Thu.Oct 15, 2020

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Average 30-year mortgage rate falls to another all-time low

Housing Wire

The average U.S. mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan fell to 2.81% this week, the lowest in Freddie Mac’s survey history, the mortgage giant said in a report on Thursday. The rate fell six basis points from the week prior and is now five basis points lower than the original all-time low set in mid-September. The average fixed rate for a 15-year mortgage was 2.35%, falling from last week’s 2.37% — matching the record set three weeks ago.

Mortgages 541
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Do You Need to Know More about Forbearance and Mortgage Relief Options?

Keeping Current Matters

Earlier this year when the nation pressed pause on the economy and unemployment rates jumped up significantly, many homeowners were immediately concerned about being able to pay their mortgages, and understandably so. To assist in this challenging time, two protection plans were put into place to help support those in need. First, there was a pause placed on initiating foreclosures for government-backed loans.

Mortgages 299
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Protected: Now is a Great Time to Refinance Your Home! Here are 5 Reasons Why

Housing Wire

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: The post Protected: Now is a Great Time to Refinance Your Home! Here are 5 Reasons Why appeared first on HousingWire.

Mortgages 484
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Home Building: Sales Outpacing Starts by a Historic Margin

Eye on Housing

After a sharp decline in the spring, home building has staged a dramatic rebound. In fact, supported by low mortgage rates, an evolving geography of housing preferences, and favorable demographic tailwinds, housing demand has improved so quickly that the current difference between the pace of newly-built single-family home sales and for-sale single-family construction starts has reached a historic level.

Sales 144
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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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This techie mortgage broker has cleared $1 billion in originations this year. And now Thuan Nguyen is scaling up

Housing Wire

In 2013, Thuan Nguyen was working out of his chaotic office in the heart of Silicon Valley. You’d find him there from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. At that point, Loan Factory had about 200 loans and just 13 employees. They hustled, too. “The office was like a market,” Nguyen recalled. “It was so noisy, stuff was everywhere. We couldn’t keep track of things.

Mortgages 413

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Protected: How much house can I afford to buy?

Housing Wire

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: The post Protected: How much house can I afford to buy? appeared first on HousingWire.

Mortgages 400
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Germs, Be Gone! 7 Simple Renovations To Coronavirus-Proof Your Home

Realtor.com

Kritchanut/Getty Images As much as we all wish we could go back to a time when social distancing was a foreign concept and masks were just something you wore with a Halloween costume, it’s clear by now that COVID-19 isn’t going anywhere. At least, not anytime soon. One consequence of the pandemic is that our collective concern over cleanliness remains at an all-time high.

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StreetEasy launches New York City home valuation tool

Housing Wire

StreetEasy , a real estate platform for buying, selling, and renting homes across New York City and New Jersey, has launched StreetEasy Valuation, an AI-powered home valuation tool. Homeowners can now get a StreetEasy estimate of their homes’ current market value based on features that are unique to New York City, the company said. Homeowners start by claiming their home, then requesting an AI-powered estimate of their home’s current market value, an estimated price per square foot a

Brokerage 370
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New Development Spotlight: The Paramount in Houston, Texas

Sotheby's International Real Estate

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. Houston, Texas | Hedley Karpas & Karen Gillespie , Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty . With golden touches flickering from the past and a forward architectural design, The Paramount makes a bold and worthy statement for those who aspire to leave the complications of living on the ground behind.

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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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As vacant foreclosures increase, so does buyer interest

Housing Wire

A Q3 2020 rise in vacant foreclosures signals a possible re-escalation in a hard-fought battle against neighborhood blight in which many cities have just recently gained the upper hand. “We still have vacancy and blight issues but they are not crippling as they were a decade ago,” said Ian Beniston, executive director at the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC), a nonprofit community development corporation in Youngstown, Ohio.

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Remodeling Industry Confidence Surges in Third Quarter

Eye on Housing

The National Association of Home Builders’ Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 82 in the third quarter, indicating remodelers’ strong confidence in their markets, for projects of all sizes (Table 1). The strong RMI reading is a reflection of more Americans investing in home remodeling projects as they adapt to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Protected: Here’s what to expect in the mortgage application process

Housing Wire

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: The post Protected: Here’s what to expect in the mortgage application process appeared first on HousingWire.

Mortgages 335
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How Every Agent Can Help Solve Our Inventory Shortage

RIS Media

Every agent today needs more listings. If you had another listing, you would have another sale; it’s that simple. What’s not simple is solving our inventory shortage. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), inventory in July 2020 was 21 percent lower than 2019’s already anemic levels. Making things worse, homeowners move once every 13 years today, up from every eight years in 2010, according to Census data.

Agents 119
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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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OJO Labs acquires personal finance platform Digs

Housing Wire

OJO Labs announced its first foray into fintech on Thursday with its acquisition of Digs, a personal finance platform. Digs is an FDIC-insured platform that helps consumers set and track savings goals, learn about the buying process, and understand credit. With this acquisition, OJO Labs hopes to help homebuyers and homeowners navigate financial responsibilities like saving for a down payment, securing the right lender, building equity and saving for renovations.

