February, 2021

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Mortgage rates jump to 2.81%

Housing Wire

After three weeks of unchanged rates, the average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan jumped 8 basis points to 2.81%, reaching its highest point since mid-November, according to Freddie Mac ’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. While economic spending has improved, due to the most recent stimulus, supply chain shortages are causing downstream inflation, leading to higher mortgage rates, said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “While there are multiple temporary factors drivin

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3 Reasons We’re Definitely Not in a Housing Bubble

Keeping Current Matters

Home values appreciated by about ten percent in 2020, and they’re forecast to appreciate by about five percent this year. This has some voicing concern that we may be in another housing bubble like the one we experienced a little over a decade ago. Here are three reasons why this market is totally different. 1. This time, housing supply is extremely limited.

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First-Time Home Buyers Find Unexpected Benefits in Current Market

Lighter Side of Real Estate

There’s no denying that low inventory and increasing prices have presented challenges for buyers in today’s market—and that includes first-time buyers. But the market also offers a slew of benefits for first-time buyers—and many have had a positive experience buying a home in recent months. A recent survey from realtor.com asked over 1000 recent and prospective first-time buyers about their experience buying a home in today’s market—and much of the news was good.

Marketing 145
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BOC Governor Says Canada Will Lean On Real Estate Because “We Need The Growth”

Better Dwelling

Canada’s central bank isn’t really that worried about real estate, it appears. Bank of Canada (BoC) governor Tiff Macklem held a Q&A after a speech for the Edmonton and Calgary Chambers of Commerce yesterday. During the Q&A, the governor dismissed concerns about an overheated housing market. In fact, he welcomed its contribution to the economy […].

Banks 145
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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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Homeownership Remains Primary Driver of Household Wealth

Eye on Housing

The 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) showed improvements in economic well-being for many across income and wealth distributions over 2016 to 2019. The homeownership rate increased from a low of 63.7% in 2016 to 64.9% in 2019. Moreover, the primary residence continued to be the largest asset on the balance sheets of households in 2019 (Figure 1), accounting for about.

Finance 145
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Should You Buy a Home or Keep Renting? How To Decide in 7 Steps

Realtor.com

marchmeena29/Getty Images It’s a big question with no easy answer: Should you keep renting, or is it time to think about buying a home? One of the major benefits of being a homeowner is building equity with each mortgage payment, instead of putting money into your landlord’s pocket. But that doesn’t mean buying is always the best choice—as a renter, you enjoy more flexibility and avoid many of the costs that come with homeownership.

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Advice For Selling a Home Quickly

Realty Biz

How to Sell a Home Fast. Do you want to sell your home quickly? There can be many different reasons as to why you would want to sell a home fast. Perhaps you’re in the process of building your own home, and you need the extra funds to cover construction costs, or you’re just desperate to sell the house fast so you can move somewhere else you’ve always wanted to be.

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Protect Your Home Renovation From These 4 Pesky Problems

Homes.com

The best way to protect your home renovation is to expect the unexpected. Here's how to prepare for sudden issues that could derail your project! The post Protect Your Home Renovation From These 4 Pesky Problems appeared first on Homes.com.

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Toronto Detached Homes Prices Increased $32,500 Just Last Month, While Condos Stall

Better Dwelling

Greater Toronto real estate entered another cheap credit fueled buying frenzy. Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) data shows home prices made a sharp increase in January. The market frenzy wasn’t evenly distributed though, with the suburbs outperforming the city. Detached real estate also saw most gains, making astronomical price increases.

Marketing 145
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The Poetry of our Homes

Imagine Your House

Stanzas built to portray a home’s real essence. How many of us truly appreciate our homes? Especially now. Now that we seem to be spending a lot more time at home. And I get it that this hasn’t necessarily been our choice, yet now that you have been glued to your home more or less, how do you feel about the walls surrounding you? No, I’m not speaking literally about the walls themselves!

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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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How To Calculate Property Tax: What All Homeowners Should Know

Realtor.com

Aslan Alphan/iStock Need to know how to estimate your property tax? You’ve come to the right place! Most people know that homeownership requires coughing up copious amounts of money. There’s your mortgage , of course, but the costs hardly end there. You will also have to pay property tax. If you already own a home, you can look at how your tax is calculated on the most current property tax statement.

