Sat.Jan 30, 2021 - Fri.Feb 05, 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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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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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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We Buy Houses For Cash Companies Reviewed

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

What to Know About Investors That Buy Houses For Cash Are you wondering what the deal is with we buy houses for cash companies? Have you seen the flyers around town on telephone poles that offer to purchase your home for cash quickly? Maybe you have gotten numerous mailings asking to buy your house for […]. The post We Buy Houses For Cash Companies Reviewed appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

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Canadian Households Now Need Up To 34 Years of Savings For A Downpayment

Better Dwelling

The first hurdle to buying a home in Canada is getting much higher – saving for a downpayment. A National Bank of Canada (NBC) analysis shows it took a record number of months to save a downpayment in Q4 2020. Households need to save for the longest period in history, passing even the late 1980s […]. The post Canadian Households Now Need Up To 34 Years of Savings For A Downpayment appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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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

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Do I Really Need a 20% Down Payment to Buy a Home?

Keeping Current Matters

Is the idea of saving for a down payment holding you back from buying a home right now? You may be eager to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates, but the thought of needing a large down payment might make you want to pump the brakes. Today, there’s still a common myth that you have to come up with 20% of the total sale price for your down payment.

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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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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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Bank of Canada Data Shows They’re Past Peak Mortgage Bond Buying

Better Dwelling

Canada’s central bank has finally stopped juicing the mortgage market… or at least it’s taking a break. Bank of Canada (BoC) data shows December was the first ever drop in the amount of Canada mortgage bonds (CMBs) held. It’s too early to tell if it’s just temporary, or if it’ll start again. If the buying […]. The post Bank of Canada Data Shows They’re Past Peak Mortgage Bond Buying appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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Biden stimulus could worsen affordable housing crisis

Housing Wire

The nation’s most influential housing trade groups sent a letter to the House Committee on Financial Services saying any new stimulus package considered would need to have rental assistance, and warned of dire consequences if it does not. Housing groups including CCIM Institute , Council for Affordable and Rural Housing , Institute of Real Estate Management , Manufactured Housing Institute , Mortgage Bankers Association , National Affordable Housing Management Association , National Apartm

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Want to Build Wealth? Buy a Home This Year.

Keeping Current Matters

Every year, households across the country make the decision to rent for another year or take the leap into homeownership. They look at their earnings and savings and then decide what makes the most financial sense. That equation will most likely take into consideration monthly housing costs, tax advantages, and other incremental expenses. Using these measurements, recent studies show that it’s still more affordable to own than rent in most of the country.

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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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The ‘Cloffice’ Is the New Cubicle: Expert Inspiration To Put That Closet To Work, Beautifully

Realtor.com

Patrick Wong/Houzz The dining table was fine for a while. We were supposed to be working from home for only a few weeks. But then the weeks turned into months, and now the months have turned into (gasp!) nearly a year. So we found refuge wherever we could—behind closed bedroom doors, out on the patio, or even inside our closets. And so the “cloffice” was born.

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Buying A Typical Home In Canada? Cities Now Require Incomes Of Up To $230,000

Better Dwelling

Mortgage rates might be low, but nosebleed home prices still make payments difficult. National Bank of Canada (NBC) data shows the household income required to carry a mortgage on a typical home in Q4 2020. The numbers in some regions are staggering, before even considering downpayments. In Toronto or Vancouver, the middle class can no […]. The post Buying A Typical Home In Canada?

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UWM clears $1.33B in profits in Q4 2020

Housing Wire

United Wholesale Mortgage originated more than $54 billion in mortgages and generated more than $1.3 billion in net income during the fourth quarter, the company revealed on Wednesday. The wholesale lender’s parent company reported $54.7 billion in originations, a 71% increase from the $31.9 billion the Michigan-based lender originated in the fourth quarter in 2019.

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Features men and women home buyers really want

Zolo

Sellers will quickly realize that there is very little space to highlight the best features of your home, so it's best to choose wisely and focus on the features homebuyers really want. The post Features men and women home buyers really want appeared first on Zolo.

