All Articles Tagged "real estate"
Housing Headaches: The Cities With The Most Foreclosures
Foreclosures are still a major problem in the United States. In fact, as Business Insider reports, foreclosure data from RealtyTrac shows that one in every 905 U.S. homes received a foreclosure filing in April. While these numbers have dropped significantly—23 percent from a year ago—there are pockets of America that continue to get hit hard with foreclosures.
Business Insider listed the 14 metro areas with the highest foreclosure rate.
On the list were such cities as Chicago-Naperville-Joliet and Myrtle Beach, Florida. Ohio made a few appearances on the list as well, including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo and Akron. In that last city, one in every 211 homes received a foreclosure filing in April 2013. There are currently 1,481 properties in foreclosure. This represents a 97.99 percent increase from March and an 146.83 percent boost from last year. In Columbia, SC, 1 in every 415 homes received a foreclosure filing in April 2013. Some 789 properties had foreclosure filings. This marked a whopping 210.63 percent increase from March and an 189.01 percent boost from April 2012.
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach also made the list. In April 1 in every 269 homes received a foreclosure filing. The total properties in the area with foreclose filings were 9,127. Here, there was a drop—17.61 percent–from March but 1.06 percent increase from the previous year.
The crisis is pronounced across the board, with the impact hitting the level of wealth among African Americans particularly hard. The level of homeownership in this country has hit the lowest point since 1995, according to Reuters, to 65.2 percent. Among the banks with the most foreclosures, says The Huffington Post, are SunTrust, PNC, and HSBC. HSBC, for instance, has 16,317 homes in foreclosure with 60 percent of them “seriously under water.” That bank reached a $249 million settlement earlier this year after complaints that the bank wrongly foreclosed on tons of homes.
Some Claim The Term “Master Bedroom” Is Sexist And Racist, Some In The Industry Are Dropping The Phrase
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When you hear the term “master bedroom” are you offended? Well, for some it harks back to the horrific days of slavery. For others it smacks of sexism. Because of this many real estate agents are dropping the phrase when showing houses. And builders are no longer using the description. Instead some are calling their larger bedroom the “owner’s suite.”
According to Jezebel, a recent survey of 10 major builders in the Washington D.C. area found that when the word “master” immediately precedes the word “bedroom” is loaded with racist and gender-biased connotations.
The Baltimore Journal released a recent report that noted that “master bedroom” is falling out of favor with the next generation of home builders. The word “master has connotation problems, in gender (it skews toward male) and race (the slave-master),” writes the Journal’s Michael Neibauer.
The Journal polled home builders and all “expressed their desire to distance themselves from the troubling origins of ‘master bedroom,’ ” reports Jezebel.
But “owner’s suite” hasn’t become the norm—yet. “The terminology has more of an upscale tone to it, particularly in some of the really large homes that truly have a large bedroom, sitting area, enormous walk-in closets, and lavish bathrooms,” Brian Block, managing broker for McLean, Va.-based RE/Max Allegiance, said in an email to the Journal.
Do you agree, or do you think it is political correctness gone amok?
From Radio To Real Estate: Egypt Sherrod Talks To MN About Taking On Atlanta
Egypt Sherrod, host of “Property Virgins,” broadcaster, and philanthropist
Egypt Sherrod’s voice has become a staple in urban radio. The award-winning broadcaster has hosted shows in top media markets like New York’s 105.1, 100.3 The Beat in Philadelphia, 92Q in Baltimore, and now V103 in Atlanta, in addition to serving as a pop culture pundit on television shows like Access Hollywood. But, you may be surprised to discover her empire includes a successful career in real estate and a charity helping families in her new hometown.
Despite her success in New York City, Egypt felt a pull to relocate from the bustling metropolis to a city with a style all it’s own, Atlanta. The move allowed her to grow her brand to reflect her many passions in life. In addition to taking over hosting duties for HGTV’s Property Virgins, she launched her charity, Egypt Cares Family Foundation.
I caught up with Egypt to discuss how she is navigating the changes in her life, and the variety of ways she promotes her special brand of female and financial empowerment.
MadameNoire: You recently relocated to Atlanta. How did the move impact your career?
Egypt: The move to Atlanta marked the opening of a new chapter in my career. My 12 years on New York radio and television were great for me but I felt like I needed to GO so I could continue to GROW. Atlanta is a different city with a pulse of its own and I was just ready to see new people, places and things. So, currently I’m on V103 in Atlanta & filming season 10 of Property Virgins here.