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Why mortgage lending standards will ease in 2021

Housing Wire

Economists and housing experts say mortgage lending standards will likely loosen in 2021, despite the increased risk of delinquencies ahead. Such a scenario illustrates the growing disparities in the U.S. housing market. As one struggling group of homeowners braces for the end of forbearance and navigates COVID-19-related economic shocks, another segment is better positioned than ever to scoop up properties that become available.

Lending 545
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The Most Common Home Buying Real Estate Contingencies

Realty Biz

Contingencies in Real Estate Explained. Do you know what a real estate contingency is and how it works? Real Estate contingencies are when some defined action or outcome must occur before a contract becomes legal and binding. From a buyer’s perspective, a real estate contingency is an escape clause that can be used under defined circumstances.

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DIY Expert Advice: How to Update Your Chair Cushions

Homes.com

If you've got tired or faded dining chair cushions, this DIY tutorial is for you! Update your chair cushions with these easy, step-by-step instructions and say hello to a brand-new space! The post DIY Expert Advice: How to Update Your Chair Cushions appeared first on Homes.com.

Branding 140
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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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Over Two-Thirds of Toronto Real Estate Investors Plan On Listing Properties For Sale

Better Dwelling

The majority of Toronto’s real estate investors are looking to cash in. A Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) survey, conducted by Ipsos in Fall 2020, shows most investors are looking to sell in the next year. This is a record number considering cashing in on their gains. It’s not just the pandemic though, only […]. The post Over Two-Thirds of Toronto Real Estate Investors Plan On Listing Properties For Sale appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Investor 143
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The Best Advice for Selling a Home

Point2Homes

Image: Andy Dean Photography / Shutterstock.com. Do you want to sell your home fast? Most people feel this way when they put their homes on the market. Besides, who wants to go through months of getting the home prepared for a showing and then scrambling out the door with a couple of kids and the dog? Certainly, not many. In fact, the thought of selling a home isn’t something that most people look forward to.

MLS 137
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7 Tax Benefits of Owning a Home: A Complete Guide for Filing This Year

Realtor.com

Tijana Simic / Getty Images What are the tax benefits of owning a home? Plenty of homeowners are asking themselves this right around now as they prepare to file their taxes. You may recall the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—the most substantial overhaul to the U.S. tax code in more than 30 years—went into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. The result was likely a big change to your taxes, especially the tax perks of homeownership.

Loans 145
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UWM returns to the Super Bowl with new ad

Housing Wire

United Wholesale Mortgage , now a publicly traded company, will return to the Super Bowl this year. The wholesale lender will be running a new Super Bowl commercial spotlighting independent mortgage brokers and its website FindAMortgageBroker.com for a second straight year. See the video below: “We will always find ways to elevate and shine a light on independent mortgage brokers, and what better way to do this than during the Super Bowl where millions of Americans are tuned in to watch the game

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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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What Do HOA Fees Cover: Homeowners Association Expenses Explained

Realty Biz

What is an HOA? Are you confused about the meaning of an HOA? HOA is short for a homeowners association. Lots of people ask real estate agents how an HOA works and what purpose does it serve. Once they understand the purpose of a homeowners association they ask what the HOA fees cover. An HOA is a group or organization in a neighborhood that makes and enforces rules and regulations for homes or condos for the benefit of its owners.

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Share of Home Buyers Getting Outbid Almost Doubles

Eye on Housing

An earlier post revealed that 69% of buyers who were actively engaged in the process of finding a home in the final quarter of 2020 have spent upwards of 3 months searching for a home without success. For the first time in this series history, the number one reason long-time searchers haven’t made a home purchase is not because of.

