Sat.Jul 03, 2021 - Fri.Jul 09, 2021

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Fannie Mae: Sellers still thriving as home prices stay high

Housing Wire

Sellers, rejoice. Roughly 77% of respondents to 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, said now is a good time to sell. That’s up from 67% the prior month. To boot, a reported 64% of survey respondents said it’s a bad time to buy a home, up from 56% last month.

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The Truths Young Homebuyers Need To Hear

Keeping Current Matters

For many young or first-time homebuyers, purchasing a home can feel intimidating. A recent survey shows some homebuyers ages 25 to 40 may be unsure about the homebuying process and what they can afford. It found: “1 in 4 underestimated their buying potential by $150k or more”. “1 in 4 underestimated the increase in value by $100k or more”. “47% don’t know what a good interest rate is”.

Mortgages 320
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Best Tips For Lowering Your Property Tax Bill

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

Get Your Property Taxes Reduced Do you feel like you are paying too much taxes on your home? Are you getting the feeling your tax assessment is higher than it should be? Appealing property taxes is something a lot of homeowners are forced to do. If you are looking for how to appeal high property […]. The post Best Tips For Lowering Your Property Tax Bill appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

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Here’s How Often You Should Replace Commonly Used Kitchen Items

Realtor.com

Getty Images The kitchen is the beating heart of any home. It gets the most foot traffic, is the center of most gatherings, and is the source of some (hopefully) delicious meals. But as the most used room in the house, it can take a beating. From cleaning supplies to your hard-working appliances, everything has an expiration date, and there comes a time when your kitchen items need to be replaced.

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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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Pending home sales crush hopes of forbearance crash bros

Housing Wire

The most recent pending home sales report that soundly beat estimates after a downtrend in the previous months caused some serious head-scratching. Pending home sales were up a healthy 8% from April and just over 13% compared to the same month last year. Of course, last year’s comps should be discounted due to COVID-19. From the National Association of Realtors : “Pending home sales rose 8% in May from the prior month and 13.1% from one year ago.

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A Look at Home Price Appreciation Through 2025

Keeping Current Matters

Home prices have increased significantly over the last year, which in turn has grown the net worth of homeowners. Appreciation and home equity are directly linked – as the value of a home increases, so does a homeowner’s equity. And with these recent gains, homeowners are witnessing their financial stability and well-being grow to record levels. In more good news for homeowners, the most recent Home Price Expectations Survey – a survey of a national panel of over one hundred economists, real est

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Why Builder Lumber Prices Remain Higher than Headlines Suggest

Eye on Housing

Lumber futures prices have decreased by 52 percent (on a front-month basis) over the past seven weeks as mill prices have fallen 48 percent over the same period.[1] In contrast, prices paid by builders since late May have declined by a fraction of that impact. The disconnect—which has always existed—is inherent to the lumber supply chain and choices that must.

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Digital closings have spiked 228% since 2019

Housing Wire

The number of title and settlement companies offering digital closings has increased 228% since 2019, as more of the industry moves online in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Per a survey of 300 title professionals conducted by the American Land Title Association , only 14% of professionals offered digital closings prior to the health crisis. Now, in 2021, 46% offer digital closings, according to Diane Tomb, ALTA chief executive officer.

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Selling Your House? Make Sure You Price It Right.

Keeping Current Matters

There’s no denying we’re in a sellers’ market. With low inventory and high buyer demand, homes today are selling above the asking price at a record rate. According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index Survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR): Homes typically sell within 17 days (compared to 26 days one year ago). The average home sold has five offers to pick from. 54% of offers are over the asking price.

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Tipping Movers Correctly: What You Need to Know

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

How Much Should You Tip Your Movers? Are you wondering if you are supposed to tip movers? If so, you are also probably looking to find out how much is appropriate to tip a mover. When moving for the first time, it’s not unusual to have questions such as these. If your home is under […]. The post Tipping Movers Correctly: What You Need to Know appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

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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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The 5 Hottest Decor Trends of Summer 2021, Revealed

Realtor.com

Colin Price Photography/Houzz Summer is in full swing, and we’ll admit—we’re soaking up every last drop of seasonal bliss by lounging in the sun on some epically fun pool floats , a jumbo tube of SPF 50, and a cooler of Truly hard seltzers within reaching distance. But what if your summer speed is less lazy and more motivated ? If the warm temperatures and long days have inspired you to get busy around the house instead of lazing by the pool, then we’re all for that, too.

