Tue.Apr 27, 2021

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This isn’t a housing bubble — and that’s the problem

Housing Wire

Last year, during the throes of COVID-19, I expended many words arguing that the U.S. economy would be OK despite the dark period we were in. We just needed patience. We aren’t in a housing bubble. Today we are enjoying the most remarkable comeback of the U.S. economy, which almost no one saw coming. The America is Back Economic Model and the 10-year yield should share the Oscar for best performance.

Mortgages 507
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How To Prepare To Make a Down Payment on a House

Realtor.com

iStock One of the biggest hurdles in buying a home is coming up with a down payment—the large chunk of cash that’s typically required to secure a mortgage for a house. Fortunately, most lenders today offer a wide range of down payment options for 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% of the price of the house. For many first-time home buyers , a government-backed FHA loan can be obtained for as little as 3.5% down.

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Community, building equity important for young homebuyers

Housing Wire

A homebuyer report from Bank of America shows that 51% of young homebuyers aged 18 to 43 value community and friendly neighbors when deciding whether or not to pull the trigger on a new home. Also in the survey, which polled 2,000 adult homeowners and prospective homebuyers, just 33% of older generations (defined as ages 57 to 75) said community had become more important over the past year. “Along with a desire for more space and smart home technology, individuals are looking for a sense o

Equity 471
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How long does it take to buy a house?

The Mortgage Report

Buying a house can take anywhere from a couple months to half a year or longer. It depends on local markets and how prepared you are. Here's what to expect.

Marketing 128
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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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Solving for fraud, biometrics are the future of mortgage

Housing Wire

Better, faster, cheaper has long been the promise of technology in the mortgage industry. Some may argue whether today’s technology is that much better than the tools we used in the past, particularly in the servicing business where many still use platforms designed and first built decades ago. Likewise, others will argue over whether today’s tools are cheaper, given the high cost of loan origination.

Mortgages 402
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5 Interior Design Tips to Instantly Make Any Room Look Better

Point2Homes

Image: Photographee.eu / Shutterstock.com. When it comes to decor, you don’t have to be an expert to have a home that looks well put together. But there are a few basic rules that designers follow that make a room feel balanced and cohesive. These designer secrets aren’t hard to apply and will take a space from merely functional to absolutely fabulous.

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These Are Emerging as the New Top Real Estate Markets of 2021

Realtor.com

Getty Images Everyone wants to get in early on the next big thing, whether it’s the latest electronic gadget or an online currency that’s about to take off. And real estate is no different. All across the country, prices are rising to new heights as the number of homes for sale has dwindled to new lows. While offers of over asking price have become practically standard in this turbocharged market—one in which the COVID-19 pandemic has led many folks to seek out larger homes with more

Marketing 119
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Case-Shiller: Largest home price increase in 15 years

Housing Wire

Home prices continue to increase across the country, as the latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index report showed a 12% annual gain in February — up from 11.2% in January. It’s the ninth straight month of increasing prices. The 12% home price gain is the highest recorded increase since February of 2006. The 10-city composite annual increase came in at 11.7%, up from 10.9% in the previous month.

Finance 384
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The Best Patio Improvement Projects Based On How Much Time You Have

Realtor.com

Getty Images If you’re fortunate enough to have a home with a patio, you’ve probably been using it more than ever. Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us to spend more time at home, outdoor living areas have afforded homeowners and renters a measure of freedom. Patios have become a place where we can relax, exercise, meet with friends, or start a new hobby like gardening.

Design 111
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Appraisal bill would combat legacy of redlining

Housing Wire

Legislation in Congress would try to solve for inconsistencies in appraisal underwriting, a lack of diversity in the profession, and the legacy of property valuation discrimination. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) last week introduced the “Real Estate Valuation Fairness and Improvement Act of 2021,” to root out discrimination in appraising and correct the legacy of redlining.

