First-Time, Single Women Homebuyers Resurface in Real Estate

First-time and single women homebuyers have resurfaced in the real estate market, contributing to a significant share of transactions in a year marked by full-steam-ahead sales, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers survey. First-time homebuyer sales rose to a share of 35 percent, the survey found; […]

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Sue Yannaccone: Fall Selling Season Highlights

As most of us who work in the real estate industry know, spring has traditionally been the “busy season” in our line of work. In some areas of the country, spring selling season starts as early as January, and in many, lasts all the way through summer. Fall selling season, conversely, has typically been a […]

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Selling the Sense of Place

In the following interview, Richard “Dicky” Mopper and Jessica Kelly, co-owners of Engel & Völkers Savannah in Savannah, Ga., discuss recruiting, retention and more. Region Served: Savannah Metropolitan area and surrounding counties Number of Offices: 1 Number of Agents: 24 sales advisors Average Time on Market: 100 days Average Sales Price: $275,000 Motto/Work Philosophy That […]

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Explore America’s Neighborhoods: Beacon Hill, Boston, Mass.

If you’ve ever planned a trip to Boston, odds are Beacon Hill made it onto your must-see list. You probably wrote it down between Fenway Park and the Freedom Trail solely based on its characteristic cobblestone streets and really nice houses. That’s fair. Been there, done that. The thing is that this high-end neighborhood is […]

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Homeownership Rate Rallies

Is the tide turning? The homeownership rate rallied slightly at 63.5 percent in the third quarter, higher than the 62.9 percent rate in the second quarter—the lowest point in more than 50 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Quarterly Housing Vacancies and Homeownership report. The third quarter homeownership rate did not differ considerably from […]

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Realtor.com: Inventory Vanishes in ‘Unusual’ October

For-sale inventory in October remained at an unusually low level for the season, with homes moving 2 percent faster than this time last year, realtor.com® recently reported. The median age of properties on realtor.com is expected to be 79 days in October, or two more days than last month. “October is typically thought of as […]

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Staying Focused in a Competitive Market

In the following interview, Rusty Willis, broker with Real Living Capital City in Atlanta, Ga., discusses education, marketing, technology and more. Region Served: Atlanta Years in Real Estate: 22 Number of Offices: 1 Number of Agents: 21 Top Tip for Thriving in Today’s Market: Stay focused on the primary drivers of business. No. 1 Tip […]

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Housecreep: A Website where Stigmatized Properties Run Amok

On the top of the homepage for housecreep.com, we learn that “housecreep” is a verb meaning: to research and expose homes with secrets, criminal histories and unexplained mysteries. (Thus, housecreep is our new favorite real estate site.) Housecreep is where some of the darker aspects of real estate come to life. Their tagline: “Where walls […]

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Industry Leaders to Speak on ‘Seizing the Day, Winning the Future’ at RISMedia Power Broker Forum during NAR Convention

Today’s real estate market is burgeoning with opportunity. From the promise of the millennial generation to the power of the diversity market, it’s a good time to be in real estate. But the future is also murky. Lingering economic uncertainty and change in Washington stand to stymie our momentum going forward. During RISMedia’s 21st Annual […]

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Serving Sales Associates to Foster Success

In the following interview, Kit Hale, principal broker and managing partner of MKB, REALTORS®, a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, in Roanoke, Va., discusses coaching, educating and training agents. Region Served: Southwest Virginia Years in Real Estate: 25 Number of Offices: 2, with a third opening soon Number of Agents: 130 […]

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Daniel Jacuzzi: Serving Agents at a Higher Level

At the age of 20, Daniel Jacuzzi began a career in real estate working for Century 21, and 39 years later, he serves as president of Select Group of Real Estate Companies, helping people realize the American Dream of homeownership and the importance of real estate investments for their financial goals. Jacuzzi purchased CENTURY 21 […]

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The Best Cities to Be a Baseball Fan

The World Series is in full swing, and MLB baseball fans in Chicago and Cleveland have bore witness to a historic year on the field. What about the baseball fans in other cities? WalletHub recently released a ranking of the best cities to be a fan of the game, basing its list on 25 metrics […]

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New-Home Sales Up after August Slip

