Thu.May 27, 2021

article thumbnail

How is the housing market impacting real estate agents?

Housing Wire

George Schechter has an entirely new business model. A real estate agent at Compass Florida in Coconut Grove, Schechter has 12 years of experience in the real estate industry, so he’s familiar with its cyclical ups and downs. But today’s housing market has forced him to pivot to remain successful. “This market is like nothing we’ve ever seen,” he said.

Agents 473
article thumbnail

How Misunderstandings About Affordability Could Cost You

Keeping Current Matters

There’s a lot of discussion about affordability as home prices continue to appreciate rapidly. Even though the most recent index on affordability from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows homes are more affordable today than the historical average , some still have concerns about whether or not it’s truly affordable to buy a home right now.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Mortgage rates drop below 3% again

Housing Wire

Mortgage rates fluctuated again last week, down 5 basis points to 2.95% after managing to pop back up to 3% the week prior, according to Thursday data from Freddie Mac ‘s PMMS. Mortgage rates have been hovering around 3% for over a month now, as macro economic factors left the bond market hesitant over the global recovery. “Mortgage rates are down below three percent, continuing to offer many homeowners the potential to refinance and increase their monthly cash flow,” said Sam Khater, Fred

Mortgages 466
article thumbnail

Most Pandemic Buyers Happy With Their Home Purchase and the Process

Lighter Side of Real Estate

Between COVID restrictions, low inventory, and high competition, there’s no denying that the real estate market has been tough for buyers over the past year. But despite those challenges, the majority of buyers are happy with their decision to buy. According to a recent survey from realtor.com , 71 percent of buyers who purchased their home over the past year said buying was a good decision—and a full 75 percent said their new home is the right fit for their family.

Sales 144
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Low inventory stifles April’s pending home sales

Housing Wire

Like new and existing sales, pending home sales felt the strain of exhausted home inventory in April ? dropping 4.4% from the previous month to an index of 106.2, according to Thursday data from the National Association of Realtors. Against a pandemic landscape from last April, however, pending home sales signings are 51.7% higher year-over-year. “Contract signings are approaching pre-pandemic levels after the big surge due to the lack of sufficient supply of affordable homes,” said Lawrence Yun

Sales 441
article thumbnail

6 Bedroom Improvements That’ll Help Sell Your Home Faster—and for More Money

Realtor.com

Getty Images You’re ready to list your house—but are your dated bedrooms a turn-off to prospective buyers? Today’s buyers are more focused than ever on finding luxe master suites that double as relaxing retreats. “Pre-pandemic, nobody really cared about the bedroom. Now, people need somewhere to get away,” says Brad Whittaker , an agent with Realty ONE Group Pacifica in Longview, WA.

Staging 144

More Trending

article thumbnail

Canadian Mortgage Rates Forecast To Rise Even Before BoC Hike: Desjardins

Better Dwelling

A large Canadian financial institution sees higher mortgage rates in your future. Desjardins’ mortgage forecast shows they expect mortgages to continue to climb from here. They see 5-year fixed mortgage rates hitting pre-pandemic levels by next fall. That is before the first expected hike to the overnight rate from the Bank of Canada. Canadian Mortgages […].

Mortgages 139
article thumbnail

Florida Title CEO spurred to action after Texas winter storms

Housing Wire

After unprecedented winter storms ravaged large parts of Texas in February , Florida native Aaron Davis — always one to volunteer his time for those in need — found himself in the thick of the devastation in Harper, Texas, a decision that led eventually to national coverage of his selfless deeds. “The weight of snow and ice on trees, roofs, and structures — it was incredibly similar to a hurricane, which I’m accustomed to preparing for on a regular basis, being from Florida,” he said.

Title 384
article thumbnail

Record Numbers of Builders Report Material Shortages

Eye on Housing

Shortages of materials are now more widespread than at any at any time since NAHB began tracking the issue on a regular basis in the 1990s, in is survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). In response to special questions on the May 2021 HMI survey, over 90 percent of builders who buy the product in question reported.

