Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

New home sales in 2021 picked up right where they left off in 2020, near their highest levels in more than a decade thanks to low inventory. The state of the market means increased competition among homebuilders, who are grappling with how to keep prices affordable as their own costs rise. Sales of new single-family houses in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 923,000 — 4.3% above December’s rate, and a whopping 19.3% higher than original estimates by the U.S.

Marketing 536

Marketing Development Sales Mortgages 536

Keeping Current Matters

FEBRUARY 22, 2021

In today’s housing market, it seems harder than ever to find a home to buy. Before the health crisis hit us a year ago, there was already a shortage of homes for sale. When many homeowners delayed their plans to sell at the same time that more buyers aimed to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates and purchase a home, housing inventory dropped even further.

Sales 338

Sales Marketing As-is Mortgages 338

Lighter Side of Real Estate

FEBRUARY 26, 2021

There’s no denying that low inventory and increasing prices have presented challenges for buyers in today’s market—and that includes first-time buyers. But the market also offers a slew of benefits for first-time buyers—and many have had a positive experience buying a home in recent months. A recent survey from realtor.com asked over 1000 recent and prospective first-time buyers about their experience buying a home in today’s market—and much of the news was good.

Marketing 145

Marketing Mortgages 145

Better Dwelling

FEBRUARY 26, 2021

Canada’s government bond market is seeing yields surge, and it’s going to be felt in real estate. The Government of Canada‘s (GoC) 5-Year benchmark bond yield jumped yesterday. We know, we already covered rising yields just a few days ago. I promise this is kind of a big deal, and I’m not just harping on […]. The post Canadian Bond Yields Soar, And It May Be A Drag On The Spring Real Estate Market appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Marketing 145

Marketing Mortgages 145

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

Technology

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Borrowers with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may be eligible for an additional forbearance extension of up to six months, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Thursday. On Feb. 9, the FHFA extended forbearance plans an additional three months past beyond their initial 12 month expiration. With the latest edict, the agency is now allowing borrowers up to 18 months of coverage.

Real-estate owned 517

Real-estate owned Mortgages Finance Loans 517

Lighter Side of Real Estate

FEBRUARY 26, 2021

The process of buying a home can be exciting, complicated, and a bit scary. A home is usually a person’s biggest investment, and the process of choosing the right one—then packing up and moving—can be overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time. There are many thoughts that go through a person’s head when they’re shopping for real estate. Some of the things we think about are price, location, and the effect that moving will have on our lives, our careers, and our children’s well-being.

Renovation 145

Renovation Agents As-is 145

Better Dwelling

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Canada’s central bank isn’t really that worried about real estate, it appears. Bank of Canada (BoC) governor Tiff Macklem held a Q&A after a speech for the Edmonton and Calgary Chambers of Commerce yesterday. During the Q&A, the governor dismissed concerns about an overheated housing market. In fact, he welcomed its contribution to the economy […].

Banks 145

Banks Marketing Mortgages 145

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Extreme increases in lumber prices have caused some people to go bearish on new home sales. Not this one! If we play a version of rock, paper, and scissors with lumber prices and mortgage rates, mortgage rates will win. Mortgage rates have a much more significant influence on the new home sales market than lumber prices, even at their current highs.

Sales 508

Sales Mortgages Development As-is 508

Keeping Current Matters

FEBRUARY 23, 2021

We’re currently experiencing historically low mortgage rates. Over the last fifty years, the average on a Freddie Mac 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has been 7.76%. Today, that rate is 2.81%. Flocks of homebuyers have been taking advantage of these remarkably low rates over the last twelve months. However, there’s no guarantee rates will remain this low much longer.

Mortgages 329

Mortgages Fixed-rate mortgage Principal Loans 329

Advertisement

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.

Development

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

FEBRUARY 20, 2021

What to Know About Waterfront Homes For Sale Are you looking into buying a waterfront home for sale? Waterfront homes are naturally appealing to buyers. Who wouldn’t want to live right on the water? Although waterfront homes are of interest to most buyers, not many people know the particular risks and issues that can arise […]. The post Waterfront Homes For Sale: What to Ask When Buying Waterfront Property appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

Sales 144

Sales 144

Better Dwelling

FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Risk models from Canada’s largest bank shows a wider range of uncertainty for real estate. RBC’s latest models, shared with analysts this week, shows a general forecasted improvement. The downside hasn’t changed much, indicating a little more uncertainty. They also shared they are considering two new and “more severe” scenarios for energy and real estate. […].

Banks 145

Banks 145

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 26, 2021

In Mississippi, single women on average paid 3.47% on a 30-year, conventional fixed-rate mortgage in 2019. But single men on average paid 3.37%, according to the latest HMDA data available. Over the lifespan of the mortgage, the single woman in this instance will have roughly $7,000 more in mortgage payments than the single man. Patrick Boyaggi, CEO and founder of Massachusetts-based lending startup OwnUp , says this issue hasn’t drawn enough attention in the mortgage space.

Mortgages 504

Mortgages Lending Fixed-rate mortgage Loans 504

Keeping Current Matters

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

The housing market has been scorching hot over the last twelve months. Buyers and their high demand have far outnumbered sellers and a short supply of houses. According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), sales are up 23.7% from the same time last year while the inventory of homes available for sale is down 25.7%.

Pre-approval 328

Pre-approval Construction Equity Sales 328

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.

Industrial

Realtor.com

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Getty Images,Bootzilla/Anna Erastova Whether you’re a professional-level home cook or a take-out fanatic who uses the oven to store shoes, the design and function of your kitchen is very important. No matter its square footage or number of built-in features, the kitchen plays a big part in how you live at home. That’s why time spent beautifying your kitchen is always time well-spent—especially if you plan on selling your home someday.