Lending 384
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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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Inside a Georgian on Long Island Sound

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Perched on the banks of Long Island Sound, this stately stone Georgian home is the very picture of quintessential waterfront living on America’s East Coast. The residence sits on 2.46 acres, looking out over the water, 340 feet of shoreline, a private beach, and an electric-powered deep-water dock protected by a 180-foot stone jetty. Greenwich, Connecticut | Joseph Barbieri & Leslie McElwreath, Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage.

Brokerage 109
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Broker lawsuit targets UWM’s ultimatum

Housing Wire

The controversial ultimatum United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) issued to brokers in March constituted a violation of the Sherman Act and a series of anti-competition laws in the state of Florida, a St. Augustine-based mortgage broker alleges in a new lawsuit that seeks class-action status. Dan O’Kavage, president and founder of the O’Kavage Group , is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit that claims UWM’s gambit was anticompetitive and illegal.

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13 Tried and Tested Google Ads Strategies for Real Estate

Jason Fox

13 Tried and Tested Google Ads Strategies for Real Estate. Pay Per Click (PPC) is one of the best ways to generate instant traffic to your real estate listing or website. You only need the right strategies to win. In theory, there’s nothing more fascinating than advertising on the first page of Google -- reaching consumers who are searching for a new home.

Marketing 106
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Finance of America to acquire Parkside’s wholesale biz

Housing Wire

Finance of America intends to acquire Parkside Lending ‘s third-party origination channel operation for $40 million, the publicly traded lender and servicer announced Tuesday. It’s the latest in a string of big M&A deals in the mortgage lending space – and the growing wholesale channel in particular – over the past six months. The deal, which is expected to close in the second quarter, will boost Finance of America’s third-party origination coverage by more than 1,000 broke

Finance 370
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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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Meet The Real Estate Tech Entrepreneur: Chris Pawlik from EPR2

GeekEstate

This week, we interviewed Chris Pawlick from EPR^2. Without further ado… Who are you and what do you do? My name is Chris Pawlik and I’m the Founder/CEO of EPR^2. Our Company develops existing energy rights on behalf of property owners by utilizing solar and other cleantech to increase property-level NOI and value. Our Company funds the construction of the solar panels, ongoing maintenance, and future upgrades.

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Atlas, DivcoWest prepare $1B single-family rental venture

Housing Wire

Another partnership of asset management giants has announced a major investment in single-family rental homes. Atlas Real Estate and DivcoWest declared last week that they will spend $1 billion “acquiring and renovating homes in high-growth states including Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah,” according to a press release. The companies entered into a joint venture that puts $250 million of equity into single-family rental homes.

Equity 364
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First Quarter of 2021 Homeownership Rate at 65.6%

Eye on Housing

The Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancy Survey (CPS/HVS) reported the U.S. homeownership rate dipped to 65.6% in the first quarter of 2021. The national homeowner vacancy rate declined to a record low of 0.9%, while the rental vacancy rate increased to 6.8%. The data collections were still affected by the pandemic, although to a much less degree than previous three quarters.

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Suzy Lindblom named COO of Kind Lending

Housing Wire

Wholesale lender Kind Lending has brought on mortgage veteran Suzy Lindblom as its chief operating officer, the company said Tuesday. Lindblom has 40 years of experience in the mortgage space, most recently serving as the COO of Planet Home Lending for three and half years. Prior to that, Lindblom served as the managing director of national fulfillment and operations at Stearns Lending — the first brainchild of Glenn Stearns, who happens to be the founder and CEO of her latest employer, Kind Len

Lending 219
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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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Mortgage and refinance rates today, April 27, 2021

The Mortgage Report

Today’s mortgage and refinance rates Average mortgage rates inched higher yesterday. It was only the third rise in April. But also the third over the last seven working days. Still, […].

