Housing Wire

AUGUST 27, 2020

Homebuyers who are juggling work and school from their home want more space, triggering an increase in the number of sales of large homes. According to Redfin , sales for large homes were up 21.2% year over year nationwide in July, compared to a 10% increase for medium-sized homes and a 2.3% increase for small homes. Redfin categorized large homes as those between 3,000 and 5,000 square feet, medium homes between 1,500 and 3,000 square feet, and small homes between 300 and 1,500 square feet.

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Sales Design As-is Marketing 545

Keeping Current Matters

AUGUST 27, 2020

You may have heard that pre-approval is a great first step in the homebuying process. But why is it so important? When looking for a home, the temptation to fall in love with a house that’s outside your budget is very real. So, before you start shopping around, it’s helpful to know your price range, what you’re comfortable within a monthly mortgage payment, and ultimately how much money you can borrow for your loan.

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Pre-approval Pre-qualification Loan Officer Lending 286

Housing Wire

AUGUST 27, 2020

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Thursday announced a major shift in monetary policy that will allow the central bank to use inflation averaging, rather than the current practice of setting a hard target. Speaking at a video-only version of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City ’s annual conference, Powell said the Fed will no longer raise its benchmark rate to keep unemployment from falling too low and will allow inflation to run slightly higher than the current 2% target after perio

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Mortgages Banks Investor Lending 492

RIS Media

AUGUST 27, 2020

If you have a spare room in your home, renting it out can be a way to earn extra to pay the mortgage. There can be problems with this sort of arrangement, however, that could make you wish you hadn’t invited a renter into your home, so it’s important to be educated about the process as much as possible. Renting out part of your home does put you in the position of a landlord with the associated responsibilities.

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Earnest money deposit As-is Agents Banks 145

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Housing Wire

AUGUST 27, 2020

U.S. pending home sales rose 5.9% in July, the third consecutive month of gains, fueled by low mortgage rates and unprecedented demand from consumers. The seasonally-adjusted index measuring signed contracts was up 15.5% year over year, largely on the back of pent-up demand from buyers who were unable to strike deals during the spring, said Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors.

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Sales Residential Loans Mortgages 481

Realtor.com

AUGUST 27, 2020

Feverpitched/Getty Images In this age of social distancing, you might want to limit the number of strangers traipsing through your house. So chances are good you’ve said sayonara to the idea of having a staging company come in to artfully showcase your home for sale. That means it’s time to get creative in order to prep your property for sale.

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Staging Technology Renovation Design 135

The American Genius for Real Estate

AUGUST 27, 2020

[REAL ESTATE BIG DATA] Positive NAR reports encourage strong homebuyer return into the housing market following pent-up demand. The post Home purchase contract signings surge 5.9% in July appeared first on The American Genius Real Estate.

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Marketing 133

Housing Wire

AUGUST 27, 2020

Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell to 1 million last week from 1.1 million in the prior period, the Labor Department said in a Thursday report. “The up and down moves of recent weeks underscore that the recovery will be slow-going as long as the virus continues to circulate,” Wells Fargo economists said in a report. Even with the decline, the level was “still higher than any week during the Great Recession.”.

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As-is Marketing 416

RIS Media

AUGUST 27, 2020

At the start of the pandemic, the housing market nearly screeched to a halt. When most states moved to mandatory quarantining and strictly enforced social distancing, agents were, rightfully, concerned with the future of real estate. Now that some COVID restrictions have lifted, there has been an influx of buyers ready to make their move. However, the new challenge is that, now, there are not enough homes for sale to fulfill the number of buyers.

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Agents Sales As-is Marketing 131

Waterfront Properties

AUGUST 27, 2020

Did you know that the Sunshine State is one of the top retirement destinations in the word? From its great weather, arts and cultural destinations, and beautiful beaches, this state proves an irresistible destination to those looking to relocate before or after retirement. However, one outstanding factor that separates Florida from the rest is the state’s tax friendliness.

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As-is Sales 126

Advertiser: Trellis

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.

