February, 2021

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Why mortgage lending standards will ease in 2021

Housing Wire

Economists and housing experts say mortgage lending standards will likely loosen in 2021, despite the increased risk of delinquencies ahead. Such a scenario illustrates the growing disparities in the U.S. housing market. As one struggling group of homeowners braces for the end of forbearance and navigates COVID-19-related economic shocks, another segment is better positioned than ever to scoop up properties that become available.

Lending 545
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3 Reasons We’re Definitely Not in a Housing Bubble

Keeping Current Matters

Home values appreciated by about ten percent in 2020, and they’re forecast to appreciate by about five percent this year. This has some voicing concern that we may be in another housing bubble like the one we experienced a little over a decade ago. Here are three reasons why this market is totally different. 1. This time, housing supply is extremely limited.

Equity 347
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First-Time Home Buyers Find Unexpected Benefits in Current Market

Lighter Side of Real Estate

There’s no denying that low inventory and increasing prices have presented challenges for buyers in today’s market—and that includes first-time buyers. But the market also offers a slew of benefits for first-time buyers—and many have had a positive experience buying a home in recent months. A recent survey from realtor.com asked over 1000 recent and prospective first-time buyers about their experience buying a home in today’s market—and much of the news was good.

Marketing 145
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BOC Governor Says Canada Will Lean On Real Estate Because “We Need The Growth”

Better Dwelling

Canada’s central bank isn’t really that worried about real estate, it appears. Bank of Canada (BoC) governor Tiff Macklem held a Q&A after a speech for the Edmonton and Calgary Chambers of Commerce yesterday. During the Q&A, the governor dismissed concerns about an overheated housing market. In fact, he welcomed its contribution to the economy […].

Banks 145
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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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Homeownership Remains Primary Driver of Household Wealth

Eye on Housing

The 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) showed improvements in economic well-being for many across income and wealth distributions over 2016 to 2019. The homeownership rate increased from a low of 63.7% in 2016 to 64.9% in 2019. Moreover, the primary residence continued to be the largest asset on the balance sheets of households in 2019 (Figure 1), accounting for about.

Finance 145

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UWM returns to the Super Bowl with new ad

Housing Wire

United Wholesale Mortgage , now a publicly traded company, will return to the Super Bowl this year. The wholesale lender will be running a new Super Bowl commercial spotlighting independent mortgage brokers and its website FindAMortgageBroker.com for a second straight year. See the video below: “We will always find ways to elevate and shine a light on independent mortgage brokers, and what better way to do this than during the Super Bowl where millions of Americans are tuned in to watch the game

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Where Have All the Houses Gone?

Keeping Current Matters

In today’s housing market, it seems harder than ever to find a home to buy. Before the health crisis hit us a year ago, there was already a shortage of homes for sale. When many homeowners delayed their plans to sell at the same time that more buyers aimed to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates and purchase a home, housing inventory dropped even further.

Sales 338
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8 Lies We Tell Ourselves When Shopping for Real Estate

Lighter Side of Real Estate

The process of buying a home can be exciting, complicated, and a bit scary. A home is usually a person’s biggest investment, and the process of choosing the right one—then packing up and moving—can be overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time. There are many thoughts that go through a person’s head when they’re shopping for real estate. Some of the things we think about are price, location, and the effect that moving will have on our lives, our careers, and our children’s well-being.

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Canadian Bond Yields Soar, And It May Be A Drag On The Spring Real Estate Market

Better Dwelling

Canada’s government bond market is seeing yields surge, and it’s going to be felt in real estate. The Government of Canada‘s (GoC) 5-Year benchmark bond yield jumped yesterday. We know, we already covered rising yields just a few days ago. I promise this is kind of a big deal, and I’m not just harping on […]. The post Canadian Bond Yields Soar, And It May Be A Drag On The Spring Real Estate Market appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Marketing 145
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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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Should You Buy a Home or Keep Renting? How To Decide in 7 Steps

Realtor.com

marchmeena29/Getty Images It’s a big question with no easy answer: Should you keep renting, or is it time to think about buying a home? One of the major benefits of being a homeowner is building equity with each mortgage payment, instead of putting money into your landlord’s pocket. But that doesn’t mean buying is always the best choice—as a renter, you enjoy more flexibility and avoid many of the costs that come with homeownership.

