Thu.Jun 17, 2021

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New home sales fall due to low inventory and high prices

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications for new home purchases fell 9% month-over-month in May at a seasonally unadjusted pace ? the second consecutive month sales of new homes have dropped, according to data released Thursday by the Mortgage Bankers Association. Compared to May of last year, MBA’s Builder Application Survey (BAS) revealed purchases are down 5.9%.

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Housing Wealth: The Missing Piece of the Affordability Equation

Keeping Current Matters

The real estate market is soaring today. Residential home values are rising, and that’s a big win for homeowners. In 2020, there was a double-digit increase in home values – a trend that’s expected to head toward similar levels this year. However, skyrocketing prices are causing some to start questioning affordability in the current housing market. Many are quick to emphasize the fact that homes today are less affordable than they were last year.

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Lennar execs confident building boom will not end soon

Housing Wire

“These are the best of times,” declared Stuart Miller, chairman of the board for Lennar Thursday. And the homebuilder’s quarterly financial performance backs up what Miller is talking about. Lennar, best known for producing homes for the middle class, reported $831 million in net income for the months of March, April and May, a 61% increase from the same three months in 2020, which coincided with the pandemic’s onset.

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Planning To Buy a Home This Summer? Here’s What You Need To Know

Lighter Side of Real Estate

Summer is always one of the most popular seasons for real estate. But if you’re planning on buying a home this summer, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. A recent video from realtor.com outlined tips buyers need to know if they’re planning to buy a home this summer—one of the most competitive real estate seasons in recent history—including: There are fewer choices—and higher competition.

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Welcome to the Future of Hospitality: Smart Rooms Start Here

Speaker: Jady West, VP of Hospitality & Chris Bennett, Head of Sales & Engineering

The modern hotel room is no longer just a place to stay—it’s an experience to remember. Today’s guests expect seamless 5G connectivity, personalized comfort, and high-tech convenience. From AI-powered smart room controls to in-room entertainment and app-based services, technology is redefining hospitality from the inside out. In this new session featuring industry pros Jady West and Chris Bennett, we’ll explore how high-speed, high-bandwidth connectivity powers the innovations that are enabling

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Home prices still rising in Phoenix, Austin, Sacramento

Housing Wire

Phoenix, Austin, Sacramento, Las Vegas and Miami reported the biggest increase in home prices in May, according to a recent report from Redfin. Home prices in Austin were up 42.4% year over year in May to $470,000, the biggest increase of the 88 largest U.S. metros. Phoenix, with a 33.3% gain to $400,000, had the second-biggest annual price increase in the U.S., and Sacramento had the fifth-biggest increase.

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Mortgage rates continue their fall, to 2.93%

Housing Wire

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell three basis points from the week prior to 2.93%, according to data released Thursday by Freddie Mac ‘s PMMS. This marks the first time in over two months mortgage rates have fluctuated outside a five basis point range above or below 3%. “Mortgage rates continued to drift down as markets concur with the view that inflation increases are temporary,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.

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7 Pet-Friendly Features to Look for in Your Next Home

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Houston, Texas | Monica Brashear, Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty . One luxury that has skyrocketed in popularity over the last year and a half is pet ownership. Many people have expanded their families with four-legged companions during the pandemic. And while a gourmet kitchen, landscaped grounds, or a swimming pool may top the list of personal must-haves when considering the purchase of a new home, it’s important to accommodate dogs and cats as well.

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Stewart Title merges Nevada offices

Housing Wire

Stewart Title continues to tinker with its national footprint. The title giant recently combined its two Northern Nevada divisions – Legacy Division and Western Division. Legacy was previously Capital Title , and Western was formerly Western Title Company — the latter Nevada’s sixth-oldest company, which was acquired in a purchase of 57 title offices from ET Investments in September 2020.

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FHA mortgage insurance removal: Get rid of PMI or MIP

The Mortgage Report

How FHA mortgage insurance premiums work, and how to cancel your monthly MIP. With the right steps, eliminate FHA MIP in 30 days or fewer.

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The 2025 Real Estate Roadmap to Success

Don’t just react to changes, plan for them, so you can approach the new year with confidence, direction, and a competitive edge for your business. Having a well-defined business plan helps you chart a clear course, navigate challenges, and set a foundation for growth. This workbook gives you the key steps to outline what matters and will ensure you’re moving ahead.

