Housing Wire
DECEMBER 17, 2020
2020 has been a remarkably strong year for the housing market. Sales volume has remained elevated compared to last year since about mid-June, home values are growing more quickly than they have in 15 years and homes are typically selling a full three weeks faster than a year ago. Incredibly, next year’s housing market outlook is poised to be much stronger.
Keeping Current Matters
DECEMBER 18, 2020
Some Highlights. Experts project an optimistic year for the 2021 housing market. With mortgage rates forecasted to remain low, high buyer demand is expected to fuel more home sales and continue to increase home prices. Reach out to a local real estate professional today to determine how to make your best move in the new year. The post 2021 Housing Forecast [INFOGRAPHIC] appeared first on Keeping Current Matters.
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Eye on Housing
DECEMBER 16, 2020
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) latest Weekly Application Survey shows that, for the week ending December 11, 2020, mortgage application activity decreased by 1.1% from the prior week on a seasonally adjusted basis, as indicated by its Market Composite Index. One of its two constituent indexes, the Purchasing Index, increased by 1.8% from the previous week while the other, the.
Realtor.com
DECEMBER 17, 2020
brizmaker/Getty Images The coronavirus pandemic has brought about a new appreciation of backyards and other outdoor spaces. With many of us spending hours and hours at home, we’re all looking for places to relax other than the living room sofa and kitchen. If you have a yard with ample space for you and your family, consider yourself blessed. But in 2021, outdoor space owners might want to consider taking it up a notch with one of the most sought-after features: an outdoor kitchen.
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
Housing Wire
DECEMBER 14, 2020
The total number of loans in forbearance decreased from 5.54% to 5.48% as of Dec. 6, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans in forbearance decreased to 3.26% – an 8-point improvement. Ginnie Mae loans in forbearance decreased 21 points to 7.68%. Despite a dramatic point improvement, borrowers are still seeking relief, according to Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s senior vice president and chief economist. “New forbearance requests reached their highest level
Residential Realty Today brings together the best content for real estate professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Realty Biz
DECEMBER 13, 2020
What to Know About Renting a POD. Are you considering making your move with a POD? The popularity of using PODS storage containers for moving has affected the whole industry. This has led to other companies using the term “PODS” when referring to their moving containers, with legal action following. Choosing PODS rental containers is more than just a popular choice; it can offer a lot when moving from home to home.
Realtor.com
DECEMBER 15, 2020
Sisoje/Getty Images; Julie Migliacci; erhui1979/Getty Images; photoman/Getty Images In some ways, buying a home got a lot easier in 2020, and in a lot of ways, it didn’t. Welcome to the mixed-up, unpredictable, unprecedented pandemic world we’ve all been living through. It’s truly been a year like no other. But no matter which way the pendulum was swinging, realtor.com was here to help you make the best of it.
Housing Wire
DECEMBER 17, 2020
Single-family housing starts continued their seven-month climb in November, coming in at the highest level since 2007, according to the Census Bureau. Housing starts rose 1.2% in November compared to October and are up 12.8% year over year to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 1.58 million starts. Single-family housing starts rose 0.4% from October and 27.1% compared to last year.
Keeping Current Matters
DECEMBER 16, 2020
This year will be remembered for many reasons, and optimism is one thing that’s been in short supply since the spring. We’re experiencing a global pandemic, social unrest, an economic downturn, and natural disasters, just to name a few. The challenges brought on by the health crisis have also forced many homeowners to reevaluate their space and what they need in a home going into 2021.
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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.
Brownstoner
DECEMBER 14, 2020
While this 1850s Fort Greene row house has a charming period facade it's the 20th century history behind the house that should spark some interest. For decades 135 Fort Greene Place was the home of renowned avant-garde jazz pianist Cecil Taylor. The acclaimed artist was already in residence when he purchased… Read More > The post Jazz Great Cecil Taylor’s Fort Greene Row House on the Market for $2.499 Million appeared first on Brownstoner.
Realtor.com
DECEMBER 16, 2020
Creatas/Getty Images Buying a fixer-upper and transforming it into the home of your dreams is hardly a new concept. Few people—especially first-time home buyers —can afford to buy a house with all the bells and whistles, so it’s common for people to opt for some version of a fixer-upper and make plans to renovate it in the future. We can also give a nod to HGTV’s Chip and Joanna Gaines for making fixer-uppers cool in the last handful of years.
Housing Wire
DECEMBER 18, 2020
The economic hardships wrought by the coronavirus pandemic will be long-term, and millions of renters and homeowners alike could take a serious hit in the upcoming months, affordable housing experts said on a recent webinar hosted by Freddie Mac. Despite economists’ more optimistic housing predictions for the year ahead, one panelist felt that the worst may still be yet to come.
Keeping Current Matters
DECEMBER 17, 2020
In a year that was financially devastating for many Americans, some good news for most homeowners is the dramatic gain in home equity over the last twelve months. Last week, CoreLogic released its 2020 3rd Quarter Homeowner Equity Insights report, which reveals four major findings: S. homeowners with mortgages have seen their equity increase by a total of $1 trillion since the third quarter of 2019.
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.
Brownstoner
DECEMBER 18, 2020
Developers of a proposed four-story residential building in Vinegar Hill have pulled their rezoning application after city planners denied the builders’ plans to shrink its size to appease concerned neighbors — meaning the property at 265 Front St. will remain a parking lot for trucks, rather than offer new homes.… Read More > The post City Planning Rejects Developer’s Plan for Low-Scale Vinegar Hill Housing appeared first on Brownstoner.
