Thursday, 30 June 2016

REALTORS® Rally to Find Flood Insurance Solutions

Flood insurance costs continue to put small businesses and homeownership at risk, but the National Association of REALTORS® told U.S. Senators recently that a range of solutions are on the horizon. David McKey, 2016 vice chair of NAR’s Insurance Committee, testified on NAR’s behalf before the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship committee. McKey told Senators in attendance that […]

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Wednesday, 29 June 2016

Home Prices Make a Spring Sprint

New data shows home prices continue to rise across the country over the last 12 months, according to the latest results for the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices. The S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, covering all nine U.S. census divisions, reported a 5.0 percent annual gain in April, down from 5.1 percent the previous month. […]

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A Look Inside a Premium, International Real Estate Academy

As a brand, Engel & Völkers has always valued training and coaching as an essential component to maintaining the high level of expertise and service that has come to be expected by the most discerning homebuyers and sellers worldwide—a brand promise that is the foundation of our acclaimed international reputation. We also take the success […]

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Spotlight: Expert Level Data Critical to Real Estate Success

Real estate is a fluid industry that demands many skills of its practitioners. Agents need to be good listeners, mobile-enabled and on the go, with the ability to communicate and negotiate effectively and efficiently. But perhaps even more important to an agent’s success is the breadth of his or her local market knowledge. For Barbara […]

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Tuesday, 28 June 2016

Commentary: Thanks, Brexit! Well-Qualified U.S. Buyers Reap a Windfall

The surprise victory in Britain of the campaign to leave the European Union may be spurring panic across the Continent (and among some regretful British voters), but “Brexit” has left U.S. home buyers with a very definable windfall: mortgage rates that are now the lowest they’ve been in more than three years. The average 30-year […]

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Save on Your Summer Road Trip

NAR PULSE—Now through August 31, you can save $25 on your next weekly car rental through Budget®, a proud REALTOR Benefits® Program partner! Let Budget® help you make planning your next trip easy. For year round savings, use NAR’s BCD discount code every time you rent from Budget®. See offer for terms and conditions. Click […]

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What Makes a Home a Home?

Some may say a house, some may say family. Some might say comfort. Home is all of the above—and then some. The Life at Home report, released annually by IKEA, surveys thousands of people around the world to determine what makes a home a home. The findings this year pose an idea of home that transcends […]

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Open House Review: 5 Kara West

Today I saw a two level home featuring a desirable ground floor bedroom.  5 Kara West is in Northwood’s Park Paseo Community and is nicely located at the end of a short cul-de sac street.  The property is walking distance to Santiago Hills Elementary School, Sierra Vista Middle School as well as the community pool, […]

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Monday, 27 June 2016

Mortgage Rates Keep Housing on Track

June numbers show that low mortgage rates are keeping housing on track despite rapidly rising house prices, according to recently released date from Freddie Mac. The report examines current projections of homeownership rates in the years to come from among various experts, as well as the latest results on refinance statistics from current homeowners. So far, […]

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NAR Call for Action: Pass HR 3700/S.3083—Tell the Senate to Get to Work for Future Homebuyers

Editor’s Note: This is part of a monthly video series from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® to inform and educate members about important aspects of being a REALTOR®. Watch for this series each month in RISMedia’s Daily e-News. NAR Call for Action: Pass HR 3700/S. 3083 Take action now to urge your Senators to co-sponsor […]

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Open House Review: 9 Chattanooga

This week, I will take you through a custom-built Northwood home with a kitchen and master bath that resemble Irvine’s new construction far more than most older homes. Located at 9 Chattanooga, this 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom property is asking a steep $1,248,888 for over 3,200 square feet. The Basics: Asking Price: $1,248,888 Bedrooms: 4 […]

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Sunday, 26 June 2016

Entry-Level Home Prices Continue to Climb

The bottom third of the housing market has grown increasingly competitive, with fewer price cuts on listed homes and faster growing home values than more expensive homes, according to the May Zillow®Real Estate Market Reports. Home values for the most expensive homes on the market, which at one point in February 2014 were growing at an average […]

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Spotlight: Reinventing the Mortgage Process

As many buyers, sellers and agents know, the mortgage process can be a tricky aspect within any real estate transaction. But with Quicken Loans, securing a mortgage is now easier than ever before. Real estate agents around the nation are feeling the relief thanks to Quicken Loans’ VIP Agent Team. There to help every step […]

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Is this the New Normal for Real Estate Financing?

