Achieving Agent Buy-in to Be Featured Discussion at RISMedia’s CEO Exchange

RISMedia’s Real Estate CEO Exchange, which takes place Sept. 13th and 14th, 2016 at the Harvard Club of New York City, will shine a light on “Seizing the Day, Winning the Future,” focusing on burgeoning opportunities in today’s real estate market. An exclusive, intimate gathering of some of real estate’s most influential and dynamic leaders, […]

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NRT Acquires Climb Real Estate Boutique Brokerage

NRT LLC, a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp., has announced it has acquired Climb Real Estate in San Francisco. Climb Real Estate is known for its distinctively innovative brand and business model that reinvents the traditional homebuying and selling experiences, the company announced. Climb ranks among San Francisco’s top 10 residential real estate brokerages based […]

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Home Price Gains Strong in South and West

Data released for June 2016 shows that home prices continued their rise across the country over the last 12 months. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index, covering all nine U.S. census divisions, reported a 5.1 percent annual gain in June, unchanged from last month. The 10-City Composite posted a 4.3 percent annual increase, […]

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Get a Professional Email for Your .REALTOR Website

NAR PULSE—You have a .REALTOR web address; now get a .REALTOR email account! Your firm can now have a professional email from Google, which allows .REALTOR users to create an email address that corresponds with their web addresses, like info@CloudRealty.REALTOR. It’s only $60 per, year per email address, and is a great way to further […]

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Brigitte Bardot’s Vacation Estate Slinks onto the Market

International screen siren Brigitte Bardot’s former vacation home is up for sale. The fully-renovated estate, situated in the hills above the French Riviera, is listed for approximately $5.65 million. Bardot absconded to the home, known as Le Castelet, after divorcing her first husband in 1957. Beautifully appointed in French country form, Bardot’s 13th century getaway includes […]

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Contest Alert: Which Would You Want in Your Backyard This Holiday Weekend?

Labor Day’s almost here! With the holiday approaching, tell us: Which dream feature would you want in your backyard this weekend? A: Outdoor Fireplace B: Lazy River C: Treehouse D: Outdoor Movie Theater To submit your pick: Follow RISMedia on Facebook. Comment on our contest post with your answer to the question above. OR Follow RISMedia on Twitter. […]

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Study Shows Americans Have Too Many Things and Not Enough Money

Everyday Americans are increasingly drowning in things they no longer need or want, yet there is a widespread struggle to meet household expenses on time every month. That’s according to a new study released recently by OfferUp. The report, “Buried: The State of Stress and Stuff,” polled more than 1,000 Americans across the country as […]

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Market Conditions Improve Chances of Rate Hike, Says Yellen

In a recent speech at Jackson Hole, Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen supported the anticipation of two possible rate hikes this year, noting that the case for a rate hike has strengthened. “In light of the continued solid performance of the labor market and our outlook for economic activity and inflation, I believe the case […]

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FHA Streamlines Process to Help Delinquent Homeowners Stay in Homes

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) recently announced new procedures to strengthen the process mortgage servicers use to help struggling families avoid foreclosure and remain in their homes.  FHA is streamlining its loss mitigation protocols that servicers must use when evaluating and deploying ‘home retention options,’ foreclosure alternatives that allow delinquent borrowers to retain their home. […]

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2016 Home Sales Increasing Twice as Fast in Counties with Low Hazard Risk

The recently released ATTOM Data Solutions 2016 U.S. Natural Hazard Housing Risk Index found that home sales in the first six months of 2016 increased 4.2 percent from the same time period a year ago in the bottom fifth of U.S. counties with the lowest level of natural hazard risk — more than twice the […]

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The Best Military Towns Named for Investing in Rental Homes

New data was released by HomeUnion on the best military towns for investing in single-family rental (SFR) properties based on average cap rates, which are the relationship between an investment property’s net operating income (rents minus expenses) in the first year of ownership and the purchase price of the property. To be included in the […]

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August Brings Hottest Housing Market in a Decade, Says REALTOR.com

A record-breaking summer for the residential real estate market continued in August, according to new monthly data on for-sale housing inventory and demand on realtor.com®.  Homes for sale on the site in August are moving two percent more quickly than last year as prices continue to reach new record highs. “Summer 2017 was one of most […]

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In LA, a Walkable Neighborhood Comes at a Price

(TNS)—Nobody walks in LA, as the saying goes. But many people want to and will pay more to live in more walkable neighborhoods where they can stroll to work, shops and restaurants from home. It’s a rare luxury in most metropolitan areas and one worth thousands of dollars on average, according to new research. Home […]

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Existing-Home Sales Stumble in July