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HOA: What is an HOAs Meaning and Purpose

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

What is an HOA and How Do They Work? What is an HOA? What does an HOA mean? HOA stands for a homeowners association. If you are new to buying a home, you might not really understand what an HOA is, what it means, or how it will affect you. The HOA meaning adds some […]. The post HOA: What is an HOAs Meaning and Purpose appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

Marketing 145
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Inside United Wholesale Mortgage’s plan to topple Rocket

Housing Wire

Weeks before United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) went public in a SPAC deal that valued the lender at $16.1 billion, its president and CEO Mat Ishbia said observers shouldn’t expect a different United Wholesale Mortgage or a different Mat. He proved it in his first earnings call. On Thursday morning, Ishbia, in his characteristic fast-talking bravado, bragged about the wholesaler’s position as the biggest purchase lender in the market, cautioned that they’ve prioritized the long ga

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Why Owning a Home Is a Powerful Financial Decision

Keeping Current Matters

In today’s housing market, there are clear financial benefits to owning a home: increasing equity , the chance to build your net worth , and appreciating home values, just to name a few. If you’re a renter, it’s never too early to think about how homeownership can propel you toward a stronger future. Here’s a dive into three often-overlooked financial benefits of homeownership and how preparing for them now can steer you in the direction of greater financial security and savings. 1.

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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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10 Clever Ways to Convince Your Spouse That It’s Time to Buy a New Home

Lighter Side of Real Estate

You lie in bed at night next to your partner, scrolling through and saving dream home after dream home. At work, you sneak in a quick look at new listings during break and at lunch. You slow the car down as you drive by for sale signs. It’s constantly on your mind… You desperately want to buy a new home, but your partner just isn’t as into it as you are.

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RBC Adds Two “Severe” Risk Scenarios, Including Canadian Real Estate

Better Dwelling

Risk models from Canada’s largest bank shows a wider range of uncertainty for real estate. RBC’s latest models, shared with analysts this week, shows a general forecasted improvement. The downside hasn’t changed much, indicating a little more uncertainty. They also shared they are considering two new and “more severe” scenarios for energy and real estate. […].

Banks 145
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How To Calculate Property Tax: What All Homeowners Should Know

Realtor.com

Aslan Alphan/iStock Need to know how to estimate your property tax? You’ve come to the right place! Most people know that homeownership requires coughing up copious amounts of money. There’s your mortgage , of course, but the costs hardly end there. You will also have to pay property tax. If you already own a home, you can look at how your tax is calculated on the most current property tax statement.

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Lakefront Houses: Considerations For Buying a Lake House

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

Considerations When Purchasing a Lakefront Home Are you looking for a lakefront house to purchase? Pursuing lake houses for sale is not uncommon at all. Lots of folks dream of living on the water. Lakefront homes fit a particular lifestyle choice that is incredibly exciting for many people. However, when you are pursuing a property […]. The post Lakefront Houses: Considerations For Buying a Lake House appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

Sales 145
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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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Mortgage rates continue to stay low at 2.73%

Housing Wire

The average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan remained unchanged last week from the week prior at 2.73%, according to Freddie Mac ’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. With mortgage rates hovering below 3% for over six months now, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, said this may be a sign of an economy still struggling. “This rate environment is advantageous for those who are looking to refinance in order to strengthen their financial position,” Khater said. “While ma

Mortgages 542
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It’s a Sellers’ Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Some Highlights. Over the past year, homeowners have gained an unprecedented opportunity to sell with great success while buyer demand is soaring. With homes selling twice as fast as they did last year at this time, getting multiple offers , and rising in price , homeowners are in the driver’s seat. Reach out to a local real estate professional today if you’re ready to learn about the leverage you have as a seller in today’s housing market.

