January, 2021

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3 Must-Do’s When Selling Your House This Year

Keeping Current Matters

It’s exciting to put a house on the market and to think about making new memories in new spaces. However, despite the anticipation of what’s to come, we can still have deep sentimental attachments to the home we’re leaving behind. Growing emotions can help or hinder a sale depending on how we manage them. When it comes to the bottom line, homeowners need to know what it takes to avoid costly mistakes when it’s time to move.

Staging 288
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5 ways to pay off your mortgage early: Pros and cons

The Mortgage Report

Here are five ways to pay off your mortgage faster. Plus, what to consider before putting your hard-earned cash toward early mortgage payments.

Mortgages 140
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8 Major Home Design Trends That’ll Be Big in 2021, According to Redfin and Hunker

Redfin

This article is a collaboration between Redfin and Hunker . With a new-found love for our homes this past year, it’s likely you’ve racked up a laundry list of ways that you’d love to revamp your space. And what better time to refresh and upgrade your home than the New Year? To help spark some inspiration, we partnered with Hunker to predict which home trends will be big over the next year.

Design 83
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Prepare for the rise in mortgage rates

Housing Wire

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.

Mortgages 545
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3 Real Estate Office Hacks to Help Kickstart the Busy Season

Ready to better your Back Office? Dive into the secrets to a powerhouse back office with Brokermint expert, Jessica Souza. In this free download, she shares her 3 transformative hacks designed to clean house, get everyone on the same page, and set yourself up for success. From optimizing agent profiles to ensuring flawless transactions and boosting agent retention, these strategies are your ticket to a seamless operation.

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Good Riddance to Open Floor Plans and Cabinets Galore: Top Kitchen Trends of 2021

Realtor.com

Becki Peckham © Houzz Homeowners forced by the coronavirus pandemic to hole up in their homes for much of the past year are changing a few things about their homes. For starters, COVID-19 exposed the flaws of the open floor plans touted on HGTV and other design shows—finding a quiet space to jump on that Zoom meeting with the boss while the kids are remote learning a few feet away can be a logistical nightmare.

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A Prominent Block in Downtown Brooklyn Is Quickly Being Demolished During the Pandemic

Brownstoner

A triangular block of buildings in Downtown Brooklyn is facing the wrecking ball. Currently, 10 of the 16 buildings that are on the block, which fronts Fulton Street, Dekalb Avenue, Flatbush Extension and Bond Street, have been demolished. One of those buildings, located at the tip of the flatiron-shaped block at… Read More > The post A Prominent Block in Downtown Brooklyn Is Quickly Being Demolished During the Pandemic appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Canada’s Economy Has Never Been More Dependent On Real Estate

Better Dwelling

Canada’s economy just became even more dependent on real estate. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows residential investment soared to a record high in Q3 2020. The rate it’s grown over the past few months has far outpaced the economy. Consequently, residential investment is now the biggest percent of GDP it has ever been. Residential […].

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What is a Credit Score? Credit Scoring Ranges Explained

Point2Homes

Image: Casper1774 Studio / Shutterstock.com. Credit Scoring Explained. Credit bureaus gather information on you and use a formula to create your credit score , which can range from 300 to 850. Where you fit on that scale will have a significant effect on whether you can get the loan you want. Lenders and other businesses use this credit score to assess you because it shows them how likely you are to repay the money you borrowed.

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Need a real estate agent? Here’s how to pick the right one

Housing Wire

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. .

Agents 545
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Need Curated Pre-foreclosure Lists to Generate New Real Estate Leads? Trellis Has the Data!

Trellis is a state trial court research and analytics platform that provides Real Estate Professionals (Buyers, Foreclosure, Loan Modification, etc.) with LEADS on Pre-Foreclosures, Lis Pendes, Distressed Assets and more — to help uncover **new** opportunities and grow their business. The process is quick and easy — and all in real time. Trellis will supply you with a link to the relevant dockets, a Leads sheet and access to its UI where applicable.

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Prepper Fixer-Upper? Atlas Missile Silo in New York Is Listed for $600K

Realtor.com

realtor.com A decommissioned missile silo in Ellenburg Center, NY, has blasted onto the market for $600,000. This property also features an above-ground Quonset hut, which was used for storage by the military and has since been turned into a residence. Built to house the Atlas F missile in the 1960s, it’s one of 12 silos tied to the nearby Plattsburgh Air Force Base, which shut down in 1994.

Land 145
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How to Save Money For Your First Home

Homes.com

It’s often said you’ll never forget your first home — and we couldn’t agree more! For most, a home is one of the biggest financial investments you’ll make. While this can seem scary, there are plenty of tips and helpful hints to help you save money for your first home. Our first-time buyer’s guide has everything you need to know from choosing the right down payment option, to how COVID-19 has changed the real estate market.

