House Passes Stimulus Bill, Senate What Next?


We pulled this directly from a C.A.R newsletter: The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the Economic Recovery Package, by a 244 to 188 vote. Amid all the negative economic news we’re hearing on a daily basis, this is good news, as the bill contains a number of issues critical to REALTORS® and the … Continue reading House Passes Stimulus Bill, Senate What Next?

Obama Wants to Jump in on the Real Estate Crisis. Which Way should He Jump?


You might have already read Alex Clark’s article on the Bush plan to help homeowners, named optimistically “Hope for Homeowners.” Commenters on that post were less optimistic. Seems a lot of lenders won’t touch the program, though that might be because the program itself is new and everyone is so gun-shy right now. That leaves … Continue reading Obama Wants to Jump in on the Real Estate Crisis. Which Way should He Jump?

In the Spirit of Halloween and Election Season, Scary Technology that “Outs” Your Neighbors


Prop 8 is not one that encourages sedate emotion. People are either vehemently for it, or they are just as vehemently against it. The debate between the two camps, heated as it is, often erupts into full out fighting, which we all know from our rhetoric classes is actually the opposite effect civilized, fair debate … Continue reading In the Spirit of Halloween and Election Season, Scary Technology that “Outs” Your Neighbors

A Worse Punishment for Sisyphus: Policing Noise in a Metropolis


Hello out there, theFrontStep Readers! You may (or just as likely, may not) know my name from my blogs for Redfin. I’ve kindly been invited to write also for theFrontSteps, so here I am, on the steps, with my first blog. So here’s the setting: last night, 2:00am, sultry night, people walking up from the … Continue reading A Worse Punishment for Sisyphus: Policing Noise in a Metropolis

Texting + Driving = NO


The land of the free keeps getting a bit less free doesn’t it? Beginning January 1, 2009, a person driving a motor vehicle is prohibited from writing, sending, or reading a text message, instant message, or e-mail from an electronic wireless communication device. However, a person may read, select, or enter a name or phone … Continue reading Texting + Driving = NO

Government Unveils Hope For Homeowners (H4H) Program


BUSH ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHES “HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS” PROGRAM TO HELP MORE STRUGGLING FAMILIES KEEP THEIR HOMES Detailed Program Eligibility Requirements Announced WASHINGTON – The Bush Administration today (10/1) unveiled additional mortgage assistance for homeowners at risk of foreclosure. The HOPE for Homeowners program will refinance mortgages for borrowers who are having difficulty making their payments, but … Continue reading Government Unveils Hope For Homeowners (H4H) Program

Congress Fails to Deliver $700 Billion Check. Will San Francisco Real Estate Finally Fall Victim?


Surely you heard the news yesterday of the failed passing of the $700 Billion economic recovery bill, but today the Monkey gives one last effort to convince Congress to act before he rides off in the sunset to tend to his hogs. [Photo Credit: New York Times] The stock market has rallied today, but what … Continue reading Congress Fails to Deliver $700 Billion Check. Will San Francisco Real Estate Finally Fall Victim?