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Mortgage rates fall back down to 2.9%

Housing Wire

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell eight basis points from the week prior to 2.9%, according to data released Thursday by Freddie Mac ‘s PMMS. According to Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, last week’s dip followed the concurrent drop in U.S. Treasury yields earlier this week. “While mortgage rates tend to follow Treasury yields closely, other factors can be impactful such as the labor markets, which are continuing to improve per last week’s jobs report,” sai

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Home Builders Ramp Up Construction Based on Demand

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re thinking of buying a home, there really is no time like the present. With today’s low mortgage rates, you have a great opportunity to get more home for your money. The challenge is inventory. Like you, many buyers want to capitalize on these market conditions, and it’s leading to more buyer competition and bidding wars. If you’re having a hard time finding a home to buy, it may be time to talk to your trusted real estate advisor about a newly built home.

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Inside an Authentic California Hacienda

Sotheby's International Real Estate

If any architectural style can be said to epitomize California’s aesthetic, Spanish Colonial Revival would be in the running. Combining Baroque, Moorish, Mexican, and Craftsman influences, the style rose to popularity in Southern California after its introduction to the United States in the early 20th century, and while it remains more prevalent in the state’s southern region, it feels perfectly fitting in the rolling vineyard-strewn countryside of Napa.

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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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For Some Millennials, a Starter Home Is Hard to Find

Realtor.com

Mark Lipczynski for The Wall Street Journal The shortage of available starter homes feels like yet another hurdle blocking some millennials’ path to traditional money milestones. “It just feels like every little thing keeps getting put on hold,” said Samantha Berrafato, a 27-year-old house hunter searching for her first home in the Chicago area. “I’ve been putting having kids on hold, and I had put having a wedding on hold because we just couldn’t afford it.

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Mortgage applications fall for third straight week

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications decreased again , this time falling 1.8% in the week ending July 2, 2021, according to the latest report from the Mortgage Bankers Association. This marks the third straight week of application declines, and represents the lowest level since the January 2020. “Treasury yields have been volatile despite mostly positive economic news, including last week’s June jobs report, which showed ongoing improvements in the labor market,” said Joel Kan, MBA associate vice preside

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Your Home Equity Can Take You Places [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Some Highlights. The amount of wealth Americans have stored in their homes has increased astronomically. On average, homeowners gained $33,400 in equity over the last 12 months, and the average equity on mortgaged homes is now $216,000. When it’s time to sell , your home equity can help accomplish your goals. Reach out to a local real estate professional to discuss how you can take advantage of today’s sellers’ market to get the most out of your home sale.

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Flame On: 5 Homes with Outdoor Fire Pits and Fireplaces

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Whether set in the remote woods of Connecticut or overlooking the Pacific Coast, a stylish fire pit can turn any backyard or terrace into a warm, welcoming alfresco oasis. Classic Coastal Style. Pacific Palisades, California | Barbara Boyle, Sotheby’s International Realty – Pacific Palisades Brokerage. High above sandy beaches and crashing waves, this 9,380-square-foot estate exudes classic coastal style and boasts formal living and dining rooms, a gourmet kitchen flowing to a family

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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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Racing for Real Estate? This Indianapolis Agent Has the Investment Fast Track

Bigger Pockets

Matt Speer is personally invested in two things: real estate and sports. And for this Indianapolis-based broker, those two passions are definitely interconnected. After all, the real estate game in […].

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Home prices accelerating in areas without mass transit

Housing Wire

As more of the country moves to permanent work-from-home arrangements, home prices in car-dependent areas have risen twice as fast as those in transit-accessible areas, according to a recent study by Redfin. The median home-sale price in car-dependent areas, nationwide, has increased 32.8% to a record $418,100 since January 2020, while it has risen 15.6% to a record $540,500 in transit-accessible neighborhoods.

