Michael Crist

Pending home sales sank in August for the fifth time in six months, and slower activity in the areas hit hard by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma will likely pull existing sales for the year below the pace set in 2016, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index,*www.nar.realtor/topics/pending-home-sales, a forward-looking indicator… Continue Reading Pending Home Sales Fall 2.6 Percent in August; 2017 Forecast Downgraded

James Vasquez By James Vasquez I successfully flip houses full-time; but I didn’t become a real estate professional seven years ago to start flipping houses. One of the main reasons I became a flipper early on in my career is because it gave me a huge leg up on my competitors. Also, like many young,… Continue Reading How House Flipping Can Catapult Your Real Estate Business

Blame supply and affordability headwinds and Hurricane Harvey damage in Houston for August’s 2.6 percent decline in pending home sales. In the video below, I chat with NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun about why sales have stalled in recent months, why he’s now expecting 2017 sales to come up short of 2016, and what impact… Continue Reading NAR 2017 Home Sales Forecast Downgraded

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Index shows that U.S. prices of single-family homes continue to rise. The national index level in July reached a new high and is up 5.9 percent from a year earlier.  But what does this mean for homeowners? Home prices affect the wealth of homeowners. As the price of housing increases,… Continue Reading Instant Reaction: July Owners’ Gains Forecast

WASHINGTON (September 25, 2017) — Existing-homes sales have retreated in four of the past five months, but new survey findings from the National Association of Realtors® indicate it is not because of a lack of confidence from consumers about buying and selling a home, or based on their views about the direction of the economy… Continue Reading HOME Survey: Economic and Financial Outlook, Attitudes About Home Buying and Selling on the Rise

In a monthly survey of REALTORS®, respondents reported that buyer traffic conditions in August 2017 were stable to very strong compared to conditions one year ago in all states except Delaware, according to the August 2017 REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey.[1] Respondents rate buyer traffic as “Stronger” (100), “Stable” (50), or “Weaker” (0) in August 2017… Continue Reading Homebuying Demand Continues to Outpace Supply in Many States

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine Fire features, like outdoor fire pits and fire tables, are in demand. The National Association of Landscape Professionals calls it one of the hottest landscape trends for the fall, based on a recent survey of 5,000 of its member landscapers. These hot-spots can be a great way to show… Continue Reading Why You Should Stage a Cozy Fire Pit Area

Its Unmarried and Single Americans Week according to the U.S. Census. Here is some information about the home buying habits of single men, single women and unmarried couples from the National Association of REALTORS®’ Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Single females made up 17% of home buyers in 2016. No matter their relationship status,… Continue Reading Unmarried and Single American Home Buyers

Amid strong demand and tight supply, REALTORS® reported that  properties that sold in June–August 2017 were typically on the market for less than 31 days in 29 states and in the District of Columbia, according to the August 2017 REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey.[1] Properties sold quickly in states such as Washington (19 days), Utah and… Continue Reading Homes Typically Sold in 30 Days Under Tight Supply Conditions in August 2017

Today is the first day of fall, and for homebuyers the crisper air means a golden opportunity to jump into the housing market. While all seasons offer reasons for people to get involved in real estate, September and October bring specific advantages for interested buyers. Eager sellers Many sellers try to sell their home in… Continue Reading Homebuyers Welcome the First Day of Fall