Sat.Jun 19, 2021 - Fri.Jun 25, 2021

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FHFA Director Mark Calabria must go

Housing Wire

Mark Calabria, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency , must go. He is slowly but surely undermining the system he has been charged to oversee, imposing his ideological will on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in a way that will leave them weaker, and the housing finance system that depends on them increasingly unable to meet the critical housing needs of the nation.

Finance 545
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Pre-Approval Makes All the Difference When Buying a Home

Keeping Current Matters

You may have been told that it’s important to get pre-approved at the beginning of the homebuying process, but what does that really mean, and why is it so important? Especially in today’s market , with rising home prices and high buyer competition, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your budget so you stand out to sellers as a serious homebuyer.

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6 Signs It’s Time to Upsize Your Home

Lighter Side of Real Estate

It’s easy to get used to the space you live in; you sort of work with what you’ve got. But after a while, something’s gotta give! If you find yourself nodding at any of the signs below, it’s probably time to find yourself a bigger abode! 1. You use your Peloton as a coat rack. Listen, we all have ambitious fitness goals, but let’s put those coats in your brand new walk-in closet and get you on that exercise equipment!

Branding 145
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Buyers Insist on Both a Shower & Tub in the Primary Bath

Eye on Housing

Last Thursday’s post reported on home buyer preferences for kitchen features, from NAHB’s recent study What Home Buyers Really Want, 2021 Edition. That study also asked the same panel of 3,247 recent and prospective home buyers to rate 18 bathroom features on the same four tier scale: Results show that bathrooms, especially the home’s primary bathroom, tend to be very.

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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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What builders see in a deeply unhealthy housing market

Housing Wire

The big news from the U.S. Census Bureau’s May new home sales report is that sales inventory has increased to 5.1 months, which brings the three-month average to 4.63 months. That begins to change the equation for some homebuilders, who were absolutely thriving in an ultra-low-inventory housing market environment. . As a reminder, when the three-month average for inventory is 4.3 months or lower, builders have the confidence to continue to build.

Marketing 525

More Trending

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The Canadian Property Bubble Is Now The Second Biggest In The World: Bloomberg

Better Dwelling

The Canadian property bubble is now receiving some international attention. Bloomberg Economics ranked housing bubbles across the OECD. Second on that list is Canada, which came in just a few points under New Zealand, the king of froth. Global Property Bubbles Are Synchronizing Countries that made headlines for frothy home prices recently, were the largest […].

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13 Tips on How to Win a Bidding War When Buying a House

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

Best Tips for Coming Out on Top in a Bidding War How do you win when there are multiple offers on the home you love? Winning a bidding war on a house isn’t always easy. If you are planning to buy a home, you may find that out quickly. When making a home purchase now, […]. The post 13 Tips on How to Win a Bidding War When Buying a House appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

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Mortgage rates jump back up to 3.02%

Housing Wire

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose nine basis points from the week prior to 3.02%, according to data released Thursday by Freddie Mac ‘s PMMS. This is the first time in 10 weeks mortgage rates have risen above 3%. “As the economy progresses and inflation remains elevated, we expect that rates will continue to gradually rise in the second half of the year,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “For those homeowners who have not yet refinanced – and there rem

Mortgages 479
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Homebuyers: Hang in There [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Some Highlights. Today’s sellers’ market provides unique challenges —and benefits—for buyers. Current low interest rates won’t last forever, and home prices are forecast to rise. If you’re a homebuyer, hang in there. Homeownership improves your quality of life , and the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term challenges. The post Homebuyers: Hang in There [INFOGRAPHIC] appeared first on Keeping Current Matters.

Marketing 321
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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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Dianne Feinstein’s $41M Tahoe Compound Up for Sale

Realtor.com

Alex Wong/Getty Images. A rustic retreat in California’s vacation mecca of Lake Tahoe linked to Sen. Dianne Feinstein and her investment banker husband, Richard C. Blum , has surfaced on the market for $41 million. The property is owned by an LLC tied to Blum’s investment management firm, Blum Capital. The waterfront compound briefly tested the market in October 2020 with a $46 million asking price.