Madame Noire: How did the opportunity to do Property Virgins come about? How does it complement your brand?
Egypt Sherrod: I’ve always been an HGTV fanatic. As a licensed real estate agent and someone who genuinely has a passion for the industry, I was truly drawn to watching Property Virgins even with its former host. So imagine my surprise when a casting director contacted me because he remembered me from a previous audition and thought that with my real estate expertise I would be a perfect match as the new host of Property Virgins.
MN: When did you become a licensed realtor? What made you want to get involved in that industry?
ES: I’ve been licensed for about eight years. I started out as a real estate investor in my 20′s flipping properties for profit. Then I got wise to the game and figured out if I could become a licensed agent I could keep that commission in my pocket. I got bit by the real estate bug in the process.
MN: Are you an active realtor? How do you juggle running your own business in the midst of everything else you have going on?
ES: Yes my license is active, and my real estate business partner and I still do a number of deals annually. In addition to being involved in residential transactions as part of a successful real estate team doing direct deals, because I speak to millions of viewers nationwide each week by way of my show, we also refer out quite a bit of business to a network of agents across the country. There aren’t enough hours in a day, but by having a great partner and an awesome support staff, we make it work!
For some people the definition of success is attaining a lot of material things. For others it’s fame or fortune. For me, success means being fulfilled and leading a balanced life. I feel that I have truly been blessed in all areas of my life and the only true thing to do is to give back. I compare it to tithing, but I’m tithing of my time, spirit and knowledge.
Starting Out, Getting Paid: 10 High-Paying Entry-Level Jobs To Consider
For all you college-graduates and career-changers out there, I feel your pain. You mostly likely have finished your four-year education enlightened and in a world of debt, thinking that your prospects for employment in your field are highly unlikely. You might be thinking that it’s too late for you and that you’re too under-/overqualified to switch careers and start anew. It may take you longer than anticipated to find your dream job, but that does not mean that your chances to find an entry-level job are weak.
There are entry-level jobs to get your professional life started and to gain priceless experience, while you plan for future. Some of those popular jobs include being a pharmaceutical sales representative and working in software development. You may think that because you don’t have experience in these areas, that you are doomed. Well, think again! You’re about to discover a list of 10 fabulous entry-level jobs that pay well and require very little experience to start.
Make That Money, Honey: Melyssa Ford Is Taking On Real Estate!
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These are the times we need to applaud the video vixens.
Former video vixen Melyssa Ford, who has long since turned in her video attire, recently joined a major real estate company. According to Allhiphop.com, Ford has joined Blu Realty Group, a full-service luxury real estate company in Nww York. She’s joining the team as a real estate broker so you know she’s going to use her contacts in the entertainment world to bring big dollars to the company.
Blu Realty is a very serious player in the real estate industry. Owned by Chadad and Moshe Balalo, Blu Realty closed over $100 million in property sales last year. That’s huge for a somewhat small company.
Ford, who has a degree in Forensic Psychology, took an intense three month class at Blu Realty which included training from a real estate teacher and mentoring from the owners.
Chadad Balalo is very eager to get started:
“We are extremely excited to have Melyssa on board with Blu Realty. Ms. Ford will add a high net worth clientele base to our already diverse client list in New York.”
Ford has actually already help them close a $15 million deal in New York. It looks like she is ready to take this new career by storm!
Do you have any side hustles? Have you switched careers completely to possibly fulfill a new passion?
Have Some Spare Millions? Buy A Private Island Like Tyler Perry
PatrickMcMullan.com via AP Images
Being a celebrity has its downside. Everywhere you go, the public and press follow. That is, unless you have your own private island getaway. That is exactly what several stars have. The Huffington Post recently took a look at the private islands of the rich and famous. Among them were Johnny Depp, Celine Dion, as well as Tyler Perry, who owns a private island in White Bay Cay. Eddie Murphy enjoys his getaway on his own Long Cay in The Bahamas.
Can anyone buy a deserted island? If you have the money. According to Investopedia, if you have $12 million lying around, you could by East Sister Rock, a small island off the coast of the Florida Keys, which is currently for sale.
And, you don’t just get the island. There’s a 5,000-square-foot home, two boat docks and a helicopter pad. A little to steep for your pocketbook? Don’t despair. The price depends on the location. “An island in the Caribbean will likely cost you a minimum of $1 million, but an island in Canada, where lakes and coast lines are plentiful, may only cost one tenth of a tropical location,” reports Investopedia.
If you had the money, would you invest in an island?