Loans

Realtor.com

AUGUST 27, 2020

Lecic/Getty Images Pantry staples like vinegar and baking soda have proved to be heroes around the house for cleaning and accomplishing other household tasks. Aside from being a fraction of the cost of chemical all-purpose cleaners, they’re also nontoxic and 100% natural. But did you know there’s another edible essential that also falls in the same category?

As-is 125

As-is 125

The Close

AUGUST 27, 2020

It seems like everybody is offering advice on real estate social media marketing these days. Beware though: Not all advice is created equally. Sure, “post great pictures” is definitely good advice, but if you really want to build your brand and get leads on social media, you’re going to need more… well, everything. That’s why we talked to some of the most successful real estate agents in the country to see how actual real estate agents are crushing it on social media today.

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Agents Marketing Branding Title 122

The Mortgage Report

AUGUST 27, 2020

As a first-time home buyer, you may not have the work experience of a seasoned purchaser, but that doesn't have to affect your ability to get mortgage loan-approved.

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Mortgages Loans 122

Realtor.com

AUGUST 27, 2020

cmart7327 / iStock Mortgage rates are still near record lows, but that isn’t making owning a home cheaper for home buyers any longer. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.91% for the week ending Aug. 27, dropping eight basis points from the week prior , Freddie Mac reported Thursday. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also fell eight basis points to an average of 2.46%.

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Fixed-rate mortgage Mortgages Sales As-is 114

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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.

Sales

Better Dwelling

AUGUST 27, 2020

Canada’s real estate markets have seen prices soar, but condos are getting left behind. Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) data shows only five major markets saw condo prices hit a new peak in July. Over two-thirds of Canada’s major markets haven’t seen a peak since the beginning of the pandemic. Some markets last saw prices […].

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Marketing 111

Realtor.com

AUGUST 27, 2020

realtor.com A waterfront estate on the north shore of Lake Tahoe has splashed onto the market for $44 million, making it this week’s most expensive new listing. Part of the affluent community of Incline Village, NV, it’s far and away the most expensive listing in town. There are 209 homes on the market in Incline Village, with a median list price of $1.2 million.

Technology 114

Technology Design As-is Marketing 114

Sotheby's International Real Estate

AUGUST 27, 2020

Those who love wine would undoubtedly feel at home in the South African Cape Winelands. Home to some of the most established wine regions outside of Europe—vines were planted over 350 years ago—South Africa’s terroir and climate allows the region to produce a wide range of world-renowned varieties. . Whether or not you consider yourself an oenophile, the Western Cape is a haven for luxury living, made even more so by the spectacular backdrop of mountains and sparkling sea, and the rolling green

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Realtor.com

AUGUST 27, 2020

AzmanJaka / iStock Have you given much thought to the table you’re using? Sure, four legs and a flat surface might be the sum of its parts, but the shape and purpose of this piece can make a difference in your rooms. When selecting tables, be sure they serve a true purpose, rather than just sitting there collecting dust. “I believe in really using furniture, rather than just staging it and then ensuring nothing ever moves again,” says Michael Diaz-Griffith , an art consultant a

Design 113

Design Lending Staging Construction 113

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.

Agents

Waterfront Properties

AUGUST 27, 2020

Often referred to as an exotic oasis perched on the prestigious Florida coast in Palm Beach, Worth Avenue attracts the world’s elite to Palm Beach County for the finest in shopping dining and overall Florida lifestyle. Located just steps from the world famous “Billionaires Row”, Worth Avenue is home to some of the world’s most exclusive shopping brands in the world and breathtaking Mediterranean-inspired architecture.

Branding 110

Branding As-is Marketing 110

Realtor.com

AUGUST 27, 2020

realtor.com This gorgeous desert dwelling used to sit in the middle of nowhere. Built in 1928, La Casita de Maria in Paradise Valley, AZ, was one of the first structures erected in a town now known for its multimillion-dollar mansions. Now, after an award-winning restoration and remodel, this beautiful complex of adobe buildings is on the market for $4,695,000.