Finance 267
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New iPhone Lineup and How It Benefits Your Real Estate Business

RIS Media

During a time when you rely heavily on your mobile device to keep connected to your real estate business, your smartphone is your lifesaver during a busy real estate season. In the most recent Apple Keynote presentation , Apple unveiled its latest iPhone devices which will be coming to the lineup soon. With the new lineup, you’ll find features that can help you run your business.

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The best mortgage refinance companies for 2020

The Mortgage Report

It pays to shop around when you refinance. Learn about the eight best mortgage refinance companies and find out which one's right for you.

Mortgages 116
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No Space? A Shipping Container Could Add Affordable Square Footage You Need

Realtor.com

Alternative Living Spaces Until recently, there were basically two ways to get more space out of your home: build up or build out. Home additions come at a steep price, however, with some online remodeling calculators estimating costs in the range of $20,000 to $70,000 per room. Others figure that adding a 400-square-foot space could empty your wallet of up to $100,000.

Design 115
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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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A quick sale or a better sale

REM Online

The following content may have been republished here without the author's permission. The original post can be found at the following URL: A quick sale or a better sale. Please visit REMonline.com for more content like this, and contact web@remonline.com to inform us of any unauthorized reproduction. Now, some of this advice may not be timely during our current pandemic of fear.

Sales 114
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Another Week, Another Record Low for Mortgage Rates—How Long Can This Go On?

Realtor.com

mphillips007/Getty Images Mortgage interest rates once again have done what seemed impossible before the pandemic. This week, they dropped to an all-time low—for the 10th time this year. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage bottomed out at just 2.81% in the week ending Oct. 15, according to Freddie Mac, which has been tracking rates since 1971.

Mortgages 115
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Inaugural REACH Canada Class Announced

GeekEstate

On Wednesday (Oct. 14th), the National Association of Realtors and Second Century Ventures announced the Inaugural REACH Canada Class. Geek Estate celebrates entrepreneurship and innovation focused on real estate technology, and programs such as REACH are critical to developing a broader proptech ecosystem. A special shoutout to GEM members representing four companies selected for the program: David Steckel : Founder of Setter , a company that handles home maintenance repairs through a subscript

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3 Tips to Rock Your Sphere of Influence

RIS Media

Chances are, you have a group of people in your database who you’ve done business with in the past or with whom you have a personal or professional relationship. You probably consider this group your sphere of influence (SOI). But do these people actually know that you consider them part of your SOI? According to Contactually.com, “Your sphere of influence are people in your personal and professional network with whom your opinion or services hold some weight.” If you are in sa

Branding 111
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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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Diversity and Inclusion in Real Estate: Where We Are and Where We’re Going

App Folio

The events of 2020 have energized leaders across the entire real estate industry to make a strong push for diversity and inclusion in their organizations. In the latest episode of The Top Floor, we call on a panel of experts to better understand the current status of diversity in property management and real estate. The team at AppFolio reached out to Melissa White, Jasmyn Sylvester, and Josh Childress to help answer one key question: How can leaders in the real estate industry make their organi

Equity 111
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Recently Retired NBA All-Star Vince Carter Scores $6.7M Atlanta Mansion

Realtor.com

realtor.com, Carmen Mandato/Getty Images The recently retired NBA great Vince Carter has scored a posh place in Georgia. The eight-time All-Star bought a mansion in Atlanta for $6,687,000. After a 22-year career in the league, Carter officially retired in June and apparently had time to house hunt. The home was listed in July for $6.8 million, and was slightly discounted, to clinch a deal that closed in August.

Design 107
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‘New Normal’ or Just Normal?

RIS Media

A lot has been discussed about COVID-19’s impact on our businesses. Many have questioned what the “new normal” will be like. I think the “new normal” will be a lot like the “old normal” when it comes to the real estate business. Over the years, real estate has continually evolved, albeit slower than other industries.

MLS 105
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Mortgage and refinance rates today, October 15, 2020

The Mortgage Report

Today’s mortgage and refinance rates Average mortgage rates held steady yesterday, as the hours in markets unfolded much as we’d predicted. And conventional loans today start at 2.75% (2.75% APR) […].

Mortgages 105
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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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Daily Links: Brooklyn Residents Are Slowly Returning to Riding the Subway, Report Says

Brownstoner

In the News NYC Bike Thefts Are up 27 Percent in Pandemic [NYT] Brooklyn’s Simone Leigh First Black Woman to Represent U.S. at Biennale [NYT] Torn Up Williamsburg Turf Field Is ‘Downright Dangerous’ [BP] Brooklyn Relief Kitchen Looks to the Future Amid Growing Need [BP] Cuomo Says He’ll Cut Funding to Non-Compliant Yeshivas [Gothamist] A Subway… Read More > The post Daily Links: Brooklyn Residents Are Slowly Returning to Riding the Subway, Report Says appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Canadian Real Estate Sales Soar, As Shifted Comparison Period Continues

Better Dwelling

Canada’s population is growing at the slowest pace in years, but buyers are facing a busy market. Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) data shows record home sales for September. The increase in home sales is largely due to a seasonal shift, after the lockdown. Canadian Real Estate Sales Are Up 46% Canadian real estate sales […]. The post Canadian Real Estate Sales Soar, As Shifted Comparison Period Continues appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Sales 103
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Cleaning Up the Leaves

American Lifestyle

The post Cleaning Up the Leaves appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

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