| Can Online Home Tours Put Owners At Risk?
(CBS 11 News) DALLAS In a recent consumer survey of 129-thousand home buyers-more than three-fourths of them say they used the internet in their home search. The internet has changed the marketplace. Websites with 'virtual' home tours are becoming an industry standard. But can they put homeowners at risk?Rick Testa doesn't think so. He's trying to sell his house online.Testa said, "Our realtor felt that it was a great tool for us to broaden the range of people, and even from all over the world too."Web tours offer a 'virtual stroll' through the inside of a home. Mark Lesswing with the National Association of Realtors added, "Consumers like to look around, instead of just looking at a static view, they get a sense of 'I could live here,' or 'I could never live here.'"But with the advancing technology - there may be added risks.
Why I'm Sticking with These Two Leaders
Stocks had a big run in the second half of 2006, with the Dow shooting up 16 percent. Plenty of big growth companies shared in the gains, including 46 of the Sivy 70 that are now trading near their 2006 highs. Considering that real estate prices are sinking and some economists are warning of a slump, you may be wondering if this is the time to trim your portfolio and take profits on your big winners or whether a few market leaders are still worth buying. .
Yesterday in parliament
David Cameron, the Conservative leader, accused ministers of being more interested in protecting themselves than the public in the escalating criminal records row. He asked why Joan Ryan, the junior Home Office minister, was still in her job despite disclosures over her role in the affair and called for publication of correspondence between police and ministers. The prime minister said an inquiry was under way and pledged that everything would be published once it was complete. .
Woman admits role in real-estate fraud
WOODBRIDGE The onetime employee of a defunct township real estate investment company pleaded guilty to conspiracy Wednesday in connection with a scheme that bilked investors out of millions.
Katrina Arrington, 34, of Hillside is the third employee of N.J. Affordable Homes to admit guilt in the case. The company had offices on West Pond Road and Main Street in Woodbridge. In October, John Kurzel, 55, of New Brunswick and Lucesita Santiago, 37, of Woodbridge both pleaded guilty to conspiracy for participating in the Ponzi scheme that all three said defrauded investors out of more than $7 million, authorities said. Sentencing is scheduled for April 26. Arrington, Kurzel and Santiago all face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Arrington is free on a $25,000 unsecured bond.
False alarms cause a big problem in Greenwood
Greenwood - Police say they're wasting too much time chasing bogus burglar alarms at businesses, banks and homes. False alarms are up six percent in Greenwood with an average of seven calls per day. "Alarm run, residential hold up alarm." It's a typical call for Greenwood Police, but nothing wrong is the typical outcome. "10-73, gonna be a false alarm." Another dispatch to another false alarm. Greenwood Police say false alarms are a major problem. Last year, they responded to 2,307 security alarms. Only five were legit. "That probably equates to around 1,200 man hours wasted going to these false alarms," said Greenwood Police Chief Joe Pitcher. "Other things we should be doing are not being done." What's worse, police say, many of the false alarms are repeat offenders.
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