A dip in existing sales activity in December (2.8 percent) was not enough to keep 2016 from being the strongest year of sales (5.45 million) in exactly a decade. During this morning’s press conference, Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, attributed the strong 2016 to the ongoing good health of the labor market and the exceptionally… Continue Reading Existing-Home Sales Dip in December
On Friday, the new administration suspended a 25 basis point fee reduction that the past administration announced on the 9th of January. NAR research estimated that the fee reduction would have benefited 750,000 to 850,000 homebuyers in 2017 whose mortgages were backed by the FHA. In addition, it would have opened homeownership to an additional… Continue Reading FHA Fee Reduction On Hold
Lee Davenport By Lee Davenport Listing Leader — Is this title on your New Year’s resolution list? How about on your business plan for this year? I’m here to tell you, that you can make it happen. Here are four considerations to help, but only if you’re willing to subscribe to the notion of “out… Continue Reading Resolve to Stop Losing Listings
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine The Modern Farmhouse is on trend in home design this year, according to a newly released survey by Next Day Blinds. We may have Joanna and Chip Gaines from the HGTV hit show “Fixer Upper” to thank for the surge in popularity of this rustic style. Photo by Gardner… Continue Reading The Number One Design Style for 2017 Is …
Data, technology, yoga, Cubs, nature, listings, moving, travel, and amenities. What applications do you see for this beyond entertainment? Would you use the augmented reality feature now available on Realtor.com? One step forward, two steps back. We bet the German language has a word for the satisfying feeling of watching things like this in slow… Continue Reading What We’re Reading: January 16-20
Presidents always promise their version of change once they enter office. One thing that has definitely changed in the past five decades is home prices. NAR began collecting existing-home sales and price data back in 1968. In those 49 years, there have been nine U.S. presidents sworn in after today’s inauguration of Donald Trump. Below… Continue Reading Tracking Single-family Home Prices at Inaugurations since 1969
In recent years, pundits have spoken of tight lending and the need to expand access to credit to the broadest group of credit worthy borrowers. A number of issues have been cited as reasons for tight credit including law suits from the Department of Justice, investors forcing lenders to re-purchase loans, weak demand for riskier… Continue Reading Drivers of Tight Mortgage Credit
The following is NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun’s reaction to this morning’s U.S. Commerce Department report on December residential construction: “Let’s hope the rising trend in new home construction continues throughout 2017. As evidenced by the brisk pace of rent and home-price growth, the country desperately needs more housing units. Aside from providing consumers with more… Continue Reading Instant Reaction: December Housing Starts
The newest phishing attempt hitting Gmail users is tricky and nasty and it’s really easy to get taken in by it. Learn how to protect yourself. Google’s Android app will remember the searches it couldn’t complete (when coverage is spotty) and execute them when you’re back in range of a solid connection. Pretty cool. HT… Continue Reading Beware A New & Nasty Phishing Attempt; Search Without A Web Connection; More in Five for Wednesday
While you’re waiting for the snow to thaw this winter, now is the time to start planning how to reinvest that homeowners tax refund back into your property. Envision a quaintly tiled walk-way leading up to an outdoor fire place, children laughing by the pool on lazy summer days, and a multi-colored flowerbed in the… Continue Reading Wishing for Spring? Dream Up Your Next Outdoor Remodeling Project Now