Thu.Sep 10, 2020

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U.S. mortgage rates fall to all-time lows this week

Housing Wire

Average mortgage rates for 30-year and 15-year mortgages fell to all-time lows this week, Freddie Mac said in a report on Thursday. The 30-year average is 2.86%, breaking the prior low of 2.88% set in the first week of August, and the 15-year average is 2.37%, beating last week’s record low of 2.42%, the mortgage financier said. The rates are driving demand in the housing market, helping to counter-balance an economic slowdown that showed signs of worsening after the COVID-19 pandemic flared in

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Homebuyer Traffic Is on the Rise

Keeping Current Matters

One of the biggest surprises of 2020 is the resilience of the residential real estate market. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), is now forecasting that more homes will sell this year than last year. He’s also predicting home sales to increase by 8-12% next year. There’s strong evidence that he will be right.

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Fannie Mae: Almost half of lenders expect profit margins to increase in next 3 months

Housing Wire

Mortgage lenders continued to be optimistic in the third quarter, with 48% of lenders saying they think profit margins will increase compared to the prior quarter, according to Fannie Mae ‘s Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey. Thirty-seven percent think profits will remain the same, while only 15% see profits decreasing in the next three months.

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Is It Time to Revamp Your Networking Strategy?

RIS Media

Is networking as we know it gone? With the impact of social distancing, the days of wine and cheese gatherings have come to a screeching halt, but that’s no reason to put your networking activities on hold. In the bestselling book, “Build Your Dream Network,” author J. Kelly Hoey sheds light on networking in a hyper-connected world with a brilliant twist.

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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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Doug Duncan to deliver the economic forecast at HousingWire Annual

Housing Wire

Economists are having a moment. Their ability to model likely future scenarios has always been important, but during a once-in-a-lifetime event like a global pandemic, they are invaluable. Understanding what businesses should expect next quarter, next year and in the next five years has never been more important — or more unclear. That’s why we’ve invited Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae , to give the economic forecast at our HousingWire Annual event on Oct. 8

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The Next Room To Boom: How To Promote Your Home Office Space and Draw in Buyers

Realtor.com

Pekic/Getty Images It’s been six months since many of us were last in the office, tapping away on our ergonomic keyboards and drawing on whiteboards in conference rooms during (gasp!) in-person meetings. Since then, we’ve been forced to find a new path forward in our homes, to create feasible workspaces where there really are none. And frankly, the kitchen table just isn’t cutting it anymore.

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Freddie Mac: Mortgages Hit Another All-Time Low

RIS Media

Freddie Mac recently released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey ®, which showed that the 30-year fixed rate mortgage is averaging 2.86 percent—the lowest in survey history, which goes back to 1971. Here’s the breakdown: 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage. Averaged 2.86 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending Sept. 10—down from last week’s 2.93 percent.

Mortgages 130
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Ballard Spahr’s Andreano: CFPB is open to “other approaches” to QM

Housing Wire

HousingWire sat down with Richard Andreano, a partner at Ballard Spahr in Washington, D.C., and co-leader of the law firm’s mortgage practice group, to talk about regulatory proposals being considered by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Q: What developments at the CFPB should the mortgage industry be watching? A: Probably among them is the Ability to Repay, Qualified Mortgage proposals.

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‘Real Housewives’ Star Teresa Giudice Lists Custom NJ Mansion for $2.5M

Realtor.com

realtor.com A mansion with a starring role is now on the market. “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Teresa Giudice is selling her custom-built Montville Township, NJ , home for just under $2.5 million, the New York Post reported. With her marriage to Joe Giudice over, the reality TV star is also moving on from their shared home. Exterior realtor.com.

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Knock expands availability of Home Swap solution in Texas

Housing Wire

Knock has added Houston to the list of Texas metro areas where its Home Swap solution is available, joining Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio , as well as seven other markets nationwide. This solution is offered exclusively through local real estate professionals who were trained as Knock Certified Agents. In this case, Knock is partnering with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties and RE/MAX Fine Properties , the company said in a release.

