Housing Wire

DECEMBER 24, 2020

The average U.S. mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan fell one basis point this week to 2.66% – the lowest rate in the Freddie Mac ’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey’s near 50-year history. This week’s mortgage rate broke the previous record set on Dec. 17. With this week’s record drop, there have now been 20 consecutive weeks when average mortgage rates have been below 3%, and the 16th time this year rates have broken their own record.

Mortgages 504

Mortgages Loans Marketing Sales 504

Keeping Current Matters

DECEMBER 24, 2020

We talk a lot about why it makes financial sense to buy a home, but more often than not, we’re drawn to the emotional reasons for homeownership. No matter the living space, the feeling of a home means different things to different people. Whether it’s a certain scent or a favorite chair, the feel-good connections to our own homes are typically more important to us than the financial ones.

Renovation 242

Renovation 242

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Home services tech startup Porch.com made its debut on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange Thursday morning at a valuation of $523 million. The software firm, which merged with special purpose acquisition company Proptech Acquisition Corp. , opened trading on Thursday at $15 a share trading under the ticker symbol “PRCH.” In a statement on Wednesday , Porch said it will receive $322 million in gross proceeds from the IPO, including $150 million in a PIPE investment from Wellington Management.

Inspection 352

Inspection Finance Industrial Design 352

RIS Media

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Technological advancements have had a significant impact on the real estate industry for many years. Particularly in 2020, technology provided tools that helped keep real estate deals moving forward amid the social distancing requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of the ways that technology keeps the wheels of deals in motion. Virtual Tours.

Technology 117

Technology Agents Closing Loans 117

Advertisement

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.

Agents

Afford Anything

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Welcome back to PSA Thursday, a weekly- ish segment in which we talk about how to handle money, work, and life in the year that is 2020. Today, we focus on the importance of year-end tax planning. Make these moves before ringing in 2021! Here are the tips we cover: Open a retirement account (make contributions in 2021 that apply to 2020). Adjust your tax withholdings.

Finance 117

Finance 117

Realty Biz

DECEMBER 24, 2020

The hospitality industry has been pummeled by the COVID-19 pandemic, and investors are swooping to buy up hotels and reimagine them as rental units instead. Hotel conversions have become a big business in recent months, the Wall Street Journal reported this week. Its report said that investors are buying up struggling hotels at bargain prices and transforming them into rental units in order to “profit from rising demand for cheap housing from households forced to downsize during the recession.”.

Investor 115

Investor Principal Loans Industrial 115

Realty Biz

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Homeowners are increasingly relying on forbearance programs to avoid going into foreclosure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 37,000 mortgages were added to forbearance programs in the week ending Dec. 15, which means the total now stands at 2.787 million loans. That’s about 5.3% of the U.S.’s total of 53 million mortgages, Black Knight data shows.

VA loan 112

VA loan Loans Finance Mortgages 112

The Mortgage Report

DECEMBER 24, 2020

A blanket mortgage lets real estate investors buy multiple properties with one loan. Find out how a blanket loan works, plus pros and cons.

Investor 114

Investor Mortgages Loans Residential 114

Lab Coat Agents

DECEMBER 24, 2020

For the seventh year in a row, the new year is forecasted to have more buyers than homes; this is clearly nothing new, but it’s worth noting when lots of buyers are feeling ambivalent about the current market. It means it’s your time to share all your live listings , listings in contract, reduced price listings, and your sold properties too, so your potential clients know you’re thriving.

Branding 98

Branding Industrial Agents As-is 98

Brownstoner

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Thankfully, the end of 2020 is nearly here. It felt like it would never end. Stories about the coronavirus, especially from the months of March and April, dominated the list of our most popular stories this year. But readers were also interested in the renovation projects of the Brownstone Boys… Read More > The post Most Popular Stories of 2020: Coronavirus in Brooklyn and a Renovation Diary appeared first on Brownstoner.