Housing may be back to pre-crisis levels, but mortgage lending can’t claim the same. There are many indicators that the housing market has at last returned to “normal.” Foreclosure filings are down to 2006 levels, according to RealtyTrac data, and home prices are showing consistent appreciation. In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS® […]

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Friday, 24 June 2016

U.S. Markets Drop Sharply after ‘Brexit’ Vote, Feds Prepared to Provide Dollar Liquidity

(TNS)—Major U.S. stock indexes plunged Friday morning following a large-scale global selloff overnight in the wake of Britain’s vote to leave the European Union. The Dow Jones industrial index plummeted 500 points, or about 3 percent, in early trading. The broader Standard & Poors 500 index and the technology heavy Nasdaq composite also were down […]

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18 Percent of Housing Markets Less Affordable Than Ever

Eighteen percent of U.S. county housing markets were less affordable than their historically normal levels in Q2 2016, up from 5 percent of markets in the previous quarter but down from 20 percent of markets exceeding historically normal home affordability levels a year ago. This data comes from a new RealtyTrac® Q2 2016 Home Affordability […]

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James Taylor’s Childhood Home Hits Auction

Fans of famed troubadour James Taylor, rejoice. You can now live in the star’s childhood home. Well, if you win it at auction, that is. The sweet North Carolina spot is currently on the market, with bids due by 3 p.m. on June 29. With a sleek, modern look, the home and guest house—built in […]

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Thursday, 23 June 2016

Portal Report: Hottest June Market in 10 Years

Following the strongest spring in a decade, the residential real estate market has kicked off the summer with the hottest June in just as long, according to new data on inventory and demand on realtor.com®.  Homes for sale in June are moving two percent more quickly than last year as prices continue to hit new record […]

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New Home Sales Drop 6 Percent, Report Says

A recently released New Home Sales Report for May reported sales of newly built homes dipped 6 percent from the level in April, but rose 8.7 percent since May 2015. The report, a joint release by the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development shows new single-family sales dropping after reaching a […]

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Wednesday, 22 June 2016

Existing-Home Sales Reach Highest Pace in Over Nine Years

Existing-home sales sprang ahead in May to their highest pace in almost a decade, while the uptick in demand this spring amidst lagging supply levels pushed the median sales price to an all-time high, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. All major regions except for the Midwest saw strong sales increases last month. Total […]

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Brand Report: Homebuyer Demand Moves Market Higher

As homebuyer demand continues, May saw a 10.3 percent jump in sales over April and a 5.1 percent increase over May last year, which is slightly higher than the average year-over-year sales increase of 4.5 percent so far in 2016. According to the recently released June 2016 RE/MAX National Housing Report, the Median Sales Price […]

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Open House Review: 3 Recinto

Today I am reviewing a highly desirable single level home in Northwood’s Windstream Community.  Windstream is divided into three gated sections so it limits the amount of car traffic although pedestrian traffic is not limited between the sections. 3 Recinto is found in one of the small cul-de-sacs backing directly to the community pool. Although […]

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Tuesday, 21 June 2016

Discover the RAM® Experience‎ with FCA US LLC

NAR PULSE—FCA US, NAR’s official automobile manufacturer, lets members save even more on the purchase or lease of select vehicles, including the RAM 1500 with Best-in-Class Fuel Economy. Whatever the needs of your business, you can rely on a RAM commercial vehicle to get the job done right! While the $500 cash allowance and two […]

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Monday, 20 June 2016

Protecting Buyers and Sellers One Home Warranty at a Time

When Aaron Healey joined Ruhl & Ruhl REALTORS® in 2012, he was immediately introduced to American Home Shield (AHS®)—a leading home warranty provider currently servicing 1.4 million customers across 49 states and the District of Columbia. As one of the firm’s top home warranty sellers last year, Healey has been recommending AHS home warranty plans […]

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NAHREP Top 250 Latino Agent Report Sets New Record in Total Transaction and Sales Volume

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), in association with Zillow®, released this past week its fifth annual Top 250 agent report recognizing exceptional Latino real estate agents from around the country. Hailing from 30 states with aggregate sales over $5 billion, this year’s report includes lists of top millennial agents, top individual […]

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Open House Review – 24 Christamon West

A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed 8 Candela, a 4-bedroom home asking $1,150,000. I stayed in the Northwood area this weekend and saw three different 4-bedroom, each at or a near $1,000,000 as well. I will review them over the next few weeks. For today, I will talk about 24 Christamon West. The Basics: […]