Slowed by frustratingly low inventory levels in many parts of the country, existing-home sales lost momentum in July and decreased year-over-year for the first time since November 2015, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Only the West region saw a monthly increase in closings in July. Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that […]

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House Prices Inch Higher but Show Signs of Deceleration

U.S. house prices rose 1.2 percent in the second quarter of 2016 according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index (HPI).   House prices rose 5.6 percent from the second quarter of 2015 to the second quarter of 2016.  FHFA’s seasonally adjusted monthly index for June was up 0.2 percent from May.  The HPI is calculated using home […]

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Mortgage Debt Rises, Federal Reserve Shows

According to the Household Debt and Credit Report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the outstanding amount of housing-related debt, both home mortgages and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), totaled $8.8 trillion in the second quarter of 2016, 2.6 percent ($225 billion) greater than the level from one year ago. However, the outstanding […]

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Open House Review: 98 Mayfair

Today I am reviewing the Santa Clara, Plan 2 model of Stonegate at 98 Mayfair. Parking for guests is off the street in front of the home.  The home is an end unit.  Once up a flight of stairs, the living space is located on the second level.  It is walking distance to Stonegate Elementary […]

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July New Home Sales Soar to Eight-Year High

A recent new home sales report for July showed that sales of newly built homes increased 12.4 percent since June, and rose 31.3 percent year-over-year. This surge marks the highest point in almost eight years. “New homes are being purchased at a furious pace, and it could give the housing market the added push it’s […]

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Stay Safe and Earn Big with MVP

NAR PULSE—Register now for the free REALTOR® Safety Program Webinar on Sept. 14 titled, “Get Smart about Smart Homes and Your Safety” to earn a free The Little Red Book: Safety Rules to Live By for REALTORS®-Download, and be automatically entered for a chance to win a Guard Llama Personal Protection Kit. This Member Value […]

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Brand Report: Home Sales Cool, Price Increases Moderate

Unlike the month’s temperatures, July home sales cooled off from June’s highest year-to-date level. In the RE/MAX National Housing Report analysis of 53 U.S. cities, July sales fell in 49 markets by 8.8 percent from July 2015 and by 13.1 percent from June. Over the last seven years, the average drop in sales from June to […]

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HUD and VA Work to Find Permanent Homes for Homeless Veterans

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced a second round of funding to help provide permanent homes to an estimated 108 veterans experiencing homelessness in seven states.  The rental assistance announced this week is provided through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program which combines […]

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Open House Review: 18 Alondra

Last week, I reviewed 16 Hidalgo. This week, I will review 18 Alondra, a five-bedroom home located just a block away from Hidalgo in Northwood’s Woodside neighborhood. Like the other, this one has been partially updated, but still has some older features as well. The Basics: Asking Price: $1,238,888 Bedrooms: 5 + bonus room Bathrooms: […]

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Where Innovation and Networking Meet: Registration Open for realtor.com® Results Summit

The real estate market’s made record strides this year, with spring and summer’s decade-high activity offering an encouraging outlook for the future. There’s no better time to capitalize on the market’s momentum than at the Realtor.com® Results Summit, taking place this September in Las Vegas, where real estate professionals have the opportunity to learn from […]

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“Nicaragua” Is Not an Address: Success Strategies for Cross Border Referrals

Do you work with clients who have real estate needs outside of U.S. borders? As the global marketplace continues to evolve and more people purchase homes outside of their native countries, you can provide exceptional service to them by helping them connect with a broker just about anywhere in the world (“just about” being the […]

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Negative Equity Still Impacts Over 1 in 10 Homeowners

Both urban and suburban communities have a significant share of homeowners in negative equity five years into the recovery, according to the second quarter Zillow® Negative Equity Report. Nationally, 13.7 percent of homeowners in urban regions and 11.2 percent of homeowners in suburban regions are underwater. After the housing bubble burst, nearly a third of […]

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Mortgage Rates Hover at All-Time Low

Average fixed mortgage rates dipped slightly last week, remaining near their all-time record lows, according to the recently released Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.43 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending August 18, 2016, down from the last week when it averaged 3.45 percent. A […]

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Open House Review: 143 Sanctuary #67

Driving into Woodbury and approaching Woodbury Community Park, the property is an end unit and sits nicely across from the baseball fields. Guest parking is located off of Sanctuary, in front of the unit.   The home is accessed from a flight of external stairs with a one car garage below the unit.  There is no […]

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Where Do Olympians Live? Homes of Our Country’s Most Gifted Athletes