Marketing 138
article thumbnail

SoftPro names Gorkem Kuterdem CTO

Housing Wire

SoftPro has named title and escrow veteran Gorkem Kuterdem its new chief technology officer, the company announced Thursday. Kuterdem has more than 15 years of experience specific to the title industry, previously serving as senior vice president for strategy at Adeptive Software and former CTO for WFG National Title Insurance Co. “We are thrilled to have Gorkem join the SoftPro executive team,” said Joyce Weiland, SoftPro president. “He brings a wealth of technical and industr

Title 370
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Gold Gate Launches $100 Million Luxury Real Estate Investment Fund

Realty Biz

Gold Gate real estate investment management has announced Fund I of $100 million taking aim at the luxury segment. According to the news, the fund aimed at HNWIs, families, and institutions, will afford each investor one percent ownership interest and 45 days of annual use in 20 exclusive properties around the world. Dalton Skach, CEO of Gold Gate. The fund managers will raise a total of $100 million backed by 100 shares for each accredited investor.

Investor 120
article thumbnail

Fire Mountain Beauty

BubbleInfo

Take a look at our new listing at the top of the hill in Fire Mountain! It was custom-built in 2005 on nearly a half-acre lot, and since then these owners added the pool/spa backyard package! 2234 Ivy Road 4 br/3 ba, 2,856sf 3-car garage LP = $1,599,000 Traditional open house this Saturday & Sunday, […].

116
116
article thumbnail

Pending Home Sales Sink as the Housing Market Falls Back to Earth

Realtor.com

LPETTET/Getty Images The numbers: An indicator of existing-home sales fell in April, suggesting that the housing market could be cooling in the face of high home prices. Pending home sales dropped 4.4% in April compared with March, the National Association of Realtors reported Thursday. On an annual basis pending home sales were up nearly 52%, but at this time last year, pending sales had fallen to a record low as the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought real-estate transactions to an abrupt

Sales 113
article thumbnail

Builders have started auctioning new homes to the highest bidder

Realty Biz

Home builders are fending off so many interested buyers that they have had to stop signing new sales contracts in order to focus on catching up with existing orders. That’s according to a report in Bloomberg this week, which said that builders have been overwhelmed as buyers turn to the new home market to make up for a lack of options in the existing home market.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Generate Real Estate Leads Online – 30 Action Points [Checklist]

Agent Drive

Real estate professionals work long hours to get things done. But given how advanced this market and customers have become, not all activities work equally well. So here’s a recap of all the things you need to do to generate real estate leads online. Today, real estate sales, marketing and advertising are shaped by digital channels. So […].

Sales 111
article thumbnail

10 Hardy Houseplants for Those Tricky Low-Light Spaces at Home

HomeLight

If a lack of natural light is the only thing keeping you from adding plants to your home, wait no more. There’s a wide range of unique and beautiful low-light varieties perfect for indoor spaces. With the help of plant expert and owner of Meraki Market , a plant and home decor shop in Haddonfield, New Jersey, Madison Ramirez, we’ve compiled a list of easy-to-find, vibrant indoor greenery to breathe life into low-light interior spaces , along with tips and tricks to help these beauties flourish.

As-is 109
article thumbnail

In a Seller’s Market, You May Be Thinking: Rent vs Buy?

Mandrona Group

The average selling price of a home in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2020 was $403,600, in Seattle it is. Read More. Content provided by: John L. Scott Ballard | Madrona Group.

Marketing 106
article thumbnail

Stunning Rooftop Patio Designs for Morning Meditations to Sunset Soirees

HomeLight

If you live in a dense urban environment, you might not have a sprawling lawn or a spacious backyard. More likely, you’ll have access to a rooftop deck. And with a little legwork, you can transform this elevated outdoor patio into every bit of the oasis you desire. “With the warm climate and longer days to appreciate outside in the wake of being cooped in the house over the previous year, right now is an ideal opportunity to refresh [a rooftop patio] ,” says KD Reid , an emerging New York City i

Design 104
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

BHGRE® Adds Real Estate Office in Alaska

RIS Media

Half of Alaska’s residents were born outside the state, making this location a diverse migratory route brimming with real estate opportunities. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate® LLC (BHGRE®) has moved into the state, recently announcing a new affiliate: Alaska Dream Makers based in Wasilla, Alaska (now Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Dream Makers).

