Housing Wire

DECEMBER 20, 2021

Most of the time, the economy is like a slow-moving ocean liner that changes direction gradually and without much effort. But when a new, powerful variable presents itself, like the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the economy can change on a dime. COVID was a veritable iceberg for our ocean liner economy, but the ship did not go down! Even in the extreme conditions of COVID-19, my general premise on housing economics predicted that the two variables with the most influence — demographics and mortga

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Eye on Housing

DECEMBER 21, 2021

NAHB analysis of the Census Bureau’s quarterly tax data shows that $707.6 billion in taxes were paid by property owners in the four quarters ending Q3 2021 (not seasonally adjusted), a 0.5% quarterly decline.[1] Four-quarter property tax revenues had climbed 14.3% since decreasing 0.2% in Q2 2020. The decline in Q3 2021 was only the second such decrease since 2012.

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Sales 115

HomeLight

DECEMBER 22, 2021

You put your house on the market and expected it to sell fast — but boy were you wrong. You haven’t received any offers and showing requests have been few and far between. It’s frustrating to say the least, but you shouldn’t wait any longer to make some changes, especially if your home has been on the market more than a month. Generally, says Alisha Simpkins , a top-selling Chico, California, real estate agent, a home is “going to sell for the most amount of money in the first 30 days.”.

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Keeping Current Matters

DECEMBER 21, 2021

When you think of homeownership, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Chances are you might focus on the non-financial benefits , like the security or stability a home provides. But what about equity? While it can be overlooked, a homeowner’s equity helps build long-term wealth over time. Here’s a look at what equity is and why it matters. For a homeowner, your equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan.

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Housing Wire

DECEMBER 23, 2021

The average 30-year-fixed rate mortgage dropped to 3.05% during the week ending Dec. 23, after achieving 3.12% the week prior, according to the latest Freddie Mac PMMS Mortgage Survey. A year ago, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.66%. The 15-year-fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.30% last week, declining from 2.34% the week prior. A year ago at this time, it averaged 2.19%.

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Fixed-rate mortgage Mortgages Technology Closing 458

Better Dwelling

DECEMBER 21, 2021

Canadians often complain mortgage interest isn’t tax deductible, like in the US. Some argue this is a trade off for the capital gains exemption Canadian homeowners have. However, one of the worst kept secrets in finance is mortgage interest can be turned into a deduction. One of those strategies is the Smith Maneuver, created by […]. The post The Smith Maneuver: The Loophole Canadian Real Estate Owners Use To Lower Taxes appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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Finance Mortgages 144

Keeping Current Matters

DECEMBER 20, 2021

To succeed as a buyer in today’s market, it’s important to understand which market trends will have the greatest impact on your home search. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com , says there are two factors every buyer should keep their eyes on: “Going forward, the conditions buyers face are primarily dependent on two things: mortgage rates and housing supply. ”.

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Housing Wire

DECEMBER 20, 2021

DocMagic announced on Monday the rollout of eDecision , a fully automated platform that it said will significantly expand the level of analysis applied to e-eligibility determination for eClosings. The automated loan document preparation and eMortgage services provider claims the new platform delivers a clear-cut, highly accurate decision telling users exactly how far they can take their closing digitally based on the unique attributes of the loan transaction and the county-level eRecording acce

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Closing Loans Investor Title 450

Better Dwelling

DECEMBER 23, 2021

Canada quietly put real estate investors on notice, right before the holidays — probably hoping it slips under the radar. A newly re-elected Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) distributed mandate letters. These letters contain orders for the Minister to execute and are usually pretty dry. A big exception is the Minister of Housing’s mandate letter, […].

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Investor 143

Sotheby's International Real Estate

DECEMBER 18, 2021

Why go out for a nightcap when a custom-stocked private bar is steps away? From an Upper West Side townhouse to a San Francisco high-rise, these bars will inspire staying home and sipping in style. Mediterranean-Inspired Houston Hideaway. Houston, Texas | David Atkins & Jason Lee Villarreal, Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty . Tucked amid stately trees, this 9,922-square-foot Mediterranean-inspired home is a harmonious, satisfying retreat in Houston’s bucolic Tanglewood.

