February, 2021

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Mortgage rates jump to 2.81%

Housing Wire

After three weeks of unchanged rates, the average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan jumped 8 basis points to 2.81%, reaching its highest point since mid-November, according to Freddie Mac ’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. While economic spending has improved, due to the most recent stimulus, supply chain shortages are causing downstream inflation, leading to higher mortgage rates, said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “While there are multiple temporary factors drivin

Mortgages 545
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3 Reasons We’re Definitely Not in a Housing Bubble

Keeping Current Matters

Home values appreciated by about ten percent in 2020, and they’re forecast to appreciate by about five percent this year. This has some voicing concern that we may be in another housing bubble like the one we experienced a little over a decade ago. Here are three reasons why this market is totally different. 1. This time, housing supply is extremely limited.

Equity 339
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First-Time Home Buyers Find Unexpected Benefits in Current Market

Lighter Side of Real Estate

There’s no denying that low inventory and increasing prices have presented challenges for buyers in today’s market—and that includes first-time buyers. But the market also offers a slew of benefits for first-time buyers—and many have had a positive experience buying a home in recent months. A recent survey from realtor.com asked over 1000 recent and prospective first-time buyers about their experience buying a home in today’s market—and much of the news was good.

Marketing 145
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BOC Governor Says Canada Will Lean On Real Estate Because “We Need The Growth”

Better Dwelling

Canada’s central bank isn’t really that worried about real estate, it appears. Bank of Canada (BoC) governor Tiff Macklem held a Q&A after a speech for the Edmonton and Calgary Chambers of Commerce yesterday. During the Q&A, the governor dismissed concerns about an overheated housing market. In fact, he welcomed its contribution to the economy […].

Banks 145
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Avoiding Lease Accounting Pitfalls in 2025: Lessons Learned from Spreadsheet Errors

Speaker: Abdi Ali, Sr. Lease Accounting Consultant

Join this insightful webinar with industry expert Abdi Ali, who will discuss the challenges that can arise from managing lease accounting with spreadsheets! He will share real-world examples of errors, compliance issues, and risks that may be present within your spreadsheets. Learn how these tools, while useful, can sometimes lead to inefficiencies that affect your time, resources, and peace of mind.

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Homeownership Remains Primary Driver of Household Wealth

Eye on Housing

The 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) showed improvements in economic well-being for many across income and wealth distributions over 2016 to 2019. The homeownership rate increased from a low of 63.7% in 2016 to 64.9% in 2019. Moreover, the primary residence continued to be the largest asset on the balance sheets of households in 2019 (Figure 1), accounting for about.

Finance 145
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HOA: What is an HOAs Meaning and Purpose

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

What is an HOA and How Do They Work? What is an HOA? What does an HOA mean? HOA stands for a homeowners association. If you are new to buying a home, you might not really understand what an HOA is, what it means, or how it will affect you. The HOA meaning adds some […]. The post HOA: What is an HOAs Meaning and Purpose appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

Marketing 145

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Where Have All the Houses Gone?

Keeping Current Matters

In today’s housing market, it seems harder than ever to find a home to buy. Before the health crisis hit us a year ago, there was already a shortage of homes for sale. When many homeowners delayed their plans to sell at the same time that more buyers aimed to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates and purchase a home, housing inventory dropped even further.

Sales 329
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Should You Buy a Home or Keep Renting? How To Decide in 7 Steps

Realtor.com

marchmeena29/Getty Images It’s a big question with no easy answer: Should you keep renting, or is it time to think about buying a home? One of the major benefits of being a homeowner is building equity with each mortgage payment, instead of putting money into your landlord’s pocket. But that doesn’t mean buying is always the best choice—as a renter, you enjoy more flexibility and avoid many of the costs that come with homeownership.

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Toronto Detached Homes Prices Increased $32,500 Just Last Month, While Condos Stall

Better Dwelling

Greater Toronto real estate entered another cheap credit fueled buying frenzy. Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) data shows home prices made a sharp increase in January. The market frenzy wasn’t evenly distributed though, with the suburbs outperforming the city. Detached real estate also saw most gains, making astronomical price increases.

Marketing 145
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Advice For Selling a Home Quickly

Realty Biz

How to Sell a Home Fast. Do you want to sell your home quickly? There can be many different reasons as to why you would want to sell a home fast. Perhaps you’re in the process of building your own home, and you need the extra funds to cover construction costs, or you’re just desperate to sell the house fast so you can move somewhere else you’ve always wanted to be.

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Driving Profit: 4 Pillars for Growing Your Real Estate Brokerage

In the rapidly changing real estate landscape, achieving profitability requires a strategic approach beyond traditional methods. Our guide, "The 4 Pillars to Brokerage Profitability," outlines four essential pillars for scaling your real estate business: a seamless lead-to-close technology ecosystem, tailored integrated solutions for teams and agents, value-added success services and community support, and consumer-centric operations throughout the full homeownership lifecycle.

