Housing Wire

DECEMBER 25, 2020

Real estate agents across the U.S. have been busy as a result of the pent-up demand from homebuyers due to COVID-19. From facing uncertainty in March from COVID-19-related shutdowns, to seeing home sales skyrocket through the summer into fall, it looks like homebuyers won’t be slowing down anytime soon, despite the holiday season approaching. Fannie Mae Chief Economist Doug Duncan said he expects existing home sales to ultimately “be up a percent or more in 2021.

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Keeping Current Matters

DECEMBER 21, 2020

Once you’ve found the right home and applied for a mortgage, there are some key things to keep in mind before you close. You’re undoubtedly excited about the opportunity to decorate your new place, but before you make any large purchases, move your money around, or make any major life changes, consult your lender – someone who is qualified to tell you how your financial decisions may impact your home loan.

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Lighter Side of Real Estate

DECEMBER 22, 2020

With the arrival of each new year, it’s fun to freshen up your home and make it look and feel contemporary. Especially as we usher out 2020—a year we’ve spent far too much time looking at the same interiors—you’re probably eager to create a different vibe with the help of some new decor. What’s going to be in style for 2021? Designers agree it’s all about comfort and color!

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Realtor.com

DECEMBER 22, 2020

lookslike/Getty Images As the new year brings new resolutions, many of us have put home renovations high on our list. Maybe you’re pledging to fix up your home in preparation for selling it in 2021. Or perhaps you’re looking to enliven the place in which you’ve spent many, many hours of the day while sheltering in place in 2020. No matter your motivation, updating your flooring may be a good place to start. “Homeowners are seeking tranquility and peace from all the noise

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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

DECEMBER 22, 2020

In recent articles, I have written that although current sales data for the U.S. housing market has outperformed expectations, I expected these upward trends to moderate. Growth in home sales in recent months, I proposed, was primarily due to the catch-up demand from the stalled sales during the worst weeks of COVID-19. Today, the National Association of Realtors reported a 2.5% decline in existing home sales compared to last month, which I guess could be considered moderation.

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Keeping Current Matters

DECEMBER 22, 2020

Over the past year, mortgage rates have fallen more than a full percentage point, hitting a new historic low 15 times. This is a great driver for homeownership, as today’s low rates provide consumers with some significant benefits. Here’s a look at three of them. 1. Move-up or Downsize: One option is to consider moving into a new home, putting the equity you’ve likely gained in your current house toward a down payment on a new one that better meets your needs – something that’s truly a perfect

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Coldwell Banker

DECEMBER 21, 2020

After a most unique year, it only makes sense that we would launch into 2021 with an unexpected color of the year choice. In fact, Pantone has gone with not one, but two, hues in its annual proclamation. In a news release, Pantone called them “two independent colors that come together to create an aspirational color pairing, conjoining deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the optimistic promise of a sunshine filled day.”.

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Housing Wire

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Borrowers looking to refinance their VA and FHA loans contributed to another uptick in mortgage applications for the week ending Dec. 18, according to the latest report from the Mortgage Bankers Association. Mortgage applications jumped 0.8% a week after the 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped five basis points to 2.85%, the trade group noted. The 30-year rate is up to 2.86% in the most recent MBA survey, according to Joel Kan, MBA’s associate vice president of economic and industry forecasting

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Keeping Current Matters

DECEMBER 23, 2020

It may seem hard to imagine that the home you’re in today – whether it’s your starter home or just one you’ve fallen in love with along the way – might not be your forever home. Many needs have changed in 2020, and it’s okay to admit if your house no longer fits your lifestyle. If you’re now working remotely, facilitating virtual school, trying to exercise at home, or simply just spending more time in your own four walls, you may be bursting at the seams in your current house.

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Realtor.com

DECEMBER 24, 2020

miodrag ignjatovic/Getty Images Tiffany Lequerique-Considine , 37, and her partner, Steve , 48, were trying to figure out a more supportive living arrangement for his 88-year-old mother at the beginning of this year. The couple knew that the 10,500-foot elevation of their hometown of Breckenridge, CO, would not be ideal for her health. The family talked about a nursing home, but they weren’t thrilled about the cost and had other concerns—and then COVID-19 struck, highlighting the risks to the vu

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Maximum Exposure Real Estate

DECEMBER 21, 2020

Who Are The Best Companies For Moving Trucks Are you considering renting a truck to move? You are not alone as many folks decide to move by themselves rather than hire a moving company. Moving truck rentals have become a booming business. If you are the kind of person who tends to go the cheapest […]. The post Best Moving Truck Rental Companies: Truck Rentals Reviewed appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

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Marketing 139

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Reports on housing data are headline-driven, and headlines are designed to cause folks to overreact in both positive and negative ways. We’ve seen our share of hyperbolic headlines in the housing reports this year, and for that reason, I have been compelled to reiterate my belief that the “too-hot” data will moderate to a more normalized trend. But, we hadn’t seen that moderation in any meaningful way until today’s new home sales data.

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Keeping Current Matters

DECEMBER 24, 2020

We talk a lot about why it makes financial sense to buy a home, but more often than not, we’re drawn to the emotional reasons for homeownership. No matter the living space, the feeling of a home means different things to different people. Whether it’s a certain scent or a favorite chair, the feel-good connections to our own homes are typically more important to us than the financial ones.

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Renovation 294

Realtor.com

DECEMBER 23, 2020

CarmenMurillo / Getty Images Ever resolve to organize your closet or junk drawer, only to see your efforts devolve into a (slightly different) cluttered mess? Maybe it’s because you tried a method that doesn’t fit your personality. It turns out, people have different approaches to organizing—how to do it, and what they want to get out of it.