Sales 145
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What to Know About Buying a House Before Selling Yours

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

Should You Buy A House Before Selling The One You Own? Are you wondering how to buy a house before selling your current house? You are not alone, as many folks wonder how to accomplish this feat. Buying a new home before selling an existing property you own is one of those real estate topics […]. The post What to Know About Buying a House Before Selling Yours appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

As-is 141
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Hundreds of Seattle homes selling for $300K over asking

Housing Wire

An astonishing 580 homes in the Seattle metro area have sold for $300,000 or more above their asking prices in 2021. That’s compared to only 16 homes during the same period in 2020. And that’s just the high end, according to the latest analysis from Redfin. The brokerage/listings portal said 4,078 homes in Seattle have sold for between $100,000 and $299,999 above asking price, compared with 362 last year.

Agents 466
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Homeowner Wealth Increases Through Growing Equity This Year

Keeping Current Matters

Building financial wealth and stability remains one of the top reasons Americans choose to own a home, and as a homeowner, your wealth often grows without you even realizing it. In a recent paper published by the Urban Institute, Home Ownership is Affordable Housing , author Mike Loftin illustrates how homeowners increase their equity and their wealth simply by making monthly mortgage payments: “The principal portion that reduces the loan balance builds the homeowner’s equity.

Equity 315
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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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Surf and … Save? The 10 Most Affordable Beach Towns for Homebuyers, 2021

Realtor.com

Getty Images Has owning your own piece of beachfront real estate ever seemed more appealing? Even during this so-called Hot Vax Summer , in which Americans are contemplating what post-pandemic fantasies to put into real-world action—packed ballgames! epic barbecues! debauched hookups!—the idea of owning property in a nice beach town stands alone. Sure, traveling the world after a year-and-a-half lockdown sounds awfully sweet.

Land 145
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Lumber Prices Have Crashed Over 45%, Dropping A Point Per Day On Average

Better Dwelling

Weak home sales and generally slowing demand have sent lumber prices into a tailspin. The price for the commodity shed another 7 points over the past 7 days. Lumber is now trading at almost half the cost it was 45 days ago, at the record high. Even with that kind of haircut, experts see prices […]. The post Lumber Prices Have Crashed Over 45%, Dropping A Point Per Day On Average appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Sales 139
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Existing home sales: Unhealthy housing market continues

Housing Wire

Almost three months ago, I wrote that based on the year-over-year growth in purchase applications, the housing market should have a few existing home sales under 5,840,000. At the time, I said: “The rule of thumb I am using for 2021 is that existing home sales, if they’re doing good, should be trending between 5,840,000- 6,200,000. This, to me, would be considered a good year for housing.

Sales 458
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Demand for Vacation Homes Is Still Strong

Keeping Current Matters

The pandemic created a tremendous interest in vacation homes across the country. Throughout the last year, many people purchased second homes as a safe getaway from the challenges of the health crisis. With many professionals working from home and many students taking classes remotely, it made sense to see a migration away from cities and into counties with more vacation destinations.

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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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Can’t Get a Pool This Summer? Beat the Heat With These 6 Creative Alternatives

Realtor.com

Getty Images. Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water—you can’t! Yup, a perfect storm has converged right when homeowners were hoping to open up (or install) a pool in their backyards this season. Since the COVID-19 lockdown forced folks to stick close to home, the desire for pools has skyrocketed. That’s created a dearth of pool-building materials and contractors who can put one in.

As-is 144
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Canadian New Home Prices Are Rising At The Fastest Rate Since 2006

Better Dwelling

Canadian new home prices are on a tear, as high demand meets higher material costs. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows new home prices advanced sharply in May. The annual rate of price growth is now at the highest level since 2006. That makes it one of the fastest annual rates of growth in history. […]. The post Canadian New Home Prices Are Rising At The Fastest Rate Since 2006 appeared first on Better Dwelling.