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Armed with savings from the pandemic, young adults eye homeownership

Realty Biz

Zillow believes that most millennials and Gen Zers are enthusiastic about the idea of owning a home and that a good number of them will look to buy one in the near future. A recent survey on the housing preferences and influences on the younger generations found that three in five are planning to use money they have saved during the COVID-19 pandemic to put towards a down payment on a home.

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Did the Share of Concrete-Framed Homes Rise in 2020?

Eye on Housing

Higher prices and limited availability of softwood lumber has been a key issue for housing and the overall inflation situation for the U.S. economy. With this in mind, did higher lumber prices in 2020 result in higher market shares for non-wood framed single-family homes? Wood framing remains the dominant construction method for single-family homes in the U.S., according to NAHB.

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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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Why More Homebuyers Now Are Turning to This Much Riskier Type of Mortgage

Realtor.com

Getty Images Mortgage payments that grew more expensive over time were one of the main culprits of the housing bust that led to a worldwide, financial disaster in the mid-2000s. And now one of the types of loans that defined that era is staging a comeback. More homebuyers are choosing adjustable-rate mortgages, which offer lower monthly payments initially, to contend with record-high home prices.

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Real estate is a people business, but automation can help

Housing Wire

The news is filled with talk of real estate. Bubbles have that effect. We know through the work of people like Robert Shiller and others that “narratives” are indeed economic forces and that compelling narratives can move markets. In the U.S. real estate market, matters are of course more complex than mere narratives, but we do all know that constant hype adds to the buoyancy of markets, which then creates more hype.

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Vancouver Home Prices See 5-Figure Monthly Drop, As Resistance Suddenly Appears

Better Dwelling

Vancouver Home Prices See 5-Figure Monthly Drop, As Resistance Suddenly Appears Greater Vancouver real estate prices have been on a tear, but that may be coming to an end. Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) data shows prices generally climbed in June. Broken down by region though, the trend isn’t quite as positive. In […]. The post Vancouver Home Prices See 5-Figure Monthly Drop, As Resistance Suddenly Appears appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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Shortages Cause Builders to Raise Prices, Pre-Order Materials

Eye on Housing

Recent posts have discussed how builders are facing widespread shortages of many building materials, and how materials prices for the same house have increased by 26 percent over the past year. Results from a follow-on NAHB survey show that builders have reacted to the shortages in a variety of ways, most commonly by raising the prices of their homes and.

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The Broker Action Plan for the Post-NAR Lawsuit Landscape

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.

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Ready To Stop Working? The Best (and Worst) States for Retirement in 2021

Realtor.com

Getty Images Who doesn’t dream of the day they get to ditch their morning commute, stuffy office attire, and 9-to-5 grind permanently and retire? But if you aren’t sure exactly where to embark on this slower-paced stage of life, a new report by Bankrate has some suggestions. By examining data in five areas that matter to retirees—weather, affordability, wellness, culture, and crime—Bankrate has ranked all 50 states on just how retirement-friendly they are.

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Homes are selling well over listing prices as buyers compete against each other

Housing Wire

In case you didn’t know, we’re living in a seller’s market. But even though home prices are at record highs , buyers are still in the market. Not only are they shopping, but they’re putting down offers well over the listing price. Are you in the market for a home? Be prepared to spend money. Listing prices? Never heard of them! A buyer in Austin, Texas paid $1 million over a home’s listing price.

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Bank of Canada Will Get More Room To Hike Rates With US Fed Turning Hawkish: RBC

Better Dwelling

Canada’s largest bank now sees the US raising interest rates, and it’s a big positive for Canadian rate hikes. RBC senior economist Josh Nye said the bank sees the US hiking rates by next year. The hike will allow the Bank of Canada (BoC) to raise rates without a significant appreciation of the loonie. This […]. The post Bank of Canada Will Get More Room To Hike Rates With US Fed Turning Hawkish: RBC appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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What Areas Grew the Most? Single-Family Home Building in 2020

Eye on Housing

According to NAHB analysis of the Survey of Construction (SOC), new single-family starts expanded at a fast pace in 2020. Nationally, 993,635 new single-family units were started in 2020, 12% higher than the units started in 2019. It marked the fastest growth rate since 2013 and the highest count of starts since the Great Recession. Among all the nine Census.

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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.