Mortgages 102
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Canadian Real Estate Sales Are Forecast To Slow, and It’s Going To Drag The Economy

Better Dwelling

Canadian real estate is such a big part of the economy, just its spin-off economic activity is now a huge deal. The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has forecast big 2021 home sales, but the second half will be slower than the first. Next year they see a less exciting, but more typical year for […]. The post Canadian Real Estate Sales Are Forecast To Slow, and It’s Going To Drag The Economy appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Sales 100
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How buyers are competing in a tight home buyers market

The American Genius for Real Estate

(HOMEOWNERSHIP) It’s a seller’s market with housing supply at an all-time low. Here’s what buyers are doing to increase their chances of buying a home. The post How buyers are competing in a tight home buyers market appeared first on The American Genius Real Estate.

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How to Save for Retirement by Investing in Real Estate

RIS Media

As a real estate agent, you’re accustomed to helping people find and purchase the perfect home or investment property. From commercial real estate to residential properties, to undeveloped land—you’re the expert in your market. You know that real estate is one of the best investments for creating long term financial stability. What if you could use your expertise to grow your retirement savings?

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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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To Put Canada’s Frothy Home Price Growth In Perspective, Look Across The Lake: BMO

Better Dwelling

Canadians are now so used to large home price gains, that frothy returns just look normal. BMO senior economist Douglas Porter gave a little perspective, by looking across Lake Erie. In Cleveland, home prices are rising rapidly and beginning to look a little frothy for the market. On the Canadian side, prices in St. Thomas […]. The post To Put Canada’s Frothy Home Price Growth In Perspective, Look Across The Lake: BMO appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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Jupiter U Virtual Tours

Waterfront Properties

The Town of Jupiter has decided to continue to bring Jupiter U to the residents and community by going virtual this year. Jupiter U includes a series of short films and tours of Jupiter’s landmarks and areas throughout Jupiter. The tours highlight the important facts and aim to educate the residents about their local government and our unique beach town.

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The Notorious POD Ep 15: Why Not Hourly?

Notorious ROB

I saw a Facebook post talking about a common problem with real estate agents — buyer disloyalty. That got me wondering, why aren’t we moving towards agents getting paid by the hour? It would solve so many problems. The way that real estate agents are getting paid leads to a lot of issues, one of. Read more. The post The Notorious POD Ep 15: Why Not Hourly?

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What Type of Insurance Do You Need to Cover Hurricane Damage?

RIS Media

A hurricane can cause severe damage to your home and may even completely destroy it. A standard homeowners insurance policy won’t cover all hurricane-related damage, and there is no such thing as a “hurricane insurance policy.” Your homeowners insurance may cover some types of damage, but you may have to purchase additional insurance to be fully covered.

As-is 97
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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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What is Landlord Insurance, and How Does it Work?

Point2Homes

Image: Vitalii Vodolazskyi / Shutterstock.com. Renting out property can be a fantastic way to earn a little (almost) passive income. But before you jump in, landlord insurance is well worth taking a look at. Below, we’ll go over the basics and discuss why it’s worth getting. What is Landlord Insurance? Landlord insurance is a policy that is specifically designed to protect owners of rental properties.

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Heavenly Kitchen Creations

Coldwell Banker

Cabinet and Countertop Ideas for a Distinctive Design. The post Heavenly Kitchen Creations appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue Matter.

Design 110
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Should You Hire a Public Insurance Adjuster?

RIS Media

If your home suffered significant damage due to a storm, a fire or another covered peril, the process of filing a claim with your homeowners insurance company can be complicated. You may not have all the knowledge and experience necessary to fill out insurance forms accurately and completely, or you may not have time to deal with the insurance company with so many other things on your plate.

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FAMILY-OWNED LEGACY FIRM IN PARIS, TEXAS, JOINS THE BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE BRAND

Realty Biz

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC announced today that Nathan Bell Realtors ® based in Paris, Texas, has affiliated with the BHGRE ® brand to become Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Bell Group. The company serves communities throughout Lamar County, as well as Red River, Delta and Fannin counties. The family-owned brokerage, which celebrates its 70 th anniversary this year, was founded in 1951 by Nathan Bell III and is currently owned and led by his son, Nathan ‘Jim’ Bell IV.

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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.