Sat.Nov 07, 2020 - Fri.Nov 13, 2020

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Top five questions to ask a potential real estate agent

Housing Wire

In today’s red-hot market, you need a real estate agent who can get creative, play hardball in negotiations, and help you stand out from the pack in a bidding war. And not everyone — even an agent recommended to you by a friend or loved one — is up to the task. Want to make sure you’re getting the best real estate agent possible for your home purchase?

Agents 545
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Winter Will Bring a Flurry of Activity to the Housing Market

Keeping Current Matters

In the second half of this year, the housing market surged with activity. Today, real estate experts are looking ahead to the winter season and the forecast is anything but chilly. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), notes : “It will be one of the best winter sales years ever.”. The typical winter slowdown in the housing market is simply not on the radar.

Marketing 280
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Bank of Canada Ended The Mortgage Program That Inflated Prices… Kind of

Better Dwelling

Canada’s central bank is still buying tens of million of mortgage bonds. Bank of Canada (BoC) data shows the balance of Canada Mortgage Bonds (CMBs) they hold, increased this week. The increase is a couple of weeks after the pandemic program to buy these has ended. However, it appears that didn’t mean they were going […]. The post Bank of Canada Ended The Mortgage Program That Inflated Prices… Kind of appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Banks 143
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How to Build a Home Gym Without Breaking the Bank

Coldwell Banker

With many gyms closed or operating at minimum capacity, a home gym has never sounded more appealing. Three out of five Americans are actually turning to home gyms for good, and over half of the population is looking for the best home-fitness options. You can even find affordable home gym equipment that gets the job done just as efficiently as a commercial gym can.

Banks 136
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3 Real Estate Office Hacks to Help Kickstart the Busy Season

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.

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Buyers and sellers agree: it’s a good time to enter the housing market

Housing Wire

For the third consecutive month, Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index, a composite index designed to track consumers’ desire to sell or buy a home, gained 0.7 points in October to 81.7. Though that number is increasing, it’s slowed down compared to gains in previous months, including August’s 3.3 points rise and September’s 3.5. Compared to this time last year, the HPSI is still down 7.1 points, but has steadily recovered over 60% of its COVID-19 pandemic loss when April’s HPSI hit i

Marketing 543

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How To Tour a House Today: Tips To Make the Most of Virtual or In-Person Showings

Realtor.com

d3sign / Getty Images Touring a house is like going on a first date: It’s your chance to get a sense of whether this home is the one. Can you envision baking cookies in that kitchen, or cracking a beer on that back deck? But in this day and age, with so many houses to see and so little time before they get snapped up, the prospect of finding this dream home in the real estate haystack can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming.

Agents 134
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7 red flags that could scare off your potential home buyers

The American Genius for Real Estate

(BROKERAGE) While houses are selling quickly right now, there are some things that will almost definitely turn a home buyer off. The post 7 red flags that could scare off your potential home buyers appeared first on The American Genius Real Estate.

Brokerage 131
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FHFA approves Classic FICO for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

Housing Wire

The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Tuesday the validation and approval of the Classic FICO credit score model for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “The validation and approval of Classic FICO by the enterprises allows them to continue supporting the mortgage market while assessing more modern credit score models that were submitted in response to the 2020 Joint Enterprise Credit Score Solicitation ,” the FHFA announced.

Finance 539
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Homeownership Is a Key to Building Wealth

Keeping Current Matters

For years, real estate has been considered the best investment you can make. A major reason for this is due to the net worth a household gains through homeownership. In fact, according to the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finance Data from the Federal Reserve, for the average homeowner: “…a primary home accounts for 90% of the total wealth of a family in the U.S.”.

Equity 266
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Need Curated Pre-foreclosure Lists to Generate New Real Estate Leads? Trellis Has the Data!

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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U.S. Housing Market Takes a Breather But Stays Hot

Realtor.com

JamesBrey/Getty Images The juggernaut that has become the U.S. housing market finally paused to take a breath last week. But even with buyers and sellers taking a step back temporarily, the industry remained hot. During the week ending Nov. 7, both buyers and sellers averted their attention from relocations and instead focused on current events, according to Thursday’s report from realtor.com.

Marketing 132
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New Data Reveals What Renters Want When It Comes to Leasing Heading Into 2021

App Folio

The pandemic has had a big impact on renters’ attitudes when it comes to what they expect from leasing and property management teams during their housing search. It has also rapidly sped up the property management industry’s shift towards digital technology. . We surveyed 1,000 adult renters across the U.S. to get a pulse on their expectations and experiences during the pandemic and beyond.

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Mortgage rates rise from record low to 2.84%

Housing Wire

The average U.S. mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan rose this week to 2.84%, Freddie Mac said in a report on Thursday – up 6 basis points from the previous all-time record low set last week. The average fixed rate for a 15-year mortgage also gained slightly by 2 basis points to 2.34%. Despite this week’s rise, there have still been 16 consecutive weeks when average mortgage rates have been below 3%.

