Sat.Feb 05, 2022 - Fri.Feb 11, 2022

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Mortgage rates jump to 3.69% as economy normalizes

Housing Wire

The average 30-year-fixed rate mortgage climbed to 3.69% for the week ending Feb. 3, up eight basis points from the previous week. It’s the highest level since the start of the pandemic, according to the latest Freddie Mac PMMS Mortgage Survey. Before the uptick, the rates remained flat at 3.55% for three weeks, reflecting the impact of the Omicron variant in the economy.

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Want Top Dollar for Your House? Now’s the Time To List It.

Keeping Current Matters

When you’re selling any item, you usually want to sell it for the greatest profit possible.

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Inflation Reaches 40-Year High in January

Eye on Housing

Consumer prices continued to accelerate in January due to higher food, electricity and housing costs. This was the largest year-over-year gain since February 1982. This higher-than-expected inflation may push the Federal Reserve to become more aggressive and raise the federal funds rate at a faster pace. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose.

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11 Charities and Organizations That Do Donation Pickups For Free

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

Donate to Charity Are you in the process of selling your home? Do you need a donation pick-up? Maybe you are trying to eliminate the clutter that will make your property far more salable? Could you be trying to downsize, or perhaps try to clear out some room for things that fit your current lifestyle […]. The post 11 Charities and Organizations That Do Donation Pickups For Free appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

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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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As the market shifts to purchase, LOs get creative

Housing Wire

Maryland has over a dozen Eastern European stores that sell products like caviar, pumpernickel bread and salo, a Ukrainian-style bacon. Apart from selling produce that is popular in former Soviet countries, these stores represent a marketing opportunity for Alex Naumovych, a loan officer at Draper and Kramer Mortgage Corporation. Just before a customer buys a container of pre-made Borscht, they see Naumovych’s business cards and flyers that lay neatly near the checkout area.

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How To Win as a Buyer in a Sellers’ Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Some Highlights. Even in today’s sellers’ market, there are still ways for buyers to win big. Build a team of trusted professionals and make strategic plays as you budget and pick your desired neighborhoods. Then, be ready for the competition by getting a pre-approval letter and leaning on your expert advisors to draft a winning offer. In a sellers’ market, you can still be the champion if you have the right team and strategy.

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Minimum Credit Score to Buy a House

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

What Credit Score Do I Need to Buy a Home? Are you interested in knowing the minimum credit score needed to buy a house? It is one of the most common mortgage questions among first-time home buyers. As you’ve probably guessed, your credit score is one of the essential factors in purchasing a house. Buying […]. The post Minimum Credit Score to Buy a House appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

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HW+ Virtual 2022 Forecast Event

Housing Wire

Forecasts take on a new meaning this year as we enter our second year of economic forecasting in a COVID-19 world. This 2022 forecast event brought together some of the top economists and researchers in the housing space, equipping attendees with the insights and data they need to navigate the year ahead. The following on-demand event is an in-depth look at the predictions for next year, along with a roundtable discussion on how these insights apply to your business and the biggest questions and

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Consumers Agree: It’s a Good Time To Sell

Keeping Current Matters

In today’s sellers’ market, many homeowners are weighing their options and trying to decide if they should sell their house.

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Weeksville’s Long Awaited ‘In Pursuit of Freedom’ Exhibit Set to Open During Black History Month

Brownstoner

It has been years in the making, and this weekend as tours of Weeksville's historic Hunterfly houses resume, visitors will be able to get a glimpse of the completed 'In Pursuit of Freedom' exhibit. Set inside the only reproduction house amidst the row of original 19th century dwellings that are… Read More > The post Weeksville’s Long Awaited ‘In Pursuit of Freedom’ Exhibit Set to Open During Black History Month appeared first on Brownstoner.

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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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Inside a Pacific Heights Penthouse

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Long one of San Francisco’s most coveted neighborhoods, prestigious Pacific Heights is celebrated for its verdant parks, the famed Lyon Street Stairs, and popular boutiques and cafés—but it is perhaps most widely admired for its historic, architecturally significant estates with manicured lawns and sweeping picturesque vistas of the bay. San Francisco, California | Gregg Lynn, Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage.

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Freddie Mac posts $12.1B income in 2021

Housing Wire

Freddie Mac reported a net income of $12.1 billion for 2021, a 65% increase from 2020. The government-sponsored enterprise saw a 20% growth in its single-family mortgage portfolio from 2020 to 2021, driven by soaring home prices and an increase in the average size of loans it acquired. Freddie Mac’s net worth is now $28 billion, more than three times what it was pre-pandemic.

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Don’t Let Student Loans Delay Your Homeownership Dreams

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re looking to buy a home, you may be wondering how your student loan debt could impact those plans.

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Simple Ways to Save Energy and Money

Coldwell Banker

Going green is a great way to minimize waste, help the environment, reduce your energy bills and just live healthier. The post Simple Ways to Save Energy and Money appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue Matter.

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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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Building Materials Remain Top Challenge for Builders

Eye on Housing

Much like last year, the price and availability of building materials topped the list of problems builders face. According to special questions on the December 2021 survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, building material prices were a significant issue for 96% of builders in 2021, and 91% of the builders expect it to continue being a problem in.

