Mortgage rates have shot up 38 basis points since last November’s cyclical existing sales peak of 5.60 million. One would think that would translate into a dip in sales activity at the beginning of 2017. Today’s report shows that was not the case. Existing sales jumped out to a fast start in 2017, increasing 3.3 percent… Continue Reading January Existing-Home Sales: A Nice Start to the Year
For many new homeowners the year they buy their own home will also be the first year they do not take the standard deduction when doing their taxes. It can be confusing to know what is eligible for itemization and what is not. Most homeowners will end up itemizing their loan costs and fees, mortgage… Continue Reading Story Ideas: Filing Taxes as a New Homeowner
The National Association of Realtors quarterly home prices increased again this quarter. With inventory, being an issue in certain metro markets affordability may become a challenge for potential homebuyers. Here is a look at the metro areas for the top five most and least affordable of the fourth quarter 2016 as well as a look… Continue Reading 2016 Fourth Quarter Metro Affordability
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Drew Heasley By Drew Heasley The spring market is traditionally the hottest real estate market across the country. For my area in Pennsylvania, the busiest parts of the year are early spring and then again when school lets out. As an agent, you need make sure you and your clients are prepared for these annual… Continue Reading Tips for the Spring Market
Photo courtesy Blinds.com By Katie Laird, guest blogger Take a peek through the windows of your newest listing — what do you see? A stunning seascape? The glitzy city skyline? Layers of mountains stacked against the horizon? Make it impossible for potential buyers to ignore the gorgeous vista that a property offers by maximizing its… Continue Reading Room with a View: How to Accent Your Listing’s Stellar Outdoor Views
For homeowners, animals are part of the family according to 99 percent of animal owners that NAR surveyed in its new report Remodeling Impact: Animal House. Nevertheless, finding a rental property or a home owners association that accommodates animals, according to 61 percent of REALTORS®, can be difficult. Nearly half of all animal owners have… Continue Reading Home Renovations to Accommodate Family Animals
In the spirit of President’s Day we can use data from the 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers to see how the typical home differs from the White House. Typical Home Purchased in the U.S. 86% of buyers purchased a previously owned home, with 83% of buyers choosing a detached single-family home. Looking by first-time and… Continue Reading President’s Day 2017: How Does the White House Compare to the Average Home?
There have been nine U.S. presidents since the National Association of Realtors® began its comprehensive reporting of home sales data in 1968. The country and the typical cost to buy a home have changed a lot. To celebrate President’s Day, here is the national median single-family home price at the time each president was sworn… Continue Reading Infographic: All the Presidents’ Home Prices
The Future, history, marriage, nature, discounts, productivity, and little libraries. The robots are getting smarter. Sure, you can play an updated version of Simon, but you’ll look ridiculous. Please excuse our skepticism, but we’ll take a hard pass on this ride, and don’t see these parachutes being too accurate. This social media company is set… Continue Reading What We’re Reading: February 13-17