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Creating clients for life in a hot purchase market

Housing Wire

Despite rising home prices and a supply crunch , the purchase market is still wildly hot. In light of that, HousingWire sat down with Peter Paglia, Chief Strategy Officer at HomeBinder, to discuss how to create a “Client for Life” in this environment. HousingWire: As the refi boom simmers down, why should lenders focus on creating clients for life?

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Prices of Residential Construction Inputs Up 23% Year-Over-Year

Eye on Housing

Prices paid for goods used in residential construction ex-energy rose 3.6% in May (not seasonally adjusted) and have increased 16.5% over the past 12 months, according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Building materials (i.e., inputs to residential construction less food and energy) prices have declined just twice since December 2019.

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The No. 1 Reason Homebuyers Are Moving Farther Away From the Big Cities

Realtor.com

Getty Images “I want a longer commute,” said just about nobody ever. However, today’s record-high home prices have led more homebuyers to sacrifice shorter commutes for larger homes at lower prices farther outside of the big cities, according to a recent Realtor.com® survey. That’s likely because many professionals worked remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and expect to continue doing so a few days a week going forward.

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NAHB Study Finds Double Sinks & Pantries the Most Popular Kitchen Features

Eye on Housing

In the recent NAHB study, What Home Buyers Really Want, 2021 Edition, side-by-side double sinks and walk-in pantries ranked as the most popular of 30 listed kitchen features. This result is based on a comprehensive, nationwide survey of 3,247 recent and prospective home buyers conducted in the summer of 2020. Among other things, the survey asked recent and prospective buyers.

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Avoiding Lease Accounting Pitfalls in 2025: Lessons Learned from Spreadsheet Errors

Speaker: Abdi Ali, Sr. Lease Accounting Consultant

Join this insightful webinar with industry expert Abdi Ali, who will discuss the challenges that can arise from managing lease accounting with spreadsheets! He will share real-world examples of errors, compliance issues, and risks that may be present within your spreadsheets. Learn how these tools, while useful, can sometimes lead to inefficiencies that affect your time, resources, and peace of mind.

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Why Is Inventory So Low? Study Cites Decades of Underbuilding as Root Cause

RIS Media

The pandemic has brought to a boil an issue that has been simmering for years, affecting all Americans, but none more than residential real estate professionals. Every week, the lament is louder—there just aren’t enough homes for sale. The shortage creates frustration for those who work tirelessly to help people find suitable homes, who are unfortunately being priced out of the market.

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Closing cost assistance: Where to get it and how it works

The Mortgage Report

Closing costs can take a big bite out of your savings. But there are closing cost assistance programs to help you cover the fees. Learn more here.

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Value privacy? DuckDuckGo is the answer to breaking up with Google

The American Genius for Real Estate

(TECHNOLOGY) DuckDuckGo is a search engine that doesn't listen to home recordings, sell you stuff, or track your every movement. They just provide search results. The post Value privacy? DuckDuckGo is the answer to breaking up with Google appeared first on The American Genius Real Estate.

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Canadian Bank Regulator Tightens Credit, As The Household Debt Risk Emerges Again

Better Dwelling

Despite rainbows and unicorns, Canadian household debt problems didn’t just disappear. In fact, they got worse in many cases, and the economy is finally strong enough to start thinking about them. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), the country’s bank regulator, announced the domestic stability buffer (DSB) will rise in October.

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Driving Profit: 4 Pillars for Growing Your Real Estate Brokerage

In the rapidly changing real estate landscape, achieving profitability requires a strategic approach beyond traditional methods. Our guide, "The 4 Pillars to Brokerage Profitability," outlines four essential pillars for scaling your real estate business: a seamless lead-to-close technology ecosystem, tailored integrated solutions for teams and agents, value-added success services and community support, and consumer-centric operations throughout the full homeownership lifecycle.

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Strategies to Kick Procrastination to the Curb

RIS Media

While procrastination is common for most people, it can also be the silent killer to an agent’s brand and bottom line. Putting off important tasks—especially in the current red-hot housing market—can set an agent back with missed opportunities to gain a new client or listing. But, as the old saying goes, time is money, and agents shouldn’t be wasting either.

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Mortgage and refinance rates today, June 17, 2021

The Mortgage Report

Today’s mortgage and refinance rates Average mortgage rates moved appreciably higher yesterday, as we repeatedly warned was possible. Indeed, over the last three working days, they’ve risen from their lowest […].