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Modular Homes: Pros and Cons of a Modular Home With Video

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

What to Know About Modular Homes Are you considering buying a modular home? Once thought a cheap and low-quality housing option, modular homes have come a long way in recent years. They offer home buyers another way to achieve their dream of owning a home and come with several advantages over regular, “stick-built” homes. However, […]. The post Modular Homes: Pros and Cons of a Modular Home With Video appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

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Why mortgage lending standards will ease in 2021

Housing Wire

Economists and housing experts say mortgage lending standards will likely loosen in 2021, despite the increased risk of delinquencies ahead. Such a scenario illustrates the growing disparities in the U.S. housing market. As one struggling group of homeowners braces for the end of forbearance and navigates COVID-19-related economic shocks, another segment is better positioned than ever to scoop up properties that become available.

Lending 545
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Why Owning a Home Is a Powerful Financial Decision

Keeping Current Matters

In today’s housing market, there are clear financial benefits to owning a home: increasing equity , the chance to build your net worth , and appreciating home values, just to name a few. If you’re a renter, it’s never too early to think about how homeownership can propel you toward a stronger future. Here’s a dive into three often-overlooked financial benefits of homeownership and how preparing for them now can steer you in the direction of greater financial security and savings. 1.

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How To Calculate Property Tax: What All Homeowners Should Know

Realtor.com

Aslan Alphan/iStock Need to know how to estimate your property tax? You’ve come to the right place! Most people know that homeownership requires coughing up copious amounts of money. There’s your mortgage , of course, but the costs hardly end there. You will also have to pay property tax. If you already own a home, you can look at how your tax is calculated on the most current property tax statement.

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Tech-Forward Strategies for Scaling Agent Efficiency & Accelerating Growth

As the real estate market evolves, technology has become essential for success. According to NAR, only 26% of agents feel their brokerage provides the necessary tech tools and, as a result, agents seek teams and brokerages who prioritize technology investments! Whether you manage an established team or are forming a new one, this guide outlines key considerations and necessary applications to thrive.

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Protect Your Home Renovation From These 4 Pesky Problems

Homes.com

The best way to protect your home renovation is to expect the unexpected. Here's how to prepare for sudden issues that could derail your project! The post Protect Your Home Renovation From These 4 Pesky Problems appeared first on Homes.com.

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Over Two-Thirds of Toronto Real Estate Investors Plan On Listing Properties For Sale

Better Dwelling

The majority of Toronto’s real estate investors are looking to cash in. A Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) survey, conducted by Ipsos in Fall 2020, shows most investors are looking to sell in the next year. This is a record number considering cashing in on their gains. It’s not just the pandemic though, only […]. The post Over Two-Thirds of Toronto Real Estate Investors Plan On Listing Properties For Sale appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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Lakefront Houses: Considerations For Buying a Lake House

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

Considerations When Purchasing a Lakefront Home Are you looking for a lakefront house to purchase? Pursuing lake houses for sale is not uncommon at all. Lots of folks dream of living on the water. Lakefront homes fit a particular lifestyle choice that is incredibly exciting for many people. However, when you are pursuing a property […]. The post Lakefront Houses: Considerations For Buying a Lake House appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

Sales 145
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Fannie Mae reports rising confidence in housing market

Housing Wire

Following two months of steady declines, Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI), a composite index designed to track the housing market and consumer confidence to sell or buy a home, rose in January. The HSPI rose 3.7 points last month to 77.7. Though it’s undoubtedly a positive sign, the HPSI has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels and is still down 15.3 points year over year.

Marketing 545
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Accelerating Real Estate Sales Pipelines to Streamline Buyer Journeys

Navigated 360° tours, like YourVRTours, advance pipelines by engaging clients further along the sales funnel. These immersive experiences provide comprehensive property insights, increasing buyer intent and readiness. By embracing navigated tours, agents can optimize property exposure, better qualify leads, and streamline the sales process. Stay ahead in the ever-evolving real estate landscape with innovative technology that elevates buyer journeys and progresses pipelines more effectively.

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Will Low Mortgage Rates Continue through 2021?

Keeping Current Matters

With mortgage interest rates hitting record lows so many times recently, some are wondering if we’ll see low rates continue throughout 2021, or if they’ll start to rise. Recently, Freddie Mac released their quarterly forecast , noting: “The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage hit a record low over a dozen times in 2020 and the low interest rate environment is projected to continue through this year.

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7 Tax Benefits of Owning a Home: A Complete Guide for Filing This Year

Realtor.com

Tijana Simic / Getty Images What are the tax benefits of owning a home? Plenty of homeowners are asking themselves this right around now as they prepare to file their taxes. You may recall the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—the most substantial overhaul to the U.S. tax code in more than 30 years—went into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. The result was likely a big change to your taxes, especially the tax perks of homeownership.

