Housing Wire

JANUARY 22, 2021

Today the National Association of Realtors reported existing home sales for the month of December were at 6,760,000, a beat of estimates. This also closed the books on 2020’s housing market as we finished out the year at 5,640,000 total existing-home sales — a 5.6% increase from the same month in 2019. Instead of thinking of the end of 2020 and going into 2021 as a hot sales market, this increase over December 2019 sales may be more appropriately interpreted as an end-of-the-year bump due

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Keeping Current Matters

JANUARY 20, 2021

If spending more time at home over the past year is making you really think hard about buying a home instead of renting one, you’re not alone. You may be wondering, however, if the dollars and cents add up in your favor as home prices continue to rise. According to the experts, in many cases, it’s still more affordable to buy a home than rent one. Here’s why.

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Maximum Exposure Real Estate

JANUARY 22, 2021

How to End Paying Private Mortgage Insurance What is PMI? Great question, right? Many people, especially first time home buyers, hear the term PMI and have no idea what it means. You will see the definition of PMI in a moment and, more importantly, how to terminate it. One of the things that many homeowners […]. The post What is PMI: How to Get Rid of Private Mortgage Insurance appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

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Realtor.com

JANUARY 22, 2021

irina88w/Getty Images Getting a home improvement project to pay off is notoriously tricky. There’s no guarantee you’ll recoup the money you pour into a bathroom remodel or an outdoor kitchen. Plus, the COVID-19 pandemic has made completing even minor projects more difficult, as many nonessential construction projects have been halted. And while it might seem crazy to take on a big-ticket project in a time of economic uncertainty, many home buyers are still looking for turnkey propert

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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

JANUARY 18, 2021

As the calendar flipped to 2021, it didn’t take long for the rise in mortgage rates. Just two weeks into the new year, Freddie Mac reported that mortgage rates climbed 14 basis points to 2.79% , a dramatic contrast to 2020, a year in which mortgage rates set record lows 16 times. Economists across the housing industry believe the era of extreme low rates could be coming to a close, but the transition might be a slow burn.

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Keeping Current Matters

JANUARY 18, 2021

In 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired a powerful movement with his famous “ I Have a Dream ” speech. Through his passion and determination, he sparked interest, ambition, and courage in his audience. Today, reflecting on his message encourages many of us to think about our own dreams, goals, beliefs, and aspirations. For many Americans, one of those common goals is owning a home: a piece of land, a roof over our heads, and a place where we can grow and flourish.

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Realtor.com

JANUARY 18, 2021

Antema/Getty Images The long, dark days of winter are upon us, and with COVID-19 still keeping us closer to home, we’re keenly aware of all the maintenance tasks we’ve put off or let slip through the cracks. And we hate to break it to you, but it’s time to get to work. We know you’re wondering if you can get out of this. Must you really hit pause on your “Bridgerton” binge session and do, ugh, chores ?

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Housing Wire

JANUARY 18, 2021

Let’s face it, if you’re a first-time homebuyer, you have a lot of questions about the home-buying process. That’s what real estate agents are here for. Almost 90% of buyers recently used a real estate agent or broker to purchase their home, according to the National Association of Realtors. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or this is your fifth house, it’s a good idea to use an agent to ensure you make a smart decision. .

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Keeping Current Matters

JANUARY 22, 2021

Some Highlights. When you’re thinking about buying a home, there are a few key steps to take before you even start to look at houses. From saving for your down payment to getting pre-approved for a mortgage, you’ll want to make sure you keep your financial plan on track from the beginning. Reach out to a local real estate professional and a trusted lender today to make sure you have the best possible guidance as you begin your homebuying process.

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Homes.com

JANUARY 21, 2021

You just inherited a property from a relative’s or friend’s estate – now what? While receiving a real estate gift may sound appealing, there are several things to know (and do!) if you find yourself heir to real estate property. The post What to Know About Inheriting A Property appeared first on Homes.com.

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Finance 136

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Brokerage

Realtor.com

JANUARY 20, 2021

AleksandarNakic/Getty Images There comes a time in renters’ lives when they ask the age-old question: Should I become a homeowner? Obviously, finances have a lot to do with the decision whether to rent vs. buy. But there’s more to it than just credit ratings and cash reserves—homeownership is a lifestyle change that you have to be willing to take on.

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Housing Wire

JANUARY 18, 2021

2020 came, and with it COVID-19. Five weeks into the crisis, demand in the U.S. housing market bottomed and then after about nine weeks, began to climb again, with purchase applications making a full V-shaped recovery by early June. The housing bubble boys had those five glorious weeks when it finally looked like the market would succumb to their dire predictions of a housing crash.

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Keeping Current Matters

JANUARY 19, 2021

Historically low mortgage rates are a big motivator for homebuyers right now. In 2020 alone, rates hit new record-lows 16 times, and the trend continued into the early part of this year. Many hopeful homebuyers are now wondering if they should put their plans on hold and wait for the lowest rates imaginable. However, the reality is, acting sooner rather than later may be the actual win if you’re ready to buy a home.

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Realty Biz

JANUARY 22, 2021

When you are getting ready to sell your home, some home improvements can help you find a buyer. While you could spend thousands on renovations, it doesn’t guarantee prospective buyers will like the changes you’ve made or that you will recoup your investment. However, there are some money-saving improvements you can make that aren’t going to break the bank, and should improve your chances of selling quickly and for more.

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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

Realtor.com

JANUARY 21, 2021

mmpile/Getty Images If your relationship with New Year’s resolutions is anything like ours, then things tend to fall by the wayside right about—well, now. Mid-January has been statistically proven to be the time when all those well-intentioned goals get left behind and replaced with well-worn habits of years past. So if getting organized was one of your resolutions in 2021, there’s a good chance you’ve thrown in the towel and are already starting to see the clutter pile up.