Marketing 142
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Home Trends to Watch for in 2021

RIS Media

As 2020 caught us spending more time at home, homeowners began rethinking how they would use their homes in the new year. Some homeowners may even end up listing their current home to take advantage of the booming market and low inventory, in hopes of finding a home that will meet their new needs. If you have clients who are looking to list their home or purchase a new home, there are a few different trends that you should look for during their home search in 2021.

Staging 142
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Canadians Are Paying Big Premiums To Own Instead of Rent, Shows CMHC Data

Better Dwelling

Households in Canada’s largest real estate markets are big premiums to own. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) analysis shows the gap between the cost of owning and renting in 2020. Carrying costs in the largest market are now almost double that of paying rent. That isn’t a general rule though, with some markets cheaper […].

Mortgages 141
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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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Minor Home Improvement Projects Can Provide Major Returns

Realty Biz

Home Improvement projects are a great way to increase the value of your home. Especially if you are getting ready to sell your home. Granted, some remodeling projects can cost a fortune and take a lot of time to complete. Major projects like, finishing an unfinished basement or building an addition to your home are costly undertakings that can require months to complete.

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Will we have a buyer’s housing market in 2021?

Housing Wire

If you’re looking to buy a home, you’ll stand the best chance in a buyer’s housing market, where listings are flush, demand is low and buyers have the upper hand — not to mention most of the negotiating power. Seller’s markets, on the other hand, are on the opposite side of the spectrum. They’re marked by high levels of competition and rising home prices, and in most cases, you’ll have a harder (and more expensive) time finding a home.

Marketing 546
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6 Essential Tips for Homeowners From Angie’s List Co-Founder Angie Hicks

Realtor.com

Daisy-Daisy/Getty Images Thirty years ago, if you wanted to remodel your bathroom and you weren’t plugged in to your local network of contractors, well—you were stuck. Angie Hicks started her hugely popular ratings and review platform, Angie’s List, in 1995 after hearing about her co-founder’s frustrations with trying to find reliable contractors in suburban Columbus, OH.

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The Basics of Short Sales for Buyers and Sellers

Homes.com

Short sales can save homebuyers money, but are often complex processes requiring patience and expert guidance. Follow these insights to get started! The post The Basics of Short Sales for Buyers and Sellers appeared first on Homes.com.

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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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How to Maintain a Healthy Credit Score

RIS Media

Getting a Healthy Credit Score and Keeping It. Do you have strong desires to own your first house? Maintaining a good credit score is important, especially when you are young and have many years of borrowing ahead of you. If you are under 30, try not to over-borrow. When you plan to buy a house, you will need to be almost debt-free to ensure a low-interest rate.

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RBC: Majority of Canadians Want To work-from-home, and It Will Change Cities

Better Dwelling

The vast majority of Canadians want to work-from-home, according to a new analysis from Canada’s largest bank. In RBC’s 2021 outlook, the bank’s economists note millions more now work-from-home as of last October. The forced shift to remote work, now has the majority of Canadians hoping to work-from-home, at least part of the time. Despite […].

Banks 140
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Led by Lumber, Building Materials Prices Climb 5.4% in 2020

Eye on Housing

Prices paid for goods used in residential construction ex-energy rose 0.7% in December (not seasonally adjusted) and ended the year 5.4% higher than they stood in December 2019, according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Building materials (i.e., inputs to residential construction less food and energy) prices declined just twice over the.

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Three reasons there won’t be a 2021 housing market crash

Housing Wire

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.

Marketing 545
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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.

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6 Coronavirus-Friendly Home Upgrades That Cost Less Than $10K—and Will Bring In Offers

Realtor.com

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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Quick DIY: How to Clean the Inside of Your Oven Door

Homes.com

The holiday cooking and baking might be over, but your oven door is still a hot mess! Here’s how to clean the inside of your glass oven door so it’s as shiny as the new year. The post Quick DIY: How to Clean the Inside of Your Oven Door appeared first on Homes.com.

As-is 141
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What is PMI: How to Get Rid of Private Mortgage Insurance

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

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.

Mortgages 133
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Canadian Mortgages Over 120 Days Past Due Rises At The Fastest Pace In Years

Better Dwelling

Canadian mortgage delinquencies are falling, except for people really behind. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) data shows the change of mortgages past due in Q3 2020. Most segments of days past due (DPD) show a sharp decline in the most recent reported quarter. This was largely expected due to payment deferral programs. One segment […].

Mortgages 138
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5 Data Proven Ways Agents Can Do 18% More Business

Curious as to how you could do 18% more business? How about 14 more transaction sides per year? Check out this infographic with data from a RealTrends study to learn more.