decline. When compared to January 2008 levels, the foreclosure inventory of Jumbo Prime loans is nearly seven times higher; the inventory of Agency Prime loans is nearly six times higher; and the foreclosure inventory of Option ARM loans is approaching five times the inventory in January 2008.

The report also shows that one-third of loans that are 90 days or more delinquent have not made a payment in a year; however, the number of new problem loans declined nearly 5.4 percent from October, which is opposite of the seasonality trend that typically impacts new delinquencies this time of year. Self-cures for loans one to two months delinquent increased in November to a six-month high.

In the month of November, 261,153 loans were referred to foreclosure, which represents a 0.7% month-over-month decline. The total number of delinquent loans is nearly 2.1 times historical averages – and foreclosure inventory is currently at 7.7 times historical averages.

As reported in LPS’ First Look release, other key results from LPS’ latest Mortgage Monitor report include:

Total U.S. loan delinquency rate:  9.02 percent 

Total U.S. foreclosure inventory rate:  4.08 percent

Total U.S. non-current* loan rate:  13.10 percent

States with most non-current* loans:  Florida, Nevada, Mississippi, Georgia, New Jersey

States with fewest non-current* loans:  North Dakota, South Dakota, Alaska, Wyoming, Montana

*Non-current totals combine foreclosures and delinquencies as a percent of active loans in that state.

Note: Totals based on LPS Applied Analytics’ loan-level database of mortgage assets and are extrapolated to represent the industry.

About the Mortgage Monitor

LPS manages the nation’s leading repository of loan-level residential mortgage data and performance information on nearly 40 million loans across the spectrum of credit products. The company’s research experts carefully analyze this data to produce a summary supplemented by dozens of charts and graphs that reflect trend and point-in-time observations for LPS’ monthly Mortgage Monitor Report.

To review the full report, visit http://www.lpsvcs.com/NEWSROOM/INDUSTRYDATA/Pages/default.aspx.

About Lender Processing Services

Lender Processing Services, Inc. (LPS) is a leading provider of integrated technology, services and mortgage performance data and analytics, to the mortgage and real estate industries. LPS offers solutions that span the mortgage continuum, including lead generation, origination, servicing, workflow automation (Desktop), portfolio retention and default, augmented by the company’s award-winning customer support and professional services. Approximately 50 percent of all U.S. mortgages by dollar volume are serviced using LPS’ Mortgage Servicing Package (MSP). LPS also offers proprietary mortgage and real estate data and analytics for the mortgage and capital markets industries. For more information about LPS, visit www.lpsvcs.com.