dollars and homes radio show archives

Streaming audio of the previous five shows is available here

March 7, 2010: Streaming audio available here

Bruce Brown recaps the mortgage market and the impact of the February jobs report on the direction of interest rates moving forward. Bruce details the reasons why expectations for interest rates to drop below their current levels should be minimal at best.

Bruce is joined in studio by Gary Farnsworth of MetroSpec Property Inspection Services and they recap issues related to the home inspection industry and how they affect consumers. They discuss the home inspector law that went into effect at the beginning of the year on the Kansas side of the state line and they discuss how some businesses are getting around the spirit of the law by only doing inspections on a couple of components in the home.

Bruce is also joined by Becky Alumbaugh of The Diva Team with Reece & Nichols. They discuss the upcoming expiration of the current tax credits for first time and repeat home buyers and discuss the chances of another tax credit extension and some of the possibilities of a "double dip" in the housing crisis if action isn't taken. Becky discusses the local market and inventories and references many buyers in the market but contracts have been limited recently so there could be another rush to take advantage of these credits prior to expiration.

February 28, 2010: Streaming audio available here

Bruce Brown discusses the mortgage markets and direction of rates as several weak economic reports over the last week caused rates to drop back below 5% after rising 1/4% the previous week. Bruce discusses how this rash of poor news puts the term 'recovery' in jeopardy and why the future may hold out for lower rates longer than previously thought.

Bruce is joined by John Stauffer, VP of Kansas Secured Title and they discuss some of the differences between a title agent and a title underwriter and discuss how they have been able to grow and gain market share in an economy where many title companies have succumbed to the economy.

Bruce is also joined by Andrew Bash of The Bash Group with Prudential Kansas City Realty and Andrew puts the Kansas City market in perspective when comparing it to the south Florida real estate market. Andy also discusses a couple of important topics for buyers and sellers - the issue of radon gas and mold and discusses how the price to remediate these problems has substantially come down. 

February 21, 2010: Streaming audio available here

Bruce Brown discusses the one-two punch from the Fed this week that caused rates to rise late in the week. The combination of the Fed minutes and a rise in the discount rate caused mortgage rates to jump. Bruce discusses the challenges ahead in the upcoming week that could create even more problems for improvement.

Bruce talks with Jeff Schindler of McBride Homes, Missouri's largest homebuilder (www.mcbridehomes.com) about a new home community at 152 and Indiana in the Northland called Lakeview. This new home community opens in March and as single family homes starting in the $120's.

Bruce is also joined by Becky Alumbaugh of The Diva Team with Reece and Nichols and they discuss short sale opportunities for homeowners as an option to foreclosure. Bruce and Becky also discuss the local market statistics from the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors that show our market is nearing equilibrium with supply levels and they also discuss the increase in year over year sales prices in Kansas City and the reasons for it.

February 14, 2010: Streaming audio available here

Bruce Brown discusses the direction of the mortgage markets and takes on the subject of ARM's (adjustable rate mortgages) and talks about much of the misleading information surrounding ARM's and when an ARM could be the right loan for you. He also takes on the subject of refinancing to exit an ARM and how it may not make sense for many consumers. Don't let misleading advertising or media reporting fool you into thinking that an ARM is a time bomb waiting to blow up because not all are. Bruce also takes on a discussion of Lending Tree and how internet lending that is supposed to save you money actually ends up costing you more. In the end, the consumer always pays.

Bruce is joined by Andrew Bash of The Bash Group with Prudential Kansas City Realty and Bruce and Andy further discuss issues surrounding ARM's as well as discuss some of Andy's newest listings on the market.

February 7, 2010: Streaming audio available here

Bruce Brown discusses the recent news out of Europe regarding the Euro as well as the continuing jobs issue in the United States and talks about how these issues are winning the tug-of-war against the forces currently in place that should be causing rates to rise. With the impending exit of the Fed from buying mortgage bonds, will these other forces help to keep rates down for the foreseeable future?

Bruce is joined by Gary Farnsworth of MetroSpec Property Inspection Services and they discuss the Pre-Sale Home Inspection and how sellers can use it as a tool to move their property quickly as well as take care of issues that could cause a contract to fall apart in a proactive manner.

Bruce is also joined by Becky Alumbaugh of The Diva Team with Reece & Nichols. Bruce and Becky talk about why with the current tax credits that it is so important to list and buy now. They talk about some issues that buyers and sellers may not have thought about especially as it relates to short sale or foreclosure properties.