Michael Crist

Matterport, a virtual reality company, contributed to this post to let agents and brokers know about a free e-book on using virtual reality in real estate that it’s making available. Top real estate agents and brokers agree—virtual reality is the future of real estate. With incredible ease and accessibility, home buyers can have the immersive experience… Continue Reading Are you Using Virtual Reality to Win More Buyers and Sellers? Learn How to Get Started

How much sellers spend to stage their home will vary by where they are and what they have done, but generally speaking they can expect to pay about $600. Staging tends to break out into three categories: 1) The consultation, which can run between $300 and $600, depending on home size, home location, and so… Continue Reading Is $600 for Staging Worth It? A Report Says Yes

New homeowners always have the best intentions when it comes to taking care of their house. However, no one is knows all the ins and outs of maintaining a home right off the bat, so avoidable mistakes are often made in the beginning. In an attempt to protect new countertops, many owners will apply sealant… Continue Reading Story Idea – Common Mistakes Homeowners Make With Good Intentions

WASHINGTON (July 12, 2017) — According to the National Association of Realtors®’ 2017 National Housing Pulse Survey, concerns over housing affordability show clear demographic divides especially among unmarried and non-white Americans. More than five out of 10 unmarried and non-white Americans view the lack of available affordable housing as a big problem, compared to only… Continue Reading 84 Percent of Americans See Homeownership as Good Investment, Affordability a Growing Concern

WASHINGTON (July 12, 2017) - REach®, the growth technology accelerator operated by the National Association of Realtors®’ strategic investment arm, Second Century Ventures, was recently named among the top 30 accelerators in the U.S. by the Seed Accelerator Rankings Project, or SARP. Now in its fifth year, SARP is compiled by researchers from the MIT… Continue Reading REach® Technology Accelerator Named Among Best in Nation

John Blom By John Blom I’m often asked why I spend as much time as I do volunteering with the state (Washington REALTORS®) and National Association REALTORS®. There are many reasons, but perhaps the greatest is that I truly believe in the importance of  homeownership advocacy at every level. I believe in the value of… Continue Reading Building Wealth Through Homeownership

Baseball’s best stars gather at Marlins Park in Miami tonight for the 88th MLB All-Star Game. Similar to the heat coming out of pitchers’ hands and off the bats of the game’s best hitters, Miami’s housing market is hot right now. Check out these stats courtesy of the Miami Association of Realtors on housing activity in May:… Continue Reading Bringing the Heat: the MLB All-Star Game and Miami’s Housing Market

Simple raw counts of home sales are often more meaningful than the seasonally adjusted figures.  The raw count determines income and helps better assess how busy the market has been. Existing home sales increased 1.1 percent in May from one month prior while new home sales rose 2.9 percent.  These headline figures are seasonally adjusted… Continue Reading Home Sales for May 2017: Raw Count

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine  Don’t underestimate the power of a space based on its size. Sure, your listing may be size-challenged in the yard department, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be a showpiece. “As building lots continue to be smaller and scarcer, lot preparation with the goal of maximizing livable outdoor… Continue Reading That Small Backyard Can Still Be a Selling Point

In an update to the “Know Before You Owe” mortgage rule, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau stated clearly that it is “usual, accepted, and appropriate” for real estate agents and brokers to have access to the Closing Disclosure. The National Association of Realtors® cheered the announcement, having pushed vigorously for the clarification. In a statement, NAR President… Continue Reading CFPB ‘Know Before You Owe’ Announcement May Offer Relief for Agents on Disclosure Sharing