Building Permits Content Index - Page 1

Before building a new home or improving an existing home, you usually have to get building permits. Building permits are a way for local communities to make some money and to ensure that building projects meet the building code. To get a building permit you have to fill out some paperwork describing what you plan to build and how you plan to build it. If you hire a contractor or builder make sure they've gotten all the necessary building permits prior to starting work.

**$8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and Closing On New Construction** If you are buying a home as a first time home buyer or repeat buyer, the extended $8000 credit or the expanded $6500 credit should be of interest to you. But you need to be careful with timing. If you close too late, you might not be entitled to the credit. You must close and move into your new home before the tax credit expires. If you're still working on construction by the time the home buyer tax credits expire, you will not qualify for the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit or the $6500 trade-up buyer tax credit.

**Title Insurance May Solve Encroachment Issue** If you are buying a home and find out you may have a title problem, you should talk to the title insurance company to determine if the title problem can be insured over by the title insurance company. Many real estate properties have minor title insurance problems that are small enough that the title insurance company may be willing to give you peace of mind with coverage under the title insurance policy.

New Media Atlanta conference featuring Chris Brogan. Social Media and Social Marketing Conference notes and tips. I'll be blogging live with some of the best social media and social marketing tips I'm learning. Photo credit: [Jennifer Carter](http://maxsell.net/author/jcarter/)

Easement issues between neighbors can lead to problems. Big problems. the end result of these problems can be rotten neighbors. People who live near each other should avoid situations that could result in neighbor issues and neighbor problems. Don't people realize that they will end up living next door to these people for years to come?

The news from Wall Street and the federal government seems good and bad - but they're trying to get the word out that the recession is almost over. If you believe the recession is almost over, maybe you live on the moneyed streets of Wall Street, because there are plenty of folks on Main Street who are still feeling the effects of the recession and credit crisis. For thousands of homeowners, they have applied for loan modifications but can't get their lenders to focus on their applications.

In its 2008 survey of mortgage fraud, the FBI concluded there is a strong correlation between mortgage fraud and distressed real estate markets. Indeed, some of the states with the highest levels of mortgage fraud also had the highest levels of foreclosures. But new mortgage fraud scams emerged in 2008 that tested the abilities of the FBI to contain them. Here is a look at the newest mortgage fraud scams.

Seller closing costs generally come as a surprise to home sellers, particularly when home sellers find out that they’ll have to pay anywhere between 2 to 7 percent of the sales price in fees and costs. Here's an updated list of closing costs you may incur when you sell a house.

How can you know when the housing market is recovering? The housing market crisis has to do with supply and demand being out of whack. At the moment (in 2009), there are too many sellers and not enough buyers. Fixing supply and demand is key, but there are many factors that go into supply and demand. The Appraisal Institute recently put out some factors that affect supply and demand and residential real estate. Recognizing these trends will help you understand when the housing market is recovering.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan spoke at the National Association of Real Estate Editors Annual Conference. Secretary Donovan spoke about how HUD is involved in President Obama's plans for the economic crisis and the Making Home Affordable act, FHA reform and how that will affect the housing markets, consumer protection, and building more sustainable communities. The transcript of the speech is below. [See the blog for more details from Ilyce at the National Association of Real Estate Editors conference.](http://www.thinkglink.com/blog)

Americans have experienced a reversal of fortune - and lost $14 trillion in net worth over the past 18 months. The housing crisis and credit crisis have taken a huge bite out of our net worth. In response, Americans are saving more - a move that won't help the economy recover, but may set up a more sustainable economic model.