Sat.Feb 13, 2021 - Fri.Feb 19, 2021

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Mortgage rates jump to 2.81%

Housing Wire

After three weeks of unchanged rates, the average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan jumped 8 basis points to 2.81%, reaching its highest point since mid-November, according to Freddie Mac ’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. While economic spending has improved, due to the most recent stimulus, supply chain shortages are causing downstream inflation, leading to higher mortgage rates, said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “While there are multiple temporary factors drivin

Mortgages 545
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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 269
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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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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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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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We need higher mortgage rates to cool the housing market

Housing Wire

The years 2020-2024 will have the best housing demographics ever recorded in U.S. history, with the lowest mortgage rates recorded in history. When you have these two titans acting in unison, it can potentially accelerate real home prices in an unhealthy way. In 2020, the year of COVID-19, existing home sales ended at a respectable 5,640,000. That is roughly only 130,000 higher than the levels we saw in 2017.

Mortgages 539

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Modular Homes: Pros and Cons of a Modular Home With Video

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

What to Know About Modular Homes Are you considering buying a modular home? Once thought a cheap and low-quality housing option, modular homes have come a long way in recent years. They offer home buyers another way to achieve their dream of owning a home and come with several advantages over regular, “stick-built” homes. However, […]. The post Modular Homes: Pros and Cons of a Modular Home With Video appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

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Everything’s A Bubble, and Canadian Real Estate Was One of The Worst Returns

Better Dwelling

Canadians are scrambling to buy a home and catch that huge wage of profits… but is it really that profitable? It depends what you’re comparing it to. When central banks flood the market with cheap money, almost everything soars. It’s not just real estate that is profitable. Real estate is just the only investment many […]. The post Everything’s A Bubble, and Canadian Real Estate Was One of The Worst Returns appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Banks 134
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5 first-time homebuyer mistakes to avoid

Housing Wire

The first-time homebuyer process is a lengthy one, and if you’re not careful, there’s a lot that can throw you off-track. From low appraisals to surprise credit checks, a number of hurdles could slow your purchase or even derail it altogether. Are you on the hunt for a new home? Want to make sure your purchase goes off without a hitch? Then take steps to avoid these all-too-common first-time homebuyer mistakes: More for Real Estate Enthusiasts.

Loans 532
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3 Ways Home Equity Can Have a Major Impact on Your Life

Keeping Current Matters

There have been a lot of headlines reporting on how homeowner equity (the difference between the current market value of your home and the amount you owe on your mortgage) has dramatically increased over the past few years. CoreLogic indicated that equity increased for the average homeowner by $17,000 in the last year alone. ATTOM Data Solutions , in their latest U.S.

Equity 260
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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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Secret Rooms and Futuristic Features! The Year’s 8 Biggest Kitchen Design Trends Will Blow You Away

Realtor.com

Heidi's Bridge/Houzz. Of all the rooms in your house, your kitchen likely saw the most action in 2020. With so many people staying at home making artisanal pizza and using their countertops as an office or classroom, this room endured plenty of wear and tear. And that means it might just be the room that’s most in need of a refresh. . But where to start?

Design 134
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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.

Banks 134
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How to survive this “unprecedented” era of digital mortgage

Housing Wire

Writing about digital mortgage in 2021, I am reminded of a cartoon in the New Yorker, in which two cavemen were starting a fire and one said “Stop saying everything is ‘unprecedented.’” After a year of unprecedented everything, including mortgage volume, it’s hard to fathom the level of fintech disruption that is approaching financial services and specifically mortgage.

Mortgages 531
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Millennials: Is It Time to Buy a Bigger Home?

Keeping Current Matters

In today’s housing market, all eyes are on millennials. Not only are millennials the largest generation, but they’re also currently between 25 and 40 years old. These are often considered prime homebuying years when many people begin to form their own households and invest in real estate. If you’re like many millennials who are spending much more time at home these days, you may have a growing need for more space or upgraded features, making moving more desirable than ever.