Industrial 111

Industrial As-is Agents Marketing 111

RIS Media

AUGUST 27, 2020

July brought more positive news for the markets. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), pending home sales for the month marked three consecutive months of growth, with gains across all major regions in both month-over-month and year-over-year transactions. NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) rose 5.9 percent to 122.1 in July, with YoY contract signings increasing 15.5 percent.

Sales 111

Sales Marketing Mortgages As-is 111

The Residential Specialist

AUGUST 27, 2020

Photo: iStock.com/Petar Chernaev. You may not realize it, but opening your closet or dresser when you wake up can greatly influence your mind. What you wear not only leaves an impression on those you interact with, but also how you personally think and feel throughout the day. In a 2012 study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology , Adam Galinski and Hajo Adam coined the term “enclothed cognition”—or the psychological impact of someone’s choice of clothes.

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Agents As-is Closing Sales 105

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.

Agents

RIS Media

AUGUST 27, 2020

On Thursday, Aug. 27, the Federal Reserve announced a major policy shift, stating it would be willing to allow inflation to run higher than typical if it supports the labor market and economy. According to the Fed, they will allow inflation to run “moderately” over their 2 percent goal “for some time” if inflation averages 2 percent over time.

Mortgages 107

Mortgages Loans Finance As-is 107

Agent Drive

AUGUST 27, 2020

Marketing technology is advancing at lightning speed and real estate agents are struggling to keep up. The coming year brings some changes for realtors that are going to impact their marketing ROI. So if you find yourself wondering why your traditional marketing activities don’t live up to your expectations, chances are big there’s something bigger […].

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Marketing Technology Agents 105

RIS Media

AUGUST 27, 2020

If your real estate business hit a few bumps during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re not alone. This year hasn’t been easy for anyone, and there may have been times when you felt like changing careers entirely, wondering why you got into real estate in the first place. We’ve got news for you: You can get back on track! In order to get back on the horse and find your motivation once more, you must reconnect with your “why.” Your ‘Why’ Is Your Purpose.

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Finance Agents 107

Boom Town

AUGUST 27, 2020

Some good news that’s come out of this tricky time in 2020 is that demand has not significantly gone down , even with the unemployment and financial insecurity concerns due to COVID-19. The flip side? Inventory is still much lower than it needs to be. The inventory shortage isn’t new. It’s been a top concern of agents for several years.

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Marketing Agents MLS Finance 105

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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.

Agents

RIS Media

AUGUST 27, 2020

Inventory is at an all-time low in many markets across the United States as eager buyers return to market more quickly than sellers. Your clients may be seeing their neighbors’ homes going under contract at record speeds and thinking that selling fast for their target price will be a breeze, but they might have forgotten about pre-listing updates—even if their home needs a lot of work.

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Agents New Construction Renovation Marketing 107

Afford Anything

AUGUST 27, 2020

Welcome back to PSA Thursday, a mostly-weekly segment in which we talk about how to handle money, work, and life in the middle of a pandemic. At the beginning of the month, we interviewed two teachers, Rob Phelan and Mandy Bert, for their perspective on what lies ahead for schools. Now, as summer break ends, we turn to Andy Hill, father of two and founder of Marriage, Kids, and Money, for his perspective on how to avoid parental burnout.

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RIS Media

AUGUST 27, 2020

Hurricane Laura continued to track toward the Louisiana and Texas border [at press time], having strengthened significantly to a Category 4 storm, making Laura the first major hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic season. Her track adjusted slightly as well, away from the Houston metropolitan area. The table below shows the metro areas currently in NOAA-defined storm surge watch or warning regions.

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Industrial As-is 107

The Mortgage Report

AUGUST 27, 2020

Mortgage rates today are driven by movements in financial markets worldwide. When the economy heats up, bond price drop, and rates increase. When the economy pulls back, interest rates tend to fall.

Mortgages 101

Mortgages Marketing 101

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.

Sales