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Trulia rolls out iPhone app for rentals

By Inman News, Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
Trulia Rentals for iPhone screenshot.

Real estate search and marketing site Trulia today released a free mobile application for the Apple iPhone focused on rentals, adding to the site's collection of property search apps.

Trulia Rentals for iPhone, which is also compatible with Apple's iPod Touch, notifies users when new rental listings matching saved criteria come on the market in their area and displays listings with color-coded markers that indicate how long a listing has been on the market.  more...

DotLoop to roll out free version of document management platform

By Andrea V. Brambila, Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-539572p1.html">Document management image</a> via Shutterstock.

Real estate technology company DotLoop is launching a free, "light" version of its transaction management platform and making it available to individual real estate professionals, the company announced today.

Dubbed DotLoop NOW, the platform will officially launch in mid-May. No firm date has been set.  more...

Tax benefit for couples owning separate homes Premium Content

By Tom Kelly, Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-50988p1.html" target=blank>Real estate and taxes image</a> via Shutterstock.

Before the current, rather liberal, tax advantages for homeownership, many older people delayed or declined marriage or remarriage "for tax purposes."

That's because each individual over 55 was entitled to a one-time tax exclusion of $125,000 on the sale of a principal residence.  more...

Home design: 3 emerging trends

By Inman News, Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-470767p1.html">No. 3 image</a> via Shutterstock.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) annually conducts its Best in American Living Awards (BALA). These awards, open to builders and design professionals, acknowledge that good design "is not and should not be limited to high-priced and custom homes."

The NAHB uses these design awards to look for upcoming trends for new home design. This year the jurors identified eight design trends that will have an influence on new home designs in 2012 and into the future.  more...

Correcting low water pressure in kitchen

By Bill and Kevin Burnett, Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-98636p1.html" target=blank>Kitchen faucet image</a> via Shutterstock.

Q: Your recent column, "Fix leaky faucet in 8 easy steps," has inspired me to fix a slow leak in my bathroom sink. But I have a problem in the kitchen that also needs addressing.

Both the cold and hot handles provide a minimal water stream when first opened. I get a normal stream only after leaving one or both handles fully open for at least several minutes. It's frustrating to have to always wait for a normal stream to produce sufficient amounts of water to wash the dishes. I thought maybe the problem would just go away, but after several weeks there's been no improvement.  more...

Real estate e-documents firm to roll out app for Android-based tablets

By Inman News, Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-1934p1.html">E-documents image</a> via Shutterstock.

"The process of buying real estate is very document intensive," said Glenn Shimkus, co-founder and CEO of Cartavi. A transaction also involves multiple players that change with every deal, Shimkus added, including buyers, sellers, real estate agents, brokers, attorneys, title companies, inspectors and lenders.

Cartavi helps real estate professionals simplify the transaction process. It allows users to "create, store, share, sign and archive" documents, said Shimkus.  more...

Chinese TV network plans global real estate portal

By Inman News, Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-775801p1.html">China Central Television (CCTV) headquarters building in Beijing</a>. Image via Shutterstock.

Chinese Network Television (CNTV) is set to launch an overseas property portal in partnership with United Kingdom-based 3rd Space, a provider of international distribution and content services.

The service will feature residential and commercial property as well as holiday rentals and aims to be "an all-inclusive international property resource," according to a statement from CNTV yesterday.  more...

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate signs up Texas brokerage Premium Content

By Inman News, Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-427597p1.html">Texas sign image</a> via Shutterstock.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC has signed up its fourth brokerage in Texas as an affiliate: Bradfield Properties, a 150-agent firm that serves San Antonio, Boerne, Bulverde, New Braunfels, Kerrville, Highland Lakes and surrounding counties.

"The Bradfield name has been synonymous with Texas real estate for 30 years, and we are thrilled to have such a respected company join our network," said Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, in a statement.  more...

Live next door to historic Woodrow Wilson house: $5M

By Inman News, Wednesday, April 4, 2012.

Next door to the historic Woodrow Wilson house and across the street from the Dutch ambassador's residence, this imposing limestone mansion lies just off the "Embassy Row" section of Massachusetts Avenue. Built in 1918 to designs by Clarke Waggaman and George Ray, the 6,600-square-foot, detached townhouse has a rare garage, six bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms, an elevator, and fully restored interiors.  more...

When do-it-yourself jobs are best left to the pros

By Alisha Alway Braatz, Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-332104p1.html" target=blank>Sewing image</a> via Shutterstock.

My friend Melissa is amazing. And by amazing, I mean, unbelievable. She can do anything. I have watched her design her own eco-friendly home, complete three acres of landscaping with a boyfriend and a shovel, grow her own garden, build her own chicken roost, and make jams, jellies, cookies, roasts, cocktails and more look e-a-s-y.

When people compare her to Martha Stewart, I just laugh. My money's on Melissa in any contest of ingenuity and wit.  more...