Equity 253
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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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Can You Take a Home Office Tax Deduction Due to COVID-19? A Reality Check

Realtor.com

JannHuizenga / Getty Images 2020 was the year of WFH: Working from home became a reality for countless Americans, as company offices closed down to curb the spread of COVID-19. And, as the time nears to file your 2020 taxes, you might be wondering: Does your home office add up to any tax deductions for you? It’s a logical question: Since most WFH warriors shell out of their own pocket for internet, printer ink, and equipment upgrades if their laptop poops out, it’s understandable to

As-is 131
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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 127
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Invest in real estate, not the stock market

Housing Wire

The stock market is a funny game. Not the kind of game that the rookie Game Stop investors are used to playing, but a real-life, action-packed, form of entertainment that toys with millions of Americans’ emotions and finances every day. You know what isn’t a game, and can also provide oh-so-sweet returns? Investing in real estate. The stock market is at an all-time high, finishing 2020 at record levels.

Marketing 523
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Home Mortgage Rates by Decade [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Some Highlights. Mortgage interest rates have dropped considerably over the past year, and compared to what we’ve seen in recent decades, it’s a great time to buy a home. Locking in a low rate today could save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your home loan, but these low rates may not last forever. If you’re in a position to buy a home, reach out to a local real estate professional to determine your best move in today’s housing market while interest rates are still in your favor.

Mortgages 243
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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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10 Wild Home Inspection Photos That’ll Make You Go ‘WTF?’

Realtor.com

chrisboy2004 / Getty Images Instagram is an endless trove of eye candy in the form of celeb selfies, cute pets, and cool home design ideas—but who would have thought that shocking home inspection photos of rusty toilets or electrical hazards would become Insta-famous, too? That’s the kind of fare you’ll find on the unlikely but addictive account @bostonhomeinspectors , which boasts 13,600 followers and counting.

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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 127
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HUD extends COVID-19 forbearance for FHA loans

Housing Wire

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Tuesday extended COVID-19 foreclosure and forbearance moratoriums for FHA and USDA loans to June 30, 2021. It also extended the deadline for the first legal action and the reasonable diligence time frame to 180 days. This announcement follows FHFA action last week to extend moratoriums for loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

FHA loan 516
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Canada’s Expected Mortgage Credit Losses Reaches A Record $1.4 Billion

Better Dwelling

Despite Canada’s hot real estate market, lenders expect a record amount in losses. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows expected credit losses (ECL) jumped in Q3 2020. ECLs are now at a record high according to the agency, but are a relatively small percent of total mortgage debt. It’s a little confusing, but expected losses […].

Mortgages 127
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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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8 Ways To Use Nail Polish Remover To Clean Your House

Realtor.com

Getty Images When your nail polish chips or that cherry-red shade isn’t quite right, a cotton ball soaked with nail polish remover can give you a clean slate. But did you know that the primary ingredient in most nail polish removers can dissolve scuffs, stains, and patches of grime? If your nail polish remover contains acetone, congrats! You have a versatile household solvent at your fingertips.

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Mortgage and refinance rates today, February 16, 2021

The Mortgage Report

Today’s mortgage and refinance rates Markets were closed yesterday. However, average mortgage rates rose again last Friday. Of course, rises are unwelcome. But these rates remain within their exceptionally low […].

Mortgages 118
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Redfin joins Realtor.com in displaying flood data

Housing Wire

When Realtor.com became the first listing platform to display flood hazard data on properties, the lead economist for Redfin expressed caution about the unintended consequences of displaying such statistics. “We need to be very careful about how we provide information,” Taylor Marr, the lead economist at Redfin, told NPR at the time. “Could this actually reduce the value of this existing homeowner and essentially take away a lot of their net worth?”.

Brokerage 493
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Canadian Real Estate Sales Start The Year Off 35% Higher

Better Dwelling

Canadian real estate sales printed yet another record during the pandemic. Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) data shows home sales in January 2021 hit a record. The new high for January sales came with a little slow down for growth. However, things have been so heated, even a double digit drop in growth is one […]. The post Canadian Real Estate Sales Start The Year Off 35% Higher appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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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.