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Advertiser: Trellis

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.

Loans

Keeping Current Matters

DECEMBER 22, 2021

If you’re thinking of buying a home, you’re probably wondering what you need to save for your down payment.

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Housing Wire

DECEMBER 21, 2021

If you take the temperature of how loan officers are feeling ahead of the holiday season, the scale would likely read “uneasy.” They have good reason to feel anxious. Numerous shops, including Better.com , Interfirst Mortgage , and Freedom Mortgage have announced layoffs in the past few weeks, and some LOs worry their jobs may also be on the chopping block.

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Industrial Loan Officer Loans Mortgages 441

Better Dwelling

DECEMBER 24, 2021

Canadian households are some of the most indebted in the world, with payments to match. Bank for International Settlements (BIS) data shows household debt service ratio (DSR) in Q2 2021. The DSR is the share of disposable income used for debt repayment, in aggregate. Canadians spend more than a tenth of their income repaying this […]. The post Canadians Dedicate More Income To Debt Payments Than Any Other G7 Country appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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Banks 139

Realtor.com

DECEMBER 20, 2021

Getty Images Most would-be homebuyers start their journey by gathering a down payment. This money is crucial to snagging a mortgage and getting that much closer to homeownership. But when you’re shelling out for hefty rent each month, paying for utilities, and chipping away at a stack of bills on top of that, it can seem impossible to save up for a down payment on a house.

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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.

Sales

Keeping Current Matters

DECEMBER 23, 2021

It’s clear that owning a home makes financial sense.

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Housing Wire

DECEMBER 22, 2021

U.S. homeowners gained a whopping $9.1 trillion of housing value over the last year, according to a report published by Redfin this week. The report noted that home-price growth and a severe shortage of inventory worked in tandem to push housing values to record highs in 2021. As a result, the value of U.S. homes grew by 31.4% from last year to a total of $38.3 trillion in November, beating a 9.7% annual increase seen in November 2020.

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Better Dwelling

DECEMBER 22, 2021

Canadian and American real estate prices are both at frothy valuations, but look nothing alike. US Federal Reserve (The Fed) data shows home prices grew faster than incomes in Q2 2021 for both countries. The difference is, this has been a long-term trend for Canada since 2005. Meanwhile in the US, home prices have only […]. The post Canada’s Gap Between Real Estate Prices and Incomes Looks Ridiculous Beside US Data appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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Sotheby's International Real Estate

DECEMBER 20, 2021

Sotheby’s International Realty today announced that Steiger & Cie Sotheby’s International Realty has joined the network. The addition marks the brand’s continued growth in Europe and marks nearly 200 affiliated offices in the EMEIA region. The firm, led by Florian Steiger in partnership with Oliver Herweg and Nicholas Koch, will operate in Verbier, Crans-Montana, and Zermatt, Switzerland.

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Branding 134

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.

Agents

Realtor.com

DECEMBER 20, 2021

Getty Images If you’re in the market to buy a home—or on the fence about whether to dive into the housing market right now—here’s what reports and interviews from economists and analysts predict will happen in 2022. Mortgage rates will rise. Right now, we’re still facing mortgage rates near historic lows—some 30-year rates are still near 3% and some 15-year rates near 2% —but pros do predict a rise.

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Marketing Mortgages Sales As-is 133

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 23, 2021

The delinquency landscape continues to improve on a monthly basis, with the total delinquency rate in the nation falling to 3.59% in November, according to Black Knight ’s November mortgage monitor published this week. In October, the analytics vendor clocked the national delinquency rate at 3.74%. The 15-basis point improvement continues to point to the effectiveness of initiatives taken by policy makers and industry participants over the pandemic period to help borrowers stay in their homes.

