Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2020

Average U.S. mortgage rates for a 30-year fixed rose to 2.96% this week from an all-time low of 2.88% , Freddie Mac said in a report on Thursday. The average 15-year rate rose to 2.46% from 2.44% last week, according to the mortgage financier. “Even with this week’s uptick, very low rates are providing a significant boost to the housing market that continues to hold up well during this time of uncertainty,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

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Keeping Current Matters

AUGUST 13, 2020

Today, home prices are appreciating. When we hear prices are going up, it’s normal to think a home will cost more as the trend continues. The way the housing market is positioned today, however, low mortgage rates are actually making homes more affordable, even as prices rise. Here’s why. According to the Mortgage Monitor Report from Black Knight: “While home prices have risen for 97 consecutive months, July’s record-low mortgage rates have made purchasing the average-priced home the most afford

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Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2020

As Maya Angelou so aptly said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”. Since the onset of the coronavirus that has plagued this nation we have watched policy makers and their varied responses at both the state and federal level. When it comes to housing and mortgage finance perhaps the most shocking thing is how the FHFA and the GSEs have simply ignored their role and used this time to threaten nonbank mortgage servicers facing liquidity problems, adding outrageous f

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Realtor.com

AUGUST 13, 2020

Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty Images These days, things are changing so fast, it’s tough to keep up. That’s especially true in the mortgage industry, where interest rates and the overall home loan landscape are shifting with such head-spinning speed, it’s easy for outdated information to circulate, leading home buyers and homeowners astray. You may have heard, for instance, that everyone can score a record-low interest rate, or that refinancing is a no-brainer, or that mortgage forbearance m

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Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2020

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced they will add a 50 basis points fee to all refinances starting Sept. 1. “As a result of risk management and loss forecasting precipitated by COVID-19 related economic and market uncertainty, we are introducing a new Market Condition Credit Fee in Price,” Freddie Mac said in a bulletin. The housing industry was quick to react.

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Better Dwelling

AUGUST 13, 2020

Canada’s national housing agency discreetly asked lenders to curb risky lending. Evan Siddall, the head of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) sent a confidential memo to lenders this week, requesting they tighten lending. Instead of taking the advice, the industry leaked parts of the memo. The CMHC has responded by releasing the whole […].

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Banks Lending Industrial Mortgages 144

Realtor.com

AUGUST 13, 2020

kali9 / Getty Images Table of contents: . Step 1: Getting mortgage pre-approval. Step 2: Finding the right home. Step 3: Closing the deal. How long does it take to buy a house? While estimating a timeline for home buying will depend on many variables, real estate experts estimate that the average time required is around four months. This timeline is important for buyers to keep in mind for a variety of reasons.

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Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2020

While we know people are migrating out of urban areas to seek more room in the suburbs, these two different kinds of housing markets are showing similar trends since COVID-19 shut down much of the country. The exceptions are the two priciest metros in the U.S. — Manhattan and San Francisco. In these two areas, inventory is nearly double what it was last year, as homes are staying on the market twice as long as last year.

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Sales Marketing As-is Mortgages 397

Realtor.com

AUGUST 13, 2020

realtor.com Forever more and forever moored. We’ve spotted a boat that’s permanently anchored in place on the shore near Seattle. Although it isn’t going anywhere, this one-of-a-kind house looks as if it could set sail at any moment, Located on Mercer Way on Mercer Island, WA , it’s for sale for $2 million. “The property was originally a boat, the USS Manzanita,” says the listing agent, Lori Holden Scott.

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Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2020

Following the launch of the Small Business Administration’s Loan Forgiveness Portal on Monday, Wolters Kluwer announced it is now submitting completed borrower loan forgiveness application data directly to the SBA via its TSoftPlus Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Module. Wolters Kluwer originally launched their portal in June, intending to help lenders guide small business client recipients of PPP funding in the process of online and in-person loan forgiveness.

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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.

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The American Genius for Real Estate

AUGUST 13, 2020

(EDITORIAL) Whether it's a podcast, news, or music, most people are listening to *something* while at work - so what makes you the most productive? The post The music you’re listening to may dictate your productivity levels appeared first on The American Genius Real Estate.

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Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2020

Team member volunteer event collaborating with muralist Philip Simpson. Quicken Loans and the Rock Family of Companies are built on 19 carefully thought out philosophies, or as they call them, ISMs, that compile all of their values into active ways they plan to inspire change. From “this is how we leave our mark,” and “obsessed with finding a better way,” to “take the roast out of the oven” and “we eat our own dog food,” these ISMs are the bedrock of their culture and unite them together.

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Realtor.com

AUGUST 13, 2020

Bill Oxford/Getty Images One of the bright spots of the pandemic and ensuing financial pain for homeowners is that they’ve been able to refinance their mortgages at record-low rates—and save quite a bit of cash. That’s about to change. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be charging lenders a new fee on refinances that is likely be passed along to borrowers.

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Mortgages Loans Finance Technology 128

Easy Agent Pro

AUGUST 13, 2020

Expireds and FSBOs: Two of the most challenging listings to pursue. Owners of expired listings are disillusioned and typically a bit grumpy. The FSBO seller usually thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room (you know the type). He watched an HGTV show on selling a house and now knows everything there is to know. Too bad his sales price doesn’t end up reflecting that superior knowledge.

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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.

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Realtor.com

AUGUST 13, 2020

Samir Hussein / Contributor / Getty Images It’s official! After weeks and months of house hunting in just about every posh neighborhood in the Los Angeles area, the ex-royals have bought a mansion on the down low for $14,650,000. According to the New York Post , Prince Harry and Meghan Markle inked the deal several weeks ago to almost no fanfare.