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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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10 Tax Strategies Your Accountant May Not Know

RIS Media

As a real estate agent, you may be responsible for managing the finances of your real estate business. There are a lot of moving parts when you are focusing on business expenses, salaries, and all the other costs associated with being a real estate agent. Figuring out to balance these expenses when it comes time to figure out your tax strategy can be incredibly challenging.

Finance 114
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Orchard raises $69M in Revolution-led Series C

Housing Wire

This article was written for FinLedger, HW Media’s new fintech focused news brand designed specifically for financial services professionals in banking, payments, insurance and proptech. Register for the FinLedger Daily Newsletter. Orchard , which operates a home buying and selling marketplace, has closed on a $69 million Series C round led by Revolution Growth.

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7 Creative Strategies to Make Your Offers Stand Out in a Seller’s Market

The Close

A strong seller’s market is a lot like dealing with the craziness of this pandemic. You never know what to expect day to day. Listing agents are flying high with attention on their listings. But, of course, buyer’s agents are always frustrated with the amount of work they are putting in, only to get shot down and have to repeat the process over and over again.

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Open House | An Elevated Farmhouse

Sotheby's International Real Estate

The modern farmhouse has become a staple of design shows and moodboards. In the last half-decade, this style of home has swept social media, with architecture buffs, interior decorators, and designers admiring how the farmhouse brings together natural palettes, spacious minimalism, industrial accents, and antique furnishings—a mix of timeless trends.

Design 112
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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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Restoring the Colorful Delight of the Concert Grove Pavilion in Prospect Park

Brownstoner

It's been years since the graceful spans of this pavilion welcomed picnickers in search of fresh air shelter. Completed in 1874, largely destroyed by fire in the 1974, and restored in 1988, the Concert Grove Pavilion in Prospect Park is in the midst of another restoration that will bring it… Read More > The post Restoring the Colorful Delight of the Concert Grove Pavilion in Prospect Park appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Patriot Day: A Moment of Silence to Remember 9/11

RIS Media

Today marks 19 years since the devastating events that occurred in our country on Sept. 11, 2001, now recognized as Patriot Day. In this moving video, Dan Forsman, president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties, calls on the industry to pause for a national moment of silence this morning at 8:46 a.m. ET to remember all those who lost their lives and the tremendous sacrifice made by so many.

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Visit Lion Country Safari This Fall

Waterfront Properties

Lion Country Safari located in western Palm Beach County is Florida’s only drive through and walk through safari as well as an amusement park in the entire state. The safari is located on more than 600 acres of land that over 1000 animals from all six continents throughout the safari’s seven different sections. The safari was founded in 1967 and claims to be the first cage-less zoo in the United States.

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Tips for getting a mortgage with a 680 credit score

The Mortgage Report

When you're buying a home or refinancing one, good credit scores get you access to lower mortgage rates plus a wider selection of loan products.

Mortgages 115
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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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9/11 Memorial Plaza in Palm Beach Gardens

Waterfront Properties

The September 11 attacks were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. These attacks impacted every American, and will never be forgotten, so on September 11, 2010 a memorial was founded in Palm Beach Gardens by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

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Demand for urban vs. suburban housing remains even (unless you’re in SF)

The American Genius for Real Estate

(REAL ESTATE BIG DATA) Most would assume that housing market trends would show people moving out of cities and into the suburbs following COVID restrictions. But the demand for both has stayed surprisingly even. The post Demand for urban vs. suburban housing remains even (unless you’re in SF) appeared first on The American Genius Real Estate.

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Travel Blog Showcases Most Instagrammable Spots in Jupiter/Juno

Waterfront Properties

One of the internet’s most reputable Travel Blogs, The Poinster, recently visited Jupiter to showcase its beauty and stunning landscapes. Boasting nearly 35,000 followers on Instagram and over six thousand visitors a month to their Pinterest page, The Poinster editors travel the globe to showcase the very best spots to capture that perfect photo. Please find below The Poinster’s Choices for the most instagrammable spots in Jupiter/Juno: Sunrise on Juno Beach Coral Cove Park Cypress Creek/Riverbe

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Proposition 19 and Market Surge

BubbleInfo

Proposition 19 is on the ballot, and the California Association of Realtors wants you to believe that if it passes, there will be a surge of new inventory from seniors finally being able to sell their homes and take their ultra-low property-tax basis with them to a new home in a county not previously available. […]. The post Proposition 19 and Market Surge appeared first on bubbleinfo.com.

