Sat.Jan 09, 2021 - Fri.Jan 15, 2021

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FHFA extends relaxed appraisal, lending standards

Housing Wire

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced on Thursday it has extended relaxed lending and appraisal standards put in place due to COVID-19 another month for both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The flexibilities surrounding alternative verifications of employment and appraisals were originally set to expire on Jan. 31, 2021, however, the government entity is now pushing that back to at least Feb. 28, 2021.

Lending 539
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Why Right Now May Be the Time to Sell Your House

Keeping Current Matters

The housing market made an incredible recovery in 2020 and is now positioned for an even stronger year in 2021. Record-low mortgage interest rates are a driving factor in this continued momentum, with average rates hovering at historic all-time lows. According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index Survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), buyer demand across the country is incredibly strong.

Sales 282
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Good Riddance to Open Floor Plans and Cabinets Galore: Top Kitchen Trends of 2021

Realtor.com

Becki Peckham © Houzz Homeowners forced by the coronavirus pandemic to hole up in their homes for much of the past year are changing a few things about their homes. For starters, COVID-19 exposed the flaws of the open floor plans touted on HGTV and other design shows—finding a quiet space to jump on that Zoom meeting with the boss while the kids are remote learning a few feet away can be a logistical nightmare.

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4 DIY Hacks That Make Projects Easier

Homes.com

Wanting to try out a little DIY? Brooke Cribbs shares her favorite DIY hacks to help take all your projects from drab to fab with ease! The post 4 DIY Hacks That Make Projects Easier appeared first on Homes.com.

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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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New-year optimism reflected in mortgage applications jump

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications jumped 16.7% after a 4.2% drop last week , according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The jump underlines the seasonality behind last week’s decreas e in mortgage rates, as well as the expectation of additional fiscal stimulus from the incoming administration, per MBA Associate Vice President of Economic and Industry Forecasting Joel Kan.

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4 Reasons People Are Buying Homes in 2021

Keeping Current Matters

According to many experts , the real estate market is expected to continue growing in 2021, and it’s largely driven by the lasting impact the pandemic is having on our lifestyles. As many of us spend extra time at home, we’re reevaluating what “home” means and what we may need in one going forward. Here are 4 reasons people are reconsidering where they live and why they’re expecting to buy a home this year. . 1.

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Canada’s Economy Has Never Been More Dependent On Real Estate

Better Dwelling

Canada’s economy just became even more dependent on real estate. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows residential investment soared to a record high in Q3 2020. The rate it’s grown over the past few months has far outpaced the economy. Consequently, residential investment is now the biggest percent of GDP it has ever been. Residential […].

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7 things that have changed forever in the mortgage industry

Housing Wire

The mortgage industry has not traditionally been the vanguard of digital adoption, particularly in data intelligence and applied machine learning. Investments in proper infrastructure, an innate fear of losing process control, and converting the workforce to a digitally savvy “knowledge force” have contributed to “digital apprehension” in the past.

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Things to Avoid after Applying for a Mortgage [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Some Highlights. There are a few key things to make sure you avoid after applying for a mortgage to help make sure you still qualify for your loan at the closing table. Along the way, be sure to discuss any changes in income, assets, or credit with your lender, so you don’t unintentionally jeopardize your application. The best plan is to fully disclose your intentions with your lender before you do anything financial in nature.

Mortgages 249
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Minor Home Improvement Projects Can Provide Major Returns

Realty Biz

Home Improvement projects are a great way to increase the value of your home. Especially if you are getting ready to sell your home. Granted, some remodeling projects can cost a fortune and take a lot of time to complete. Major projects like, finishing an unfinished basement or building an addition to your home are costly undertakings that can require months to complete.

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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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RBC: Majority of Canadians Want To work-from-home, and It Will Change Cities

Better Dwelling

The vast majority of Canadians want to work-from-home, according to a new analysis from Canada’s largest bank. In RBC’s 2021 outlook, the bank’s economists note millions more now work-from-home as of last October. The forced shift to remote work, now has the majority of Canadians hoping to work-from-home, at least part of the time. Despite […].

