Tue.Jan 19, 2021

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Fannie Mae increases 2021 economic growth forecast

Housing Wire

Fannie Mae ‘s latest forecast projects economic growth to hit 5.3% in 2021, an increase of 0.8 percentage points from what the government-sponsored enterprise projected last month. The forecasted growth is significantly more than the revised numbers for 2020, which Fannie Mae projects will end up as a 2.7% contraction. The company said the economy will see an especially strong uptick in the spring months, with the expansion of COVID-19 vaccination efforts and the warmer with Fannie Mae inc

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Should I Wait for Lower Mortgage Interest Rates?

Keeping Current Matters

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.

Mortgages 263
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In defense of the individual real estate agent

Housing Wire

I saw a social media post recently by our local ‘mega-agent’ entitled: “Breaking News: Individual Real Estate agents added to Endangered Professions List!”. This post compares the individual real estate agent to “a tennis player using a wooden racket” or “a football player with a leather helmet.” The individual agent is on life support, it exclaims.

Agents 446
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Ontario’s Most Popular Real Estate Market Is Now Rural, While People Flee Toronto

Better Dwelling

Ontario residents are flowing out of the big cities, and looking for something a little more quaint. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows intraprovincial migration for 2020. Rural regions are showing the biggest net-inflows of Ontario residents relocating within the province. Although almost everywhere in Ontario saw more people arrive than leave.

Marketing 124
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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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Mortgage forbearance rate continues to drop

Housing Wire

The U.S. forbearance rate fell nine basis points last week to 5.37% of servicers’ portfolio volume, according to a survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association on Monday. While this decline may be the largest drop in forbearance share in the past nine weeks, it is only the second in that same time period – the first being on Dec. 14 when loans in forbearance fell six basis points to 5.48%.

Mortgages 406
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The Breakers Hotel Celebrating 125 Years in 2021

Waterfront Properties

The iconic Palm Beach hotel, The Breakers is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2021. The hotel was founded by Henry M. Flagler, one of America’s great industrialist. The Breakers Hotel was founded in 1896 by Flagler, and Flagler is known to have transformed South Florida into a popular vacation destination. Henry M. Flagler first made his debut on the island with the construction of The Royal Poinciana, a six-story hotel located on the intracoastal side of the island.

More Trending

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Meet the Real Estate Tech Entrepreneur: Ajay Prakash from Rinse

GeekEstate

We interviewed Ajay Prakash from Rinse in the third installation of our real estate tech entrepreneur interview series of 2021. Let’s get to it! Who are you and what do you do? Thanks for including me as part of this series. My name is Ajay Prakash and I am the Co-Founder and CEO of Rinse. We are building the first and largest national brand in clothing care and removing the friction that exists in dry cleaning and laundry.

Branding 113
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How to Automate Your Smart Home with a Weather Station

Realty Biz

The Age of Technology has made a huge impact on the world in ways that many people have yet to realize. For example, many people have heard of virtual reality technology, but not many people understand how VR technology can and is already being used in several different fields aside from the video game industry, where it has been much publicized. Royalty-free image.

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Small Utah Home Has Handbuilt Replica Ghost Town in the Backyard

Realtor.com

Brook Patrick A new owner of this small house in Springville, UT, won’t have to venture far to knock back a beverage in an Old West saloon. The 758-square-foot home on East 100 North comes complete with its own ghost town in the backyard. It’s now on the market for $349,900. The father of the listing agent, Angie Brandt , built the ghost town over the 27 years he owned the property.

Sales 111
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Continued Gains for November Single-Family Permits

Eye on Housing

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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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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What credit score do you need to buy a house? Your guide to credit and mortgages

The Mortgage Report

The minimum credit score to buy a house varies by loan program. Most home buyers can get approved with a 580 credit score or higher. Learn how.