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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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Several Realogy Members Recognized as RISMedia’s 2021 Real Estate Newsmakers

RIS Media

Realogy Holdings Corp. recently announced that more than 40 of its leaders, affiliated agents and broker/owners were recognized on RISMedia’s Real Estate Newsmakers list, represented across multiple categories. The company also celebrates the induction of Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Realogy Expansion Brands portfolio, to the 2021 Newsmakers Hall of Fame for her achievements driving the strategic growth of the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate and ERA brands. “Realogy’

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Greater Vancouver Real Estate Prices Jump, While City Condos Slump

Better Dwelling

Greater Vancouver real estate is soaring, but it’s uneven across the region, and all segments. Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) data shows prices generally advanced in December. Suburban homes represented most of the price gains. The City’s condo apartments even continued to see price growth decelerate. Greater Vancouver Real Estate Prices Rise 5.5% […].

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Ginnie Mae guarantees first digital MBS

Housing Wire

Ginnie Mae announced its first guarantee of a mortgage-backed security backed by digital pools, or pools of loans that consist entirely of eNotes. The MBS were loans closed by Rocket Mortgage in December, are issued as of Jan. 1, 2021 and have coupon rates ranging from 2.5% to 3.5%. The total principal value of the digital pools came to about $24 million.

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First-Time Home Buyers Find a Tough Market—Here’s What’s Different This Year

Realtor.com

Westend61/Getty Images Starry-eyed first-time home buyers are getting a rude awakening to the realities of today’s high-stakes home-buying market. The coronavirus pandemic supercharged the housing market, as buyers urgently seeking more space flooded the market, lured by low mortgage rates. That’s on top of the usual dynamics of household expansion: Many millennials hit 30 and wanted homes that could accommodate a growing family.

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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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Proptech in 2021: Trends to Watch and Tech to Adopt

Swiftlane

What Is Proptech and Why Are Companies Developing It? Proptech, at its simplest, means property technology. If that definition seems broad, that’s because it is. Proptech can refer to any technology that uses automation, AI, IT, IoT (we can go on) that is developed for the property industry. That means commercial real estate, multifamily housing, […].

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Home Sellers Profited An Average Of Nearly $69K On Their Home Sales In 2020

Lighter Side of Real Estate

When you list your home, the goal is to sell the property for more than you invested in it—and to walk away with a profit. And in 2020, those profits were significant for a lot of homeowners. According to recent data from real estate research firm ATTOM Data Solutions , in 2020, the average home sale in the United States saw a home-price gain of $68,843, with profits rising in more than 90 percent of housing markets across the country—and homeowners seeing a 34.7 percent return on investment (RO

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Homebuyers put pets first when shopping for homes

Housing Wire

According to a recent Realtor.com survey , almost 95% of homebuyers consider their pets when purchasing a home. Yes, you read that right. Purchasing your first home is an exciting time. Whether you’re shopping for a fixer-upper or a home with a modern exterior, there’s nothing like finally being able to check the “buy a house” box off your bucket list. .

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Long-Delayed Greenpoint Park Still On Hold While Site Serves as MTA Parking Lot

Brownstoner

Intransigent transit officials have refused to move their emergency vehicles off of a plot of land in Greenpoint to a planned new facility next door, further delaying a promised park along Newtown Creek some 16 years in the making, according to local pols. “We are still faced with the MTA dragging… Read More > The post Long-Delayed Greenpoint Park Still On Hold While Site Serves as MTA Parking Lot appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Driving Profit: 4 Pillars for Growing Your Real Estate Brokerage

In the rapidly changing real estate landscape, achieving profitability requires a strategic approach beyond traditional methods. Our guide, "The 4 Pillars to Brokerage Profitability," outlines four essential pillars for scaling your real estate business: a seamless lead-to-close technology ecosystem, tailored integrated solutions for teams and agents, value-added success services and community support, and consumer-centric operations throughout the full homeownership lifecycle.

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Expectations for Housing Availability Continue to Improve

Eye on Housing

Buyers’ perceptions about the availability of homes in the market are showing significant improvement, according to the latest Housing Trends Report. In the final quarter of 2020, 37% of prospective buyers expect their search for a home to get easier in the months ahead, while 54% expect it will be harder or stay the same. A year earlier, far fewer.

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Why Now Is a Great Time to Tap Into Your Home’s Equity

American Lifestyle

The post Why Now Is a Great Time to Tap Into Your Home’s Equity appeared first on American Lifestyle Magazine.

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Selling your home? Here’s how to do it fast!

Housing Wire

If you’re selling your home, you probably don’t want it to be a slow process. . Not only does it delay your goals of moving on or buying that new property, but it can also hurt your profits in the long run. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to prevent all that. Want to make sure your home moves quickly? These six strategies can help.

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