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RIS Media

AUGUST 13, 2020

A good reputation can be one of the most lucrative opportunities for your real estate business. Once you have a good stash of online reviews and build up a large fanbase on social media, the next step you should take is creating video testimonials. How Can Video Testimonials Help Your Business? There are many people who prefer watching videos as opposed to reading something.

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Branding Agents As-is Marketing 125

Fancy Pants Homes

AUGUST 13, 2020

If we’ve learned anything in the past few months, is that city life isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be — especially when you find yourself spending far more time inside than planned. With city dwellers now heading to the suburbs and less crowded areas, looking for bigger spaces and more amenity-rich homes (especially when it comes to backyards and outdoor spaces), we too find ourselves drawn to listings that offer a little more than just decent square footage.

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Realtor.com

AUGUST 13, 2020

realtor.com, Donato Sardella/Getty Images Call it retail therapy. “Full House” star Lori Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli , who will be sentenced later this month for their part in the college admissions scandal, just sprang for a luxurious new home. The couple picked up a $9.5 million modern farmhouse in the celebrity-filled enclave of Hidden Hills, CA, Variety reports.

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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

BubbleInfo

AUGUST 13, 2020

If the Big Three reasons why people move (death,divorce, & job transfers) start to increase, we’ll have more inventory next year – how much is too much? If absence makes the heart grow fonder, what happens when you’re stuck at home all day with your spouse? Some California attorneys say they are seeing a rise […]. The post Covid Divorces appeared first on bubbleinfo.com.

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Marketing 116

Brownstoner

AUGUST 13, 2020

Editor’s note: This story is an update of one that ran in 2010. Read the original here. Let me just start by stating the unthinkable. I don't have air conditioning. Now, I am not opposed to A/C. I think it is invaluable in the workplace, in public gathering places, restaurants, stores,… Read More > The post How the Victorians Kept It Cool Inside During a Brooklyn Summer appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Eye on Housing

AUGUST 13, 2020

Weekly initial jobless claims decreased below 1 million in the week ending August 8. Continuing claims, which lags initial jobless claims by one week, has declined for two weeks in a row. It is encouraging to see decreases in both jobless claims and continuing claims. More people are returning to work and the labor market is recovering gradually from the.

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Marketing 112

Brownstoner

AUGUST 13, 2020

The annual Brooklyn Book Festival will return this fall for an all-virtual weeklong lineup of readings, author talks, and workshops for the borough’s bookworms. While COVID-19 will force this year’s event to look much different from the typical crowds that gather in Downtown Brooklyn, the organizers have used the remote… Read More > The post All-Digital 2020 Brooklyn Book Festival to Unite Readers With Writers All Over the Globe appeared first on Brownstoner.

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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

The Mortgage Report

AUGUST 13, 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.

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Mortgages Marketing 111

Point2Homes

AUGUST 13, 2020

Image: Photographee.eu / Shutterstock.com. We all want a dream home that we’re proud to show off. However, it’s rare that you’ll find your ideal home without making some compromises. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can make your home look elegant. Create More Space. A spacious room not only looks better, but also feels better. And even if you have a small room, there are some tricks you can use to create the illusion of space.

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Brownstoner

AUGUST 13, 2020

This early 20th century house might be on the pricier end for a rental but it does offer seven bedrooms, outdoor space, parking and, unusually, accessibility to all levels with an elevator. The house at 1409 Glenwood Road is located near the southern border of Flatbush in West Midwood. One… Read More > The post West Midwood House With Inglenook, Central Air, Garage, Elevator Asks $9,500 a Month appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Marketing 105

Waterfront Properties

AUGUST 13, 2020

Beautifully nestled in the heart of the Palm Beaches, Singer Island provides a unique sanctuary of unparalleled privacy and luxury. Between the soft sand beaches and the incomparable sunrises, just a few days on Singer Island will convert you into a permanent resident in a hurry. Here are a few reasons why Singer Island should be your new dream location for your new dream home LOCATION Located just North of Palm Beach Island, and just south of Jupiter Island and Juno Beach, Singer Island is jus

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RIS Media

AUGUST 13, 2020

If you’re looking to help your members sell more homes in 2020, one of the best things you can do is provide a robust property data/tax system that’s easy to use. However, there’s a lot of misinformation out there about what such a system can and cannot offer. Are you falling prey to any of these myths? In this article, we’ll bust the most common myths we hear about property data vendors—and uncover the truth about what’s really possible with the right platform.

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Waterfront Properties

AUGUST 13, 2020

It’s not a surprise that color is a huge component of how we experience our environment, but are you taking that into account when you choose colors for your home? You may love a white room, but did you know you may be inadvertently making a room less cozy and too sterile with too much white? Or that green is the perfect choice for an entryway because it eases the transition from the outdoors?

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The Mortgage Report

AUGUST 13, 2020

The VA IRRRL or "VA Streamline Refinance" is an easy way to lower the rate and payment on your VA loan. See today's VA IRRRL rates and rules.

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Waterfront Properties

AUGUST 13, 2020

A beach house can be pure pleasure to own and live in, and it is a life-long dream for most Floridians or transplants (people who move to Florida from other states or countries). They make great second homes and investment properties for the family to enjoy or rent out weekly during high season. Does your beach house need a little sprucing up? Or do you plan on buying one that you’d like to remodel?

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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.

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