Sat.Jan 16, 2021 - Fri.Jan 22, 2021

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Prepare for the rise in mortgage rates

Housing Wire

As the calendar flipped to 2021, it didn’t take long for the rise in mortgage rates. Just two weeks into the new year, Freddie Mac reported that mortgage rates climbed 14 basis points to 2.79% , a dramatic contrast to 2020, a year in which mortgage rates set record lows 16 times. Economists across the housing industry believe the era of extreme low rates could be coming to a close, but the transition might be a slow burn.

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Owning a Home Is Still More Affordable Than Renting One

Keeping Current Matters

If spending more time at home over the past year is making you really think hard about buying a home instead of renting one, you’re not alone. You may be wondering, however, if the dollars and cents add up in your favor as home prices continue to rise. According to the experts, in many cases, it’s still more affordable to buy a home than rent one. Here’s why.

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6 Coronavirus-Friendly Home Upgrades That Cost Less Than $10K—and Will Bring In Offers

Realtor.com

irina88w/Getty Images Getting a home improvement project to pay off is notoriously tricky. There’s no guarantee you’ll recoup the money you pour into a bathroom remodel or an outdoor kitchen. Plus, the COVID-19 pandemic has made completing even minor projects more difficult, as many nonessential construction projects have been halted. And while it might seem crazy to take on a big-ticket project in a time of economic uncertainty, many home buyers are still looking for turnkey propert

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What to Know About Inheriting A Property

Homes.com

You just inherited a property from a relative’s or friend’s estate – now what? While receiving a real estate gift may sound appealing, there are several things to know (and do!) if you find yourself heir to real estate property. The post What to Know About Inheriting A Property appeared first on Homes.com.

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3 Real Estate Office Hacks to Help Kickstart the Busy Season

Ready to better your Back Office? Dive into the secrets to a powerhouse back office with Brokermint expert, Jessica Souza. In this free download, she shares her 3 transformative hacks designed to clean house, get everyone on the same page, and set yourself up for success. From optimizing agent profiles to ensuring flawless transactions and boosting agent retention, these strategies are your ticket to a seamless operation.

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Need a real estate agent? Here’s how to pick the right one

Housing Wire

Let’s face it, if you’re a first-time homebuyer, you have a lot of questions about the home-buying process. That’s what real estate agents are here for. Almost 90% of buyers recently used a real estate agent or broker to purchase their home, according to the National Association of Realtors. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or this is your fifth house, it’s a good idea to use an agent to ensure you make a smart decision. .

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7 Winter Home Maintenance Tasks That Will Save You Money (and Your Sanity)

Realtor.com

Antema/Getty Images The long, dark days of winter are upon us, and with COVID-19 still keeping us closer to home, we’re keenly aware of all the maintenance tasks we’ve put off or let slip through the cracks. And we hate to break it to you, but it’s time to get to work. We know you’re wondering if you can get out of this. Must you really hit pause on your “Bridgerton” binge session and do, ugh, chores ?

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What is PMI: How to Get Rid of Private Mortgage Insurance

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

How to End Paying Private Mortgage Insurance What is PMI? Great question, right? Many people, especially first time home buyers, hear the term PMI and have no idea what it means. You will see the definition of PMI in a moment and, more importantly, how to terminate it. One of the things that many homeowners […]. The post What is PMI: How to Get Rid of Private Mortgage Insurance appeared first on Massachusetts Real Estate Exposure.

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Three reasons there won’t be a 2021 housing market crash

Housing Wire

2020 came, and with it COVID-19. Five weeks into the crisis, demand in the U.S. housing market bottomed and then after about nine weeks, began to climb again, with purchase applications making a full V-shaped recovery by early June. The housing bubble boys had those five glorious weeks when it finally looked like the market would succumb to their dire predictions of a housing crash.

Marketing 545
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Should I Wait for Lower Mortgage Interest Rates?

Keeping Current Matters

Historically low mortgage rates are a big motivator for homebuyers right now. In 2020 alone, rates hit new record-lows 16 times, and the trend continued into the early part of this year. Many hopeful homebuyers are now wondering if they should put their plans on hold and wait for the lowest rates imaginable. However, the reality is, acting sooner rather than later may be the actual win if you’re ready to buy a home.

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Need Curated Pre-foreclosure Lists to Generate New Real Estate Leads? Trellis Has the Data!

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.

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5 Signs You Are Ready To Be a Homeowner (That Have Nothing To Do With Money)

Realtor.com

AleksandarNakic/Getty Images There comes a time in renters’ lives when they ask the age-old question: Should I become a homeowner? Obviously, finances have a lot to do with the decision whether to rent vs. buy. But there’s more to it than just credit ratings and cash reserves—homeownership is a lifestyle change that you have to be willing to take on.

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Money-Saving Home Improvements Tips

Realty Biz

When you are getting ready to sell your home, some home improvements can help you find a buyer. While you could spend thousands on renovations, it doesn’t guarantee prospective buyers will like the changes you’ve made or that you will recoup your investment. However, there are some money-saving improvements you can make that aren’t going to break the bank, and should improve your chances of selling quickly and for more.

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Mortgage rates hold steady at 2.77%

Housing Wire

The average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan fell two basis points last week to 2.77%, according to Freddie Mac ’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Now 12 basis points above the record low set Jan. 7 , rates more closely resemble those seen over two months ago. The 15-year fixed mortgage rate also shifted downward to 2.21 from 2.23 the week prior.

