Sat.Nov 20, 2021 - Fri.Nov 26, 2021

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Don’t Believe Everything You Read: The Truth Many Headlines Overlook

Keeping Current Matters

There are a lot of questions right now regarding the real estate market as we head into 2022. The forbearance program is coming to an end and mortgage rates are beginning to rise. With all of this uncertainty, anyone with a megaphone – from the mainstream media to a lone blogger – has realized that bad news sells. Unfortunately, we’ll continue to see a rash of troublesome headlines over the next few months.

Mortgages 281
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Will Omicron variant stop first Fed rate hike?

Housing Wire

Life comes at you fast. During this Thanksgiving week, we went from higher yields and the first Fed rate hike storyline to a big drop in bond yields and scary headlines on a new COVID variant, Omicron. How do we make sense of all this? In this type of economic environment is it even possible for mortgage rates to get to 4% and can the Federal Reserve really hike rates in an aggressive fashion?

Mortgages 538
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New Home Sales Flat in October After September Data Revision

Eye on Housing

Contracts for new, single-family home sales were flat at a 745,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate in October according to estimates from the joint release of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau. However, the flat reading was due to a significant downward revision for the September pace (revised from an 800,00 rate to.

Sales 144
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Benefits of Listing Your Home During the Holidays

Coldwell Banker

Serious buyers aren't putting their plans on hold during the holidays, so why postpone your plans? The post Benefits of Listing Your Home During the Holidays appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue Matter.

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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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4 Ways Homeowners Can Use Their Equity

Keeping Current Matters

Your equity is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your goals as a homeowner. And chances are, your equity grew substantially over the past year. According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic , homeowners gained an average of $51,500 in equity over the past year. If you’re looking for the best ways to use your growing equity , here are four options: 1.

Equity 296
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Existing home sales now outperforming

Housing Wire

The National Association of Realtors ‘ existing home sales report for October came in at a solid beat of estimates at 6.34 million. This number is above my trend sales peak of 6.2 million and that means we have had back-to-back existing home sales prints of over 6.2 million. Early in the year, I had discussed that if existing home sales stay in a range between 5.84 million and 6.2 million, that would mean it’s a good year for housing demand.

Sales 537

More Trending

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A Feast for the Eyes: 5 Stylish Dining Rooms

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Whether hosting a quiet, casual weeknight meal or a formal fête for a crowd, the dining room is an essential space in the inviting modern home. From Central Park West to Santa Barbara, these dining rooms encourage everyone to gather at the table in style. Ocean View Villa. Santa Barbara, California | Maureen McDermut, Sotheby’s International Realty – Montecito – Coast Village Road Brokerage.

Brokerage 140
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Reasons To Hire a Real Estate Professional [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Some Highlights. Whether you’re buying or selling , there are many perks that come from working with a real estate advisor. Real estate professionals are experts at navigating all aspects of the buying and selling process, including negotiating on your behalf. We can also explain today’s market and break down what it means for you. Don’t go at it alone.

Agents 291
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Why are builders happy despite new homes sales miss?

Housing Wire

Today the Census Bureau new home sales report came in as a miss of estimates at 745,000. In addition, revisions were all negative and the monthly supply of new homes rose. In contrast to the existing home sales market, which I would say is outperforming currently with the recent growth in sales, the new home sales market is just OK and has been for some time.

Sales 509
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Easy Ways to Prepare for Overnight Guests

Coldwell Banker

Make them feel welcome by treating them the way you’d want to be treated in someone else’s home. The post Easy Ways to Prepare for Overnight Guests appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue Matter.

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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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Bon Appétit! 5 Homes with Eye-Catching French Ranges

Sotheby's International Real Estate

With designs reminiscent of vintage stoves in European homes, French ranges—from brands like La Cornue and Lacanche—the former designed in early-20th-century Paris by Albert Dupuy, the latter named after the small village in Burgundy—add a dose of timeless luxury to any kitchen. Southampton’s Linden. Southampton, New York | Harald Grant & Bruce Grant, Sotheby’s International Realty – Southampton Brokerage.

Branding 138
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How Smart Buyers Are Approaching Rising Mortgage Rates

Keeping Current Matters

Last week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac inched up to 3.1%, and experts project rates will continue rising through 2022: “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 2.9% in the third quarter of 2021. We forecast mortgage rates to increase slightly through the remainder of the year and reach 3.0%, rising to 3.5% for full year 2022.”.

Mortgages 277
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Mortgage rates remain stuck at 3.10%

Housing Wire

Mortgage rates remained at 3.10% in the week ending Nov. 24, according to the latest Freddie Mac PMMS mortgage report. A year ago at this time, the average 30-year fixed-rate loan averaged just 2.72%. Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, said interest rate volatility has been low, despite the noise around the economy, inflation, and monetary policy.

Mortgages 468
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Single-Family Home Size Continues to Trend Higher

Eye on Housing

An expected impact of the virus crisis is a need for more residential space, as people use homes for more purposes including work. Recent data confirms this impact on the market continues to occur. According to third quarter 2021 data from the Census Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design and NAHB analysis, median single-family square floor area increased.

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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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The New Gold Rush: Here Are the Top 10 Cities Job Seekers Are Now Flocking To

Realtor.com

Realtor.com / Getty Images Everyone by now has heard of the “Great Resignation.” Workers all over the country—whether burned out, fed up, or just experiencing serious post-pandemic wanderlust—have decided now’s the time to finally call it quits. However, there’s another transformative workforce trend also emerging, one that may have an even bigger long-term impact.

