Tom Avent Makes Office Move To Guarantee Real Estate

As of January 26th, I am officially working at Guarantee Real Estate, First and Nees office. Formerly a founding associate at Realty Concepts for 15 years, it was a difficult decision to leave a good group of agents, but Guarantee Real Estate offered me a better deal and I took it. My clients will benefit the most, because I will have the best marketing tools available. Guarantee Real estate is a highly respected firm with several offices in sectors of Fresno and other valley communities. The picture above is of the existing office at First and Nees, however in March, we will be moving into a new office, currently under construction at Herndon and Maple in northeast Fresno. I have reserved a private office and I'm extremely happy and excited in my new beginnings at Guarantee Real Estate.

Rules for tax-free profit on home if one spouse dies

Q I am very familiar with IRS rules providing for a tax-free profit of up to $500,000 for couples selling their primary residence -- I do plan on taking advantage of this.

[via San Jose Real Estate -- MercuryNews.com]

Recent fads no longer please home buyers

Nearly three decades ago, hardwood floors were absolutely the rage. They were the first home features highlighted by real estate agents and the most popular standard item builders would include in mid-level construction packages.

[via San Jose Real Estate -- MercuryNews.com]

Real Estate: Hot tips for cooler market

More agents are participating in the weekly marketing meetings of the Fresno Association of Realtors. With 3,100 houses competing for buyers in a slowing market, real estate agents are stepping up sales efforts.

[via FresnoBee.com: Real Estate]

Metro: Clovis parents worry about boundary changes

Parents gathered at Alta Sierra Intermediate School on Thursday with concerns about Clovis Unified School District's plan to redraw high school boundary lines as it prepares to open a new education complex in the northwest portion of the district in 2007.

[via FresnoBee.com: Metro]

Mortgage Rates Recover From Holiday Doldrums

Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending January 6, 2006

Mortgage interest rates, at least as reported by Freddie Mac in its Weekly Primary Mortgage Survey, were virtually unchanged in the first week of the New Year. While three of the four loan types tracked by the survey were down from the final week of 2005, not one of the four budged more than a single basis point. Hardly worth the ink it takes to talk about them.

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage was down from 6.22 to 6.21 percent with fees and points... Read More Now

[via MortgageNewsDaily.com]

Plans for Target Store Spark Controversy

It's a one-of-a-kind neighborhood right in the middle of a growing part of Fresno.

[via KFSN Front Page headlines]

Fresno Adopts Sprinkler Ordinance for New Homes

It's safety issue that could ultimately save someone from a potentially deadly fire. Tuesday, the city of Fresno adopted an ordinance requiring one fire sprinkler in the kitchens of all new homes.

[via KFSN Front Page headlines]

Metro: 141 Valley homes cited for illegal fireplace burning

Local air authorities cited 141 people who burned wood illegally in their fireplaces during December — a barrage amounting to three times more violations in one month than in the entire previous year.

[via FresnoBee.com: Metro]

Valley housing starts to drop 10%

Forecast predicts 2006 will still be hot for builders The San Joaquin Valley will see a 10 percent drop in housing starts this year, but it will still be a strong year because 2004 and '05 were booming ...

[via Home Building - Topix.net]

For many homeowners, cleanup will be costly

Many California homeowners who saw their homes ravaged by flood waters from this week's storms are finding out their insurance may not cover these damages.

[via KSEE.com RSS Feed]