Renovation 97

Renovation 97

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

The Mortgage Report

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Today’s mortgage and refinance rates Average mortgage rates inched lower yesterday. And the average is just 2 basis points (two one-hundredths of 1 percent) higher than their all-time low. With […].

Mortgages 92

Mortgages 92

Better Dwelling

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Most Canadian households saw their net-worth grow last year, but some have begun to see it roll back. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data published this week, shows the median household net-worth grew in 2019. The growth was much slower than observed in the previous data release though. This was led by a decline in net-worth […]. The post Canadian Households See Net-Worth Growth Slow, Decline For Seniors appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Mortgages 87

Mortgages 87

Realtor.com

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Rich Polk/Getty Images The “High School Musical” star Zac Efron is graduating from his Los Angeles home. The actor is letting go of his Los Feliz residence, Variety reported. It’s available for $5.9 million. The California native purchased the midcentury modern property in 2013 for $4 million, and hopes to clear a little cash on his investment.

As-is 84

As-is 84

Sotheby's International Real Estate

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Showcasing the height of new luxury construction in some of the world’s most sought after locations, let’s explore an exclusive new development from our worldwide network. Sao Paulo, Brazil | Izi Grinberg , Bossa Nova Sotheby’s International Realty. Located in the most charming area of Itaim Bibi, Casa Lafer has the convenience of being close to Parque do Povo, Ibirapuera Park, Clube Pinheiros, the business center of Faria Lima, and renowned restaurants.

Development 62

Development Construction Closing Design 62

Advertisement

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

Real Trends

DECEMBER 24, 2020

RESO Elects 2021 Officers and Directors. The Real Estate Standards Organization ( RESO ) has announced its 2021 Executive Board along with the results of its Board of Directors election for five open seats and other board appointments.

Technology 52

Technology 52

BubbleInfo

DECEMBER 24, 2020

This will probably be my last home tour of the year – couldn’t think of a better house to end 2020!

52

52

Realtor.com

DECEMBER 24, 2020

miodrag ignjatovic/Getty Images Tiffany Lequerique-Considine , 37, and her partner, Steve , 48, were trying to figure out a more supportive living arrangement for his 88-year-old mother at the beginning of this year. The couple knew that the 10,500-foot elevation of their hometown of Breckenridge, CO, would not be ideal for her health. The family talked about a nursing home, but they weren’t thrilled about the cost and had other concerns—and then COVID-19 struck, highlighting the risks to the vu

Closing 140

Closing As-is Sales Marketing 140

Lighter Side of Real Estate

DECEMBER 24, 2020

As we approach the final days of 2020, most of us are eager to leave this year behind. It’s been a stressful and difficult time for almost everyone, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that 2021 can’t come soon enough. There’s one particular group of people that’s especially looking forward to the new year: homebuyers. While buying real estate is normally fun and exciting (albeit a bit stressful), 2020 has thrown too many wrenches into the works, and taken much of the enjoyment out of the proces

Lending 120

Lending Loans Closing Mortgages 120

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

Realtor.com

DECEMBER 24, 2020

Backiris / Getty Images It happens to the best of us: You aspire to bake some cookies, reach for the flour, and then realize it’s moving. Welcome to weevils, tiny pests that can infiltrate a host of food products like rice, flour, and other grains. And unless you watch out, they may take over your entire pantry! So, in case you have your own close encounter one day, here’s more info on what weevils are, whether or not they’re dangerous, and how to get rid of weevils and keep th

Inspection 92

Inspection Staging Development Closing 92

Lighter Side of Real Estate

DECEMBER 24, 2020

As we approach the final days of 2020, most of us are eager to leave this year behind. It’s been a stressful and difficult time for almost everyone, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that 2021 can’t come soon enough. There’s one particular group of people that’s especially looking forward to the new year: homebuyers. While buying real estate is normally fun and exciting (albeit a bit stressful), 2020 has thrown too many wrenches into the works, and taken much of the enjoyment out of the proces

Lending 41

Lending Loans Closing Mortgages 41