Banks 140
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Here’s the salary you need to buy a home in five of the largest U.S. cities

Housing Wire

If you’re considering purchasing a home, you probably have a lot of questions. One being, how much do you need to earn in a year to afford a mortgage in the U.S.? . Since home prices vary state-by-state, the salary you need to qualify for a mortgage in the U.S. depends a great deal on where you live. For example, the median price of a home in New York is typically more expensive than a home in Wisconsin.

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Will Forbearance Plans Lead to a Tsunami of Foreclosures?

Keeping Current Matters

At the onset of the economic disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic, the government quickly put into place forbearance plans to allow homeowners to remain in their homes without making their monthly mortgage payments. Today, almost three million households are actively in a forbearance plan. Though 29.4% of those in forbearance have continued to stay current on their payments, many have not.

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6 Winter Design Trends That Make Us Actually Glad To Be Stuck Inside

Realtor.com

JAR Home/Houzz As relieved as we were to close the book on 2020, the cold, hard truth is that we’re still in the middle of the Northern Hemisphere’s gloomiest season—where the days are short, the nights are long, and we’re stuck at home because of the global pandemic that continues to rage outside. We know it’s enough to make you lose your mind.

Design 137
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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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Led by Lumber, Building Materials Prices Climb 5.4% in 2020

Eye on Housing

Prices paid for goods used in residential construction ex-energy rose 0.7% in December (not seasonally adjusted) and ended the year 5.4% higher than they stood in December 2019, 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 declined just twice over the.

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Alongside rising yields, mortgage rates increase to 2.79%

Housing Wire

The average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan rose from its previous record low by 14 basis points this week to 2.79%, according to Freddie Mac ’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. This marks the first time mortgage rates have risen in almost two months. The 15-year fixed rate also rose slightly this week from 2.16% to 2.23%. Even with this week’s uptick, there have still been 23 consecutive weeks when average mortgage rates have been below 3%.

Mortgages 470
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Millennials Are Fleeing Toronto, Canada’s National Stats Agency Confirms

Better Dwelling

Toronto’s millennials, and their kids, are moving to other parts of the province. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows Toronto printed another net loss for intraprovincial migration in 2020. Tens of thousands more people left for other parts of the province than arrived. The trend of losses has been consistent for years, but ramped up […].

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5 Myths About Transitioning From Renter to Homeowner

Realtor.com

Cavan Images/Getty Images Making the leap from being a renter to becoming a homeowner is a process that includes taking stock of your financial situation and determining whether you’re ready for such a massive responsibility. For most people, the primary question is affordability. Do you have enough cash in the bank to fund a down payment, or do you have a credit score high enough to qualify you for a home loan?

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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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How to Cancel or Update Your Change of Address

Point2Homes

Image: zimmytws / Shutterstock.com. Are you moving soon? If so, file your United States Postal Service (USPS) address change — either online or at a post office — in advance of your moving day. However, even the best-laid plans may change, and you may need to update your address change USPS request so your mail gets forwarded to where you need it to go in a timely fashion.

Banks 130
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LoanDepot files paperwork to go public in 2021

Housing Wire

The moment has finally arrived: California-based lender loanDepot has filed an updated S-1 with the Securities and Exchanges Commission and plans to go public in 2021. The company, founded by billionaire entrepreneur Anthony Hsieh, said Monday that its affiliate loanDepot Inc. had confidentially filed paperwork, but it hasn’t determined how much stock will be sold or at what price.

Branding 451
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Significant Sales | 2020 Highlights

Sotheby's International Real Estate

From the sale of the highest-priced home in the history of Vail, Colorado, to that of an architectural masterpiece in Las Lomas, Mexico, highlighted here are 10 Significant Sales from 2020 represented by the Sotheby’s International Realty® global network. Vail, Colorado. Sold for $57,250,000 | Tye Stockton, LIV Sotheby’s International Realty.

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If a Sale Doesn’t Go Through, Who Pays the Appraisal Fee?