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Housing Wire

JANUARY 21, 2021

The average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan fell two basis points last week to 2.77%, according to Freddie Mac ’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Now 12 basis points above the record low set Jan. 7 , rates more closely resemble those seen over two months ago. The 15-year fixed mortgage rate also shifted downward to 2.21 from 2.23 the week prior.

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Keeping Current Matters

JANUARY 21, 2021

Earlier this month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their most recent Jobs Report. The report revealed that the economy lost 140,000 jobs in December. That’s a devastating number and dramatically impacts those households that lost a source of income. However, we need to give it some context. Greg Ip, Chief Economics Commentator at the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), explains : “The economy is probably not slipping back into recession.

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Homes.com

JANUARY 20, 2021

Winning the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway sounds perfect, right? Not so fast.If history is any indication, it turns out that dream may actually be more of a nightmare! (Photo source: hgtv.com). The post What REALLY Happens to HGTV Dream Home Winners? appeared first on Homes.com.

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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.

Sales

Coldwell Banker

JANUARY 21, 2021

For our inaugural Coldwell Banker Around the World blog post, we are heading to the sunny climate of Cascais, Portugal. In addition to becoming a popular international travel destination for leisure over the years, Pedro Abecassis, the broker-owner of the office who we spoke with, notes the area is ripe for quality investments too. The post Coldwell Banker Around the World: January 2021 appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue Matter.

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Housing Wire

JANUARY 22, 2021

After ringing the bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Friday morning, Mat Ishbia’s United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) is a publicly traded company. UWM, the second-largest mortgage originator in America , debuted trading at $11.95. By 10:45 a.m. EST, it was trading at $11.65. UWM’s entrance to the public markets caps a wild six months for independent mortgage banks across America, in which a dozen large or mid-sized mortgage firms revealed plans to go public.

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Eye on Housing

JANUARY 22, 2021

Earlier we published a post highlighting lower operating costs per dollar value for new homes. This post takes the analysis a step further and shows that home buyers can afford to pay a 36% premium for a new single-family detached house, compared to the one built before 1960, simply because it is new and has lower operating and maintenance costs.

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Realtor.com

JANUARY 18, 2021

Viktoriia Hnatiuk / Getty Images That verdant, tangled nest atop your avocado toast looks adorable and tastes like springtime itself. But if you think the only way to satisfy your yummy microgreen fix is to hit up the local hipster cafe or via delivery, guess again. Growing your own tiny shoots at home doesn’t require a green thumb at all. In fact, this gardening project is as fast and easy as it gets.

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As-is 129

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

RIS Media

JANUARY 17, 2021

Some buyers are very green when it comes to purchasing real estate. As their agent, you are there to help them make the right decisions so that they stand a fighting chance in a highly competitive housing market. Don’t let your clients make mistakes that could kill a sale and their dreams of homeownership. Make sure they avoid these four common mistakes homebuyers make in a hot real estate market. 1.

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Housing Wire

JANUARY 21, 2021

In a release on Thursday , the Urban Institute projected the future headship rate — the share of adults who are the heads of households — and the homeownership rate — the share of household heads who own their homes — through 2040. Per Laurie Goodman, Urban Institute vice president of housing finance policy, policymakers and thought leaders need to understand the trajectory of the homeownership rate — where it has been, where it is going, who it has benefitted, and who it has left behind.

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Eye on Housing

JANUARY 22, 2021

As demand continues to be driven by low mortgage rates and a suburban shift for home-buying preference, existing home sales, as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), ticked up in December and the annual sales tally reached the highest level since 2006. But surging house prices and inventory shortage could limit demand and slow the market.

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Realtor.com

JANUARY 20, 2021

Josh Chopy, Wikimedia Your morning meal with a side of murder? Perhaps. A successful bed-and-breakfast with a violent past is on the market. The residence that now operates as the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast in Fall River, MA, is the spot where two of the country’s most notorious unsolved murders took place. On Aug. 4, 1892, Andrew Borden and his second wife, Abby Borden , were brutally murdered in this home.

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Agents As-is Sales Marketing 126

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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.

Agents

The American Genius for Real Estate

JANUARY 21, 2021

(REAL ESTATE CORPORATE) A Vermont real estate company is bringing a lawsuit against Zillow for violating antitrust laws. Will it be enough to slow the real estate giant? The post The tables have turned: Zillow being sued for violating antitrust law appeared first on The American Genius Real Estate.

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Sales 122

Housing Wire

JANUARY 21, 2021

Purchasing a home virtually has skyrocketed in recent months. . In fact, according to a new report from real estate brokerage Redfin, a whopping 63% of last year’s buyers made at least one offer sight-unseen, never setting a single foot inside the property before putting in a bid. In total, sight-unseen offers are now up nearly two-fold since 2018, when just 32% of buyers bought homes from afar.

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Eye on Housing

JANUARY 19, 2021

Over the first eleven months of 2020, total single-family permits issued year-to-date (YTD) nationwide reached 888,217. On a year-over-year (YoY) basis, this is an 12.2% increase over the November 2019 level of 791,452. Year-to-date ending in November, single-family permits across the four regions ranged from an increase of 14.4% in the South to an increase of 8.0% in the Northeast.

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Realtor.com

JANUARY 22, 2021

Jonne Trees. A whimsical house that’s part castle and part storybook cottage is waiting for its first inhabitant. “There’s a sign right at the door that says ‘Clear mind before entering,’” says the listing agent, Jonathan Tindal. “[The] spaces really foster introspection, but also opportunity for intimate conversations and collaboration. … It’s obviously a very unique style.”.

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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