Mortgages 119
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Daily Links: COVID Curve Flattens in Brooklyn and Throughout New York

Brownstoner

In the News Saying Goodbye to Bird [NYT] Brooklyn Coronavirus Cases Dip Slightly [BP] Motorcyclist Hospitalized After Crash With FDNY in Borough Park [BP] Remains of the Day: Fort Greene Ramble [casaCARA] Local Baristas Bring New Life to Bed Stuy Daily Press Cafe Space [Patch] Bushwick Businesses Hit in a String of Burglaries [Bklyner] Push Back on… Read More > The post Daily Links: COVID Curve Flattens in Brooklyn and Throughout New York appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Inside a Glamorous Renovated Midcentury Estate

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Carved from the grounds of the legendary Greystone Estate to create a neighborhood of singular private homes, Beverly Hills’s Trousdale Estates became a desirable enclave of the midcentury modern aesthetic in the 1950s, showcasing the work of esteemed architects and attracting celebrities from Groucho Marx to Frank Sinatra. No less fashionable in the 21st century, Trousdale Estates is the location of this inimitable residence, a bastion of exceptional taste, quality, and iconic style—all with a

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Judge Stalls Controversial Gowanus Rezoning With Temporary Restraining Order After Locals File Suit

Brownstoner

The kickoff of the public review process for the controversial and long-in-the-works rezoning of Gowanus has been temporarily halted until at least January 27. Opponents of the Gowanus rezoning sued the city Friday, alleging the Department of City Planning’s virtual Zoom hearings don’t allow for enough public review for the neighborhood-wide… Read More > The post Judge Stalls Controversial Gowanus Rezoning With Temporary Restraining Order After Locals File Suit appeared first on Browns

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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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How Does a VA Mortgage Work and What Are Its Pros and Cons?

Point2Homes

Image: MIND AND I / Shutterstock.com. Military personnel past and present are eligible for a VA mortgage, helping them get a foot on the property ladder. But what exactly is a VA mortgage and how do they work? In this guide, we’ll find out, while looking at some of the pros and cons as well. How Does a VA Mortgage Work? A VA loan is a type of mortgage loan backed by the U.S.

VA loan 104
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Brooklyn Heights Studio With Archways, Four Closets, Deco Bathroom Asks $525K

Brownstoner

While not abundant in square footage, this Art Deco-era studio has all the benefits of apartments from that era, including a separate dining space, arched doorways and decent closet space. The co-op unit is on the third floor of The Mansion House, the six-story 1930s apartment building at 145 Hicks… Read More > The post Brooklyn Heights Studio With Archways, Four Closets, Deco Bathroom Asks $525K appeared first on Brownstoner.

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More Than Just Likes: A Blueprint for Online Success

RIS Media

During RISMedia’s 2021 “Real Estate’s Rocking in the New Year” virtual event, co-presented with the National Association of REALTORS®, Marki Lemons Ryhal, global virtual keynote speaker and international best-selling author, moderated the panel, More Than Just Likes: A Blueprint for Online Success. Joining her on this panel was Sheena Baker, broker for CarMarc Realty; Wendy Forsythe, chief brand officer of Fathom Realty; Laura Ryan, owner of The Mark Ryan Group; and Andre

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Tips for Lighting Your Home While Staging

Realty Biz

Lighting is only one of many factors you have to consider when home staging, though that doesn’t make it any less important. Your lighting situation can make or break your ability to get the home promptly off the market. These tips for lighting your home while staging can help you impress buyers right when they walk into any given room. Don’t Rely on One Light.

Staging 101
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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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Set Your Agents Up for Success Come Tax Time

RIS Media

NAR PULSE—Taxes are complicated, but they don’t have to be scary. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Center for REALTOR® Financial Wellness’ Tax Summit will teach your agents how to file their quarterly taxes, learn ways to avoid audits and review solutions if they owe the IRS. Encourage them to register today ! 2022 NAR Leadership Academy.

Agents 102
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Up, Up, and Away: 7 Homes With Private Helipads

Realtor.com

realtor.com Even before the pandemic, lines at TSA security, pricey airport parking, and throngs of travelers all combined to make air travel something to be endured rather than enjoyed. Add to the mix the fear of spreading or catching a lethal virus, and commercial air travel becomes even less appealing. However, private air travel is another story altogether.