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Protect Your Home Renovation From These 4 Pesky Problems

Homes.com

The best way to protect your home renovation is to expect the unexpected. Here's how to prepare for sudden issues that could derail your project! The post Protect Your Home Renovation From These 4 Pesky Problems appeared first on Homes.com.

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Canada Completed 18 Homes Per Person Added To The Population Last Quarter

Better Dwelling

Canada’s population growth may have slowed, but new home completions are still moving at a breakneck speed. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) data shows developers delivered over 50,000 new homes in Q4 2020. The number of new homes began outpacing population growth in the prior quarter. The ratio went parabolic in the latest numbers […].

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Accelerating Real Estate Sales Pipelines to Streamline Buyer Journeys

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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7 Tax Benefits of Owning a Home: A Complete Guide for Filing This Year

Realtor.com

Tijana Simic / Getty Images What are the tax benefits of owning a home? Plenty of homeowners are asking themselves this right around now as they prepare to file their taxes. You may recall the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—the most substantial overhaul to the U.S. tax code in more than 30 years—went into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. The result was likely a big change to your taxes, especially the tax perks of homeownership.

Loans 145
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Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Early: See The Pros and Cons

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Many people ask themselves, “should I pay off my mortgage?” As a homeowner, the idea of having your home paid off early is likely enticing. Who wants to pay a mortgage every month if they don’t have to? But, as with every big financial decision, it is essential to […]. The post Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Early: See The Pros and Cons appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

Mortgages 145
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It’s still really difficult to get a mortgage, but getting easier

Housing Wire

Mortgage credit is still the tightest it has been in more than six years, but steady loosening in January revealed lenders are preparing for a rebounding economy, the Mortgage Bankers Association said in a report on Tuesday. The group’s Mortgage Credit Availability Index rose 2% to 124.6 last month, still hovering near levels previously seen in 2014, though it is the third month in the past four that credit availability has picked up as supply eases out.

Mortgages 541
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Will Low Mortgage Rates Continue through 2021?

Keeping Current Matters

With mortgage interest rates hitting record lows so many times recently, some are wondering if we’ll see low rates continue throughout 2021, or if they’ll start to rise. Recently, Freddie Mac released their quarterly forecast , noting: “The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage hit a record low over a dozen times in 2020 and the low interest rate environment is projected to continue through this year.

Mortgages 330
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Maximizing Your Online Presence: Tips for Real Estate Agents on Social Media

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.

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The Poetry of our Homes

Imagine Your House

Stanzas built to portray a home’s real essence. How many of us truly appreciate our homes? Especially now. Now that we seem to be spending a lot more time at home. And I get it that this hasn’t necessarily been our choice, yet now that you have been glued to your home more or less, how do you feel about the walls surrounding you? No, I’m not speaking literally about the walls themselves!

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Canadian Bank: “Your House Makes More Than You Do,” Draw Your Own Conclusion

Better Dwelling

One of Canada’s largest banks brought attention to a warning sign in many real estate markets. BMO published a research note titled “Your House Makes More Than You Do,” by senior economist Sal Guatieri. The note focuses on how sustainable and long-term current housing trends are. I’m obviously kidding. It brings attention to the fact […]. The post Canadian Bank: “Your House Makes More Than You Do,” Draw Your Own Conclusion appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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10 Practical Kitchen Improvement Projects Based on How Much Time You Have

Realtor.com

Getty Images,Bootzilla/Anna Erastova Whether you’re a professional-level home cook or a take-out fanatic who uses the oven to store shoes, the design and function of your kitchen is very important. No matter its square footage or number of built-in features, the kitchen plays a big part in how you live at home. That’s why time spent beautifying your kitchen is always time well-spent—especially if you plan on selling your home someday.