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        <title>Austin Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/general-real-estate/</link>
        <description>Austin Real Estate Blog - Cantera Real Estate - This multi-author blog covers the local Austin, Texas real estate market, housing trends, new developments, new MLS listings, Austin area news, and relocation info.</description>
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            <guid>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/preparing-your-rooms-for-a-house-showing.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/preparing-your-rooms-for-a-house-showing.html</link>
            <author>crystal@canterarealestate.com (Crystal Guthrie)</author>
            <title>Preparing Your Rooms for a House Showing</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ As you prepare your home for sell, you need to be certain to check each room carefully in order to make sure it looks its absolute best.&nbsp; By following these simple tips, you can make sure each room looks its best for your potential buyer.BedroomsWhen preparing your home for a showing, you want to make sure each bedroom looks its absolute best.&nbsp; If you have a room that could be a bedroom but is being used for a more personal use, such as a music studio or a sewing room, it is generally ... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:26:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/real-estate-terms-you-need-to-know.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/real-estate-terms-you-need-to-know.html</link>
            <author>jim@canterarealestate.com (Jim Olenbush)</author>
            <title>Real Estate Terms You Need to Know</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ When you purchase a home, your Realtor will likely use a number of terms that you are not entirely familiar with.&nbsp; While your Realtor should be happy to explain these terms to you, it helps if you have a good idea of what they mean before you start the home buying process.&nbsp; Here are just a few terms you should know!&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Certificate of title &ndash; A document demonstrating legal proof of ownership&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Chattels &ndash; Personal property, of which ... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:11:00 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/freddie-mac-reports-an-increase-in-mortgage-rates.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/freddie-mac-reports-an-increase-in-mortgage-rates.html</link>
            <author>jim@canterarealestate.com (Jim Olenbush)</author>
            <title>Freddie Mac Reports an Increase in Mortgage Rates</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ The financial experts at Freddie Mac have reported that mortgage rates have moved higher for the second week in a row. According to the report, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loan averaged a rate of 4.94% during the week ending on December 14, which is up from the previous week's 4.81%. This figure is still down when compared to the rate from one year ago, however, which averaged 5.19% at the time. When it comes to one-year, adjustable-rate mortgages, the rates increased to 4.34% for the week end... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:16:18 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/homeownership-still-a-solid-investment.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/homeownership-still-a-solid-investment.html</link>
            <author>jim@canterarealestate.com (Jim Olenbush)</author>
            <title>Homeownership still a Solid Investment</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Americans have long believed that purchasing a home is a good investment.&nbsp; Thanks to the recession, many experts hypothesized that many would no longer view home ownership as a great investment. According to a recent study conducted by Bankrate Inc., however, home ownership is still viewed as a solid investment by most.

According to the study, more than 9 out of 10 people who participated inn the survey still feel that owning a home is a good investment. This may seem like a bit of a s... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:12:05 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-homeowners-insurance.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-homeowners-insurance.html</link>
            <author>jim@canterarealestate.com (Jim Olenbush)</author>
            <title>What You Need to Know About Homeowners Insurance</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
It is essential to have homeowner&rsquo;s insurance in place when you purchase a home.&nbsp; If you are borrowing money in order to purchase the home, the lending institution will require you to purchase homeowner insurance before the transaction can be completed.&nbsp; This is because the lending institution wants to make sure its investment is protected if the house were to be damaged or destroyed.&nbsp; Even if you are no longer carrying a loan on your home, however, it is a good idea to ha... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:32:33 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/mortgage-rates-at-37-year-lows.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/mortgage-rates-at-37-year-lows.html</link>
            <author>jim@canterarealestate.com (Jim Olenbush)</author>
            <title>Mortgage rates at 37-year lows!</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The average rate for a 30-year-fixed mortgage has dropped to the lowest level in 37 years!&nbsp; Mortgage rates started falling after the Federal Reserve launched their new effort to aid the markets by purchasing up to $600 billion of mortgage-related securities in November.

30-year, fixed mortgages are at 5.06 percent, according to financial publisher HSH Associates, the lowest since the 1960s and down from 5.3 percent yesterday.&nbsp; It is the best news in months for anyone looking to lo... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:40:33 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/steps-to-take-when-moving-into-a-new-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/steps-to-take-when-moving-into-a-new-home.html</link>
            <author>crystal@canterarealestate.com (Crystal Guthrie)</author>
            <title>Steps to Take When Moving into a New Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
When moving to a new home, there are many things you need to do in order to make sure it is ready for you to move in to. When caught up in all of the excitement of the move, however, it is easy to overlook some of the things you should do in preparation for your move.&nbsp; Therefore, keep these things in mind when making your move.

Don&rsquo;t Forget About Utilities

When you move into your new home, you want to make sure you can enjoy all of the comforts of home.&nbsp; Therefore, be cer... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:04:06 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-title-insurance.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-title-insurance.html</link>
            <author>brink@canterarealestate.com (James Brinkman)</author>
            <title>What You Need to Know About Title Insurance</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
When you are selling a home in Texas, you will need to be aware of Title Insurance and how it affects you.&nbsp; In the state of Texas, the sale of title insurance is regulated.&nbsp; As a result, the premiums of this insurance are determined by the sale price of the property.&nbsp; This means title companies cannot discount the premium cost.&nbsp; Although many sellers are upset by the need to purchase Title Insurance, mostly because they feel it benefits only the buyer, it is actually benefi... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:59:17 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/understanding-texas-title-insurance1.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/understanding-texas-title-insurance1.html</link>
            <author>jim@canterarealestate.com (Jim Olenbush)</author>
            <title>Understanding Texas Title Insurance</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 


When purchasing a home in Texas, you will need to look into obtaining title insurance.&nbsp; With this type of insurance, you form a contract with a title company as determined by the Texas Department of Insurance.&nbsp; Before making your purchase, it is important to understand how title insurance works and the type of title insurance you will need.


The Owner&rsquo;s Policy of Title Insurance


One form of title insurance you will need to obtain is the Owner&rsquo;s Policy of Title Ins... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:03:50 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/bank-of-america-acquires-countrywide-financial-corp.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.jimolenbush.com/blog/bank-of-america-acquires-countrywide-financial-corp.html</link>
            <author>crystal@canterarealestate.com (Crystal Guthrie)</author>
            <title>Bank of America Acquires Countrywide Financial Corp</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
According to the Associated Press, the Federal Reserve has approved Bank of America Corp&rsquo;s move to purchase Countrywide Financial Corp.&nbsp; 


The 32 page order was issued on June 5th and Countrywide plans to hold a special meeting with its shareholders on the 25th in order to finalize the sale.&nbsp; According to the Fed board, Bank of America will control approximately $773.4 billion in deposits once the deal is closed, which means it will remain the nation&rsquo;s largest depository... ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:34:03 -0500</pubDate>
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