Sat.Jun 05, 2021 - Fri.Jun 11, 2021

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Selling your home? Make sure you’re aware of hidden costs

Housing Wire

It’s no secret that buying a home takes time and money. Well, it turns out, so does selling a home. According to Zillow and Thumbtack’s Hidden Costs of Selling Analysis , the average homeowner spends over $15,000 in “hidden costs” to sell their home. . While a real estate agent’s commission is one of the most expensive costs, it definitely isn’t the only one.

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Home Price Appreciation Is as Simple as Supply and Demand

Keeping Current Matters

Home price appreciation continues to accelerate. Today, prices are driven by the simple concept of supply and demand. Pricing of any item is determined by how many items are available compared to how many people want to buy that item. As a result, the strong year-over-year home price appreciation is simple to explain. The demand for housing is up while the supply of homes for sale hovers at historic lows.

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What is an Escalation Clause and How Do They Work

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

How Does An Escalation Clause in Real Estate Work Have you just heard the term “escalation clause” and wonder what the heck it means? It is not uncommon for a seller to get multiple offers for a home in hot real estate markets. Bidding wars become commonplace in a seller’s market. As a buyer, the […]. The post What is an Escalation Clause and How Do They Work appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

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The Silent Agony of Selling a Home That Feels Like, Well, Home

Realtor.com

Christina Vercelletto I was pregnant with our second child when my husband and I started looking for our forever home. At the time, we were in a small apartment we’d long outgrown, and wanted all the suburban trappings of family life. We looked at 14 houses that sounded right for us, but in reality were not. Lucky No. 15, a ranch house with a huge yard on a short block overlooking Long Island’s Great South Bay, felt right from the get-go.

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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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Why we can’t build our way out of this hot housing market

Housing Wire

During the previous economic expansion from 2008 to 2019, the housing market was subject to the constant refrain of build more homes. Building more homes, it was said, would solve all sorts of social problems, from making homeownership more affordable to ending homelessness. Today we are perhaps less prone to believing that a glut of new homes is the panacea society is waiting for, but the siren call to build more homes continues to be broadcast by a host of housing pundits and social do-gooders

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In Today’s Market, Listing Prices Are Like an Auction’s Reserve Price

Keeping Current Matters

For generations, the process of buying and selling a home never really changed. A homeowner would try to estimate the market value of their house, then tack on a little extra to give themselves some negotiating room. That figure would become the listing price. Buyers would then try to determine how much less than the full price they could offer and still get the home.

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Count of Open Construction Jobs Near Two-Year High

Eye on Housing

The count of open construction jobs increased in April to 357,000 unfilled positions, according to data from the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The housing market remains hot and requires additional labor, lots and lumber and building materials to add inventory. Overall, hiring in the construction sector slowed in April, declining to a 4.5% rate.

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UWM goes on the offensive with price-match guarantee

Housing Wire

United Wholesale Mortgage has been aggressively price-cutting loans to put pressure on competitors for months now. It appears they’ve just thrown gas on the fire in the hopes of boosting their second quarter numbers, while hitting their rivals ahead of earnings call season. UWM said on Monday that they’ll price-match any conventional loan on primary residences up to 35 basis points with that of 15 different competitors: Caliber Home Loans , Cardinal Financial , Citizens Bank , Financ

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Why This Is Not Like 2008 Again

Keeping Current Matters

During the Great Recession, just over a decade ago, the financial systems the world depended on started to collapse. It created a panic that drove some large companies out of business (ex. Lehman Brothers) and many more into bankruptcy. The financial crisis that accompanied the current pandemic caused hardship to certain industries and hurt many small businesses.

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Take ‘Grandmillennial’ Decor Outdoors! How To Embrace Summer’s Hottest Style

Realtor.com

Getty Images Millennials have gone nuts for an old-fashioned decor style straight from Grandma’s house dubbed “ grandmillennial ,” and now that warm weather is here, it’s no surprise that they’re taking this look outdoors, too. Millennials are embracing this throwback look in part because it’s affordable—after all, grabbing vintage items from estate sales or DIY wares off Etsy is often more budget-friendly than buying new.

