RESIDENTIAL REFINANCE OPPORTUNITY

Refinancing may be a great option for well-qualified owners. Falling interest rates may just pay off.

Another mortgage-refinancing boom is under way. But this time around, many homeowners will be watching from the sidelines.

For the first time since 2005, mortgage rates have slipped well below 6%, ending last week at about 5.87%, according to mortgage tracker HSH Associates. Some lenders are offering even lower deals. At these levels, about 37% of homeowners could refinance...[more]

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SCHULTZ' PLANS TO SAVE STARBUCKS

Look for changes in the days ahead...especially interesting is their confidence in their Real Estate processes...

Q: Thanks for returning the call, Howard. First, can you tell us about
the process that you went through to compel you to return?

A: The board asked me to return, but I was on a parallel track with them. Obviously, I was a witness to the downturn in the business and had concerns about shareholder value and given my passion for the company I accepted the board's offer. The board and I had conversations over the last few months as we headed into the holiday season. The final decision was made after the holidays.

Q: You say 'witness to the downturn,' but shouldn't you take responsibility for where the company is now?
...[...more...]

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NEW STUDY SLAMS PROPOSED TAX HIKE

Could a new bill tax your partnerships over twice the current rate?

The latest assault in the heated battle over legislation that could double taxes on real estate partnerships and private equity firms comes in the form of a new study that argues the law would squeeze $5 billion in additional taxes from real estate investors alone.



The study, released in November by the Real Estate Roundtable, a trade group based in Washington, D.C., also asserts that the law would weaken commercial real estate markets by prompting investors to pass on projects that don't offer a “competitive return,” specifically marginal projects in less desirable locations. But advocates of the tax change disagree with...[more]

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