Sat.Jan 09, 2021 - Fri.Jan 15, 2021

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FHFA extends relaxed appraisal, lending standards

Housing Wire

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced on Thursday it has extended relaxed lending and appraisal standards put in place due to COVID-19 another month for both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The flexibilities surrounding alternative verifications of employment and appraisals were originally set to expire on Jan. 31, 2021, however, the government entity is now pushing that back to at least Feb. 28, 2021.

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What Does 2021 Have in Store for Home Values?

Keeping Current Matters

According to the latest CoreLogic Home Price Insights Report , nationwide home values increased by 8.2% over the last twelve months. The dramatic rise was brought about as the inventory of homes for sale reached historic lows at the same time buyer demand was buoyed by record-low mortgage rates. As CoreLogic explained : “Home price growth remained consistently elevated throughout 2020.

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Prepper Fixer-Upper? Atlas Missile Silo in New York Is Listed for $600K

Realtor.com

realtor.com A decommissioned missile silo in Ellenburg Center, NY, has blasted onto the market for $600,000. This property also features an above-ground Quonset hut, which was used for storage by the military and has since been turned into a residence. Built to house the Atlas F missile in the 1960s, it’s one of 12 silos tied to the nearby Plattsburgh Air Force Base, which shut down in 1994.

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4 DIY Hacks That Make Projects Easier

Homes.com

Wanting to try out a little DIY? Brooke Cribbs shares her favorite DIY hacks to help take all your projects from drab to fab with ease! The post 4 DIY Hacks That Make Projects Easier appeared first on Homes.com.

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The 2025 Real Estate Roadmap to Success

Don’t just react to changes, plan for them, so you can approach the new year with confidence, direction, and a competitive edge for your business. Having a well-defined business plan helps you chart a clear course, navigate challenges, and set a foundation for growth. This workbook gives you the key steps to outline what matters and will ensure you’re moving ahead.

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New-year optimism reflected in mortgage applications jump

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications jumped 16.7% after a 4.2% drop last week , according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The jump underlines the seasonality behind last week’s decreas e in mortgage rates, as well as the expectation of additional fiscal stimulus from the incoming administration, per MBA Associate Vice President of Economic and Industry Forecasting Joel Kan.

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Why Right Now May Be the Time to Sell Your House

Keeping Current Matters

The housing market made an incredible recovery in 2020 and is now positioned for an even stronger year in 2021. Record-low mortgage interest rates are a driving factor in this continued momentum, with average rates hovering at historic all-time lows. According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index Survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), buyer demand across the country is incredibly strong.

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More Trending

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Minor Home Improvement Projects Can Provide Major Returns

Realty Biz

Home Improvement projects are a great way to increase the value of your home. Especially if you are getting ready to sell your home. Granted, some remodeling projects can cost a fortune and take a lot of time to complete. Major projects like, finishing an unfinished basement or building an addition to your home are costly undertakings that can require months to complete.

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7 things that have changed forever in the mortgage industry

Housing Wire

The mortgage industry has not traditionally been the vanguard of digital adoption, particularly in data intelligence and applied machine learning. Investments in proper infrastructure, an innate fear of losing process control, and converting the workforce to a digitally savvy “knowledge force” have contributed to “digital apprehension” in the past.

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4 Reasons People Are Buying Homes in 2021

Keeping Current Matters

According to many experts , the real estate market is expected to continue growing in 2021, and it’s largely driven by the lasting impact the pandemic is having on our lifestyles. As many of us spend extra time at home, we’re reevaluating what “home” means and what we may need in one going forward. Here are 4 reasons people are reconsidering where they live and why they’re expecting to buy a home this year. . 1.