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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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Canada Funnels The Largest Share of Investment Into Housing In The OECD

Better Dwelling

Canadian housing mania is consuming more and more of the country’s capital. The country is now devoting a record share of gross fixed capital to build homes. It’s really hard to appreciate this number without looking at the rest of the world. The share of investment devoted to homebuilding makes the US bubble look like […]. The post Canada Funnels The Largest Share of Investment Into Housing In The OECD appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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Homebuyers are growing weary of the housing market

Housing Wire

Homebuyers are feeling pretty discouraged by the housing market these days. The latest Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index shows that just 35% of consumers believe now is a good time to buy a home, down from 47% in April. And those who believe it is a bad time to be a homebuyer increased to 56% from 48%. “Consumers appear to be acutely aware of higher home prices and the low supply of homes , the two reasons cited most frequently for that particular sentiment,” said Doug Duncan,

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Why You May Want To Cash in on Your Second Home

Keeping Current Matters

When stay-at-home mandates were enforced last year, many households realized their homes didn’t really fulfill their new lifestyle needs. An office (in some cases two), a media room, space for children to learn, a gym, and a large yard are all examples of amenities that became highly desirable almost overnight. Zelman & Associates recently reported that sales of primary residences grew by 9% in 2020.

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Market Wisdom from Realogy Expansion Brands CMO Jennifer Marchetti

Realty Biz

As the business world works to recenter itself in the wake of this unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, innovative leadership will prove to be the most important competitive differentiator in the years to come. With this in mind, we reached out to Jennifer Marchetti , who is the Chief Marketing Officer for the Realogy Expansion Brands portfolio, including Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate and ERA®.

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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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Why Rage Gardening Is the Stress Reliever You Need Right Now

Realtor.com

Getty Images Does the phrase “the new normal” drive you nuts? How about “these unprecedented times”? For whatever reason, these pandemic terms that we’ve all heard over and over again in these uncertain (sorry!) times are what can send me into a rage. I’m not alone in my sensitivity. Emotional distress and general anxiety have been widespread throughout the COVID-19 pandemic—chalk it up to life being thrown off course for 15-plus months.

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FHFA to review exec compensation at Fannie & Freddie

Housing Wire

For the first time in nearly a decade, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is taking a look at how its compensation measures up for executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. On Thursday, the regulator issued a request for input to determine if the current compensation is not “reasonable” or “comparable.” In a statement, FHFA Director Mark Calabria said the information the FHFA gathers will help to ensure transparent and appropriate executive compensation policies.

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Have Your Day in the Sun by Moving Up This Summer [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Some Highlights. Longer days and sunny weather mean summer is upon us, and what better conditions than right now to upgrade to the home of your dreams ? If your needs have changed , it’s a great time to upgrade – there’s likely high demand for your current house, and today’s low mortgage rates can help you afford your dream home. If you’re ready to upgrade to a home that matches your changing needs, reach out to a local real estate professional today.

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Construction Begins at Future Amazon Warehouse on the Red Hook Waterfront

Brownstoner

Construction has started at the future Red Hook warehouse that will soon be home to an Amazon distribution center. Located at the former site of the Revere Sugar Factory at 280 Richards Street, on a pier sandwiched between IKEA and the former location of Fairway, it was long planned to be… Read More > The post Construction Begins at Future Amazon Warehouse on the Red Hook Waterfront appeared first on Brownstoner.

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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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10 Crucial Questions To Ask Before Hiring Movers

Realtor.com

Getty Images Buying a house is exciting. Moving to it? Not so much! Of course, hiring a professional mover to schlep your belongings from your old home to your new abode can make things a whole lot easier. Choosing the right mover, though, will require some careful vetting. While you probably know to ask certain questions—like the cost of moving and what COVID-19 precautions the mover has in place—there’s a lot more you can cover that could help you avoid some chaos-inducing curveballs dow

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Fannie Mae gives go-ahead for digital verification

Housing Wire

Fannie Mae has given mortgage servicers the green light to use third-party digital vendors to verify income and asset information. Unsurprisingly, mortgage tech firms are thrilled. In a June 9 note , the government-sponsored entity told mortgage servicers they could implement the changes immediately. Servicers can use a third-party vendor to verify the information that the borrower provided in their mortgage assistance application.