Realtor.com
DECEMBER 16, 2020
Interior Obsession/Houzz We’re finally closing the book on 2020, and many of us have never felt more desperate for a fresh start and a new beginning. And since it’s not like we’re leaving the house anytime soon, it makes perfect sense that the first place to start anew would be at home. (Plus, decorating and home renovation projects are a pretty good distraction from ever-present existential dread, if we do say so ourselves.).
Housing Wire
DECEMBER 16, 2020
After two weeks of decreases, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported that mortgage applications increased 1.1% during the week ending Dec. 11 amid mortgage rates that hit a new survey low. In its latest weekly survey the MBA said the 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped five points to 2.85% – due, partly, to uncertainty over the prospects of additional pandemic-related government stimulus, as well as concerns about the continued rise in COVID-19 cases across the country, according to
Keeping Current Matters
DECEMBER 14, 2020
If you’re currently feeling the stress of affording your mortgage payment, or if you know someone who is, there’s still time to get help. For homeowners experiencing financial hardship this year, the CARES Act provides mortgage payment deferral options, creating much-needed relief in these challenging times. It’s important, however, to understand how forbearance works.
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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.
Better Dwelling
DECEMBER 17, 2020
Canadian real estate owners are still falling into arrears at a higher rate. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) data shows an uptick in arrears during Q2 2020. The agency notes the trend wasn’t just in one type of lender either. It was right across all segments of lenders. Mortgage Delinquencies and Arrears Rates In […]. The post Canada’s National Housing Agency Finds Uptick In Mortgages In Arrears At Lenders appeared first on Better Dwelling.
Maximum Exposure Real Estate
DECEMBER 14, 2020
The Highest Credit Scores Explained Do you know what is a good credit score? How about the highest credit score possible? Over the years working as a real estate agent lots of people have asked me what is the best credit score you can get. Having a good credit score is really important when you […]. The post What is a Good Credit Score: Getting The Highest Credit Scores appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.
Housing Wire
DECEMBER 16, 2020
The Federal Reserve left its overnight lending rate unchanged on Wednesday, and said it expects to keep interest rates low until labor market conditions and inflation hit the Federal Open Market Committee ‘s standards of maximum employment and inflation moderately exceeding 2% for some time. “Our guidance is outcome-based and is tied to progress toward reaching our employment and inflation goals.
Keeping Current Matters
DECEMBER 12, 2020
The post 2021 Market Forecast: What You Need to Plan for Success [LIVE WEBINAR] appeared first on Keeping Current Matters.
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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.
Better Dwelling
DECEMBER 14, 2020
Canadians didn’t see their debt problems improve nearly as much as previously thought. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows household debt to income made a big quarterly jump in Q3. The rise was accompanied by a substantial upward revision of the previous quarter. The ratio has now already retraced half of the drop it made […]. The post Canadian Household Debt To Income Surges, Previous Quarter Revised Higher appeared first on Better Dwelling.
Realty Biz
DECEMBER 14, 2020
Because of the coronavirus taking over the world by its feet, it has become evident that maintaining the distance is a must. Taking the safety precautions of staying 2 feet away from others and making sure that there is no public gathering is a new and fresh innovation for many businesses. Robot’s hand types on keyboard. 3D illustration. THE NEED FOR VIRTUAL ASSESSMENT.
Housing Wire
DECEMBER 15, 2020
New home purchases in November 2020 increased 34.7% from a year ago, but new home applications decreased from October, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association builder application survey. New home applications decreased 16% from October, said Joel Kan, MBA associate vice president of economic and industry forecasting. “November new home sales activity, both mortgage applications and home sales, ran at a pace considerably ahead of 2019, showing the ongoing strong growth in housing demand and
RIS Media
DECEMBER 18, 2020
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) recently held its second annual Real Estate Forecast Summit, featuring several economists, including NAR Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research Lawrence Yun. NAR President Charlie Oppler opened up the event, stating, “If you had told me that last year in 2019, we would finish the way we did and that in 2020, the housing markets would finish ahead of where we were, I would have been surprised.
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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.
Better Dwelling
DECEMBER 14, 2020
Canadian real estate prices just got another negative forecast from a Big Three credit rating agency. Fitch Ratings released its Global Housing Outlook this month, which contained a forecast for Canadian home prices. The firm generally sees home prices falling next year, as well as the delinquency rate nearly doubling. Canadian Real Estate Prices Forecasted […].
Realty Biz
DECEMBER 15, 2020
Wealthier Americans are upsizing their homes even though the economy struggles amid a never-ending COVID-19 pandemic. A report in Bloomberg last week revealed that demand for multi-million dollar homes is soaring, with prices rising faster than other segments of the real estate market. Applications for mortgages larger than $766,000 were up 59% year over year in September, the largest uptick among all price segments, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported.
Housing Wire
DECEMBER 18, 2020
Renting your home out on Airbnb can be a smart way to make some extra cash. In fact, it might even make homeownership more affordable. According to a study from Earnest, the average Airbnb host makes about $924 per month. Considering the median mortgage payment sits around $1,100, that’s a pretty big chunk of change to be bringing in. But buying an Airbnb property isn’t quite the same as buying a new home to live in.
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