Sat.Aug 14, 2021 - Fri.Aug 20, 2021

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Why aren’t builders creating more housing inventory?

Housing Wire

Today, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that housing starts hit 1,534,000 for July, missing estimates. Permits, on the other hand, beat estimates, coming in at a seasonally adjusted rate of 1,635,000. Positive revisions to the previous data were made, but not by very much. This mixed bag of results reflects the typical variability in the data that occurs when not too much has been happening in housing except that monthly supply has been rising for the new home sales market.

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Real Estate: It’s Still a Lack of Supply, Not a Lack of Demand

Keeping Current Matters

One of the major questions real estate experts are asking today is whether prospective homebuyers still believe purchasing a home makes sense. Some claim rapidly rising home prices are impacting demand and, by extension, leading to the recent slowdown in sales activity. However, demand isn’t the real issue. Instead, it’s the lack of supply (homes available for sale).

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom Sells Marin County Mansion for $5.9M

Realtor.com

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has sold his midcentury modern home in the Marin County enclave of Kentfield, CA, for $5.9 million. The post California Gov. Gavin Newsom Sells Marin County Mansion for $5.9M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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Builder Confidence at 13-Month Low on Higher Material Costs, Home Prices

Eye on Housing

Builder sentiment in the market for newly-built single-family homes fell five points to 75 in August, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). The index is at its lowest point since July 2020. Higher construction costs and supply shortages have led to significant price growth, which in turn has caused prospective buyers to.

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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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3 mortgage industry trends that will define the rest of 2021

Housing Wire

For better or worse, trends in the mortgage industry tend to mirror corresponding trends in the overall real estate market. But there are definitely a few main things to looks out for — many of which are carrying over from a turbulent 2020 and early 2021 — when it comes to the upcoming landscape for the rest of 2021: Lack of inventory Fluctuating interest rates Increased adoption of technology.

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What Does Being in a Sellers’ Market Mean?

Keeping Current Matters

Whether or not you’ve been following the real estate industry lately, there’s a good chance you’ve heard we’re in a serious sellers’ market. But what does that really mean? And why are conditions today so good for people who want to list their house? It starts with the number of houses available for sale. The latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows housing supply is still astonishingly low.

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Pier Pressure: 5 Waterfront Homes with Docks

Sotheby's International Real Estate

The perfect buoys for modern-day living, these five homes feature docks that offer access to all the delights of the water, whether it be a creek, a lake, or an ocean. Charming Lakefront Compound. Riverside, Connecticut | Leslie McElwreath, Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage. On 1.5 landscaped acres at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac in desirable Riverside, this charming five-bedroom retreat enjoys idyllic water views from nearly every room and is replete with high ceili

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Mortgage rates dip slightly to 2.86%

Housing Wire

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage declined slightly to 2.86% for the week ending in August 19, according to mortgage rates data released Thursday by Freddie Mac ‘s PMMS. The week prior, mortgage rates rose to 2.87% , after six consecutive weeks of mortgage rate declines. This week’s slight decline tracks closely with downward-trending U.S. Treasury yields.

Mortgages 516
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More Young People Are Buying Homes

Keeping Current Matters

There’s a common misconception that younger generations aren’t interested in homeownership. Many people point to the fact that millennials put off purchasing their first home as a reason for this belief. Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist for First American , explains why millennials have put off certain milestones linked to homeownership. Those delays led to their homeownership rates trailing slightly behind older generations: “ Historically, millennials have delayed the critical lifestyle cho

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Can a Buyer Back Out of a Home Purchase Contract?

Homes.com

In an intense seller’s market, it’s not unusual to see buyers waive contingencies or place an offer on a house sight unseen — both of which can lead to buyer’s remorse. Once a buyer’s offer is accepted by the seller, the buyer is contractually obligated to the home purchase. Or are they? The post Can a Buyer Back Out of a Home Purchase Contract? appeared first on Homes.com.