As-is 136
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New home sales fall to lowest pace in a year

Housing Wire

Sales of newly built , single-family homes fell to the lowest pace in a year, down 5.9% in May to a 769,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate, according to data released Wednesday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. Regionally, new home sales rose in two of the four regions in May. Sales grew 33% in the Northeast, 6.7% in the West, were flat in the Midwest, and down 14.5% in the South.

Sales 450
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From Yoga to Barre | 5 Inspiring Spaces for All Your At-Home Workouts

Sotheby's International Real Estate

The past year has called for adaptation, and we’ve seen the ripple effects in how and where we do our fitness routines. The home gym or workout area is now just as ubiquitous as the home office, and for good reason. The ability to cater your workout space to your own fitness needs—whether your practice includes yoga, online bootcamps, or elliptical training—allows for a better work-life balance, leading to more flexibility in your day.

As-is 135
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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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The Housing Market Shows Signs of Softening—Has It Topped Out?

Realtor.com

Getty Images. For many months now, it’s seemed like nothing could slow down the American housing market. But wait! The tide may be beginning to turn—even if just a little. Over the past few weeks, the rate of price growth has begun to slow and fewer buyers are seeking mortgages to purchase homes. The competition for available homes, while still formidable, may not be quite as intense as it’s been.

Marketing 141
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Canadian Mortgage Debt Hits $1.69 Trillion, Fastest Rate of Growth Since 2010

Better Dwelling

Canada is experiencing a real estate boom, and it’s fueled by a flood of cheap mortgage debt. Bank of Canada (BoC) data shows mortgage credit reached a record high in April. That’s no longer a surprise since it’s a regular occurrence, but the rate of growth is noteworthy. Canadians added the equivalent of 6% of […]. The post Canadian Mortgage Debt Hits $1.69 Trillion, Fastest Rate of Growth Since 2010 appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Mortgages 136
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Is this housing market affordable for the average shopper?

Housing Wire

Crazy. Horrible. Grueling. These are the words real estate agents use when asked to describe the current state of the market and what it’s like to buy a home today. Buyers are facing unprecedented challenges, they say, due to a confluence of housing market conditions: Pricing. Redfin reported earlier this month that the national median home-sale price hit a record high of $377,200 in May, up a record 26% year over year.

Marketing 450
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How To Invest In Real Estate With Little Or No Money?

Marco Santarelli

In this article, we'll go over the 10 best strategies for investing in real estate without a lot of money or experience. You will gain some insight into how to begin investing in real estate without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars. Investing in real estate refers to any property owned solely for the purpose of generating profit, either through rental income or through market value appreciation.

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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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Lessons From Listing Photos: This Modernized Arizona Abode Pulled In a Hefty Profit

Realtor.com

Realtor.com; Getty Images It doesn’t matter how perfect your home is—if your listing photos don’t stand out, potential buyers won’t come by to take a look. In our series “ Lessons From Listing Photos ,” we dissect the smart updates sellers have made to their homes, and how their listing pictures highlight the home’s best assets. It’s been said there’s no perfect time to sell a home, but anyone who’s remotely familiar with the housing market in 2021 may beg to differ.

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Canadian Real Estate Markets Are Seeing A Big Shift, As Buyers Drop Faster Than Sellers

Better Dwelling

Canadian real estate markets are seeing a shift from peak activity earlier this year. Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) data shows the sales to new listings ratio (SNLR) fell in May. This is the fourth consecutive month the ratio has fallen since reaching a peak in January. While the SNLR is still high, buyers are […]. The post Canadian Real Estate Markets Are Seeing A Big Shift, As Buyers Drop Faster Than Sellers appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Marketing 133
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iBuying rebounds in Q1, up 20% from end of 2020

Housing Wire

iBuying appears to be back, after the nation’s top iBuying companies purchased 4,383 homes in the first quarter of 2021 — up 20.6% from the prior quarter. Per a recent report from Redfin , the typical iBuyer-owned home found a buyer after 13 days on the market — the quickest pace since at least 2015, when Redfin began recording iBuyer data. The top quarter of iBuyer activity remains the third quarter of 2019 when, according to Redfin, 8,310 homes were bought via iBuyers.