At the national level, housing affordability is down from last month and down from a year ago. Mortgage rates rose to 4.99 percent this November, up 19.1 percent compared to 4.19 percent a year ago. Housing affordability declined from a year ago in November moving the index down 10.6 percent from 161.0 to 144.0. The… Continue Reading November 2018 Housing Affordability Index
By Samantha Jones The old adage, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” rings true more than ever at the beginning of a new year. Sure, 2019 means a theoretical blank slate and chance to improve every facet of our lives. Yet, sometimes we set ourselves up to fail with those lofty goals. I’m all for… Continue Reading New Year’s Inspirations
When you are dealing with clients who exhibit signs of mental health issues or dementia or confusion, there are a number of steps you can take to help. Talk to the client. Ask the client for permission to reach out to emergency contacts that the client has provided you (e.g. friends, family, relatives, lawyers, social… Continue Reading From Byron King: Handling Clients Exhibiting Mental Confusion, Memory Lapses (More than Normal)
A 911 misdial, automatic beer ordering, lava and water and much more, compiled by Anne-Marie Siudzinski, Senior Library Information Specialist. Out of beer? This fridge will reorder for you. gfpeck/flickr/2009 Ooops, he dialed the wrong number (from space). Super Blood Wolf Moon–Game of Thrones episode or astronomical event? Being bored is good for you, according… Continue Reading What We’re Reading: January 7-11
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine As more homes get teched out, how do you make a home smart but stylish too? CES 2019—Las Vegas’ annual mega tech show—is showing off thousands of high-tech products, including a growing number to outfit a smart home. From smart mirrors to rollable TV screens, CES 2019 vendors are… Continue Reading High-Tech Home Design From CES 2019
In 1981 when NAR first started tracking the data, the average age of a first-time homebuyer was 29. They made up 44 percent of all homebuyers. Sixty-eight percent of first-time buyers were married couples, 12 percent were single female and 13 percent were single male (seven percent were other). In contrast, in 2018, the average… Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: First-Time Homebuyers Then and Now
Wondering what your top three 2019 risk management worries should be? NAR risk management committee identifies three: Team issues Coming soon Cybersecurity https://www.nar.realtor/natmeet.nsf/vwAttachmentsByKey/20461AC02FFF293786258354007C7B87/$File/AN18%20Minutes.Final.pdf Team issues: Remember the BIC supervises and compensates so have all that in writing. Know who your BIC is. Know in writing what your compensation is and how issues change if you… Continue Reading By Byron King: NAR Risk Management Committee Top 3: Teams, Coming Soon, Cybersecurity
Mortgage rates are starting off 2019 at very good levels. In fact, mortgage rates declined, starting the new year with the 30-year fixed rate mortgage dipping to 4.5 percent last week from 5 percent a month ago, according to mortgage finance provider Freddie Mac[1]. After a year of gradual increases, mortgage rates are declining. Stock market… Continue Reading Planning to Buy a Home in 2019?
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess122_2017-2018/bills/3886.htm Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: Homeowners Associations, Consumer Affairs services SECTION 1. Title 27 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding: "CHAPTER 30 Homeowners Associations Article 1 South Carolina Homeowners Association Act Section 27-30-110. This article may be cited as the 'South Carolina Homeowners Association… Continue Reading New HOA laws
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine Photo Credit: L.J. Smith Stair Systems A great staircase can be attention-getting in your listing. Don’t forget to stage it and highlight it in your property photos to give it the attention it deserves. “A circular staircase creates a positive first impression as people walk into the home,” says… Continue Reading Why You Should Consider Staging the Staircase