During the Olympics, athletes are set up in some pretty serious digs, from a revamped naval ship (yep), to an art museum and even a beach-front sports club. But where are Olympians living in the off season? Sure, many go home to mom and dad, or a regular-old two bedroom. But some athletes are living that luxe life even during […]

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Consumer Spending Expected to Bolster Economic Growth for Second Half of 2016

Economic growth is expected to rebound in the second half of 2016 after a disappointing second quarter, keeping the full-year growth outlook at 1.8 percent, according to Fannie Mae’s (FNMA/OTC) Economic & Strategic Research Group’s August 2016 Economic and Housing Outlook. However, continued momentum in consumer spending in the third quarter is crucial for driving growth […]

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Open House Review: 16 Hidalgo

Two houses came on the market this week in Northwood’s Woodside neighborhood. I will review 16 Hidalgo this week and walk you through 18 Alondra next week. Both homes have been partially remodeled to include new kitchens, but neither has fully updated the bathrooms. The Basics: Asking Price: $1,058,800 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2.5 Square Footage: […]

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Open House Review: 125 Overbrook

Today I am reviewing a Plan 1 Cambria condominium in Stonegate, that had a recent price reduction from $719,888 to $699,888.  Parking for guests are off the street in front of the row of homes jutting perpendicular off of Overbrook. I am not sure why it is advertised as a 3 bedroom, when it currently […]

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Builder Confidence Rises with Boost in Housing Starts

Builder confidence in the market for newly constructed single-family homes in August rose two points to 60 from a downwardly revised reading of 58 in July on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). “New construction and new-home sales are on the rise in most areas of the country, and this […]

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Mortgage Applications Shrink 4 Percent

Mortgage applications decreased 4 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending August 12, 2016. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, […]

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California Home Sales Dip in July, Report Shows

California home sales stumbled in July as low inventories and eroding affordability dragged down the housing market, according to the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.). Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 415,840 units in July, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® […]

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Last Chance to Enter .REALTOR Contest

NAR PULSE–Submissions for the Show Us How You .REALTOR Contest are due Friday. Sept. 2, so get yours in now! All you have to do is submit three examples that showcase the creative ways you’re using .REALTOR web addresses to strengthen your digital brand, like on business cards, in advertisements or on letterhead. Your firm […]

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RE/MAX Highlights New Opportunities in Fast-Paced Housing Market

More than 1,000 RE/MAX brokers and office managers from around the gathered at the annual Broker/Owner Conference in Chicago to discuss and learn about pioneering strategies to grow their businesses and continue to be one of the most productive real estate networks. The conference kicked off with the Opening General Session (OGS) during which RE/MAX […]

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REALTORS® Donate Thousands of Hours, Dollars to Local Boys & Girls Clubs

The National Association of REALTORS® joined forces last year with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to enrich the lives of Club kids and teens in communities across the U.S. Since December 2015, a total of 188 local Clubs and 18,200 Club youth have been positively impacted by REALTORS® and more than $100,000 has been donated […]

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REALTORS® Help Consumers Make Smart Back-to-School Home Shopping Decisions

In some school districts across the country, kids are already heading back to school after the summer break. While households with children commonly choose to buy a home in the late spring to get settled in before the new school season starts, rising home prices and a lack of homes for sale may mean more families […]

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Here Are the Best (and Worst) States for Families to Live a Richer Life

Is there a place in America where families can have it all– high income, job security, safe neighborhoods, affordable child care, job and a good education? To help make that answer more clear, GOBankingRates surveyed all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia on 12 different factors to find the places families can get the most […]

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RISMedia Announces ‘Ultimate Power Broker Open House’ Location: Guests to Experience Unparalleled Luxury, ‘Ultimate Global Address’ at UN Plaza Penthouse

Guests of this year’s RISMedia CEO Exchange will get to experience the life of ultimate Manhattan luxury, privacy and prestige—at least for an hour or two!—during the event’s unique closing event, “The Ultimate Power Broker Open House Experience.” This year’s location is sure to inspire, as guests tour the Duplex Penthouse at 50 United Nations […]

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Many Big-City Renters Qualify for Homeownership

Across the country’s largest rental markets, almost 14 percent of on-market renters have strong credit scores, relatively high incomes and could afford to buy the median home in their market. As the homeownership rate has declined over the past decade, a broader socio-economic swath of Americans are renting than at any time in recent history. […]

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Homebuyer Confidence Rises in July

Home purchase sentiment reached an all-time survey high in July, an indication that Americans are feeling more upbeat about the housing market, according to Fannie Mae. Overall sentiment rose 3.3 points to a reading of 86.5. Each of the index’s six components– including selling outlook and personal finances – also rose last month. The share […]

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Why You Should Own a Home in an A+ School District

