Sat.Dec 04, 2021 - Fri.Dec 10, 2021

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Will we start 2022 with all-time lows in housing inventory?

Housing Wire

My biggest concern for housing in the years 2020-2024 was that if the demographic push in demand picks up and total home sales get over 6. 2 million , we could be at risk of housing inventory falling to such low levels that I would have to categorize this housing market as unhealthy. 2020 and 2021 easily each have over 6.2 million new and existing home sales combined.

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Two Reasons Why Waiting To Buy a Home Will Cost You

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re a homeowner who’s decided your current house no longer fits your needs, or a renter with a strong desire to become a homeowner, you may be hoping that waiting until next year could mean better market conditions to purchase a home. To determine whether you should buy now or wait another year, you can ask yourself two simple questions: Where will home prices be a year from now?

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Why It Just Became Much Easier To Buy a Home

Keeping Current Matters

Since the pandemic began, Americans have reevaluated the meaning of the word home. That’s led some renters to realize the many benefits of homeownership, including the feelings of security and stability and the financial benefits that come with rising home equity. At the same time, many current homeowners have decided their house no longer meets their needs, so they moved into homes with more space inside and out, including a home office for remote work.

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$15M Florida Mansion Has an Other-Worldly Backyard Inspired by ‘Avatar’

Realtor.com

Realtor.com The highest-grossing film of all time inspired the sellers of a Florida estate to create a lighted paradise in their backyard. Villa Florentyna, which takes its cues from the director James Cameron’s “Avatar,” sits on 5 acres on Pondwood Rd in Boca Raton, FL. The name of the home is based on the word for “blooming” in Latin, and this property is in full flower.

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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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Mortgage rates move slowly despite tightening market

Housing Wire

Mortgage rates decreased one basis point to 3.10% in the week ending Dec. 9, remaining low and stable despite tighter housing supply and affordability, according to the latest Freddie Mac PMMS mortgage report. A year ago at this time, the average 30-year fixed-rate loan averaged just 2.71%, according to the report published on Thursday. Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, said in a statement that rates have moved sideways over the last several weeks, fluctuating within a narrow range.

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Win When You Sell (And When You Move)

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re trying to decide when to sell your house, there may not be a better time than this winter. Selling this season means you can take advantage of today’s strong sellers’ market when you make a move. Win When You Sell. Right now, conditions are very favorable for current homeowners looking for a change. If you sell now, here’s what you can expect: Your House Will Stand Out – While recent data shows there are more sellers getting ready to list their homes this winter, there are still more b

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Making History: A Community Writing Project Brings Together a Brooklyn Neighborhood

Brownstoner

Browsing Greenlight Bookstore on Flatbush Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens not far from Prospect Park, you may happen upon a remarkable journal of memoir, oral history and photography by and about locals and the neighborhood, “Voices of Lefferts.” The community writing, photography and history project documents the “life of the… Read More > The post Making History: A Community Writing Project Brings Together a Brooklyn Neighborhood appeared first on Brownstoner.

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How did the pandemic change the state of the appraisal market?

Housing Wire

The HousingWire award spotlight series highlights the companies that have been recognized through our Editors’ Choice Awards. Nominations for HousingWire’s Tech100 award are now open through next Friday, December 17, 2021. To submit your company, go here. If there’s anything that lenders and borrowers have learned from the current purchase market it’s that speed and efficiency are key to a smooth closing.

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‘Call the Closer’ Reveals One Bathroom Upgrade You’ll Warm Up to This Winter

Realtor.com

HGTV On “Call the Closer,” real estate agent Lauren Risley knows that the trick to loving a home you buy often boils down to renovating it to your tastes. And on the latest episode, she focuses on one area of the home that nearly all buyers hope is top-notch: the master suite. In the Season 1 episode “The First Timers,” Risley meets Dan and Nicole , parents of two who buy a gorgeous St.

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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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A Happy Tail: Pets and the Homebuying Process [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Some Highlights. It’s no secret that we love our furry friends – about 70% of U.S. households have pets. What may come as a surprise is how large a role they play in the homebuying process. Americans spend $1,163 a year on their pets, and nearly half of pet owners say they would move for better accommodations and amenities for their pets. If you’re thinking of adding a furry friend, or if you already have, connect with your trusted real estate advisor to discuss how you can find a home tha

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Canada’s Highly Indebted Households Are About To Feel The Pinch From Rising Rates

Better Dwelling

One of the world’s largest economies is handcuffed to over-leveraged home buyers. An analysis from Oxford Economics looks at two rate hike scenarios in Canada. Tony Stillo, the firm’s chief economist, expects the Bank of Canada (BoC) to hike interest rates slowly. If the central bank takes this path, all households will bear the burden […]. The post Canada’s Highly Indebted Households Are About To Feel The Pinch From Rising Rates appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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All-cash transactions under scrutiny of Biden administration

Housing Wire

The Biden administration announced on Monday that it is looking to expand reporting requirements on all-cash real estate transactions. The announcement came via a U.S. Treasury Department notice seeking public comment on this potential regulation. According to the Biden administration, the aim of this regulation would be to crack down of individuals using the U.S. real estate market to launder money made through illicit activities, which the administration views as a vulnerability in the real es

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U.S. housing inventory hits new all-time low

Realty Biz

American housing inventory is officially at crisis level, according to a new report. Redfin revealed this week that the number of active listings in the U.S. housing market hit an all time low on November 28, down a whopping 23% from the same period one year ago. What’s more, active inventory was down 42% from the same month in 2019. Moreover, the number of new listings was also down, by 4%, compared to Nov. 2020.