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Sunday, 19 June 2016

Spotlight: Utah’s ERA Brokers Consolidated Highlights 30 Years in Business as Hall of Fame Inductee

It’s not often the fiercest of competitors become the strongest of allies. But that’s exactly what happened to five Utah-area business owners during the 1982 recession. Knowing business was scarce and overhead was high, the five brokers banded together, closing most of their offices and consolidating their businesses into one multi-service real estate company. Low […]

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New Regulations Protect Students and Taxpayers from Predatory Institutions

The Department of Education recently proposed regulations to further protect student borrowers and taxpayers against predatory practices by postsecondary institutions. The regulations clarify, simplify, and strengthen existing regulations that grant students loan forgiveness if they were defrauded or deceived by an institution. The proposed regulations would also hold financially risky institutions accountable for their behavior and ban schools’ […]

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Friday, 17 June 2016

Housing Starts Decline in May, Building Permits Rise

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,138,000. This is 0.7 percent (±1.3%)* above the revised April rate of 1,130,000, but is 10.1 percent (±1.8%) below the May 2015 estimate of 1,266,000. This, according to a joint announcement Friday on new residential construction statistics for […]

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Applications for New Home Purchases Decrease in May

In May, mortgage applications for new home purchases decreased by 6 percent relative to the previous month, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS).This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns. “Despite applications being down in May, each month this year has seen positive year over year growth […]

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Beacon Park: Legend Collection Review

The Legend Collection at Beacon Park opened in December, a few months after the majority of homes opened. Legend boasts the biggest homes in the entire neighborhood, coming in over 4,300 square feet. There will be a total of 48 homes, with the lot sizes ranging from about 7,300 – 8,200 square feet and the […]

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Thursday, 16 June 2016

Open House Review 56 Thornhurst

For the past two weeks I reviewed the same Santa Maria Residence 1 Model of Stonegate off of Kempton, Overbrook and now 56 Thornhurst.  This property was only on the market for less than 3 weeks and then it was suddenly removed from any listings. It had the lowest asking price, and I liked this […]

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2 Rate Hikes Are Better than 4

With all eyes on the Federal Reserve, real estate brokers around the nation anticipated a strong spring market this year. The year began with some pessimism marked by the double-whammy of the first rate increase since the Great Recession in December, followed by a January stock market plunge on the first trading day of 2016. […]

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How New Payday Loan Rules Will Affect You

(TNS)—The $46 billion payday loan industry is in for a big blow, thanks to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which has proposed new regulations that would limit payday lenders’ ability to grant cash advances to borrowers who can’t afford them. Here’s a look at the new payday loans rules proposed by the CFPB. The […]

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Wednesday, 15 June 2016

Discovered: Geographical Sweet Spots for Homeownership

San Antonio, Texas is the sweet spot for homeownership, according to Zillow’s latest analysis. San Antonio is a market with strong income growth, a growing job market, and a place where you can break even on a home purchase in just over a year. The Zillow® Breakeven Horizon, released quarterly, looks at how long home buyers […]

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Honoring NAHREP’s Chapter of the Year: Achieving Success in South Florida

During NAHREP’s 2016 Hispanic Housing and Policy Conference this past March, one local chapter stood out from the rest. Based on impressive membership growth, outstanding events, and an unbeatable commitment to NAHREP’s mission of achieving sustainable Latino homeownership, NAHREP’s South Florida chapter was honored as the 2016 Chapter of the Year. Here, Chapter President Albert […]

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Purchase Mortgage Demand to Rise while Credit Standards to Remain Level

Lender attitudes toward the housing market are positive overall heading into Q3, having recovered from a significant decline in recent quarters, according to Fannie Mae’s second quarter 2016 Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey®. Conducted in May, the survey results show that lenders reporting demand growth for GSE eligible purchase mortgages over the past three months rebounded […]

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An Entire United States Spy Town Is Up for Auction

It’s not the first time that an entire American town has gone on the auction block, but it might be the most unusual. Sugar Grove Station, W.Va. was originally a United States Navy military base to support part of the National Security Agency’s surveillance operation. Though the array of giant parabolic dishes that continue to […]

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Great Spaces: Horse-Lovers Dream Ranch

This five-acre property is an ideal stomping ground for the equestrian fanatic. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom ranch has everything you need for pony play: a riding arena, stables and pastures. Extra posh amenities include a saltwater pool with its own beach and cabana, a sauna and room for a helicopter landing pad. The private ranch’s 4,200-square-foot […]