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Canadian Households Now Need Up To 34 Years of Savings For A Downpayment

Better Dwelling

The first hurdle to buying a home in Canada is getting much higher – saving for a downpayment. A National Bank of Canada (NBC) analysis shows it took a record number of months to save a downpayment in Q4 2020. Households need to save for the longest period in history, passing even the late 1980s […]. The post Canadian Households Now Need Up To 34 Years of Savings For A Downpayment appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Banks 143
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Modular Homes: Pros and Cons of a Modular Home With Video

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

What to Know About Modular Homes Are you considering buying a modular home? Once thought a cheap and low-quality housing option, modular homes have come a long way in recent years. They offer home buyers another way to achieve their dream of owning a home and come with several advantages over regular, “stick-built” homes. However, […]. The post Modular Homes: Pros and Cons of a Modular Home With Video appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

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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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Did You Skip Mortgage Payments Last Year? Here’s What That Means for Your Taxes

Realtor.com

Getty Images Amid the economic turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic, millions of Americans opted to pause their monthly mortgage payments. That choice could have implications for their taxes this year — and in years to come. In March, as COVID-19 began to wreak havoc on the job market and caused millions of Americans to lose their jobs as businesses shuttered, federal lawmakers and regulators took the extraordinary step of extending forbearance to mortgage borrowers.

Mortgages 139
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Inside United Wholesale Mortgage’s plan to topple Rocket

Housing Wire

Weeks before United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) went public in a SPAC deal that valued the lender at $16.1 billion, its president and CEO Mat Ishbia said observers shouldn’t expect a different United Wholesale Mortgage or a different Mat. He proved it in his first earnings call. On Thursday morning, Ishbia, in his characteristic fast-talking bravado, bragged about the wholesaler’s position as the biggest purchase lender in the market, cautioned that they’ve prioritized the long ga

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Why you shouldn’t waive the home inspection

Realty Biz

The vast majority of existing homes sold in the U.S. need one or two things to be patched up, with 86% of all home inspections turning up some kind of problem, according to a study by the home improvement website Porch.com. The average home inspection can cost from $300 to $500 depending on where the home is and how big it is, but Porch.com’s study indicates that this is an investment that will save the average buyer around $14,000 in renovation costs.

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Cover Story: Growing, Connecting and Helping Agents Close More Sales

RIS Media

Bold Moves Create Modern Advantages for the RE/MAX® Network. A year ago, in March 2020, on the heels of an active January/February that set the year up as a strong one for home sales, the reality of COVID-19 hit the U.S. consciousness like a prize fighter’s uppercut. The blow essentially knocked the housing market to the canvas. At RE/MAX®, where spirits were high after an extremely successful convention in February, that bewildering moment could have triggered a total retreat.

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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.

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Canadian Unemployment Is 55% Higher Than G7 Average: OECD

Better Dwelling

Canada’s “economy” is recovering faster than expected, but employment is lagging. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a group promoting trade between 37 advanced economies, published the latest unemployment rates for member countries. The data shows Canada is significantly behind its G7 peers, with only a few OECD countries worse off.

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5 Homes on Architectural Digest’s 2021 AD100 List

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Founded over a century ago, Architectural Digest magazine is a perennial source of inspiration for home design and décor. To be featured in any manner by the publication signifies achievement. One of the highest accolades? Being named to the prestigious AD100 list, the magazine’s annual selection of the top 100 international designers and architects working today.

Design 131
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A Guide to Property Taxes in 2021: States With the Highest (and Lowest) Rates

Realtor.com

designer491 / Getty Images With tax season upon us, it seems like a good time to check what homeowners pay in property taxes —and a new survey confirms that where you live makes a huge difference in how much you’ll have to cough up. According to researchers at WalletHub , which analyzed tax data on all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the average American household pays $2,471 on real estate property taxes.

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The last stand for forbearance housing market crash bros?

Housing Wire

In 2021, a lingering symptom of the economic sickness we suffered in 2020 is forbearance. Not the forbearance plans themselves, which allowed mortgage holders to delay their payments for many months, but the fact that 2.72 million homes remain in forbearance and can therefore be considered at risk. Forbearance will have to end at some point, and when it does, couldn’t all these homes flood the housing market at once, driving prices down and scaring would-be homeowners away from purchasing?

Marketing 544
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How Enriching the Lives of Your Clients Leads to Greater Sales Success

Speaker: Ari Capogeannis, Director - Revenue Marketing at NVIDIA and Bill Pappa, Sales and Marketing Leader at Ai Media Group

Building strong personal and professional relationships with clients is a critical success factor. Sales professionals who focus on relationship building generate more leads and raise their brand awareness. Because this can take time, having regular engagements can help you cultivate these relationships more efficiently. The most effective way to accomplish this is through direct hyper-personalized touchpoints.