Government-sponsored financing giant Fannie Mae will ease its requirements next month, raising its debt-to-income ceiling from 45 percent to 50 percent on July 29. The move could pave the way for a larger number of new buyers to qualify for a mortgage, particularly millennials who may be saddled with student loan debt.

It can be tough starting a real estate business from scratch.  But that is what I did when I decided to move to Tampa Bay, Florida after 16 years of living overseas.

I was looking for a niche in the crowded field of real estate sales.  I immediately observed that Tampa Bay had hundreds of condominium complexes.  So I thought it would be perfect for me to make that my niche.  And I decided I'd truly enjoy selling Tampa Bay condos.   First, I purchased a condo to call home and get a real feel for condo-living.  Then I began to contact condo owners in the condo complexes around where I lived.

October 23, 2013 - BHGLAAR hosted another one day CAL BRE-accredited Certified Condominium Specialist® course for Realtors®, consisting of an information-packed educational and marketing program relating to Realtors® and their condo and planned development sales success.

Attendees ranged from investors and new agents to long-time successful luxury condominium sales agents who were interested in expanding their careers and reputations through the advanced knowledge and promotional ideas the course offers.

October 22, 2013 - Kimberly Heinrich, Educational Chairperson of the San Diego Association of Realtors®, announced this week that SDAR will feature the Certified Condominum Specialist® Course (CCS) as part of SDAR's elite association designation program.

The San Diego Association of Realtors® has sponsored the Certified Condominum Specialist® Course for a number of years, presenting it to Association members and non-members several times a year in SDAR's regular educational line up.  The popular one-day course has resulted in Realtor-attendees' enthusiastic testimonials and increased educational and career success. 

May 29, 2013 - Students and new Certified Condominum Specialist® Designees gave a special "Thank You!" to the SDAR staff for hosting the National Designation Course Certified Condominum Specialist®.

This particular presentation of the course in San Diego was the Califoronia Version of the national designation course and a California Department of Real Estate Accredited Course with 8-hours of Department of Real Estate Consumer Protection credit.