Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

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

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Keeping Current Matters

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

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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Maximum Exposure Real Estate

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

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.

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Eye on Housing

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

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.

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Finance 145

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.

Industrial

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 15, 2021

The years 2020-2024 will have the best housing demographics ever recorded in U.S. history, with the lowest mortgage rates recorded in history. When you have these two titans acting in unison, it can potentially accelerate real home prices in an unhealthy way. In 2020, the year of COVID-19, existing home sales ended at a respectable 5,640,000. That is roughly only 130,000 higher than the levels we saw in 2017.

Mortgages 540

Mortgages Marketing Sales 540

Keeping Current Matters

FEBRUARY 15, 2021

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.

Equity 320

Equity Mortgages As-is Marketing 320

Homes.com

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

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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Renovation 143

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

The first-time homebuyer process is a lengthy one, and if you’re not careful, there’s a lot that can throw you off-track. From low appraisals to surprise credit checks, a number of hurdles could slow your purchase or even derail it altogether. Are you on the hunt for a new home? Want to make sure your purchase goes off without a hitch? Then take steps to avoid these all-too-common first-time homebuyer mistakes: More for Real Estate Enthusiasts.

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Keeping Current Matters

FEBRUARY 17, 2021

There have been a lot of headlines reporting on how homeowner equity (the difference between the current market value of your home and the amount you owe on your mortgage) has dramatically increased over the past few years. CoreLogic indicated that equity increased for the average homeowner by $17,000 in the last year alone. ATTOM Data Solutions , in their latest U.S.

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Maximum Exposure Real Estate

FEBRUARY 13, 2021

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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Realtor.com

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Feverpitched / Getty Images You may be wondering if there are tax deductions when selling a home. And the answer is: You bet! Sure, you may remember way back to 2018 and its new tax code—aka the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—changed some rules for homeowners. But rest assured that if you sold your home in 2020 (or are planning to in the future), your tax deductions when you file with the IRS can still amount to sizable savings.

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Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

Writing about digital mortgage in 2021, I am reminded of a cartoon in the New Yorker, in which two cavemen were starting a fire and one said “Stop saying everything is ‘unprecedented.’” After a year of unprecedented everything, including mortgage volume, it’s hard to fathom the level of fintech disruption that is approaching financial services and specifically mortgage.

Mortgages 534

Mortgages Banks Loan Officer Technology 534

Keeping Current Matters

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

In today’s housing market, all eyes are on millennials. Not only are millennials the largest generation, but they’re also currently between 25 and 40 years old. These are often considered prime homebuying years when many people begin to form their own households and invest in real estate. If you’re like many millennials who are spending much more time at home these days, you may have a growing need for more space or upgraded features, making moving more desirable than ever.

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Equity Mortgages As-is Marketing 310

Eye on Housing

FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Strong buyer demand helped offset supply chain challenges and a surge in lumber prices as builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes inched up one point to 84 in February, according to the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). Lumber prices have been steadily rising this year and hit a record high in mid-February, adding thousands.

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Marketing 130

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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.

Agents

Realtor.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Heidi's Bridge/Houzz. Of all the rooms in your house, your kitchen likely saw the most action in 2020. With so many people staying at home making artisanal pizza and using their countertops as an office or classroom, this room endured plenty of wear and tear. And that means it might just be the room that’s most in need of a refresh. . But where to start?

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Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

The stock market is a funny game. Not the kind of game that the rookie Game Stop investors are used to playing, but a real-life, action-packed, form of entertainment that toys with millions of Americans’ emotions and finances every day. You know what isn’t a game, and can also provide oh-so-sweet returns? Investing in real estate. The stock market is at an all-time high, finishing 2020 at record levels.

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Marketing Investor Brokerage Finance 529

Keeping Current Matters

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Some Highlights. Mortgage interest rates have dropped considerably over the past year, and compared to what we’ve seen in recent decades, it’s a great time to buy a home. Locking in a low rate today could save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your home loan, but these low rates may not last forever. If you’re in a position to buy a home, reach out to a local real estate professional to determine your best move in today’s housing market while interest rates are still in your favor.

Mortgages 309

Mortgages Loans Marketing 309

Sotheby's International Real Estate

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

At the end of a lush gated lane in Montecito, this picturesque Mediterranean-inspired estate immediately conveys an air of easy elegance and relaxed refinement. The shade of a stalwart grandfather tree creates cool, serene shade for vibrantly colorful landscaping, all of which conjures a sense that here—in this peaceful corner of one of California’s most coveted communities, at the base of the mountains and minutes from the ocean—everything is truly thriving.