Head Women In Charge: Katrina Parris Pinn Tackles Home Life, the Real Estate Industry, and the International Floral Business
Katrina Parris Flowers New York, a high-end floral boutique and gift shop, was founded in 2002 by husband and wife team, Katrina Parris and Mark Pinn. They offer single-order custom floral delivery across NYC, floral service delivery nationwide, via a consortium of like- minded florists who share the same aesthetic and flowers for weddings, large and small events and personal celebrations.
Katrina Parris Flowers New York has been the subject of many articles over the years in publications such as Time Out New York, O The Oprah Magazine and others. It has been named New York magazine’s “Best Bet,” and has been one of CitySearch’s “Top 10″ Florists in New York City three years running.
We had a chance to catch up with Katrina to discuss what prompted her to start a flower business and how she remains organized, motivated and successful.
Somebody Has Plans To Move: Halle Berry Lists Hollywood Home
Source: Shutterstock
From EurWeb
TMZ is reporting that Halle Berry has “very quietly” listed her Hollywood Hills home for $15 million.
The property, where her fiancé Olivier Martinez and baby daddy Gabriel Aubry got into a violent fight on Thanksgiving Day, is described as a 5-bedroom, 5,900 sq. ft. Tuscan-style estate, with a spacious backyard, a 1,400 sq. ft. guest house, a pool, spa, multiple fireplaces and picturesque landscaping.
Read more at EurWeb.com.
Home Sweet Georgia Home? Not For These Stars
Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
This past summer, Georgia ranked number one in the country for foreclosures. In May 2012, Georgia had the highest foreclosure rate in the nation with 300 housing units, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Things may have improved slightly, but a high number of foreclosures still continue in the Peach State, and big-name celebrities were not immune. Access Atlanta reports on all the housing problems of the stars.
On top of her other money troubles, Toni Braxton’s Duluth home was foreclosed on November 12. The home, according to TMZ, had been up for sale for $1.1 million. Nas still owed $507,000 on the $584,000, two-bedroom, three-bathroom Georgia home he bought in 2004. Needless to say, he lost it to foreclosure.
He made millions as the heavyweight boxing champion but even Evander Holyfield couldn’t avoid foreclosure on his $14 million dollar Georgia mansion. And, he will be auctioning off his possessions on November 30.
TLC’s Tionne Watkins-Rolison, aka T-Boz, has brushed close to foreclosure not once but twice. In 2009, she almost last her five-bedroom, 10,000-square foot Georgia home. And again last year she was threatened with foreclosure.
Even if they haven’t faced foreclosure, other stars are having major real estate woes. Usher is trying to get rid of his Roswell mansion, reports TMZ. He wants $3.2 million for the 12,544-square-foot home he purchased in March 2007 for $3 million while married to Tameka Raymond.
In another part of Georgia, Academy Award-winning Precious actress Mo’Nique is trying to get out of her $22,000-a-month lease on her Georgia rental. She is complaining the house smells like dog feces. Yuck. Good luck with that Mo´Nique.
But the million-dollar question is why celebs have so many real estate problems. Is it a case of just having too much property to keep track of? Maybe celebs are real estate novices just like the rest of us and need better advice about how to handle their business? Anyone out there with expertise that can shed a little light on this issue?
That’s How You Keep Her: Naomi’s Married Boyfriend Building Her A Spaceship Mansion
WENN.com
Clearly, neither Naomi, her boyfriend nor his wife are concerned about their arrangement. Those of us who follow celebrity culture are the only ones still scratching our heads about it. Meanwhile, Naomi has just nabbed her third house from her boo.
According to Gizmodo, Naomi’s billionaire boyfriend, Vladislav Doronin, commissioned architect Zaha Hadid to create the spaceship, Jetsons-like mansion for his current lady love. This will be a 28, 524 square foot mansion that will also have two 65 foot towers (presumably, they’ll be bedrooms) that will overlook trees and valleys and all types of greenery. Where’s the house located? Moscow, of course. It should come as no surprise that the mansion is being built overseas; the penthouse he bought her is in Brazil and the “Eye of Horus” mansion he had built for her is in Turkey. I suppose she can buy her own domestic homes.
I don’t think we’ll ever know the true nature of their relationship or Vladislav’s relationship with his wife but he has no problem going to red carpet events with Naomi and openly spending big bucks on her.
Check out more pictures at Gizmodo.
Do you think, if people on the outside looking in had no problems with it, you’d date a married man? Not just any married man; would you date a financially loaded married man?