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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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Inside a Tropical Oasis in Malibu

Sotheby's International Real Estate

On a Malibu hillside not far from the cool blue depths of the Pacific, this secluded and secure 10-acre oasis exudes a chic coastal ambience recalling the seaside escapes of Brazil, which offer peaceful natural respite from that country’s bustling metropolises. Rooms throughout the 3,878-square-foot floor plan open to a collection of patios, verandas, and breezy sitting alcoves, and the property’s constellation of towering palms, fruit and avocado trees, and mature green foliage furthers the sen

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Housing starts tumble in July due to choked supply lines

Housing Wire

Housing starts in the U.S. fell 7.0% in July compared to the prior month, an indication that construction supply lines are still choked and near record-high home prices are shutting out scores of buyers. The U.S. Commerce Department ‘s Census Bureau said housing starts dropped to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.534 million units last month, which was marginally better than June’s 1.65 million units.

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Options for First-Time Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Some Highlights. With a housing market this competitive , sometimes you have to think outside the box. Work with your trusted real estate advisors to do things like assess your budget , expand your search radius , look into other options , and determine your true needs. If you’re having trouble finding your first home, explore your options. It’s out there!

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Best Quarter for Townhouse Construction in 14 Years

Eye on Housing

According to NAHB analysis of the most recent Census data of Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design, townhouse construction in the second quarter of 2021 posted the highest count of starts in 14 years. As housing demand has shifted to more suburban and exurban areas and housing affordability headwinds persist, medium-density construction lagged for much of 2020.

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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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Open House | Inside a Victorian Gem in New Jersey

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Traditional Victorian homes tend to be steeped in history, and this immaculate Madison, New Jersey property quite literally has a storied past. Commissioned by J.H. McGraw of McGraw Hill Publishing as a summer retreat for the family, the home was completed in 1890 and dubbed “Edgewood.”. While Victorian architecture refers to the era of Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 through 1901, this home’s design in particular is classically Queen Anne, distinguished by its gabled roofs, rounded towers, asy

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Housing sector dominates Inc. 5000

Housing Wire

Congratulations to all of the entrepreneurs, founders and executives who have survived the onslaught of phone calls, emails and DMs from first-year private equity associates (yeah… we’re looking at you Summit Partners ….). But hey, growth equity firms and potential acquirers blowing up your cell phone is certainly not the worst thing in the world. The companies recognized in the 2021 Inc. 5000 list are nothing short of exceptional.

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A Look at Home Price Appreciation and What It Means for Sellers

Keeping Current Matters

When you hear the phrase home price appreciation , what does it mean to you? Through context clues alone, chances are you know it has to do with rising home prices. And as a seller, you know rising home prices are good news for your potential sale. But let’s look past the dollar signs and dive deeper into the concept. To truly understand home price appreciation, you need to know how it works and why it matters to you.

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Share of New Homes with Patios Climbs to Record 61 Percent

Eye on Housing

For the first time since the Census Bureau’s 2005 survey redesign, the share of new homes with patios broke above 60 percent in 2020. More specifically, of the roughly 990,000 single-family homes started in 2020, 61.4 percent came with patios. This number comes from NAHB tabulation of data from the Survey of Construction, which is partially funded by HUD.

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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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Video of the Week: Take a Virtual Tour of a Striking Lakefront Home in Ontario, Canada

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Featuring curated videos from the most sought-after destinations the world over, discover this week’s V ideo of the Week. ??. Ontario, Canada | Martinus Geleynse, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada. Overlooking Lake Ontario, this unique property offers luxurious living with four indoor kitchens, two outdoor kitchens, top of the line appliances and finishes, and a large covered walk-out deck.

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Refinance applications fall as mortgage rates rise

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications decreased 3.9% for the week ending Aug. 13 compared to the week prior and fewer borrowers opted to refinance, according to the latest report from the Mortgage Bankers Association. Ten-year Treasury yields rose overall but tapered off slightly at the end of last week , and 30-year mortgage rates tracked by the MBA reached 3.06%.