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Real Estate Market Values Surge in the First Quarter

Eye on Housing

The latest results from the Federal Reserve’s Z.1 Financial Accounts of the United States, i.e., the “Flow of Funds”, show that, in the first quarter of 2021, the aggregate market value of all owner-occupied real estate in the United States registered the largest numerical quarterly increase in the last 20 years’ worth of data. From $32.84 trillion in the fourth.

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Now we have a paint shortage to deal with too

Realty Biz

Paint is getting harder to come by, and that’s likely to have an impact of people aiming to do summer home improvement projects. It’s also delaying the construction of new homes, as builders are forced to wait for supplies of more paint. The paint shortage is primarily due to the COVID-19 restrictions that have led to major disruptions of supply chains in various different industries, experts say.

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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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How to Get a Land Loan to Build a House

RIS Media

Are you wondering how land loans work? Maybe you’re setting your mind on purchasing a piece of land that wonderfully fits your future house? Getting a loan for land is a smart move, especially when you will not be constructing your home right away. Procuring land financing is a great way to make your purchase on time. You can take out a mortgage for land the same way you would for a house—the only difference and inconvenience is the land’s assessment.

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Mortgage rates slip back down to 2.96%

Housing Wire

Mortgage rates fell again last week, dropping three basis points to an average of 2.96%, according to Thursday data from Freddie Mac ‘s PMMS. Rates have now managed to stay within a five basis point range above or below 3% for nearly two months. Higher mortgage rates historically have signaled a strengthened economy. But this is no ordinary economy: an apprehensive bond market has been keeping a close eye on global macroeconomic trends and Fed policy changes.

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Paint Maintenance and Touch-Up Tips That’ll Keep Your Home Looking Like New

Realtor.com

Getty Images You did the work, painted your home (or had it painted for you), and the results are fantastic. Congratulations! Now the question is: How do you keep it looking that way? Behold, our Bible on how to maintain a paint job, so that it remains looking fabulous for years to come. Which paint lasts the longest? The key to a long-lasting paint job starts with the paint job itself, including proper prepping and priming, according to Hunter MacFarlane , an expert for Lowe’s.

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Residential Construction Loan Volume Moves Higher

Eye on Housing

Ending a period of volume decline that began at the end of 2019, the volume of residential construction lending posted an increase during the first quarter of 2021. Nonetheless, overall residential construction loan volume ended the year lower due to accelerated sales growth, which reduced outstand loans at a faster rate. The volume of 1-4 unit residential construction loans made.

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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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How Long it Takes to Close on a House

Realty Biz

What Is The Time Frame For Closing on a Home? One of the more popular questions asked from buyers and sellers is how long it will take to close on a house. When buying or selling a home, you feel relieved once the process closes and you have the home keys handed over to you. There is a lot that goes on between the time you find your dream home vs. when you sit at the closing table.

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Mortgage lenders loosened credit standards in May

Housing Wire

Mortgage credit availability increased by 1.4% in May – a sign that volume-hungry lenders continued to loosen credit standards in a highly competitive market, according to Thursday data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. MBA’s Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) which uses 100 as a benchmark — increased to 129.9 in May. A decline in the MCAI suggests that lending standards are tightening while a higher number suggests loosening credit standards.

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How Are Sellers In The Current Market REALLY Doing?

Homes.com

Just how much are sellers in the current market REALLY reaping hefty benefits? Homes.com surveyed 1,600 respondents from across the country to find out. . The post How Are Sellers In The Current Market REALLY Doing? appeared first on Homes.com.

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Head to Marine Park and MetroTech for Free Tribeca Film Festival Screenings

Brownstoner

The Tribeca Film Festival begins Wednesday, and this year, the festival will be putting on free film screenings at parks all over the city, including at MetroTech Commons and in Marine Park. Southern Brooklyn film buffs will be able to enjoy free screenings at Marine Park next week as part of… Read More > The post Head to Marine Park and MetroTech for Free Tribeca Film Festival Screenings appeared first on Brownstoner.

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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.