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Tuesday, 14 June 2016

New Study Reveals Owners in Western Cities Underestimate Appraiser Value

Home appraisals in May were an average of 1.89 percent lower than what homeowners were expecting, according to the national Home Price Perception Index (HPPI) put out by Quicken Loans. This is a slight move toward equilibrium compared to a difference of 1.95 percent in April. The East and Midwest are seeing the same discrepancy […]

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Introducing New REALTOR Benefits® Program Partner Members’ Gift Galleria

NAR PULSE—Members’ Gift Galleria, powered by member marketplace™ and available in partnership with NAR’s REALTOR Benefits® Program, is now open for business! Members’ Gift Galleria is a private, customized online marketplace where you and your agents can purchase brand name products from an extensive line-up at deep discounts for personal use, as well as for […]

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Walkable Urban Locations Continue to Rise in Popularity

Walkable real estate development projects and places continue to be on the rise nationwide, but certain metro regions are progressing faster than others, according to a new national report released by LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors, a program of Smart Growth America, in conjunction with the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis at […]

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Monday, 13 June 2016

71 Percent Believe Student Debt Delays Homeownership, NAR Finds

Seventy-one percent of non-homeowners repaying their student loans on time believe their debt is stymieing their ability to purchase a home, and slightly over half of all borrowers say they expect to be delayed from buying by more than five years. This is according to a new joint survey on student loan debt and housing […]

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Great Spaces: Italian Luxury Living amid the Scenic, Secluded Landscape of Sardinia

Italy Sotheby’s International Realty recently announced the exclusive sale of Is Molas Golf Resort, a private 300-acre, pristine, multi-generational resort community set on the southern coast of Sardinia, Italy. Designed by the renowned Massimiliano Fuksas and wife and interior designer Doriana Fuksas, Is Molas offers four prototypes of eco-friendly, open-concept, and uniquely designed villas spaciously […]

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HUD Awards $46.5 Million to Make Thousands of Homes Safe from Lead

To protect children and families from the hazards of lead-based paint and other home health and safety hazards, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently awarded $46.5 million in grants to 15 local and state governments. The grant funding will reduce the number of lead-poisoned children and protect families by targeting health […]

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Sunday, 12 June 2016

Negative Jobs Report Prompts Drop in Mortgage Rates

Average fixed mortgage rates following 10-year Treasury yield lower after the May employment report came in well below expectations, according to the recently released Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). According to the PMMS, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.60 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending June 9, 2016, down […]

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Home Purchase Sentiment Increase Rockets to New High

Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index™ (HPSI) increased 1.6 points to 85.3 in May, reaching a new all-time survey high and rebounding from an 18-month low in March. Three of the six HPSI components increased in May, led by a 7 percentage point increase on net in the share of consumers reporting that their income […]

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Great Spaces: San Marino Stunner

Looking for a sweet new spot that mixes the best of modern living with historic details? Enter 1740 Ramiro Road in San Marino, Calif. Built in 1928 and recently renovated, this 4,600-square-foot Mediterranean estate has original detailing—think tiles, mahogany doors, wrought-iron hardware—and luxurious updated entertaining areas, outdoor living spaces and a park-like lawn. The home, […]

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Friday, 10 June 2016

Mortgage Applications Rise over 9 Percent

Mortgage applications increased 9.3 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending June 3, 2016. Results include an adjustment to account for the Memorial Day holiday. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 9.3 percent on […]

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Understanding Dodd Frank Section 342: Diversifying Vendor Partnerships

Mention Dodd Frank 342 and you may get a blank stare, but it’s a regulation that needs some serious thought. The disproportionate impact of the economic downturn on diverse communities, minority- and women-owned businesses prompted legislators to seek stop gaps for future downturns. Congress passed Section 342 of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and […]

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Thursday, 9 June 2016

Older Americans Ready to Tackle Housing Market, Survey Says

Three out of four homeowners born before 1961 are confident they will have a financially comfortable retirement according to the Freddie Mac 55+ Survey, a comprehensive survey of the housing perceptions and preferences of Americans over the age of 55. The first Freddie Mac 55+ Survey also found that the majority of homeowners in this […]

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Wednesday, 8 June 2016

Down Payment Assistance Programs Save Qualifying Homebuyers More Than $17,000 on Average over Life of Loan