New-home sales activity is up, coming in at a rate of 593,000 in September, roughly 3 percent higher than the August rate of 575,000, the U.S. Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) report. September’s rate, which represents 4.8-months supply, is approximately 30 percent higher than the September 2015 estimate of 457,000. […]

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Window to the Law: Prevent Elder Abuse

Editor’s Note: This is part of a monthly video series from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to inform and educate members about important aspects of being a real estate professional. Watch for this series each month in RISMedia’s Daily e-News. In this edition of NAR’s Window to the Law, NAR Associate Counsel Jessica Edgerton […]

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Open House Review: 5 E. Trenton

This home sits nicely on a cul-de-sac street and has a mixture of original features and some nice upgrades. A desirable ground floor bedroom is in high demand.  Part of the three car garage has been converted into an extra space.  It looked like it could easily be converted back to be the garage if […]

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Introducing New Must-Have Green Resource for REALTORS®

NAR PULSE—Created with input from NAR’s Green REsource Council and NAR Green Designees, The Little Green Book: Safety Rules to Live By for REALTORS® is the perfect tool for your new or seasoned agents to use as they layer green into their businesses. Filled with more than 80 tips, this booklet provides realistic green advice […]

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Industry Leaders Receive Awards of Distinction at RISMedia Power Broker Event

Leading brokers from around the nation will gather next week in Orlando, Fla. to be the guests of honor at RISMedia’s 21st Annual Power Broker Reception & Dinner, being held on Friday, Nov. 4, during the annual NAR convention. RISMedia’s annual Power Broker Reception & Dinner is an exclusive, invitation-only event honoring the Top 500 […]

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RE/MAX Launches Mortgage Franchise, Expanding Business for Local Brokers, Choices for Consumers

RE/MAX CEO, Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger will announce today the launch of Motto Mortgage, an innovative mortgage brokerage franchise and the second member of the RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. family of brands. Motto Mortgage will open mortgage franchises throughout the U.S., increasing competition in the industry and resulting in more choice and a better experience […]

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What’s Next? ERA’s New President Weighs In

When Sue Yannaccone is confronted with change, she sees opportunity. Opportunity to grow, opportunity to set new goals, opportunity to chart a new course. As the new president and CEO of ERA Real Estate, Yannaccone thrives on change. Indeed, prior to joining ERA last summer as COO, she had cut her teeth transforming a number […]

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Destination: Success

In the following interview, Michael Droege, co-owner and general manager of CENTURY 21 Realty Solutions, discusses recruiting, retention and more. Years in Real Estate: 11 Region Served: Anchorage, Alaska, and surrounding area Company Size: 5 offices, 80 agents Century 21 credits you with recruiting high-caliber licensees to join you in Alaska. What’s your secret? Michael […]

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Return of Flipping Eases Affordable Housing Crunch in Some States

(TNS)—The number of flipped houses is at a six-year high. While such rapid turnover helped fuel the housing crisis a decade ago, advocates and analysts say the current wave is helping to ease a shortage of affordable housing in some parts of the country. The resurgence of flipping, or selling a house less than a […]

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Four Ways Millennials Are Changing the Real Estate Industry

Millennials have grown to represent 32 percent of homebuyers, which is the largest portion of the home-buying market. According to millennial Austin Hale, product manager for real estate investment software company Realeflow, “Millennials present an entirely new dynamic in the real estate market. [They’re] much more likely to rent, to congregate in urban areas, and to be […]

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Halstead CEO Diane Ramirez and Family Honored at Gala

Halstead Property Chairman and CEO Diane M. Ramirez and her family were recently presented with “The Family Spirit Award” at the 2016 Little Sisters of the Assumption (LSA) Family Health Service Gala in celebration of the “Spirit of East Harlem,” Halstead announced. Three generations of the Ramirez family, including Diane and her husband, Samuel A. […]

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5 Tips for Selling a Luxury Property

Selling a luxury property is slightly different than selling a more moderate home or property. To begin with, the new owners will often be more able to tailor the property to their own specifications and may not even view the property themselves; rather, they may purchase the property through an agent, sight unseen. Here are […]

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A Long Wait for Home: Affordable Housing Assistance Lacking for Low-Income Families

Low-income families already vulnerable due to strained finances have had to contend with lengthy waiting periods and closed waiting lists for affordable housing, a recent report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) reveals. Importantly, affordable housing applicants are being shut out of the Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) program, according to the report, entitled […]

