After last week’s report of a solid 4.4 percent jump in existing-home sales in March, signed contracts to purchase homes split the other way, inching backward 0.8 percent. The reason, according to NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, is simple: too few homes for sale to match the sizable demand this spring to buy a home.… Continue Reading WATCH: Lawrence Yun Discusses March Pending Sales, Inventory and Lumber
WASHINGTON (April 26, 2017) – Major reforms are needed to lower tax rates and simplify the tax code, but that shouldn’t come at the expense of current and prospective homeowners. That’s according to National Association of Realtors® President William E. Brown, a second-generation Realtor® from Alamo, California and founder of Investment Properties. Brown said that while the President’s tax proposal released… Continue Reading Homeownership in the Crosshairs of Latest Tax Plan, Say Realtors®
The White House today released a smattering of details surrounding its plan for tax reform, and Realtors® are wary. Despite the plan’s proponents reaffirming in a news conference that the plan was created with homeownership in mind, National Association of Realtors® president William E. Brown says homeowners should take heed. “While we appreciate the Administration’s… Continue Reading Realtors® Say White House Tax Plan “Does Anything But” Support Homeownership
In the monthly REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey, the National Association of REALTORS® asks members “For the last house that you closed in the past month, how long was it on the market from listing time to the time the seller accepted the buyer’s offer?” Amid strong demand and tight supply, properties sold in March 2017… Continue Reading Properties Typically Sold Faster at 34 Days in March 2017 Amid Tight Supply
Apple’s retail stores have long offered educational workshops, but the programs they’re rolling out in May — collectively known as “Today at Apple” — really up the ante. There will be 60 different programs for both kids and adults, and all are free. Online bank Aspriration will rank the companies from which you purchase things,… Continue Reading Apple Stores Even More Like Apple Schools; Shopping Gets Ethical; More in Five for Wednesday
The share of primary home buyers rose in 2016 to 70 percent of all homes sold on the market from 65 percent in 2015. Buyers who purchased to live in a primary residence bought 70 percent of all homes in 2016 for a total of 4.2 million properties. The remaining 30 percent of homes were… Continue Reading Vacation and Investment Home Sales: A Breakdown for 2017
You and your peers are busy this time of year. If you’re looking for ways to keep attendance and participation up in your local YPN, here are some ideas for creating fun, educational, and meaningful events. 1. The spring market is on fire…but that can come with questions and concerns. Take a cue from the… Continue Reading 5 YPN Event Ideas for Spring
While local conditions vary, the REALTORS® Buyer Traffic Index and the REALTORS® Confidence Index—Current Conditions for single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums remained above 50 in March 2017, indicating that more respondents reported “strong” than “weak” conditions. Both indices were higher than their levels one year ago and in the previous month.[1] The REALTORS® Seller Traffic… Continue Reading Highlights of the March 2017 REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey Report
The rule of thumb for potential mortgage borrowers is to get three quotes. Unfortunately, few follow through and it could possibly cost them money. As a trusted advisor, you can help your client by recommending mortgage rate search engines as well as multiple lenders, but make sure that your clients are considering the total cost.… Continue Reading Sometimes, Shopping Will Save Your Clients Money!
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 February reached a new high and is up 5.8 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: February Owners’ Gains Forecast