Analysis of the impact of down payment assistance on the cost of buying a home— including the down payment and monthly house payments for a median-priced home in 513 counties nationwide—was released this week in a joint report by RealtyTrac® and Down Payment Resource. The report, released at the National Association of Real Estate Editors […]

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ADA and Website Compliance

Many real estate professionals have become increasingly concerned about the lack of guidance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) with respect to a business’ obligation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to make its website accessible. The business community anticipated a rule in the spring of 2016, but was disappointed by the DOJ’s announcement […]

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Sellers: What Every Buyer Wants to Know about Your Home

Home sellers are in an advantageous position this summer, with demand high and sales at their strongest in close to a decade. Planning to list your home in the coming weeks? Get the most for your house before the season’s up by making it accessible to buyers—with information. Every homebuyer wants to know specific aspects […]

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As the Housing Market Recovers, Negative Equity Concentrates in the Rust Belt

As the housing market continues to recover, homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages are increasingly concentrated in the Rust Belt, while West Coast homeowners are less likely to be in negative equity, according to the first quarter Zillow® Negative Equity Report. Nationally, 12.7 percent of homeowners with a mortgage were in negative equity, meaning […]

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On the Market: Billy Joel’s Waterfront Mansion in Florida

“Piano Man” Billy Joel just turned 67 and is still performing every month at his favorite house, New York City’s Madison Square Garden, which is always sold out months in advance. At a million dollars a month, it’s not a bad gig and affords him plenty of time to lay back and enjoy his life […]

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Tuesday, 7 June 2016

Go Green to Save Green with MVP

NAR PULSE—Sign up for NAR’s Green Designation Online Bundle through The Center for REALTOR® Development and learn everything you need to know to advise clients on green properties, understand homes with sustainable features and market yourself as a green professional. Sign up by June 15 to earn a free Green Webinar Download from MVP! Act […]

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HUD and VA Find Permanent Homes for 5,200 Homeless Veterans

To help end veteran homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are awarding nearly $38 million to help more than 5,200 homeless veterans find a permanent place to call home. The rental assistance announced recently is provided through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program , […]

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Monday, 6 June 2016

Zillow Agrees to Pay $130M to Move, NAR by June 20th, Settlement Ends 2-Year Contentious Litigation

Zillow and realtor.com® operator Move have settled their two-year long, contentious trade secrets lawsuit, it was announced Monday, with Zillow agreeing to pay its industry rival $130 million. The settlement, detailed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, is far less than the initial $2 billion Move had initially claimed in damages. The trial was […]

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New Buy vs. Rent Index Shows U.S. Housing Market Moving Deeper into Buy Territory

The latest national index produced by Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University faculty indicates the United States housing market as a whole is moving deeper into buy territory, suggesting that, on average, residential housing markets around the country are sound. Based on numbers from the end of the first quarter, the latest Beracha, Hardin […]

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NAHREP Director of Research, Alejandro Becerra, Appointed to HUD’s Housing Counseling Federal Advisory Committee

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) has announced that its director of research, Alejandro Becerra, has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) first-ever Housing Counseling Federal Advisory Committee (HCFAC). HUD states that the committee, consisting of 12 individuals representing mortgage, real estate, consumer and housing sectors, […]

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Spotlight: ERA Grizzard’s Tom Grizzard Inducted into 2016 ERA Hall of Fame

In 1965, after spending nearly three years stationed in Alaska as First Lieutenant, Artillery with the United States Army, Tom Grizzard moved home to Florida and helped his father, who was in commercial real estate, to manage his newly developed mobile home community. After managing and selling mobile homes for a few years without getting […]

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Open House Review: 223 Overbrook

Last week I reviewed the same Santa Maria Residence 1 Model of Stonegate at 202 Kempton and this week I will be comparing why this property is justified asking for a slightly higher asking price. Unlike 202 Kempton, this home did not have any scent and was very clean.    I appreciate that this listing was […]

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Sunday, 5 June 2016

Update: No Fed Rate Hike in June

Following recent speculations that the Federal Reserve would hike interest rates in June, a weak May job report moved in to dash the chances. The likelihood of a rate hike shrunk down to a measly 4 percent, and experts are saying even the possibility of a hike in July is now slim, due to the […]

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#RISReaderRewards: How Do You De-Stress and Recharge?