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7 Backyard Remodeling Ideas for Homeowners on a Budget

HomeLight

Want the backyard of your dreams, but need to stick to a budget? There are plenty of backyard renovation projects that don’t break the bank — and add value to your home. We’ve rounded up seven low-cost, high impact backyard remodeling ideas to totally transform your outdoors: Jump to a project: . Lay a paver pathway from the patio to the side yard. Bring some heat with a fire pit.

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Gain for Custom Home Building

Eye on Housing

NAHB’s analysis of Census Data from the Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design survey indicates custom home building posted the second best quarter since the Great Recession during the Spring of 2021. There were 54,000 total custom building starts during the second quarter of the year. This marks a 15% gain from the second quarter of 2021, a comparison affected.

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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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Mall traffic rebounds to pre-COVID levels as shoppers return

Realty Biz

Shopping malls in the U.S. are seeing foot traffic return to close to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels amid what analysts say is a surprising turnaround for the industry. Indoor shopping malls were hard hit during the pandemic as shoppers chose to stay at home rather than venture outside. And with the rise of e-commerce and curbside pickups, many felt that the retail sector was headed towards an apocalypse.

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Low-fee, alternative models lead real estate on Inc. 5000

Housing Wire

Low-fee, team brokerage and alternative models lead the 2021 Inc. 5000 rankings, mirroring the 2021 RealTrends 500 rankings. Some 69 fast growing real estate brokerage firms, teams and alternative models made the list. Top Verticals. Growth. Mortgage. Tech & Solutions. Title. At the top of the real estate/alternative model category, at No. 56, was Big Block Realty , which ranked No. 160 by sides and No. 91 by volume in the RealTrends 500 (RT500).

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What Does As-Is Mean When House Hunting? And When Should Buyers Consider an As-Is Home?

HomeLight

You’ll see the term as-is when shopping for a house, but what exactly does as-is mean? Does it mean you’re about to walk into a home where the roof is falling in, or one that is occupied by a rogue family of raccoons? It can — but as-is doesn’t necessarily mean a home is unlivable or unsafe. There are a few different types of as-is designations, and what as-is really means varies by designation.

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Demolition Permit Filed for Park Slope’s Grand Prospect Hall

Brownstoner

The dream is coming to an end. Grand Prospect Hall may soon be demolished, as the property’s new owner has filed demolition permits for the iconic Prospect Avenue structure, public records show. The banquet hall is one of several connected buildings between 253 and 273 Prospect Avenue that are being… Read More > The post Demolition Permit Filed for Park Slope’s Grand Prospect Hall appeared first on Brownstoner.

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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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Fight Fraud, Don’t Fear it

GeekEstate

Real estate fraud is terrifying. Even some of the best in the business get duped, like Barbara Corcoran and her staff. Consumers are trusting professionals in the industry to take care of them and the buying and selling of their largest assets, so we have to be prepared for deceit. We receive phishing emails all of the time and alert our staff to not respond as soon as we can.

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Minority borrowers struggled in 2020: HMDA

Housing Wire

The mortgage market had a stunning year in 2020, with closed-end originations increasing by 65.2% from the year prior, a Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) report published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau this week disclosed. But some of the industry’s same problems remained in 2020. According to the report, comprised of data provided by 4,472 financial institutions, the increase was predominantly driven by the refi wave , with originations jumping from 8.3 million in 2019 to

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11 Carrying Costs in Real Estate Novice Investors Need to Know

HomeLight

Are you interested in investing in rental properties? Investing in real estate is a tried and true method to build wealth, with the average 1-bedroom renting for more than $1,500 per month. But where there’s investment potential, there’s also often risk, and real estate is no exception. A novice investor can easily end up in the red if they lack a clear understanding of ongoing real estate investment property costs: carrying costs.

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Citing Risk to Botanic Garden, City Planning Commission Will Vote No on Crown Heights Tower

Brownstoner

The City Planning Commission will vote to disapprove the controversial Crown Heights apartment tower that threatens to block the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s sunlight, the commission’s chair said on August 16. During a public meeting of the commission, Lago reiterated concerns about the size of the development and the risk it… Read More > The post Citing Risk to Botanic Garden, City Planning Commission Will Vote No on Crown Heights Tower 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.