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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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Report: A growing divide emerges in the housing market

Realty Biz

There’s a growing divide in real estate, with some home shoppers fortunate enough to be able to buy newer and bigger homes, while others who have experienced job losses face losing their current home. The U.S. unemployment rate grew to 8.4% in August, and many Americans have been left struggling to pay their mortgages or monthly rent. Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, says another 10 million jobs must be created to get the U.S. economy back to where it was be

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Century 21 Real Estate Expands With Addition of CENTURY 21 Guyana

RIS Media

Century 21 Real Estate LLC announced its expansion into the Republic of Guyana, making CENTURY 21 Guyana the 84th country to call the CENTURY 21® brand home. Afa Jamal Zada, a real estate industry and business development specialist, signed an exclusive 25-year franchise agreement to develop the CENTURY 21 brand throughout the Republic of Guyana. Zada, who is currently recruiting affiliated agents, and conducting due diligence and site selection for an office location, said she looks forward to

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Sprouts Farmers Market Set to Open Oct. 7 in Stuart

Waterfront Properties

After over a year of planning and construction, Sprouts Farmers Market will open its doors on Oct. 7 in Stuart, FL, it’s very first Treasure Coast location. The Phoenix-based grocery chain originally announced plans to open a store in Stuart in January 2019 and it will finally come to be next month. Sprouts will be located in Stuart’s Martin Square Shopping Center on U.S. 1 near Indian Street, the same plaza as Staples, Home Depot and Old Time Pottery.

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Use Your Weekend to Earn Referrals This Fall

RIS Media

Although the coronavirus has upended most of everyday life, there are still opportunities to take advantage of in order to earn referrals this autumn. With Halloween and apple picking just around the corner, many will be in the spooky holiday spirit, pandemic or not. Of course, the time you spend out will likely be limited and Halloween parties are almost certainly nixed for this year, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t reach out to your clients and celebrate the season.

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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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How to Make Your Own Soap in 6 Easy Steps

Point2Homes

Image: catalina.m / Shutterstock.com. There are many ways you can create a more self-sustainable household. From growing your own veg to upcycling, going green can be fun and save you money. Making your own soap is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint and be kinder to your skin. And, it’s much easier than you might think. Why Should You Make Your Own Soap?

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JPAR Goes ‘Unconventional’ in Convention for Agents Nationwide

RIS Media

JP & Associates REALTORS® (JPAR) will be hosting a two-day virtual conference—UNCONVENTIONAL—open to JPAR agents, brokers, franchisees and guests. In the upcoming virtual convention, JPAR Founder, JP Piccinini, will open with updates on the future of JPAR and how the company will be positioning itself to continue exceeding expectations for the agents and franchises, with notes on future growth and expansion.

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Tour The Flagler Museum

Waterfront Properties

Located on one of Palm Beach Island’s most exclusive streets, The Flagler Museum is one of the most visited attraction in Palm Beach County. The grand estate, formally known as Whitehall, features more than 100,000 square feet filled with some of the most important Palm Beach history. The famous landmark was commissioned by the American Industrialist Henry Flagler as a wedding gift to his wife Mary.

Design 96
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Thoughts on Leadership: Effective Executives

RIS Media

As I worked through this new week and new month, I continued to explore the wealth of knowledge published by the Harvard Business Review. Peter F. Drucker, one of my very first mentors, wrote a compelling piece for the publication titled “What Makes an Effective Executive.” In the article, Drucker details how executives who are effective get the right things done in the right ways.

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Real Estate Solutions: How to Crush Your Sales Goals and Fuel Your Pipeline

Speaker: Mary Maloney, Founder & Team Leader at Hometown Realty

The sales cycle in real estate is frequently measured at 3+ months. During this time, real estate agents frequently lose contact with clients and miss out on opportunities because they fail to follow up and provide value to the client. Top real estate agents are distinguished from developing agents by their ability to convert organic connections into sales opportunities.