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Financial Fundamentals for Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Some Highlights. When you’re thinking about buying a home, there are a few key steps to take before you even start to look at houses. From saving for your down payment to getting pre-approved for a mortgage, you’ll want to make sure you keep your financial plan on track from the beginning. Reach out to a local real estate professional and a trusted lender today to make sure you have the best possible guidance as you begin your homebuying process.

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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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6 Ridiculously Easy Organizing Resolutions You Can Actually Stick to This Year

Realtor.com

mmpile/Getty Images If your relationship with New Year’s resolutions is anything like ours, then things tend to fall by the wayside right about—well, now. Mid-January has been statistically proven to be the time when all those well-intentioned goals get left behind and replaced with well-worn habits of years past. So if getting organized was one of your resolutions in 2021, there’s a good chance you’ve thrown in the towel and are already starting to see the clutter pile up.

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What Recession? Canadian Real Estate Sales Grow At Fastest Rate Since 2010

Better Dwelling

Canadian real estate sales are soaring, shattering quite a few records. Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) data shows another monthly record in December. The annual rate of growth was also the highest rate since just after the Great Recession. The trend of higher growth is most likely going to last at least another six months. […]. The post What Recession?

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United Wholesale Mortgage makes public debut

Housing Wire

After ringing the bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Friday morning, Mat Ishbia’s United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) is a publicly traded company. UWM, the second-largest mortgage originator in America , debuted trading at $11.95. By 10:45 a.m. EST, it was trading at $11.65. UWM’s entrance to the public markets caps a wild six months for independent mortgage banks across America, in which a dozen large or mid-sized mortgage firms revealed plans to go public.

Mortgages 513
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What Experts Are Saying about the 2021 Job Market

Keeping Current Matters

Earlier this month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their most recent Jobs Report. The report revealed that the economy lost 140,000 jobs in December. That’s a devastating number and dramatically impacts those households that lost a source of income. However, we need to give it some context. Greg Ip, Chief Economics Commentator at the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), explains : “The economy is probably not slipping back into recession.

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Maximizing Your Online Presence: Tips for Real Estate Agents on Social Media

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.

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What REALLY Happens to HGTV Dream Home Winners?

Homes.com

Winning the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway sounds perfect, right? Not so fast.If history is any indication, it turns out that dream may actually be more of a nightmare! (Photo source: hgtv.com). The post What REALLY Happens to HGTV Dream Home Winners? appeared first on Homes.com.

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Canadian Real Estate Prices Grew Over 25x Faster Than U.S. Prices Since 2005

Better Dwelling

Canadian real estate prices are growing to comical levels, as bad policy stacks up. U.S Federal Reserve data shows real adjusted home prices increased at double the pace of the U.S in Q3 2020. As big as the gain is, it’s one of many times Canadian real estate prices have outperformed the U.S. home prices. […]. The post Canadian Real Estate Prices Grew Over 25x Faster Than U.S.

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Mortgage underwriting challenges in the pandemic

Housing Wire

In December, AmTrust Title Insurance Company announced the hiring of seasoned underwriter Mary Shelley as its midwest region agency underwriter. We took the opportunity to talk to Shelley, who has 35 years experience in the field, about the challenges underwriters have faced during this pandemic period. “The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a lack of access to information and official processes at all levels of government,” Shelley said. “Patience and perseverance were the challen

Mortgages 507
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How To Grow Microgreens at Home for Fresh Sprouts All Winter Long

Realtor.com

Viktoriia Hnatiuk / Getty Images That verdant, tangled nest atop your avocado toast looks adorable and tastes like springtime itself. But if you think the only way to satisfy your yummy microgreen fix is to hit up the local hipster cafe or via delivery, guess again. Growing your own tiny shoots at home doesn’t require a green thumb at all. In fact, this gardening project is as fast and easy as it gets.

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Rise of The Apps: Building Your Dream Tech Stack For Real Estate Success

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.

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Existing Home Sales Reached 14-year High in 2020

Eye on Housing

As demand continues to be driven by low mortgage rates and a suburban shift for home-buying preference, existing home sales, as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), ticked up in December and the annual sales tally reached the highest level since 2006. But surging house prices and inventory shortage could limit demand and slow the market.

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Ontario’s Most Popular Real Estate Market Is Now Rural, While People Flee Toronto

Better Dwelling

Ontario residents are flowing out of the big cities, and looking for something a little more quaint. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows intraprovincial migration for 2020. Rural regions are showing the biggest net-inflows of Ontario residents relocating within the province. Although almost everywhere in Ontario saw more people arrive than leave.

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Hispanic households to grow the most over next 20 years

Housing Wire

In a release on Thursday , the Urban Institute projected the future headship rate — the share of adults who are the heads of households — and the homeownership rate — the share of household heads who own their homes — through 2040. Per Laurie Goodman, Urban Institute vice president of housing finance policy, policymakers and thought leaders need to understand the trajectory of the homeownership rate — where it has been, where it is going, who it has benefitted, and who it has left behind.

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Lizzie Borden Murder House Is Listed at $2M—Ax Not Included

Realtor.com

Josh Chopy, Wikimedia Your morning meal with a side of murder? Perhaps. A successful bed-and-breakfast with a violent past is on the market. The residence that now operates as the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast in Fall River, MA, is the spot where two of the country’s most notorious unsolved murders took place. On Aug. 4, 1892, Andrew Borden and his second wife, Abby Borden , were brutally murdered in this home.

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5 Data Proven Ways Agents Can Do 18% More Business

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.