Whether you have children or now, it pays to buy in an area with great schools. Realtor.com® recently released a new study that identifies the price premium to buy a home in a strong public school district, as well as the top 10 districts garnering the highest home prices and demand from buyers. School districts […]

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L.A. Reid Lives It Up in LA Mega Mansion

As everyone remains distracted with Olympic activity in Rio, music executive, producer and ex-X Factor judge Antonio “L.A.” Reid has slid into a brand new mansion on the west side of L.A. While music moguls snatching up mega mansions in Los Angeles is hardly breaking news, Reid’s new pad—scored for a hearty $17.99 million—is an […]

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Home-Price Gains Continue to Rise

Home prices maintained their robust, upward trajectory in a vast majority of metro areas during the second quarter, causing affordability to slightly decline despite mortgage rates hovering at lows not seen in over three years, according to the latest quarterly report by the National Association of REALTORS. The report also revealed that for the first time ever, […]

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Revisiting East Hampton’s Grey Gardens

Grey Gardens, the former home of Jackie O’s eccentric aunt and cousin, Big and Little Edie Beale, is perhaps the most peculiar home in East Hampton, adding a slice of strange history to this ritzy Long Island area. The house where future first lady Jacqueline Bouvier would gallivant as a child soon turned into a mere shell of itself, […]

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Paradise Comes with High Closing Costs

Hawaii has the highest mortgage closing costs in the country and Pennsylvania has the lowest, according to a new Bankrate.com report. Based on a $200,000 loan, Hawaii’s closing costs averaged out to $2,655 while Pennsylvania’s closing costs were $1,837. The national average is $2,128. New York has the second-highest closing costs ($2,560), followed by North […]

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Need Short Term Medical Insurance Coverage? NAR Offers Options

NAR PULSE—If you or your agents are in need of health insurance between now and the end of the year, you have special enrollment options from REALTORS® Insurance Marketplace. The SMART Short Term Medical temporary health insurance plan is designed to be an affordable medical policy which can last from 30 days to 6 months. […]

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Owners Overestimate Home Values across the Country

Appraised values were an average of 1.69 percent lower than what homeowners expected in July, according to Quicken Loans’ National Home Price Perception Index (HPPI). The gap between these two measures of home values narrowed since June when appraisals lagged behind expectations by 1.93 percent. Home values continued to rise in July, according to the […]

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Crowdfunding a Better Future: Companies Partner to Bring Homeownership to Hundreds in El Salvador

Are you looking to use your real estate career as a platform for your philanthropic vision? Perhaps your team is looking for a meaningful way to give back. This was exactly the idea behind a recent Better Homes and Gardens campaign to crowdfund an 80-home El Salvadorian community. By partnering with the non-profit New Story, […]

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How Superheroes Can Save Billions

When the Avengers team up to save the world, they don’t exactly tread lightly. Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and the rest of the S.H.I.E.L.D. super-team are constantly facing the threat of global annihilation, all while risking life and limb. But when the bone-crunching fights are over, and the dust settles, who pays […]

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Ogle the Priciest Homes in the Country

Do you ever dream of living in a mega mansion with a swimming pool-sized bathtub and a guest house that can fit a football team? Of course you do. Whether you want to walk the halls where celebs once clicked their heels, or prep a meal in a gourmet kitchen ripe for a Cooking Channel […]

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Open House Review: 43 Boulder Creek Way

I recently visited 43 Boulder Creek Way in West Irvine. This single family home is newly updated and move-in ready. The Basics: Asking Price: $810,000 – $799,500 Bedrooms: 4 (currently 3 + den) Bathrooms: 2.5 Square Footage: 1,964 Price per Sq. Ft: $410 (approx.) Lot Size: 3,712 Property Type: Single family residence Year Built: 1998 […]

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Welcoming the World: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Goes Global

Editor’s Note: The following is the cover story from the August issue of RISMedia’s Real Estate magazine. From the widespread ripple effect of the Brexit vote to the staggering investment made by Chinese homebuyers in the U.S., there’s no denying residential real estate has become a global industry. With a parent company that already has […]

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Great Spaces: Malibu Meets Milan

You can now live the Italian life without ever stepping foot out of California. 2928 Corral Canyon Road, an ultra-luxe, villa-style estate conveniently located in Malibu just hit the market. Inspired by the Italian village of Limano, this gated estate boasts Roman pan roof tiles, limestone floors, high ceilings, and 360-degree views of ocean, canyon […]

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HUD Offers $2 Million to Help Students in Assisted Housing Afford Education