Real estate season’s kicked into high gear—and we bet your schedule has, too. Amid the flood of market activity, tell us:                       To submit your response: Follow RISMedia on Facebook. Comment on our contest post with your answer to the question above. OR Follow RISMedia on Twitter. Reply to […]

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Economist Says Summer May be the Hottest Season to Buy and Sell

While spring is traditionally the busiest time for real estate sales, this summer could prove to be the hottest time for buying or selling a home, according to a real estate economist at Florida Atlantic University. “From a buyer’s perspective you have more choice, but you’re also competing against far more buyers,” says Ken Johnson, […]

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Saturday, 4 June 2016

Open House Review: 202 Kempton

Today I am reviewing the Santa Maria Residence 1 Model of Stonegate at 202 Kempton. Next week I will have a write-up for 223 Overbrook, the same model a couple streets down.  The open house was busy.  However, the first thing I noticed was a strong smell of spices and curry.  Although the home is […]

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Friday, 3 June 2016

NAR Discovers Top Purchase Markets for Millennial Homebuyers

A flurry of financial obstacles and lifestyle choices are stalling the journey to homeownership for many young adults, but becoming a homeowner is currently more feasible in some less expensive metro areas with steady job growth and lower qualifying incomes needed to buy, according to new research by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR analyzed employment […]

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Realtor.com® Launches New Advertising Campaign Starring Elizabeth Banks

Realtor.com® recently launched a new marketing campaign with actress, producer and director, Elizabeth Banks. Building upon last year’s award-winning campaign with Banks, realtor.com®’s new “Own Home” campaign is comprised of TV ads, digital videos and social integrations that cement realtor.com® as the most trusted and comprehensive source of real estate information for home buyers, sellers and dreamers. […]

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Mortgage Credit Availability Decreases in May

Mortgage credit availability decreased in May according to the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI), a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) which analyzes data from Ellie Mae’s AllRegs® Market Clarity® business information tool. The MCAI decreased 0.8 percent to 121.4 in May.  A decline in the MCAI indicates that lending standards are tightening, while […]

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Thursday, 2 June 2016

3 Ways to Tap Into the Luxury Home Market

“Luxury home buyers aren’t like other buyers,” says Jim Remley. “You don’t find them in the same markets, or sell to them the same way you would other home buyers.” Remley would know. At age 19 he listed over 150 properties in a 12-month period and is listed as one of the top 1 percent […]

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Move-Zillow Court Case Moves Forward, Potential Damages Could Be $1.6-$1.7 Billion

In the latest news regarding the ongoing trade secrets dispute between realtor.com® operator Move, Inc. and Zillow, in pre-trial rulings, a Seattle judge has reduced the potential damages against Zillow from $2 billion to $1.6 or $1.7 billion, according to online reports citing an analyst closely following the case. The lengthy hearing has been ongoing […]

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Open House Review: 8 Candela

This week, I will tell you about 8 Candela in the Woodside neighborhood of Northwood. It is located near the end of a quiet cul-de-sac and is just a block away from the community pool, spa, tennis courts, and tot lot. The house has been beautifully updated with the help of an interior decorator and […]

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Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Where Americans Are Moving Right Now

Why do people get the overwhelming urge to move in the summer? It’s one of those eternal questions, right up there with “Can love really last a lifetime?” and “Why does the Trader Joe’s line I’m in always move the slowest?” Maybe the warm weather wanderlust happens because your kids are off from school, or you graduated from […]

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Inspiring Power Broker Roundtable to Be Held at 2016 REALTOR® Broker Summit

If you need another reason to attend the 2016® REALTOR Broker Summit, held June 9-10 in Denver, Colo., it’s the Power Broker Roundtable, where RISMedia President and CEO John Featherston will lead a panel of top brokers as they discuss their recruitment strategies, including advice for building a culture that attracts, supports and motivates top producers for […]

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Widening of Wealth Gap between Hispanics and Whites

The wealth gap between Hispanics and Whites is widening, according to The Hispanic Wealth Project (HWP)’s recently released annual report, which reveals trends in key areas of homeownership, entrepreneurship and savings and investment. “The Hispanic Wealth Project was formed as a response to the vanishing wealth Latinos experienced during the great recession when they lost […]

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Consumer Spending Jumps the Most in Nearly Seven Years

(TNS)–Consumers pulled their wallets out of winter hibernation in April, increasing their spending at the fastest pace in nearly seven years in a sign that the economy is growing solidly again this spring. Personal consumption expenditures grew by 1 percent after being flat in March and posting small gains the previous two months, the Commerce […]

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