Loans 145
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The Poetry of our Homes

Imagine Your House

Stanzas built to portray a home’s real essence. How many of us truly appreciate our homes? Especially now. Now that we seem to be spending a lot more time at home. And I get it that this hasn’t necessarily been our choice, yet now that you have been glued to your home more or less, how do you feel about the walls surrounding you? No, I’m not speaking literally about the walls themselves!

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Bank of Canada Data Shows They’re Past Peak Mortgage Bond Buying

Better Dwelling

Canada’s central bank has finally stopped juicing the mortgage market… or at least it’s taking a break. Bank of Canada (BoC) data shows December was the first ever drop in the amount of Canada mortgage bonds (CMBs) held. It’s too early to tell if it’s just temporary, or if it’ll start again. If the buying […]. The post Bank of Canada Data Shows They’re Past Peak Mortgage Bond Buying appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Banks 141
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Maximizing Your Online Presence: Tips for Real Estate Agents on Social Media

Speaker: Sarah Santa Ana, Real Estate Coach, Move4Free Realty

Networking is one of the crucial elements in every real estate organization's success. Both agents and real estate companies need to maintain robust networking links. This is why social media is essential for any real estate professional! Social media enables you to stay in touch with your present clients, maintain connections with your past clients, and engage potential customers and investors.

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Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Early: See The Pros and Cons

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Many people ask themselves, “should I pay off my mortgage?” As a homeowner, the idea of having your home paid off early is likely enticing. Who wants to pay a mortgage every month if they don’t have to? But, as with every big financial decision, it is essential to […]. The post Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Early: See The Pros and Cons appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

Mortgages 145
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UWM returns to the Super Bowl with new ad

Housing Wire

United Wholesale Mortgage , now a publicly traded company, will return to the Super Bowl this year. The wholesale lender will be running a new Super Bowl commercial spotlighting independent mortgage brokers and its website FindAMortgageBroker.com for a second straight year. See the video below: “We will always find ways to elevate and shine a light on independent mortgage brokers, and what better way to do this than during the Super Bowl where millions of Americans are tuned in to watch the game

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3 Ways You’ll Win When You Buy a Home This Year

Keeping Current Matters

There are so many great reasons to purchase a home, and over the past year, we’ve realized more of them than we ever thought possible. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, having a home of your own can give you a greater sense of security and accomplishment in a time that’s largely uncertain. If you’re a repeat buyer looking for your dream home, making a move might give you the space or features you need to find greater success and happiness in a new normal way of life.

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10 Practical Kitchen Improvement Projects Based on How Much Time You Have

Realtor.com

Getty Images,Bootzilla/Anna Erastova Whether you’re a professional-level home cook or a take-out fanatic who uses the oven to store shoes, the design and function of your kitchen is very important. No matter its square footage or number of built-in features, the kitchen plays a big part in how you live at home. That’s why time spent beautifying your kitchen is always time well-spent—especially if you plan on selling your home someday.

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Rise of The Apps: Building Your Dream Tech Stack For Real Estate Success

Speaker: Trey Willard, Realtor/Team Leader at Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

In order to create continued success in today’s real estate market, realtors need to utilize an arsenal of technology that will increase their efficiency and presence on social media. Using technology to manage your prospects and tap into their needs through websites, social media, and other channels is critical for real estate success in 2022 and beyond.

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DIY Expert Advice: How to Update Your Chair Cushions

Homes.com

If you've got tired or faded dining chair cushions, this DIY tutorial is for you! Update your chair cushions with these easy, step-by-step instructions and say hello to a brand-new space! The post DIY Expert Advice: How to Update Your Chair Cushions appeared first on Homes.com.

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Canada Completed 18 Homes Per Person Added To The Population Last Quarter

Better Dwelling

Canada’s population growth may have slowed, but new home completions are still moving at a breakneck speed. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) data shows developers delivered over 50,000 new homes in Q4 2020. The number of new homes began outpacing population growth in the prior quarter. The ratio went parabolic in the latest numbers […].

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We Buy Houses For Cash Companies Reviewed

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

What to Know About Investors That Buy Houses For Cash Are you wondering what the deal is with we buy houses for cash companies? Have you seen the flyers around town on telephone poles that offer to purchase your home for cash quickly? Maybe you have gotten numerous mailings asking to buy your house for […]. The post We Buy Houses For Cash Companies Reviewed appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

Investor 145
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Fannie Mae execs see path to exit conservatorship

Housing Wire

Fannie Mae, the largest mortgage financier in the U.S., said Friday that its net income in the fourth quarter of 2020 checked in at $4.6 billion – up 8% from the third quarter. The government-sponsored entity’s total net income for the full year was $11.8 billion, and executives on Friday’s earnings call spoke enthusiastically about an eventual exit from forbearance.

Equity 545
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5 Data Proven Ways Agents Can Do 18% More Business

Curious as to how you could do 18% more business? How about 14 more transaction sides per year? Check out this infographic with data from a RealTrends study to learn more.