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Strengthening Our Commitment to Sustainability in the Real Estate Industry

In a move driven by the wishes of its members, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has initiated a new Sustainability Program designed to position NAR as a leader in the conversation about sustainability in real estate for Realtors®, brokers, allied trade associations and consumers. The new program’s efforts will focus on coordination and articulation […]

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Famous Encino, Calif. Home Hops on the Market

Fans of the Fox show “24,” listen up: Jack Bauer’s fictional home is now for sale for a cool $3.9 million. The posh space, located at 4620 Rubio Ave in Encino, Calif., was also featured in “CSI” and the 90s classic “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Stretching 6,000 square feet with five bedrooms and six bathrooms, the modern […]

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Open House Review: 11 Bellezza

A few weeks ago, I checked out the open house at 11 Bellezza. The four-bedroom home is still on the market and has dropped $120,000 in price since its original listing, dropping it below $1,000,000. The Basics: Asking price: $929,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2.5 Square Footage: 2,400 Price per Sq. Ft.: $387 Lot size: 5,000 […]

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Open House Review: 240 Overbrook

Today I am reviewing the Santa Maria, Plan 2 model of Stonegate at 240 Overbrook.  The front door sits in the middle of a row of townhomes.  It is nicely located on a quiet cul-de-sac street.  With an atrium, this home provides a bit of outdoor space.  Exactly one year ago this model was selling […]

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September Sales Strong as First-Time Homebuyers Hit Stride

First-time homebuyers propelled existing-home sales in September, attaining a 34 percent share of sales for the first time in four years, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reports. All major regions saw an increase in closings last month, and distressed sales fell to a new low of 4 percent of the market. Total existing-home sales, which […]

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13 Metros with the Most Real-Life Haunted Houses

In 2016, a visit to a haunted house is on the Halloween agenda for about one-fifth of Americans, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. Kids and adults alike will be shelling out millions of dollars to snake their way through haunted attractions with names like House of Torment and 13th Gate. “From locations […]

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Don’t Fear Disruption, Control It: Travelocity Founder Shares Business Acumen at RISMedia Power Broker Event

Disruption and innovation are two sides of the same coin, says Terry Jones. “It’s a question of, ‘Did you do it?’ or ‘Did someone do it to you?’” The Travelocity and Kayak founder will delve into this topic and other vital strategies for business success when he headlines RISMedia’s 21st Annual Power Broker Reception & […]

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Single-Family Starts Surge Ahead of Estimates

Single-family housing starts came in above estimates in September, signaling sustained strength in the owner-occupied housing sector. The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reports single-family starts in September at a rate of 738,000, or 8.1 percent more than the estimate of 724,000. Units in buildings with five units […]

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REALTORS® Submit Recommendations as Know Before You Owe Comment Period Closes

The public commentary period for the proposed Know Before You Owe (KBYO) rule, which addresses many of the concerns raised by the real estate industry since its implementation, has officially closed. In submitted comments before the deadline, the National Association of REALTORS®’s (NAR) President Tom Salomone outlined recommendations for KYBO, also known as the TILA-RESPA […]

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Are Rents Finally Stalling? New York City Says Yes

Recent news reports show that rent across the country may finally be leveling off. New data reported by Bloomberg shows that rent in Manhattan fell 1.2 percent in September, the second year-over-year dip since February 2014. A reason for the dip in price is an over-saturated market, with a construction surge adding many more units to the fold. Bloomberg […]

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Why Is Mortgage Delinquency High among Older Homeowners?

Mortgage delinquency rates have been shown to increase among much older homeowners, despite their tendency to hold higher credit scores than younger homeowners, according to recent research by FICO. Mortgage and other closed-end loan delinquency rates, FICO’s researchers found, bottom out among homeowners in their 60s and 70s, then rise again through their 80s and […]

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Realtor.com® Consumer Survey Reveals First Look into 2017 Home Buying Season, Significant Shifts in Millennials, Affordability, Suburban Living

The 2017 home buying season will be characterized by a large increase in first time home buyers, increasing affordability issues among buyers, and high demand for suburban homes, according to realtor.com®’s Active Home Shopper Report released today. The study, based on September survey data of active shoppers on realtor.com®, provides insight into future home buying trends in […]