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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.

Sales

Realtor.com

FEBRUARY 17, 2021

JannHuizenga / Getty Images 2020 was the year of WFH: Working from home became a reality for countless Americans, as company offices closed down to curb the spread of COVID-19. And, as the time nears to file your 2020 taxes, you might be wondering: Does your home office add up to any tax deductions for you? It’s a logical question: Since most WFH warriors shell out of their own pocket for internet, printer ink, and equipment upgrades if their laptop poops out, it’s understandable to

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Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

The National Association of Realtors reported that existing home sales for January were at 6,669,000, which beat estimates. The year-over-year growth was an impressive 23.7%. The median sales price also jumped 14.1% year over year, which I warned could happen during the years 2020-2024. On a recent HousingWire podcast , I discussed the need for higher mortgage rates to cool down this growth rate.

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Sales Mortgages As-is Marketing 528

Lighter Side of Real Estate

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

With more people working from home than ever, the home office has become a major selling point to many potential buyers—and if you want to attract those potential buyers, you need to frame your office in a way that’s going to appeal to them. And that includes getting rid of things that won’t appeal to them. A recent article from Apartment Therapy outlined the items real estate agents recommend not displaying in your home office if you’re preparing to sell, including: College degrees and other re

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Agents 121

Eye on Housing

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Prices paid for goods used in residential construction ex-energy rose 2.1% in January (not seasonally adjusted) and have increased 6.8% over the past 12 months, 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 have declined just twice since December 2019.

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Construction Residential 122

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.

Agents

Realtor.com

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

chrisboy2004 / Getty Images Instagram is an endless trove of eye candy in the form of celeb selfies, cute pets, and cool home design ideas—but who would have thought that shocking home inspection photos of rusty toilets or electrical hazards would become Insta-famous, too? That’s the kind of fare you’ll find on the unlikely but addictive account @bostonhomeinspectors , which boasts 13,600 followers and counting.

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Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 17, 2021

When Realtor.com became the first listing platform to display flood hazard data on properties, the lead economist for Redfin expressed caution about the unintended consequences of displaying such statistics. “We need to be very careful about how we provide information,” Taylor Marr, the lead economist at Redfin, told NPR at the time. “Could this actually reduce the value of this existing homeowner and essentially take away a lot of their net worth?”.

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Brokerage Technology Design Mortgages 511

RIS Media

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Luxury Portfolio International® (LPI), the luxury division of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® , recently released a study of the world’s most affluent households: “State of Luxury Real Estate.” The report focuses on consumers in the top 1-5% income bracket across 17 countries and 30 million households. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Affluent Consumer Research Company, finding that of the 30 million-plus households surveyed, more than 15.5 million

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Residential New Construction Development Equity 122

The Mortgage Report

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

Today’s mortgage and refinance rates Markets were closed yesterday. However, average mortgage rates rose again last Friday. Of course, rises are unwelcome. But these rates remain within their exceptionally low […].

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Mortgages Closing Marketing 118

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Agents

Realtor.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Getty Images When your nail polish chips or that cherry-red shade isn’t quite right, a cotton ball soaked with nail polish remover can give you a clean slate. But did you know that the primary ingredient in most nail polish removers can dissolve scuffs, stains, and patches of grime? If your nail polish remover contains acetone, congrats! You have a versatile household solvent at your fingertips.

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Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Podcasts are the latest infotainment craze to take the American public by storm. With more than 850,000 active podcasts and nearly 31 million downloads in 2020 alone, podcasting has cemented itself as a true American pastime. As the popularity of this medium continues to grow, more and more housing industry professionals are becoming hosts and launching their own podcasts on topics ranging from real estate, fintech, and mortgage news.

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Eye on Housing

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Fueled by low mortgage interest rates and strong demand, existing home sales, as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), increased to three-month high in January. But surging house prices and inventory shortages could limit demand and slow the market. Total existing home sales, including single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 0.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate.

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Sales Mortgages Marketing 117

Realty Biz

FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Home buyers in the U.S. are facing increasingly fierce bidding wars, but even as prices rise and competition heats up, they’re not giving in. A new survey by the National Association of Home Builders last week found that around 40% of prospective home buyers have been unable to purchase one because they keep getting outbid, CNBC reported. One year before, the main reason people couldn’t find a home to buy was due to unaffordable prices.

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Equity Mortgages Agents As-is 113

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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