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Licking its wounds, Zillow bets on a ‘housing super app’

Housing Wire

Zillow CEO Rich Barton. When Zillow stunned the housing world last November by announcing a wind down of its iBuying program – and beginning the process of laying off a quarter of its workforce – the question became what’s next. Suspense built as Zillow has kept a low profile since. On Thursday, we got an answer – A super app. “We are focused on building the ‘housing super app’ – an integrated digital experience in which Zillow connects all the fragmented pieces of the moving process and brings

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The Path To Homeownership Can Be Steeper for Some Americans

Keeping Current Matters

As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor and recognize the past and present experiences of Black Americans.

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Create The Perfect Home Gym

Coldwell Banker

Jumpstart your fitness goals and work up a sweat in the comfort of your own home. The post Create The Perfect Home Gym appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue Matter.

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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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Using remote work as an excuse to spy on employees is pathetic

The American Genius for Real Estate

(REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY) Remote work is bringing with it some surveillance. With the new blend of work and home, employees privacy is paramount. The post Using remote work as an excuse to spy on employees is pathetic appeared first on The American Genius Real Estate.

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Stewart says business is getting back to normal

Housing Wire

It is no secret that 2021 posed a variety of challenges for the title insurance industry. High demand for housing coupled with low mortgage rates led to an increase in both purchase and refinance transactions, pushing many firms to expand their capacity. Stewart Information Services Corporation was no exception. “2020 and 2021 were two of the best, as well as most challenging years in the title industry as a whole given tremendous changes in the market historically low rates and an ongoing impac

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The Cost of Selling a House with a Realtor in 2022

HomeLight

Real estate agents typically charge a commission amounting to 5%-6% of the property’s sale price, but they can also help you sell your house for more. This guide will serve as a great primer for first-time sellers (and a refresher for those repeating the process) on the cost of selling a house with a Realtor® — and the value you get by doing so.

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Soaring Construction Costs Drop Housing Affordability to Lowest Level in a Decade

Eye on Housing

Supply-chain bottlenecks that put upward pressure on home prices along with rising interest rates contributed to housing affordability falling to a 10-year low. The likelihood of higher interest rates in the months ahead (as the Federal Reserve moves to tighten interest rates) along with ongoing production challenges threaten to drive housing affordability even lower in 2022.

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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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6 Landscaping Trends That Can Help Increase the Value of Your Home

Coldwell Banker

Sure, location is important, but the three Ls in real estate are landscaping, landscaping, and landscaping. The post 6 Landscaping Trends That Can Help Increase the Value of Your Home appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue Matter.

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First American reports record breaking year?

Housing Wire

Just like other “Big Four” member Old Republic last week , First American Financial announced record breaking earnings during its fourth quarter earnings call on Thursday. The company’s total revenue for 2021 was up 30% from 2020 to a record of $9.2 billion, with $2.4 billion earned during the fourth quarter. However, the firm’s net income dropped to $260 million during Q4 compared to $280 million a year ago, which can be attributed to an uptick in operating costs.

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Covid-19 restrictions lifted for self-employed home buyers

The Mortgage Report

The Federal Housing Finance Agency updated its Covid lending guidance for self-employed home buyers. See the latest requirements.

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Some Homebuyers Are Regretting Their Decisions, but You Can Avoid It

Lighter Side of Real Estate

The last thing you want to do is regret buying a house. It’s typically the largest purchase you make, and something you have to live with (and in ) for some time. But people regret buying houses so often, it has a fancy term that gets thrown around—“buyer’s remorse.” Whether it’s that they feel like they spent too much money, they bought in the wrong neighborhood, bought the wrong house, or worry that the house is too small, it’s common for people to regret buying the house they bought.

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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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Locals Push City to Create Permanent Public Plaza at Greenpoint Intersection Near McCarren Park

Brownstoner

North Brooklynites are trucking along in their mission to make “Banker’s Anchor,” a triangle of land at North 15th and Bank streets, into a public plaza. At just over 5,000 square feet, the spot doesn’t seem like much, but it became a popular gathering place for the neighborhood, especially during the… Read More > The post Locals Push City to Create Permanent Public Plaza at Greenpoint Intersection Near McCarren Park appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Latest Better exit? It’s the head of real estate

Housing Wire

Back in August, Christian Wallace spoke effusively about her future at Better.com. The digital lender generated so much money through mortgage refinancing that it bankrolled a formidable real estate division. And Wallace, a former Sotheby’s agent and Opendoor manager, was charged with ensuring the division blossomed. But on Thursday, Wallace said that she gave Better her three-weeks notice of resignation.

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Real Estate Marketing On TikTok

Easy Agent Pro

If you think that TikTok is just for teenagers think again. It’s true that younger users are the largest demographic using this video app. But, there are also significant numbers of Gen X, Gen Z, and Millennial users on TikTok also. And smart real estate agents on jumping on the TikTok marketing for real estate trend to reach new buyers. What Is TikTok?

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Stay On Task in 2022

Coldwell Banker

Schedule the Right Time for To-Do Lists. The post Stay On Task in 2022 appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue Matter.

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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.