Housing Wire
JANUARY 14, 2021
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.
Keeping Current Matters
JANUARY 11, 2021
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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Realtor.com
JANUARY 12, 2021
Becki Peckham © Houzz Homeowners forced by the coronavirus pandemic to hole up in their homes for much of the past year are changing a few things about their homes. For starters, COVID-19 exposed the flaws of the open floor plans touted on HGTV and other design shows—finding a quiet space to jump on that Zoom meeting with the boss while the kids are remote learning a few feet away can be a logistical nightmare.
Homes.com
JANUARY 12, 2021
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.
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.
Housing Wire
JANUARY 13, 2021
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.
Keeping Current Matters
JANUARY 14, 2021
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.
Residential Realty Today brings together the best content for real estate professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Realty Biz
JANUARY 13, 2021
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.
Housing Wire
JANUARY 14, 2021
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.
Keeping Current Matters
JANUARY 12, 2021
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.
Realtor.com
JANUARY 11, 2021
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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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.
Eye on Housing
JANUARY 15, 2021
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.
Housing Wire
JANUARY 14, 2021
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%.
Keeping Current Matters
JANUARY 15, 2021
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.
Realtor.com
JANUARY 14, 2021
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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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.
Point2Homes
JANUARY 14, 2021
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.
Housing Wire
JANUARY 13, 2021
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.
Keeping Current Matters
JANUARY 13, 2021
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.
Realtor.com
JANUARY 12, 2021
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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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.
Sotheby's International Real Estate
JANUARY 11, 2021
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.
Housing Wire
JANUARY 14, 2021
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.
Coldwell Banker
JANUARY 15, 2021
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.
Realtor.com
JANUARY 14, 2021
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.
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.
Sotheby's International Real Estate
JANUARY 9, 2021
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.
Housing Wire
JANUARY 11, 2021
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.
Homes.com
JANUARY 12, 2021
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.
Realtor.com
JANUARY 11, 2021
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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Now more than ever, brokers need to provide agents with the right tools, strategies, and training to effectively demonstrate their expertise, negotiate successfully, and foster strong client relationships. So – what should brokers do to ensure this? Invest in the right technology, continuous education, and innovative marketing strategies that empower agents to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
The American Genius for Real Estate
JANUARY 11, 2021
(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.
Housing Wire
JANUARY 13, 2021
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.
Eye on Housing
JANUARY 13, 2021
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) latest Weekly Application Survey shows that, for the week ending January 8, 2021, mortgage application activity increased by 16.7% from the prior week on a seasonally adjusted basis, as indicated by its Market Composite Index. One of its two constituent indexes, the Purchasing Index, increased by 8% from the previous week while the other, the.
Realtor.com
JANUARY 14, 2021
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.
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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