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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

The Mortgage Report

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Sellers: learn what home inspectors look for so you can prepare for your home inspection. Buyers: learn how to interpret the home inspection report.

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Housing Wire

DECEMBER 21, 2020

Comparing single-family houses vs. townhouses can be difficult. What is the right fit for your home purchase? That depends on a whole host of factors — things like your budget , your need for space and privacy, and your penchant for home maintenance. Are you trying to decide whether a townhome or a detached, single-family house is the best use of your money?

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Renovation Sales Agents Marketing 525

Keeping Current Matters

DECEMBER 25, 2020

The post Thank You for All Your Support appeared first on Keeping Current Matters.

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Realtor.com

DECEMBER 25, 2020

FollowTheFlow / Getty Images Decorating kids bedroom walls is a tough challenge—that is, if you don’t want them to outgrow that fire engine mural or “Frozen” decals anytime soon. Isn’t there anything out there more original that both parents and kids will enjoy for years to come? Of course there is. “Kids, by nature, are creative and imaginative, so it makes sense that their bedrooms should be just as colorful and full of life,” says Anna Shiwlall , owner of t

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Realty Biz

DECEMBER 22, 2020

Image Source: Pexels. For some people, renting a space and calling it home in Toronto is a much more economical option than buying property. However, this brings us a few things that, as a tenant, you need to consider before you decide to live in a rented place. For your convenience, here is a list of a few very important things you need to consider before renting in Toronto.

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Housing Wire

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Despite the pandemic, incredibly, the housing market has surpassed all expectations in 2020. Applications to purchase a home hit a low point in the spring due to stay-at-home orders and mandated business closures, but have rebounded swiftly. As of the week ending December 4, purchase loan applications have exceeded year-ago levels for 29-straight weeks, and cumulative purchase applications have surpassed 2019 levels.

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Loans Sales Mortgages Marketing 521

Brownstoner

DECEMBER 23, 2020

As we find ourselves in the giving season of this tumultuous year, many Brooklynites may be looking around their community and want to help those in need. Below, Brownstoner has compiled a list of mutual aid groups based in Brooklyn that are looking for volunteers, donations and more. This is… Read More > The post Help Out One of Brooklyn’s Many Mutual Aid Groups This Holiday Season appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Realtor.com

DECEMBER 21, 2020

FatCamera/Getty Images In normal circumstances, selling a house involves interacting with a lot of people. In-person house tours, roundtable closings, and handshakes are all standard formalities. But in a world rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic , safety and social distancing are a must, and real estate professionals and sellers have had to adapt to a new way of doing business.

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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

Real Trends

DECEMBER 22, 2020

Want to learn from the brightest minds in real estate, then you'll love our REAL Trending special edition podcasts. Editor-in-chief of content, Tracy Velt, interviews brokerage leaders, top agents and teams and industry experts on leadership, recruiting, marketing, and more. Subscribe today on realtrendsinc.podbean.com.

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Housing Wire

DECEMBER 24, 2020

The average U.S. mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan fell one basis point this week to 2.66% – the lowest rate in the Freddie Mac ’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey’s near 50-year history. This week’s mortgage rate broke the previous record set on Dec. 17. With this week’s record drop, there have now been 20 consecutive weeks when average mortgage rates have been below 3%, and the 16th time this year rates have broken their own record.

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Mortgages Loans Marketing Sales 514

Fancy Pants Homes

DECEMBER 19, 2020

With the HBO 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland bringing new, bone-chilling stories to light, I felt the need to save a piece of my childhood by leaving Neverland behind myself. And that piece is the actual Neverland Ranch, the very first celebrity home I have any memory of — and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one. I distinctly remember when news first came out about this incredible property Michael Jackson had bought, a ranch that stretched on for miles and that he planned o

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Realtor.com

DECEMBER 21, 2020

fotog/Getty Images Many renters and homeowners won’t have to worry about losing the roof over their heads this new year. And least not at first. The Federal Housing Administration announced on Monday that it is extending the eviction and foreclosure moratoriums through February. They were set to expire at the end of the year. Protections for homeowners with government-backed mortgages who lost income due to the pandemic have been in place since March.

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Agents

Realty Biz

DECEMBER 21, 2020

Our homes are more than special structures for raising children and sheltering families. Apart from providing shelter and security to its occupant, it can also serve several other purposes. Homes can be an asset that can be passed on to heirs and dependents. It can also function as an investment that can be sold in the future, or it can act as collateral for a myriad of loans. .

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Housing Wire

DECEMBER 22, 2020

Existing home sales decreased 2.5% in November, ending the five-month streak of month-over-month gains, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.85 million, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors on Tuesday. Compared to last November, home sales are still up 25.8%. “Home sales in November took a marginal step back, but sales for all of 2020 are already on pace to surpass last year’s levels,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.

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GeekEstate

DECEMBER 22, 2020

In our latest real estate tech entrepreneur interview, we’re speaking with Ben McDougal from OpenOpen. Without further ado… Who are you and what do you do? My name is Ben McDougal. I’m a tech founder, multimedia marketer, aspiring author and entrepreneurial ecosystem builder in our connected era. What problem does your product/service solve?

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Realtor.com

DECEMBER 21, 2020

LifestyleVisuals/Getty Images With so many people spending more time at home due to COVID-19, having reliable and consistent power is more critical than ever. But with winter about to be in full swing—and serious storms already wreaking havoc on parts of the country—many of us are thrust into crisis mode to get the juice back on. If you haven’t done so already, now’s the time to invest in a generator to restore power to your home quickly.

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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.

Agents