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Thank You for Your Support

Keeping Current Matters

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

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Mortgage apps rise despite higher interest rates

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications increased 1.8% for the week ending Nov. 19, despite higher rates, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) survey published on Wednesday. The increase was mainly driven by the purchase index growing by 4.7% from the previous week, on a seasonally adjusted basis. Concurrently, the refinance index grew by 0.4% from the week prior.

Mortgages 459
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These Are The Common Questions New Homeowners Ask

Realty Biz

When selling a home to first-time buyers , you have a number of hurdles to jump through. On the one hand, your most important job is to convince them that you have chosen the best possible home for them. You need to walk them through every single feature and show them how it will impact their quality of life. On the other hand, you also have to answer their questions about homeownership itself.

Branding 133
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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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3 Holiday Decor Trends That Are So Over—and What’s Taking Their Place

Realtor.com

Photos via Wayfair / Amazon / Williams Sonoma / Realtor.com After a very muted holiday season last year (thank you, pandemic), many are eager to make up for lost time by fully embracing holiday cheer this year. And for many, that means going all out, with lights, shiny baubles, and all the trimmings that make Christmas decor the fantastic spectacle it can be.

Lending 133
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Coldwell Banker Around the World: November 2021

Coldwell Banker

Riccione, Italy is full of magic that comes from the friendliness of its inhabitants, the richness of the territory, and the collective desire to live well. It is for this reason that Coldwell Banker has recently expanded into the Emilia Romagna region with Coldwell Banker Prime Properties – Riccione. The post Coldwell Banker Around the World: November 2021 appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue Matter.

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Opinion: Pass the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act

Housing Wire

A shortage of affordable starter homes is thwarting aspiring first-time homebuyers and fueling inflation in home prices. At the same time, many urban and rural communities are struggling for stability and vitality. It’s a fact: the homeownership gap between Black and white households is wider now than when the Fair Housing Act was passed in 1968. The Neighborhood Homes Investment Act (Neighborhood Homes) would begin addressing these challenges by developing or renovating 125,000 affordable homes

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25 Smart Home Technology Devices You Need Right Now

Realty Biz

When I was younger, I watched Sci-fi movies with vivid enthusiasm, imagining floating cities, flying cars, teleporting, and AI robots that look almost human, but most importantly, sleek, intelligent homes that adapt to everything one needs. We may not have floating cities just yet, but the rest of these Sci-fi “dreams” are already here, and when it comes to homes, we have the technology to adapt them and make them smarter, cozier, and more functional.

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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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Smart Leasing To Quickly Fill Vacant Units

GeekEstate

[Note from editor: The “Mastermind Showcase” highlights companies and news from members of the GEM. Today’s showcase: Knock.]. A platform combining Sharon, a conversational AI bot, with a self touring experience for landlords looking to fill vacant apartment units, Knock handles the listing marketing to maximize the number of potential leads and conversions.

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Elegant Holiday Presence

Coldwell Banker

Time to add sparkle and shine without waking up the neighborhood. The post Elegant Holiday Presence appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue Matter.

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How to help homeowners make the most of home equity

Housing Wire

As home equity reached another record high this year, mortgage companies have a big opportunity to help homeowners understand how to better manage or leverage their home’s equity to improve their housing and overall financial outlook. Even as rates are slowly beginning to increase, cash-out refinancing options are still a relevant and potentially beneficial option for many as the amount of equity in homes reaches new levels.

Equity 448
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Thinking About Waiting Until Spring to Sell Your Home? You May Want to Think Again

Lighter Side of Real Estate

In normal years, the winter can be a tough time to sell your home; there are often fewer buyers, which can make it challenging to sell your home quickly and profitably—which often drives sellers to wait until spring to list their home. But 2021 is anything but a normal year—and if you’re thinking about waiting until the spring to sell your home, you may want to think again.

Sales 120
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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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Clear the Air: The Best Air-Purifying Plants for Your Home This Holiday Season

Realtor.com

Photos via Instagram by noirplantclub / myplant / lushlanecottage Now is the time of year when we all tend to hunker down inside to gather—and eat—with friends and family. And while cooking holiday feasts can fill your home with deliciously warm aromas, it can also serve up some unwanted byproducts. Over the years, numerous studies have shown just how harmful cooking indoors can be.

As-is 119
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What’s the Best Time of Year to Sell Your House? The Answer May Surprise You

HomeLight

It’s a question that Lincoln, Nebraska real estate agent Joanne McCoy fields multiple times a week, if not daily, she says. “Is this a good time? Is this the best time? When’s the best time to sell?” she echoes. Ask a group of homeowners which time of year is best to sell a house, and you’ll probably receive a mix of responses. Many homeowners assume that spring and summer are the best times to sell, but that isn’t always the case.

Sales 119
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Stewart Title shows no signs of slowing down expansion

Housing Wire

Stewart Title has acquired Las Cruces Abstract and Title according to an announcement made Friday. Founded in 1926, Las Cruces Abstract and Title serves Dona Ana, Hidalgo and Luna Counties in southern New Mexico. This purchase is just the latest in Stewart’s string of acquisition, as the company has looked to expand its share of the title insurance market.

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One of Bel-Air’s Most Opulent Homes Hits the Market

Realty Biz

Behind hand crafted iron gates, the circular drive of Il Sogno delivers you to the garages, and front entrance to Il Sogno (Photo – Jim Bartsch). Somewhere out there a dreamer enthralled by the melancholy of a bygone era is waiting for this story. A Bel-Air mansion, Il Sogno , which was previously the home of Hollywood and TV star Yvette Mimieu, is on the market for $39,500,000. .

Marketing 117
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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.