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How the Rollout of COVID-19 Vaccines Could Help—and Hurt—the U.S. Housing Market

Realtor.com

Mike Kemp/Getty Images The coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing financial crisis have caused immeasurable hardship and pain across the U.S. Paradoxically enough, the crisis has also served as a turbocharged shot to the housing market. Feverish buyers rushed into the market just as COVID-19-shy sellers pulled their homes off—forcing buyers into bidding wars and pushing prices up to new heights.

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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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Led by Lumber, Building Materials Prices Climb 5.4% in 2020

Eye on Housing

Prices paid for goods used in residential construction ex-energy rose 0.7% in December (not seasonally adjusted) and ended the year 5.4% higher than they stood in December 2019, according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Building materials (i.e., inputs to residential construction less food and energy) prices declined just twice over the.

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Alongside rising yields, mortgage rates increase to 2.79%

Housing Wire

The average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan rose from its previous record low by 14 basis points this week to 2.79%, according to Freddie Mac ’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. This marks the first time mortgage rates have risen in almost two months. The 15-year fixed rate also rose slightly this week from 2.16% to 2.23%. Even with this week’s uptick, there have still been 23 consecutive weeks when average mortgage rates have been below 3%.

Mortgages 491
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Things to Avoid after Applying for a Mortgage [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Some Highlights. There are a few key things to make sure you avoid after applying for a mortgage to help make sure you still qualify for your loan at the closing table. Along the way, be sure to discuss any changes in income, assets, or credit with your lender, so you don’t unintentionally jeopardize your application. The best plan is to fully disclose your intentions with your lender before you do anything financial in nature.

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6 Winter Design Trends That Make Us Actually Glad To Be Stuck Inside

Realtor.com

JAR Home/Houzz As relieved as we were to close the book on 2020, the cold, hard truth is that we’re still in the middle of the Northern Hemisphere’s gloomiest season—where the days are short, the nights are long, and we’re stuck at home because of the global pandemic that continues to rage outside. We know it’s enough to make you lose your mind.

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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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How to Cancel or Update Your Change of Address

Point2Homes

Image: zimmytws / Shutterstock.com. Are you moving soon? If so, file your United States Postal Service (USPS) address change — either online or at a post office — in advance of your moving day. However, even the best-laid plans may change, and you may need to update your address change USPS request so your mail gets forwarded to where you need it to go in a timely fashion.

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Here’s the salary you need to buy a home in five of the largest U.S. cities

Housing Wire

If you’re considering purchasing a home, you probably have a lot of questions. One being, how much do you need to earn in a year to afford a mortgage in the U.S.? . Since home prices vary state-by-state, the salary you need to qualify for a mortgage in the U.S. depends a great deal on where you live. For example, the median price of a home in New York is typically more expensive than a home in Wisconsin.

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Will Forbearance Plans Lead to a Tsunami of Foreclosures?

Keeping Current Matters

At the onset of the economic disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic, the government quickly put into place forbearance plans to allow homeowners to remain in their homes without making their monthly mortgage payments. Today, almost three million households are actively in a forbearance plan. Though 29.4% of those in forbearance have continued to stay current on their payments, many have not.

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5 Myths About Transitioning From Renter to Homeowner

Realtor.com

Cavan Images/Getty Images Making the leap from being a renter to becoming a homeowner is a process that includes taking stock of your financial situation and determining whether you’re ready for such a massive responsibility. For most people, the primary question is affordability. Do you have enough cash in the bank to fund a down payment, or do you have a credit score high enough to qualify you for a home loan?

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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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Significant Sales | 2020 Highlights

Sotheby's International Real Estate

From the sale of the highest-priced home in the history of Vail, Colorado, to that of an architectural masterpiece in Las Lomas, Mexico, highlighted here are 10 Significant Sales from 2020 represented by the Sotheby’s International Realty® global network. Vail, Colorado. Sold for $57,250,000 | Tye Stockton, LIV Sotheby’s International Realty.