Branding 104
article thumbnail

Here’s How to Clean Your Deck Before Staining It for Five-Star Results

HomeLight

Every few years, you should stain your wooden deck to improve its appearance and protect the wood from rot. But don’t just slap a coat of stain on in a hurry — you’ll need to clean your deck before staining it. If you stain a deck without cleaning and prepping it first, the results will look blotchy, uneven, and, well, amateur. Any time you save skipping the cleaning stage, you’ll spend twice over repairing the botched job. “Homeowners can clean, repair, and restain a dec

Agents 103
article thumbnail

The Tech Tools You Need to Win Part 1 – Traditional Brokerages

Lab Coat Agents

Over the past 14 months, traditional brokerages have come to really understand the value of technology and its ability to impact their business. But there are a lot of technology options and understanding which tools are best for your organization can be a daunting task. The innovative team from The Realty Shop in St. Louis, Missouri has been at the forefront of leveraging technology to drive business growth.

article thumbnail

Starting from Scratch: What to Do When Your Real Estate Listing Agreement Expires

HomeLight

When you signed the listing contract to put your house on the market, you had high hopes for a quick sale. Those first few days were a roller-coaster of emotions, as every showing brought a new chance for an offer — and then the letdown when it didn’t come. As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, the less likely it seemed that your house would sell.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture Puts William Tubby-Designed Manse Up for Sale for $30 Million

Brownstoner

For almost 75 years, this detail-filled neo-Jacobean manse with Prospect Park views has been home to the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, but this week the organization put the impressive property on the market for $30 million. Originally commissioned by wealthy manufacturer William H. Childs and wife Nellie S. Childs in… Read More > The post Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture Puts William Tubby-Designed Manse Up for Sale for $30 Million appeared first on Brownstoner.

Design 98
article thumbnail

Agent Spotlight: Christine Bova

First Team Real Estate

FirstTeam Real Estate agent Christine Bova closed an impressive $5 million in total transactions for the month of April, placing her among the top-performing agents in our Huntington Beach Seacliff Office. A powerhouse attorney and broker, Christine’s unique skillset, extensive local connections, and natural ability to connect with others make her stand out among the competition. .

Agents 98
article thumbnail

Guided Turtle Walks Returning This Summer

Waterfront Properties

This Summer, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center is excited to bring back their popular Sea Turtle Walks event to their calendar. On Tuesday through Saturday evenings, beginning June 1st, the center is inviting guests to join in on their Guided Sea Turtle Walks. The center has gotten approval from the state to bring guests down to the beach and witness, observe, and learn about sea turtle nesting and the egg-laying process of sea turtles.

98
article thumbnail

California DMV Moving Out of State Resources

First Team Real Estate

If you’re looking for California DMV moving out of state resources, chances are you’re ready for a big move – and you’re not alone. The population in California declined in 2020 for the first time since state officials have been keeping track, falling by more than 182,000 last year. In perspective, the decline is small by comparison to our state’s nearly 40 million residents — just 0.46%.

As-is 98
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Former DoorDash Exec Makes Move to Updater

RIS Media

A shuffling among leadership in the technology space could be pointing to bolstered efforts within real estate—an industry that’s currently embracing digital innovation. Josh Abrams, Chief Product Officer, Updater. Updater, a technology company within the relocation industry in the United States, recently appointed former WeWork and DoorDash executive Josh Abrams as chief product officer.

article thumbnail

Clematis by Night Concert Series – West Palm Beach

Waterfront Properties

The City of West Palm Beach FREE concert series is every Thursday night. If you are looking for some entertainment to add to your weekend eve evening itinerary, look no further than Clematis by Night. This weekly event takes place at Meyer Amphitheater in downtown West Palm Beach on Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Andrew Morris Band will be playing May 27, 2021.

Staging 98
article thumbnail

Tackling the Low Inventory Problem

RIS Media

Low inventory is a problem for agents across the country, which is why it’s time to be creative and committed. Agents need to lean in and expand their reach and start building relationships prior to when someone is even thinking about selling. And they need to do this with consistency. This is where direct mail, networking, prospecting and farming come into play as new priorities for agents.

Agents 98
article thumbnail

10 More Jaw-Dropping Home Designs from Around the World

Point2Homes

A few weeks back, we published a piece showcasing residential architecture at its best. And since we received such positive feedback from everyone, we put together a new group of properties that prove just how outstanding home design can be. Whether it’s coming up with clever ways to utilize space, boasting a particular color palette or drawing inspiration from art or nature, these amazing homes are something you’ve just got to see!

Design 98
article thumbnail

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.