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Earn Points while You Save on Apple, Sales Tax and Shipping

NAR PULSE—Shop NAR’s Members’ Gift Galleria, available exclusively for REALTORS® through the REALTOR Benefits® Program, for favorite brands like Apple; plus earn reward points on every purchase to be redeemed on future purchases. At this private, online marketplace you and your agents will find brand name products from an extensive line-up at a discount for […]

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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a New Neighborhood

Whether you are looking for a hip enclave of bars or a quiet suburban street filled with families for your kids to play with, choosing a new neighborhood requires a lot of consideration. There are many things to think about when making the leap to new surroundings. From creating a helpful checklist of must-haves to uncovering […]

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Solving the Speed to Lead Problem

Eight years after the Great Recession, the real estate market around the country is once again thriving. And while many of the names look the same, the way in which brokers and agents do business today and the tools available to them has been transformed entirely over the past eight years. Today, the industry—brokers and […]

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Spotlight: Close Quicker with Quicken Loans

If you want to offer your real estate clients the highest level of service, it’s vital that you work with a mortgage lender who has their eye on the same prize. Dale Clift, business development manager and Century 21 broker, has been in real estate for over 15 years, and he has been working with […]

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Boomers Plan to Age in Place, but Are Unprepared to Do So

While homeowners are familiar with typical aging-related projects, they view them as irrelevant, according to data from the recently released HomeAdvisor 2016 Aging-in-Place Report. More than 86 percent of the homeowners surveyed in the report are familiar with common aging-related renovations, but less than one-quarter (22 percent) have completed an aging-related project. The report discusses […]

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Millennials Aren’t Big Spenders or Risk Takers, and That’s Going to Reshape the Economy

(TNS)—They’re known for bouncing around jobs, delaying marriage and holing up in their parents’ basements. Dubbed recently as the “children of the Great Recession” by Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, millennials are the best educated and most diverse population of young people in U.S. history. They are also perhaps the most coddled, some would say […]

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New Data Shows How Student Loans and High Rent Impact Homeownership

Student loan debt and high rent prices continue to burden the homeownership outlook, according to data from the fourth annual housing survey from NeighborWorks America. The national telephone survey found nearly one-third (30 percent) of Americans know someone who has delayed the purchase of a home because of student loan debt, up from 28 percent […]

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Auction of Novel ‘Jacob’s War’ at RISMedia’s CEO Exchange Brings $2,400 to Easter Seals

At RISMedia’s September 2016 Real Estate CEO Exchange, an impromptu auction led by CEO John Featherston raised $2,400 for Easter Seals, a nonprofit that assists more than one million children, adults and veterans with disabilities and special needs. The item auctioned to two CEO attendees was a signed copy of “Jacob’s War,” written by CEO […]

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Great Spaces: Bayfront in Newport Beach

Looking to live it up in Newport Beach, Calif.? Look no further than 928 Via Lido Nord, a five-bedroom, five-bathroom bayfront home with multiple docks and unbelievable panoramic views of Newport Bay set in the prestigious Lido Isle. Stash your boat and head inside, where you’ll be met with a nautical New England ambiance. Ranging […]

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Housing Affordability Still Makes Many Feel Insecure

(TNS)–In this job, I regularly receive email and telephone calls that qualify as balderdash. This I define as questionable information, typically involving online surveys from groups I have never heard of, sent in the hope that I will publish them as “click bait” without checking further than the end of my fingertips. But one survey […]

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September Brings Slight Yearly Increase in New Home Purchase Mortgage Applications

Mortgage applications for new home purchases increased 3 percent this September, relative to September 2015, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Builder Application Survey (BAS) data. Compared to August 2016, applications decreased by 7 percent. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns. “After a strong start in 2016 and despite evidence […]

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How Far Does $400,000 Go in the Hottest Investment Markets?