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Frank Sinatra’s Swinging Mountain Retreat Returns to the Market at $4.25M

Realtor.com

Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images Buyers are now eager to get away from it all in Frank Sinatra style. They’re flying in on helicopters and private jets to take a look at the legendary entertainer’s custom-built mountain retreat , perched above the Coachella Valley. It’s now back on the market for $4,250,000. Although the 7.5-acre estate in Palm Desert, CA, has been on and off the market for years, “The property and the market are now in alignment,” says the lis

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7 Time Management Tips Investors Need

RIS Media

Investors know that they need to do a great deal of diligent research if they hope to avoid buying a money pit. But who has time for all the things that go into properly vetting a potential property? It’s not just about doing your due diligence, but rather, providing your prospective REALTOR® the opportunity to give you their best pitch. And then, once you find the perfect property, there are more mountains of work for you to climb.

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Tech-Forward Strategies for Scaling Agent Efficiency & Accelerating Growth

As the real estate market evolves, technology has become essential for success. According to NAR, only 26% of agents feel their brokerage provides the necessary tech tools and, as a result, agents seek teams and brokerages who prioritize technology investments! Whether you manage an established team or are forming a new one, this guide outlines key considerations and necessary applications to thrive.

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Know a Building You Think Should Be Preserved? This Class Will Show You How to Landmark It

Brownstoner

If you have a historic building or neighborhood that you think is worthy of local designation but aren't sure how to start the process, the Historic Districts Council is offering some tips and tools as part of their Summer 2021 Preservation School. Preservationist Sara Bean Apmann will lead participants through… Read More > The post Know a Building You Think Should Be Preserved?

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5 Tips for Generating Leads on a Budget

RIS Media

Paid lead sources like Homes.com City Sponsor are an effective way to feed your lead funnel and gain exposure in your market, but you should never limit yourself to just one lead source. If you’re looking for additional ways to bring in new business, check out these five free and low-cost lead generation strategies. Social Media. Generating leads on social media works best if you can invest both time and money into your accounts.

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How to Generate Listings When Inventory is Low

Boom Town

The post How to Generate Listings When Inventory is Low appeared first on BoomTown!

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Thoughts on Leadership: Lead Like a Monk

RIS Media

In these blog posts, I often share what I’m listening to and reading, in case the topic might inspire you on your leadership journey. This week is a departure from my usual, and in my recharge time, I’ve been listening to a really interesting book called “Think Like a Monk.” It’s by content creator and award-winning host, Jay Shetty. In 2016, Shetty launched a YouTube channel that four years later amassed more than four billion views.

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The Broker Action Plan for the Post-NAR Lawsuit Landscape

Now more than ever, brokers need to provide agents with the right tools, strategies, and training to effectively demonstrate their expertise, negotiate successfully, and foster strong client relationships. So – what should brokers do to ensure this? Invest in the right technology, continuous education, and innovative marketing strategies that empower agents to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

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Would You Rent This Windsor Terrace Two-Bedroom With Tin Ceilings, Laundry for $3,200?

Brownstoner

This floor-through in an early 20th century Windsor Terrace row house has some fetching details on display, including built-ins, wood floors and tin ceilings. It also boasts in-unit laundry and Prospect Park at the end of the block, which might make the monthly nut more palatable. It is on the top… Read More > The post Would You Rent This Windsor Terrace Two-Bedroom With Tin Ceilings, Laundry for $3,200?

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BHGRE® Adds Drakulich Realty to Brand

RIS Media

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate® LLC (BHGRE®) recently announced that Drakulich Realty, based in Reno, Nevada., has affiliated with the BHGRE® brand. The company will now be known as Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Drakulich Realty. The family-owned brokerage is led by Bryan and Kimberly Drakulich and their daughter Balee. Several years after earning his real estate license at the age of 18, Bryan and his father Stan founded Drakulich Realty, making it one of the longest continually ow

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Daily Links: Homeless and Hotels Say They’re Not Ready for Switch to Shelters

Brownstoner

In the News NYC: 8,000 Homeless People to Be Moved From Hotels to Shelters [NYT] New York City Gets Another Major Marathon, in Brooklyn [NYT] One Willoughby Square Opens Its Doors in Downtown Brooklyn [BP] Eric Adams Failed to Disclose Co-Ownership of Prospect Heights Co-op [The City] Local NYC Bike Shops Are Out of Stock… Read More > The post Daily Links: Homeless and Hotels Say They’re Not Ready for Switch to Shelters appeared first on Brownstoner.

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