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced the agency is making $2 million in grants available to help low-income families and young people apply for federal aid for college and other post-secondary educational opportunities.  The funding is being offered through HUD’s longstanding Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Program.  The available funding will […]

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Home Values 77 Percent Higher in Zip Codes with Good Schools

Homes in zip codes with at least one good elementary school have higher values and stronger home price appreciation over the long term than homes in zip codes without any good elementary schools—where homes lost more value during the housing downturn but have seen stronger appreciation during the housing recovery of the last five years. […]

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Mortgage Rates Land Near 2016 Low

Average fixed mortgage rates declined after nudging slightly higher for three consecutive weeks, according to the recently released Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.43 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending August 4, 2016, down from last week when it averaged 3.48 percent. A year ago […]

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NAR Identifies Top Markets Where Renters Can Afford to Buy

The U.S. homeownership rate has slowly fallen in recent years to currently its lowest level since 1965, but new research from the National Association of REALTORS® reveals that there are affordable metro areas right now with above-average hiring and a large segment of current renters who earn enough income to qualify to buy a home. […]

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Realtor.com Partners with Yelp to Bring Buyers More Neighborhood Information

Realtor.com® recently announced the launch of Yelp local amenity information and realtor.com® neighborhood trend data to help buyers get to know the community surrounding a potential new home. Users can now view grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants, drug stores, gas stations, and insurance companies directly on the property listing map for all realtor.com® for-sale homes. Map pins include the business’s Yelp […]

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What You Need to Know about the Data Security Act of 2015

Businesses are at the mercy of hackers, sniffers, and the criminal element who are after your data. Many states have their own regulatory requirements, and this lacks uniformity and creates issues for those who do business across the United States. So what is next? Will we see uniformity in regulatory compliance for businesses across the […]

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HomeASAP Introduces Search Alliance, National Lead Co-op Network for Agents

HomeASAP, the leading provider of Internet marketing solutions for real estate professionals and company behind the Real Estate Agent Directory™ on Facebook, is unveiling Search Alliance™, a first-of-its-kind solution designed to help real estate agents and brokers provide a superior home search experience for consumers, regain market share from the national portals, and lower the […]

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Upstream Study Shows Strong Real Estate Industry Support

A new study reveals that real estate leaders are nearly unanimous in support of Upstream, a new real estate brokerage-driven effort to streamline listing and sales data and its online delivery. The vast majority of real estate leaders – 84 percent – say they are supportive of Upstream. The new independent research by Imprev surveyed […]

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Multiple Car Rental Deals from Hertz® Make for the Best Summer Ever

NAR PULSE—Cruise into major savings with Hertz® this summer! In addition to savings of up to 25 percent off base rates, Hertz® is offering you and your agents three additional hot deals on car rentals. Hurry, offer ends 8/31! Hertz® is a REALTOR Benefits® Program partner. Click here to save now. Earn Big Rewards with […]

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NAHREP Top 250 Honors Industry Pros Supporting Hispanic Homeownership

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) recently honored its top producers with the release of the NAHREP® Top 250 Latino Agents Award, a publication recognizing the industry’s leading Hispanic real estate agents and brokers. Currently in its fifth year of publication, the list commends Hispanic real estate professionals who have demonstrated high […]

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Changes to ‘Know Before You Owe’ Rule on Their Way

Since the October 2015 implementation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s ‘Know Before You Owe’ mortgage initiative, REALTORS® have raised red flags over challenges in gaining access to what’s known as the mortgage “closing disclosure” form, or CD. The CD is delivered to homebuyers in advance of their closing and contains important financial information related to their purchase. Unfortunately, […]

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Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Names Daniel Dannenmann Chief Operating Officer

Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate recently announced Daniel Dannenmann as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. As the newest member of the growing brand’s senior leadership team, Dannenmann will oversee all aspects of domestic and international business operations, including servicing, financial management and collaboration with the brand’s franchise sales team. He will report directly to President […]

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Pawn Stars’ Corey Harrison Lists Las Vegas Estate

Corey Harrison, star of History Channel’s “Pawn Stars,” has listed his Las Vegas estate for $2.39 million. The gated residence is located on one acre at 5860 N. Campbell Road. It includes more than 7,069 square feet of living space with seven bedrooms, six baths, a spacious basement and six garages. Built in 1993, Harrison […]

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Open House Review: 80 Avondale

Last week, I walked you through 97 Waterman in West Irvine. This week, I’ll show you 80 Avondale, a property with the exact same layout, located just around the corner from the other property. Since my visit, Redfin now lists 80 Avondale as “accepting backup offers.” The Basics: Asking Price: $639,000 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2.5 […]

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http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/2016/08/01/open-house-review-80-avondale/