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Mortgages VA loan Loans Industrial 419

Better Dwelling

DECEMBER 21, 2021

Canadians tapped a lot more equity than their home equity line of credit (HELOC) balances show. Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) filings show loans secured by homes jumped in October. HELOC debt is the most common type of loan secured by homes, but represents just a small share of the debt. Homeowners […]. The post Canadian Home Equity Has Been Used To Secure 69% More Debt Than HELOCs Show appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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Equity Loans Mortgages 131

Sotheby's International Real Estate

DECEMBER 23, 2021

Malibu, California | Shen Schulz, Sotheby’s International Realty – Malibu Brokerage. A home is meant for hosting, and whether curating an intimate party or planning a larger affair, having your own bar is a luxury that elevates the art of entertaining. And with bars as elegant as the ones found in these superb five residences, why go out when you could stay in and celebrate by sipping from the comfort of home?

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Brokerage As-is 132

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.

Agents

Jason Fox

DECEMBER 22, 2021

How to Streamline Your Real Estate Social Media Content Creation. Looking to sell property, generate leads, or build trust in your community? Social media is crucial to getting your message out. Social networks are an important social and cultural institution of the modern world. Their rapid growth in popularity and usefulness since the early 2000s has made them part of our everyday experience.

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Housing Wire

DECEMBER 22, 2021

Just days after announcing its acquisition of Michigan-based Devon Title Agency , Stewart Title is back at it, announcing its acquisition of Greater Illinois Title Co. and subsidiaries on Tuesday. Chicago-based GITC is the largest title company in Illinois. Its subsidiaries include Greater Indiana Title , GIT Michigan , Greater Wisconsin Title , Greater Missouri Title and GIT Florida Title Services.

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Better Dwelling

DECEMBER 22, 2021

Canada is known around the world as a place with solid institutions and low levels of corruption. Apparently that claim is made with little data, since few people have ever seen it. The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) outlined their recent experience in a blog post. They were hoping BC’s money laundering reports […].

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As-is 128

Sotheby's International Real Estate

DECEMBER 22, 2021

This prestigious two-level villa in Tahiti was designed by a renowned architect and recently completed. It offers panoramic view on Moorea, from the heights of Miri. ??. Tahiti, French Polynesia | Natacha Vongue & Claire Zidou, French Polynesia Sotheby’s International Realty. On the first floor, there are two large bright bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms, one terrace, one entrance hall and one covered garage for two cars.

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Design 129

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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.

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Realtor.com

DECEMBER 24, 2021

Getty Images You don’t have to compromise on luxury to incorporate your pets into living room designs. While animals and upholstery don’t typically mix, some heavy performance materials and tricks to camouflage the dog bowl and chew toys can ensure your living space is pet-friendly and stylish. Wool and crypton take sofas from scratching pads to durable living room anchors, wicker baskets hide unwanted odds and ends, and a built-in furniture drawer conceals pet food.

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Housing Wire

DECEMBER 24, 2021

Last week’s announcement from the Department of Housing and Urban Development cleared the way for lenders to adopt targeted lending programs, but so far, they are treading carefully. The pronouncement was more than 40 years coming, and arrived after both the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Housing Finance Agency had publicly weighed in on the issue.

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Eye on Housing

DECEMBER 22, 2021

The latest Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) weekly application surveys shows a decline for refinancing and an increase for mortgage purchase loans. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate increased, averaging close to 3.3 percent for the month and was 3.27 percent for the week ending December 17.

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Better Dwelling

DECEMBER 23, 2021

Canadian real estate prices show no sign of slowing down, even going into the winter. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), prices jumped by tens of thousands in November. Not in one or two extraordinary markets either, but right across the country. Home prices have increased well over six figures since last year. […]. The post Canada’s Top 3 Real Estate Markets For Price Growth Each Climbed Over $250k appeared first on Better Dwelling.

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Marketing 121

Speaker: Ari Capogeannis, Director - Revenue Marketing at NVIDIA and Bill Pappa, Sales and Marketing Leader at Ai Media Group

Building strong personal and professional relationships with clients is a critical success factor. Sales professionals who focus on relationship building generate more leads and raise their brand awareness. Because this can take time, having regular engagements can help you cultivate these relationships more efficiently. The most effective way to accomplish this is through direct hyper-personalized touchpoints.

Sales