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One mortgage company finds higher purpose hiking 14ers

Housing Wire

It’s 6:30 in the morning on September 25, 2020, and a small team from The Home Loan Expert is beginning their long climb up Mount Elbert, the highest summit in the Rocky Mountains of North America and the highest point in Colorado. In a class commonly referred to as 14ers by those adventurous enough to climb them, this 14,440 foot-high mountain isn’t for the faint of heart.

Mortgages 461
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4 Keys to Crush Your Listings Goals in 2021 [LIVE WEBINAR]

Keeping Current Matters

The post 4 Keys to Crush Your Listings Goals in 2021 [LIVE WEBINAR] appeared first on Keeping Current Matters.

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What Is Title Insurance, and How Much Does Title Insurance Cost?

Realtor.com

barisonal/iStock.com Buying a home often entails also buying various types of insurance to protect your property, and one type you might need to get is called title insurance. When you buy a home, you “take title” to it and establish legal ownership. A title insurance policy protects you against the possibility that someone else might have a claim on your home.

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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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A Time for Reflection

Coldwell Banker

A statement from M. Ryan Gorman, President and CEO, on the events at the U.S. Capitol and looking forward. The post A Time for Reflection appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue Matter.

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LoanDepot files paperwork to go public in 2021

Housing Wire

The moment has finally arrived: California-based lender loanDepot has filed an updated S-1 with the Securities and Exchanges Commission and plans to go public in 2021. The company, founded by billionaire entrepreneur Anthony Hsieh, said Monday that its affiliate loanDepot Inc. had confidentially filed paperwork, but it hasn’t determined how much stock will be sold or at what price.

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5 Home Theaters That Steal the Show

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Sometimes whimsically detailed but always thoughtfully outfitted with top-tier systems and comfortable seating, these home theaters allow for the celebration of cinema in cozy seclusion. Texas Treasure. Sugarland, Texas | Walter Bering , Santa Fe, New Mexico Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty – Central Houston Brokerage. An undeniable opulence pervades nearly every room of this 19,180-square-foot manor on 1.68 gated acres in the town of Sugar Land, 20 miles from Houston.

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If a Sale Doesn’t Go Through, Who Pays the Appraisal Fee?

Realtor.com

Zinkevych / Getty Images If you’re buying a home, one of the (many) things you must check off your list is hiring a professional to do a home appraisal to assess the property’s value. But what if you check it off your list and then, for whatever reason, the home sale falls through—who pays the appraisal fee then? Let’s take a look. What is a home appraisal anyway?

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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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Lizzie Borden’s Former “Maplecroft” Home for Sale for $890K

Homes.com

The infamous home of Lizzie Borden where she lived after the tragic murder of her parents has hit the market for $890,000. The post Lizzie Borden’s Former “Maplecroft” Home for Sale for $890K appeared first on Homes.com.

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Impact of the CARES Act on mortgage servicing operations

Housing Wire

Since the CARES Act was signed into law, homeowners across the U.S. have taken advantage of its mortgage relief provisions. In fact, as of November 2020, a total of 6.5 million borrowers had been, or still were, on a COVID-19-related forbearance plan, either through the CARES Act or another program. Fortunately, the forbearance programs and foreclosure moratoria have protected many Americans from losing their homes during the pandemic.

Mortgages 435
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As Boomers downsize, heirlooms are being rejected

The American Genius for Real Estate

(HOMEOWNERSHIP) As baby boomers downsize and capitalize on senior management, heirlooms and antiques are falling to the wayside (they just don't spark joy). The post As Boomers downsize, heirlooms are being rejected appeared first on The American Genius Real Estate.

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What Happens When Your Real Estate Agreement Expires?

Realtor.com

carebott/Getty Images If your home has been on the market for a while and you haven’t been able to sell it, you’re bound to start checking your paperwork to see when your contract with your real estate agent is up. And you’re probably also wondering just what happens when your real estate agreement does, in fact, expire. Here’s the deal—and how to handle the situation once a real estate listing and contract have reached their end.

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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.