Renovation 143

Renovation Design Principal As-is 143

Better Dwelling

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Canada’s population growth may have slowed, but new home completions are still moving at a breakneck speed. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) data shows developers delivered over 50,000 new homes in Q4 2020. The number of new homes began outpacing population growth in the prior quarter. The ratio went parabolic in the latest numbers […].

Development 145

Development Mortgages New Construction Construction 145

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 23, 2021

We may never again see a year like 2020. That’s somewhat somber news for the lenders who benefited from a series of downright strange conditions to generate more refi business than anyone in March could have imagined. Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reported that refis made up about 70% of their mortgage activity in 2020, and, driven by weeks upon weeks of record low mortgage rates, refis accounted for 51% of all the volume LO’s funded in Q4, soaring 158% from the same period in 2019.

Mortgages 504

Mortgages Loans As-is Marketing 504

Realty Biz

FEBRUARY 20, 2021

Contingencies in Real Estate Explained. Do you know what a real estate contingency is and how it works? Real Estate contingencies are when some defined action or outcome must occur before a contract becomes legal and binding. From a buyer’s perspective, a real estate contingency is an escape clause that can be used under defined circumstances.

Purchase and sale agreement 137

Purchase and sale agreement Earnest money deposit Inspection contingency Home sale contingency 137

Advertisement

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.

Agents

Realtor.com

FEBRUARY 26, 2021

designer491 / Getty Images With tax season upon us, it seems like a good time to check what homeowners pay in property taxes —and a new survey confirms that where you live makes a huge difference in how much you’ll have to cough up. According to researchers at WalletHub , which analyzed tax data on all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the average American household pays $2,471 on real estate property taxes.

As-is 136

As-is Mortgages Sales Finance 136

Better Dwelling

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Canada is searching for inflation, but the whole index gets a massive boost by removing mortgage interest. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) consumer price index (CPI) made a slow increase in January. However, if one were to exclude falling mortgage interest rates, inflation jumps by almost a third. Canada’s CPI Is 1% Higher Than Last Year […]. The post Removing Mortgage Interest From Canada’s CPI Makes Inflation 30% Higher appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Mortgages 145

Mortgages 145

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 25, 2021

The average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan is now just 3 basis points away from 3%, after a 16 basis point jump last week pushed mortgage rates to 2.97%, according to Freddie Mac ’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. The average mortgage rate hasn’t risen this high since the end of July 2020, but Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, noted higher rates signals an economy slowly regaining its footing.

Mortgages 473

Mortgages Lending Loans Sales 473

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

What is Home Insurance? Do you know what home insurance is and how it works? The idea of homeowners insurance might seem simple, but it can be easily misunderstood. We’ll be taking a look at everything you need to know about home insurance. Homeowners insurance is a way of covering you against loss or damage […]. The post Home Insurance: What to Know About Homeowners Insurance appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

134

134

Advertisement

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

Realtor.com

FEBRUARY 23, 2021

HGTV “Home Town” stars Erin and Ben Napier know that sometimes a little goes a long way. In fact, that’s how they approach the renovation of their latest midcentury build. They want to modernize it, but not too much. On the Season 5 episode “Closer to Mom,” the Napiers meet Brach and Ashley Robinson. These two live in New Orleans but started shopping for a home in Laurel, MS, so that they’d have a comfortable place to stay when they visit Ashley’s mom.

Design 134

Design Renovation 134

Better Dwelling

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

New Zealand’s central bank will consider the impact of monetary policy on housing. Not just to preserve home prices either, but to consider affordability. The New Zealand Government‘s latest remit goes live on March 1. After which, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) needs to explain regularly how it seeks to assist with affordability. […].

Banks 143

Banks 143

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 22, 2021

During breaks in nearly every televised basketball game, it’s there: Tracy Morgan imploring pensive homebuyers “pretty sure” is not enough, and that they can only be certain about their giant life choice with Rocket Mortgage. “Find the right mortgage with a local broker and Rocket technology,” intoned the narrator on the commercials, which premiered during the Super Bowl.

Loan Officer 473

Loan Officer Commercial Banks Mortgages 473

Eye on Housing

FEBRUARY 22, 2021

Building materials prices topped the list of problems builders faced in 2020 and is expected to return to the number one spot in 2021, according to special questions on the December 2020 survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. The survey results showed that building materials was a significant issue for 96% of builders last year.

Marketing 132

Marketing 132

Advertisement

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.

Brokerage

Realtor.com

FEBRUARY 26, 2021

Rene Scott/Houzz If you’re anything like us, you’ve looked around your home more than a few times over the past year and wished you could hire a designer to instantly elevate your space. But alas, for whatever reason—you don’t have the budget, or you’re lying low during the COVID-19 pandemic—professional design help just isn’t in the cards right now.

Design 131

Design Lending As-is Industrial 131

Better Dwelling

FEBRUARY 22, 2021

Canadian home buyers may be looking at higher mortgage rates sooner than expected. At least if they want to lock in their mortgage interest rate. The 5-year Government of Canada (GoC) benchmark bond yields in February, are almost double last year’s lows. Since 5-year fixed mortgages are influenced by these rates, they are likely to […]. The post Canadian Mortgage Rates Most Likely To Climb, Despite Low Overnight Rate appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Mortgages 140

Mortgages 140

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

For the first time since March 2020, the national mortgage delinquency rate fell below 6% to 5.9% in January, according to data from Black Knight on Wednesday. At the current rate of improvement, the data giant estimates 2.1 million borrowers remain 90 or more days past due though are not yet in foreclosure. While modest mortgage delinquency improvements have occurred for several months, loans considered seriously delinquent are still five times that of pre-pandemic levels.

Mortgages 458

Mortgages Equity Loans Development 458