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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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Struggling To Find a Home To Buy? New Construction May Be an Option.

Keeping Current Matters

There’s no question that the financial benefits of selling a house are outstanding today. Now is truly a great time to list if you’re ready to make a change. But if you do sell your house right now, you may be wondering where you’ll go when you move. With so few homes available to buy right now, you might be considering building a new home as one of your options.

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The Bank of Canada Will Raise Interest Rates Early, Can Hit 11x The Current Rate: BMO

Better Dwelling

Canada’s oldest bank is accelerating its forecast schedule for the central bank. BMO sees the first interest rate hike in April, after yesterday’s announcement from the Bank of Canada (BoC). That would be 3-months sooner than previously forecast, and the first hike is just the beginning. The forecast shows the overnight rate rising as much […].

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Cash-out refis are in high demand as equity levels skyrocket

Housing Wire

Record home price appreciation in recent years has pushed tappable home equity to new heights. According to a report published by data vendor Black Knight this week, the third quarter of 2021 saw a nearly $250 billion dollar increase in tappable equity—a record. In turn, Black Knight predicts that there will be an influx of cash-out refis in the months to come.

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Bring the Drama: Elevate Your Vanilla Bathroom With These 5 Designs From Instagram

Realtor.com

Photos via Instagram by 8degreessouth / divinesavages / greeneacresfarmhouse The unpleasant incidents can really pile up this time of year: burning the gingerbread cookies, hosting your nagging Aunt Edna for the holidays, and waiting for that package that just never seems to arrive. However, you can counteract those negative events with some drama that’s exciting and unexpected.

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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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Construction Job Openings Surge

Eye on Housing

The labor market continues to tighten, especially for the construction industry. The count of open construction jobs increased to 410,000 unfilled positions in October, the highest measure in the history of the data series (going back to late 2000). The housing market remains underbuilt and requires additional labor, lots and lumber and building materials to add inventory.

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Canadian Real Estate Affordability Improves When Rates Rise, Despite The Rhetoric

Better Dwelling

Canada has seen a surge in real estate buyers looking to get ahead of rising rates. After all, a higher cost of borrowing means higher payments, right? Running TransUnion mortgage payment data against mortgage rates shows the exact opposite. This is due to the basic design of interest rates, which are increasingly ignored due to […]. The post Canadian Real Estate Affordability Improves When Rates Rise, Despite The Rhetoric appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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Title insurance industry reports best quarter on record

Housing Wire

The American Land Title Association saw a 32.5% year-over-year increase in title insurance premium volume during the third quarter of 2021 according to ALTA’s Market Share Analysis , published on Thursday. During Q3 2021, the title insurance industry generated $6.8 billion in title insurance premium, marking the industry’s best quarter on record. Every state besides Oregon, which saw a miniscule 0.7% year-over-year decrease, saw an increase in volume as compared to the same time period last year

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Rising to the Occasion: 5 Homes with Exceptional Staircases

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Whether eye-catchingly ornate or minimal and sculptural, a dramatic staircase is a glamorous centerpiece to any home, from a renovated Victorian in San Francisco to a one-of-a-kind penthouse in Manhattan. Contemporary Meets Victorian. San Francisco, California | Neill Bassi & Jessica Wynne, Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage.

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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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Found a Buyer on Your Own? Here’s Why You Still Need an Agent

Realtor.com

Getty Images Let’s say you’re selling your house. And before you even get a chance to snap listing photos and put it on the market, a buyer comes along. Perhaps the buyer makes you an offer you just can’t refuse. Congratulations, you just cut out many steps of the home-selling process—showings, open houses, and haggling over price.

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The Bank of Canada Held Rates and Dropped A Fib About Buying Government Bonds

Better Dwelling

Canada’s central bank didn’t do much today, but they did give us a new Tiff-ism for Christmas. The Bank of Canada (BoC) made no changes in its rate announcement this morning, the last of the year. They also updated the public on their promise not to accumulate government bonds, calling the balance “roughly constant.” What […]. The post The Bank of Canada Held Rates and Dropped A Fib About Buying Government Bonds appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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Mortgage applications are up, on the strength of FHA refis

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications increased 2% for the week ending Dec. 3, driven by a surge in government refinancings according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) survey published on Wednesday. The increase was mainly driven by the refinance index up 9% from the previous week on a seasonally adjusted basis. Concurrently, the purchase index decreased 5% from the week prior.

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Renting with Pets: Pet Rent, Pet Fees & Pet Deposits Explained

Point2Homes

Image: Prystai / Shutterstock.com. Many tenants are pet owners, especially in recent years, in which pet ownership has skyrocketed due to the pandemic. However, the rules regarding pets can sometimes be difficult for both landlords and tenants to grasp. In this quick guide, we’ll cover the basics for both parties involved and clear up some of the confusion regarding pet rent, pet fees and pet deposits.

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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.