Have you ever wondered how far $400,000 could take you in various markets? This has been analyzed in a newly released HomeUnion report comparing investment property values in 10 of the most sought-after markets among HomeUnion’s clients. The company analyzed what a total of $400,000 will buy a single-family rental (SFR) investor in these popular […]

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The Future of Community Building Lies in Women, Immigrants, Retirees

Rising numbers of female executives, affluent immigrants, younger and older workers, and retirees will have a profound influence on community building in the U.S. over the next 10 years, according to a new Urban Land Institute (ULI) report, Demographic Strategies for Real Estate. The report, by John Burns Real Estate Consulting LLC, identifies several key trends related to […]

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LGBT Agents Weigh in on Impact of Supreme Court Marriage Ruling

Fifteen months after the historic Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality, 20 percent of LGBT real estate agents said the court decision has affected their clients’ decision to buy or sell a home, while 28 percent said current anti-LGBT legislation has affected their clients’ choice of communities in which to buy, according […]

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Expert Commentary: Major Victory in PHH Case

In a 110-page decision, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (the court) largely agreed with PHH and overruled the decisions of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).  The court ruled that the structure of the CFPB was unconstitutional, that so-called “captive reinsurance” was permissible, that section 8(c) does in fact contain safe […]

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Open House Review: 9 Whitney

Completely remodeled, 9 Whitney is move in ready with not only an updated home, but an entertainer’s paradise in the backyard. Asking Price:               $978,800 Bedrooms:                   3 Bathrooms:                  2.5 Square Footage:         2,150 Lot Size:                      5,400 Sq. Ft Price per Square Foot:  $455 Property Type:             Single Family Residence Year Built:                   1979 No HOA […]

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CFPB Structure ‘Unconstitutional,’ Rules Appeals Court

Today, a federal appeals court ruled that the single-director structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CPFB) represents an “unconstitutional concentration” of executive power. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia found problem with the inability for other government sectors to admonish—or even review—the Bureau’s actions, with too much power placed at […]

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A Nation United—and Divided—by Our Homes’ Architectural Styles

It’s worth emphasizing now more than ever: Diversity is what the United States of America is all about. The country, of course, was cobbled together on this very idea—diversity of geography, beliefs, people. And even the homes they live in! We’ve got architectural styles rooted in the history of our nation before it was a nation (Colonial, […]

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Win a Shopping Spree with Members’ Gift Galleria and MVP

NAR PULSE—Sign-up to shop Members’ Gift Galleria, available through NAR’s REALTOR Benefits® Program, by Oct. 15 and earn 5 Tech and Marketing Tools to Win Listings – Webinar Download from the Member Value Plus (MVP) Program. Plus, you’ll be automatically entered into a drawing for a $250 shopping spree to spend at Members’ Gift Galleria! […]

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Homeowners Still Overvalue Homes, but Not as Much

Appraisals lagged behind what homeowners estimated by 1.26 percent in September, according to Quicken Loans’ national Home Price Perception Index (HPPI). This is a slight move toward equilibrium after a 1.56 percent gap between perceptions in August. September marks the third time in as many months the HPPI has moved closer to agreement between homeowners […]

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Fannie Mae Announces Sale of Reperforming Loans

Fannie Mae recently began marketing its first sale of reperforming loans as part of the company’s ongoing effort to reduce the size of its retained mortgage portfolio. The pool of approximately 3,600 loans, totaling $806 million in unpaid principal balance, is available for purchase by qualified bidders. This sale of reperforming loans is being marketed […]

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Housing Experts Work to Preserve Affordable Rural Rental Housing

The National Rural Housing Coalition (NRHC) recently convened leaders from the rural housing community to evaluate and prepare recommendations that will ensure affordable rental housing options remain available to low- and very low-income residents. The purpose of the October 4-5 conference, which was sponsored by PNC Bank, was to gather feedback from the community and confer […]

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Advice to My Younger Self by Lennox Scott

Editor’s Note: Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate, wrote the following retrospective in celebration of the company’s 85th Anniversary and his own milestone of 40 years in the business. Eighty-five years ago my grandfather started John L. Scott Real Estate. It’s a huge milestone for John L. Scott as a […]

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Freddie Mac Extends Disaster Relief to Borrowers Impacted by Hurricane Matthew

Freddie Mac’s full menu of disaster relief policies will be available to homeowners whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Matthew. Freddie Mac’s disaster relief policies will be available to borrowers with homes in presidentially declared Major Disaster Areas where federal Individual Assistance programs are made available to affected individuals and households. Until then, […]

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Great Spaces: Kelly Dodd of ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ Lists Gorgeous OC Oasis