Mortgages 502
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VA Home Loans: Helping Heroes Find a Home

Keeping Current Matters

Today, on Veterans Day, we honor those who have served our country and thank them for their continued dedication to our nation. In the United States, there are many valuable benefits available to Veterans, including VA home loans. For over 75 years, VA home loans have provided millions of Veterans and their families the opportunity to purchase their own homes.

Loans 258
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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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10 Things You Should Buy Now To Get Through COVID-19 Cabin Fever This Winter

Realtor.com

Composite of Getty Images With coronavirus cases surging in the United States, it looks like we’ll be sticking close to home this winter. And since chilly temps and snowfall are just around the corner, all things comforting and cozy will have extra appeal—as well as any form of entertainment that will help us cope with cabin fever while staying away from crowds.

Branding 130
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Meet the Real Estate Tech Entrepreneur: Luke Nolan from Student.com

GeekEstate

In our latest real estate tech entrepreneur interview, we’re speaking with Luke Nolan from Student.com. Without further ado… Who are you and what do you do? My name is Luke Nolan and I am the Founder & CEO at Student.com. What problem does your product/service solve? Student.com is the world’s largest student accommodation marketplace – we provide a go-to place for students looking to find their perfect home away from home at university.

As-is 125
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Buying a home? Boost your FICO score first

Housing Wire

If you’re thinking about buying a home, then boosting your FICO score should be at the top of your to-do list. Not only does a prime credit score improve your chances of getting approved for a mortgage, but it also helps you secure a lower interest rate, too — and that means a more affordable loan on the whole. But boosting a FICO score is easier said than done.

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Tips to Sell Your House Safely Right Now [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Some Highlights. Your agent now has over 6 months of experience selling houses during the pandemic and can make the process easier and safer for you today. COVID-19 protocols and technology usage recommendations from the National Association of Realtors ( NAR ) are making it possible to sell houses right now, while agents continue to abide first and foremost by state and local regulations.

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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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These Creepy Critters Are Getting Cozy in Your House—Through Your Plumbing

Realtor.com

Fernando Trabanco Fotografía/Getty Images You probably already know that with the weather turning colder, bugs and rodents will be seeking refuge in your toasty warm abode. And you probably already know how they’re getting in, too—through cracks in the foundation and gaps under the doors and windows. But you might not be aware of one other way pests can invade your home: your plumbing.

Closing 128
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#284: The Psychology of Money, with Morgan Housel

Afford Anything

Do you wrestle with the idea of leaving your savings in an account earning next to nothing versus investing it in the stock market? Do you use investment strategies that allow you to work with your nature, rather than against it? Are you careful to seek investment advice from those who share your investment goals, or do you get caught up in the trends of day traders?

HR 123
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If consumers aren’t holding lenders back, then who or what is?

Housing Wire

Think back on all the major financial decisions you’ve made since entering adulthood. Perhaps your list starts with renting your first apartment or buying your first car. Later, you may have taken out a personal or small business loan. Eventually, you purchased your first house, maybe got a home equity line of credit. There’s a common denominator in all of these transactions: It’s you.

Banks 483
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5 Ways Technology is Transforming the Real Estate Industry

Jason Fox

5 Ways Technology is Transforming the Real Estate Industry. Technological developments are constantly changing the way we work and live, and real estate is no exception. The real estate industry is one of those sectors that have always depended on technological advancements. However, the past decade has held some major breakthroughs. Whether you are a prospective homeowner looking to buy your first ever house, Jason Fox Real Estate Marketing | Real Estate Websites.

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Rise of The Apps: Building Your Dream Tech Stack For Real Estate Success

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.

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Log Cabin From 1638 Tops the 10 Oldest Homes To Hit the Market This Week

Realtor.com

realtor.com The oldest home to hit the market this week is a New Jersey log cabin that dates to 1638. Yes, 1638. While 2020 feels like it’s gone on forever, it is hard to even fathom what life was like four centuries ago. When we wrote about this historic property three years ago, it was available for $2.9 million. It’s now back on the market for just $875,000—at a whopping 70% discount.

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Mortgage and refinance rates today, November 12, 2020

The Mortgage Report

Today’s mortgage and refinance rates Average mortgage rates remained unchanged yesterday. And conventional loans started out this morning at 2.75% (2.75% APR) for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage. Yesterday’s unchanged mortgage […].

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Mortgage applications decrease slightly, but refinance index jumps

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications decreased 0.5% last week after a 3.8% jump at the end of October, according to a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). That’s despite the 30-year fixed rate decreasing to 2.89% — an all-time survey low. The refinance index, however, increased by 1% from the previous week – and is a robust 67% higher than the same week in 2019.

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Highest Paid Occupations in Construction in 2019

Eye on Housing

According to the 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey data and analysis by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), half of payroll workers in construction earn more than $49,030 and the top 25% make at least $68,690. In comparison, the U.S. median wage is $39,810, while the top quartile (top 25%) makes at least $64,240.

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5 Data Proven Ways Agents Can Do 18% More Business

Curious as to how you could do 18% more business? How about 14 more transaction sides per year? Check out this infographic with data from a RealTrends study to learn more.