Land 101
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Keeping Up With Concierge

RIS Media

In recent years, the intense competition amongst REALTORS® across the U.S. has resulted in many agents and brokerages upping their service offerings, forcing others to follow suit or fall out of favor. One of the more common services being added to brokerages and agents’ suite of services (and my personal favorite) is “concierge.” Depending on who you ask, concierge can have a few different definitions.

Brokerage 102
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NBA Star Kyrie Irving Buys a House for George Floyd’s Family

Realtor.com

Sarah Stier / Staff/Getty Images The basketball star Kyrie Irving has bought George Floyd ‘s family a house. The Brooklyn Nets guard has been a strong supporter of the Black Lives Matter and other social justice movements. Floyd died on Memorial Day after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes. Floyd’s 7-year-old daughter, Gianna , is “getting so much love from not just us, but from people all around the world who are showing support,” the former

Closing 99
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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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Putting Indie Brokerage Savvy Into the Launch of an Uber-Successful Team

RIS Media

How this successful team leader of Urban Nest Realty is using experience and technology to drive team growth. In an industry where technology adoption consistently hovers around 25 percent, Jan O’Brien—team leader at Urban Nest Realty—is bucking the trend thanks to her past experience launching an indie brokerage and applying that knowledge to create an uber-successful team.

Brokerage 101
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Mastering An Abundance Mindset In Real Estate

Agent Fire

In this article, you will learn what an abundance mindset is, why it's superior to a scarcity mindset in real estate, and how to develop an abundance mindset in your own personal life. Mastering An Abundance Mindset In Real Estate is just one of many great real estate strategies on The Spark.

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Should You List Your House Before or After You Buy a New One?

RIS Media

If you currently own a house and you want to purchase a new home, you need to figure out when and how to handle both transactions. If the timing isn’t right, you may find yourself struggling to cover two mortgages at once. Why It Can Be Risky to Buy a New Home Before Selling Your Old One. You may be tempted to purchase a new house and move into it before putting your current home on the market.

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Inventory By Area

BubbleInfo

What’s it like being a home buyer today? It’s a bonanza if you are in the multiple-millions category – there are hundreds of choices! If you want to stay under $1,500,000, the inventory looks bleak: NSDCC Active Inventory Town or Area Zip Code Actives Under $1.5M Actives Over $1.5M Overall Median List Price Cardiff 92007 […].

Agents 98
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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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Why You Should Not Choose a Real Estate Agent Solely Based on a Personal Connection

RIS Media

If you want to buy or sell a house and you’re looking for a real estate agent, you may be thinking about working with a family member or friend in the business, or someone you know socially may have recommended an agent. When it comes to such a major financial transaction, it’s important to put your personal relationships aside and choose the agent who is the most qualified to help you.

Agents 98
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2021 Housing Inventories: Will They Run Out?

Homes.com

As 2021 housing inventories follow a year of record lows, are any markets in danger of running out of homes to buy? What can buyers and sellers expect? Housing expert Lew Sichelman takes a deeper look. The post 2021 Housing Inventories: Will They Run Out? appeared first on Homes.com.

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Brace for Sticker Shock: It Costs Over $31,000 to Sell a House on Average

HomeLight

From 2019 to 2020, homeowner equity across the country increased 10.8% , according to a report from CoreLogic. That makes 2021 an opportune window for many people to sell a home and for a nice profit to boot. However, it will surprise some sellers — especially first-timers — to learn that selling a house is a massive undertaking with a ton of associated expenses.

Title 98
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Think About Your Family’s Long-Term Needs When Planning a Renovation Project

RIS Media

Even a small-scale project may cost tens of thousands of dollars. If you want to renovate on a wider scale, you may pay much more. Since making upgrades is likely to be costly, it’s important to think not only about your family’s current needs, but also about how your requirements and preferences may change in the future. Consider Your Children’s Needs.

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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.