“Real Housewives of Orange County” cast member Kelly Dodd has listed her palatial oceanside home in Newport Beach for $6.25 million. Known for its over-the-top décor, this four-story, 4,370-square-foot, newly remodeled, resort-style residence is located at 3014 Breakers Drive. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom home has an open floor plan with an abundance of natural light, offering […]

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Open House Review: 7 Merrimac

Completely remodeled, 7 Merrimac is nicely located on a cul-de-sac street and is move in ready with an entertainer’s space both indoors and outdoors.  Not only does the zero-lot-line home show beautifully, but buyers should note that the furniture is also negotiable for purchase.  This is a pool property that feeds into Brywood Elementary, Sierra […]

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Zillow Report Says Rent Will Rise in the West

Rents in the West’s tech job centers are predicted to be among some of the fastest growing across the nation over the next year, according to the latest Zillow® Rent Forecast for August 2016 to August 2017, which predicts rent trends down to the zip-code level across the U.S. Rents in Seattle and Portland are expected to rise the most over the […]

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The McMansion’s Day Has Come and Gone

(TNS)—When Dr. Kishin Ramani decided to sell his six-bedroom, Georgian-style home on a half-acre lot in an affluent Chicago suburb three years ago, it never occurred to him that he’d be resigned to accepting far less than he paid when he bought the home in 2005. Ramani was immediately drawn to the home, built in […]

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Mortgage Applications Inch Higher

Mortgage applications increased 2.9 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending September 30, 2016. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 2.9 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, […]

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Great Spaces: Pharrell Williams’ Miami Penthouse Sells for $9.25 Million

Pharrell Williams has every reason to be “Happy” after finally selling his Miami penthouse to a New Jersey businessman. With his main residence in the swanky Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles that he bought in 2015, it wasn’t feasible to hold onto the penthouse—even if it were in what many would call the best location […]

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Mortgage Rates Hover in Place

Average fixed mortgage rates remain largely unchanged ahead of this week’s employment report, according to Freddie Mac’s recently released Primary Mortgage Market Survey. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.42 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending October 6, 2016, unchanged from last week. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM […]

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Seniors Are More Social Media-Savvy than You Might Think

(TNS)—New research shows seniors might be more savvy at tweeting, Facebook posting, emailing and Skyping than they get credit for. A study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking shows there may be portions of older adults who use technology as often as younger adults, and that it might have some health benefits. […]

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Realtor.com® and PNC Bank Talk Industry Growth

The residential mortgage industry has seen a big rise in non-bank lenders this year, but PNC Bank never got the memo; business expanded throughout the year and is poised for growth. Realtor® Magazine spoke with Pete Boomer, Executive Vice President of mortgage originations at PNC Bank, N.A. to find out what’s new at PNC and […]

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Great Spaces: This Texas Mansion Doubles as a Waterpark

Here at Housecall, we see a lot of mega mansions roll through our digital doors. However, this Texas stunner caught our eye not with its sprawling layout, bowling alley or 18 (yes, 18) bathrooms, but its backyard! Decked out with a full-fledged waterpark, an in-ground trampoline and a resort-like décor, this mansion is clearly moonlighting […]

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Oklahoma Housing Impacted by Earthquakes and Oil

A recent ATTOM Data Solutions analysis of housing market trends in Oklahoma following the recent spike in earthquake activity highlights interesting results. The analysis found that statewide in Oklahoma earthquakes increased 375 percent between the four quarters ending in Q1 2014 and the four quarters ending in Q1 2016, when earthquake activity reached a peak […]

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Updates to FHA Single Family Handbook Offer Clarity for Appraisers

Realtors® raised concerns earlier this year when the Federal Housing Administration’s “Single Family Housing Policy Handbook” included new requirements for appraisers to operate and physically observe appliances on a property during the completion of an appraisal. This inspector-type role far exceeded previously understood appraiser duties and had the potential to make appraisals longer and more costly […]

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Peek Inside Johnny Depp’s $12.7M Art Deco

Johnny Depp loves art. His Los Angeles penthouse, now on the market for $12.7M, beats you over the head with this fact from the very second you lay eyes on a single photo. It’s got a mural by Brazilian artist twins OSGEMEOS sprawled on the entire dining room wall. Paintings, photographs and other artsy-fartsy pieces […]

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A Rising Market Share of 5,000+ Square Foot Homes

