Best Realty opens Shallowford office

Best Realty GMAC has opened a new office in Chattanooga.

The Dayton, Tenn.-based real estate firm now has an office at 5959 Shallowford Road, Suite 539, at the intersection with Highway 153. Best Realty’s office is having a grand opening Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served. The office number is 855-7888.

Teresa Boyer-Young is the owner of the firm, which has been the top office in Dayton for sales volume the past five years, she said. The two offices have 35 agents, and Best Realty is looking for additional agents, Mrs. Boyer-Young said. Best Realty has new homes and certified-relocation divisions in addition to traditional brokerage.

CCIM course offered at discount

An online course that provides fundamental theories and skills needed in commercial investment real estate is open at a discounted rate to Realtor members in good standing through a partnership between the CCIM Institute and the Realtors Commercial Alliance.

Realtors can enroll in the online version of the Introduction to Commercial Investment Real Estate course for $149, a savings of 40 percent. The course was developed by the CCIM Institute.

Those interested can register at: https://www.ccim.com/education/ccim_education/coursereg_onlineintro_nar.jsp or by calling the CCIM Institute education department at (800) 621-7027.

Government backs more mortgages

The government-insured share of mortgage applications continues to grow relative to conventional mortgage applications, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey. Of all mortgage applications taken during the month of October 2008, 32.9 percent were for government-insured loans (consisting mainly of FHA loans) compared to 10.3 percent in October 2007.

The government-insured share has increased from 9.4 percent in January 2008 to its current level, which is the highest level observed since February 1991.