Realtor.com

Zinkevych / Getty Images If you’re buying a home, one of the (many) things you must check off your list is hiring a professional to do a home appraisal to assess the property’s value. But what if you check it off your list and then, for whatever reason, the home sale falls through—who pays the appraisal fee then? Let’s take a look. What is a home appraisal anyway?

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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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Canada’s Mortgage Lenders Have Set Aside A Record Amount For Bad Loans

Better Dwelling

Canada’s real estate markets are booming, but lenders are preparing for mortgage losses. Bank of Canada (BoC) data shows the allowance for credit losses due to mortgages reached a record high in Q3 2020. The record was reached with the biggest surge in the annual rate of growth since the Great Recession. Allowance For Credit […]. The post Canada’s Mortgage Lenders Have Set Aside A Record Amount For Bad Loans appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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One mortgage company finds higher purpose hiking 14ers

Housing Wire

It’s 6:30 in the morning on September 25, 2020, and a small team from The Home Loan Expert is beginning their long climb up Mount Elbert, the highest summit in the Rocky Mountains of North America and the highest point in Colorado. In a class commonly referred to as 14ers by those adventurous enough to climb them, this 14,440 foot-high mountain isn’t for the faint of heart.

Mortgages 441
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5 Home Theaters That Steal the Show

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Sometimes whimsically detailed but always thoughtfully outfitted with top-tier systems and comfortable seating, these home theaters allow for the celebration of cinema in cozy seclusion. Texas Treasure. Sugarland, Texas | Walter Bering , Santa Fe, New Mexico Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty – Central Houston Brokerage. An undeniable opulence pervades nearly every room of this 19,180-square-foot manor on 1.68 gated acres in the town of Sugar Land, 20 miles from Houston.

Land 125
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What Happens When Your Real Estate Agreement Expires?

Realtor.com

carebott/Getty Images If your home has been on the market for a while and you haven’t been able to sell it, you’re bound to start checking your paperwork to see when your contract with your real estate agent is up. And you’re probably also wondering just what happens when your real estate agreement does, in fact, expire. Here’s the deal—and how to handle the situation once a real estate listing and contract have reached their end.

Agents 127
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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.

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Lizzie Borden’s Former “Maplecroft” Home for Sale for $890K

Homes.com

The infamous home of Lizzie Borden where she lived after the tragic murder of her parents has hit the market for $890,000. The post Lizzie Borden’s Former “Maplecroft” Home for Sale for $890K appeared first on Homes.com.

Sales 123
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Fed considers regulating AI used by financial institutions

Housing Wire

The Federal Reserve is looking into the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and is considering stepping up its oversight of these technologies used by financial institutions. Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard spoke at the AI Academic Symposium virtual event on Tuesday, hosted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, saying it is important that the use of AI by the financial community is leading to equitable outcomes for consumers.

Banks 439
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As Boomers downsize, heirlooms are being rejected

The American Genius for Real Estate

(HOMEOWNERSHIP) As baby boomers downsize and capitalize on senior management, heirlooms and antiques are falling to the wayside (they just don't spark joy). The post As Boomers downsize, heirlooms are being rejected appeared first on The American Genius Real Estate.

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Martha’s Vineyard Estate From 1688 Tops This Week’s List of the 10 Oldest Homes for Sale

Realtor.com

realtor.com There’s something soothing about looking at things that have withstood the test of time. Perhaps that’s why our regular peeks at the oldest homes on the market are so darn popular. The 10 oldest homes available for sale this week date all the way to the establishment of the 13 ragtag Colonies. Each represents a long-standing commitment to the stories they have to tell and to all the people who took care of these homes through the years.

Sales 127
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How Enriching the Lives of Your Clients Leads to Greater Sales Success

Speaker: Ari Capogeannis, Director - Revenue Marketing at NVIDIA and Bill Pappa, Sales and Marketing Leader at Ai Media Group

Building strong personal and professional relationships with clients is a critical success factor. Sales professionals who focus on relationship building generate more leads and raise their brand awareness. Because this can take time, having regular engagements can help you cultivate these relationships more efficiently. The most effective way to accomplish this is through direct hyper-personalized touchpoints.