New homes with 5,000 square feet or more of living space increased both as a share of all new construction and in absolute number in 2015, according to the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction. In 2015, the share of new homes this size reached a post-recession peak of 3.9 percent of new homes started. The […]

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Cypress Village – Lantana Collection Review

A couple of weeks ago, I introduced you to a new enclave in Cypress Village, located between the 133 toll road and Ridge Valley on the south side of Trabuco/Great Park Road. The Lantana collection is a neighborhood of 136 attached townhomes ranging from 1,231 – 1,526 square feet. There are five primary residences, though […]

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Imagine How You Could Invest in the Success of Your Business With $10,000

NAR PULSE—Through Nov. 4, enter to win up to $10,000 or over 100 other prizes to help your business from FedEx, a REALTOR Benefits® Program Participant. To earn your first entry, simply enroll for FedEx® shipping services. You could be on your way to a treasure trove of rewards, plus year round discounts on shipping […]

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Achieving Sustainable Latino Homeownership One Step at a Time

For Christian Fuentes, co-owner of RE/MAX Top Producers in Diamond Bar, Calif.—and president of NAHREP’s LA-San Gabriel Valley chapter—education is key when it comes to working toward NAHREP’s mission of achieving sustainable Latino homeownership. Here, Fuentes discusses just how important education is to achieving the American Dream, and his plans for continuing to grow the […]

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Eighty Nine Percent of Investors Want to Invest in Real Estate

Could real estate be the hottest trend in investing? While the concept itself isn’t new, confidence and intrigue in this investment strategy are high according to recent findings from a national survey of U.S. investors by Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, which found 89 percent of U.S. investors surveyed are interested in incorporating real estate […]

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New Home Price Report Shows Prices Up 6.2 Percent

Home prices are up both year over year and month over month, according to the CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI™) and HPI Forecast™ for August 2016. Home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased year over year by 6.2 percent in August 2016 compared with August 2015 and increased month over month by 1.1 percent in August […]

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CEO Exchange 2016: How Will the Presidential Election Impact Your Business?

Last week’s Presidential debate was a stark reminder, if not an ominous one: the election is approaching quickly and the real estate industry remains in the crossfire. Speaking at RISMedia’s CEO Exchange held at the Harvard Club of New York City, Ken Trepeta, president and executive director of The Real Estate Services Providers Council Inc. […]

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Know Before You Owe: A One-Year Lookback

Comprehensive regulatory overhauls are never easy, and harmonizing the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) “Know Before You Owe” (KBYO) mortgage initiative has been no exception. In effect for one year now, real estate industry professionals are becoming more comfortable with the new KBYO […]

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5 Tips for Buying Foreclosed Homes

(TNS)—Despite increases in home prices and a stabilizing housing market, many experts say the foreclosure crisis is far from over. But buying a foreclosed home is different from buying a typical resale. In many cases: — Only one real estate agent is involved. — The seller wants a preapproval letter from a lender before accepting […]

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Manhattan’s Average Apartment Price Remains More than $2 Million for Third Straight Quarter: Brokerage Report

Regional Spotlight—The average apartment price in Manhattan remains more than $2 million for the third straight quarter, according to Halstead’s Market Report. Fueled by luxury new development closings, the average price of $2,044,287 increased 18 percent from last year but was down slightly from the second quarter of 2016. The median price of $1,085,000 showed […]

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Open House Review: 12 Encina

This week, I saw an open house at 12 Encina. The home has been on the market for about two months but is finally listed on Redfin as “accepting backup offers.” The Basics: Asking price: $1,099,990 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 2.5 Square Footage: 2,864 Price per Sq. Ft.: $384 Lot size: 5,491 Property type: Single family […]

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Realtor.com® Forecasts Hottest Fall Housing Market in 10 Years

On the heels of a summer home-buying season marked by record demand and sky-high prices, the residential real estate market is shaping up for its hottest fall in a decade, according to new monthly data on inventory and demand on realtor.com®. Homes for sale in September are moving 4 percent more quickly than last year […]

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NAR Study Takes Pulse of Real Estate Firms

Brokers will find a great deal of valuable information about the state of the industry from the National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR’s) 2016 Profile of Real Estate Firms. For instance, the vast majority of real estate firms have an optimistic outlook for the future of the industry’s profitability and growth, and 43 percent of real […]

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