Low U.S. home prices, high loonie make it a good time to be a snowbird

TORONTO – Mary and Ron Ethier long believed a getaway home in the Florida sun would remain a retirement dream but when a recent real estate turnaround opened the border to a growing flock of snowbirds, the couple suddenly saw an opportunity too tempting to pass up.

In-House Realty on a growth path as a Quicken affiliate

While many businesses that build, sell or finance homes are still licking their wounds from the nation’s mortgage/housing meltdown — at least those that survived it — the insatiable Quicken Loans behemoth keeps growing. How? By gobbling up fees for services at virtually every stage of the home purchase and relocation process.