NAR

The REALTORS® Confidence Index (RCI) survey gathers monthly information from REALTORS® about local real estate market conditions, characteristics of buyers and sellers, and issues affecting homeownership and real estate transactions.[1] This report presents key results about market transactions from October 2017. View and download the full report here. [2] Market Conditions and Expectations The REALTORS®… Continue Reading REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey: October 2017 Highlights

This Thanksgiving we look at how recent buyers are choosing their homes, and how their friends and family can influence their decision. While we don’t all get to see our families every day, for many home buyers having the option to do so can influence the home they purchase. Based on data from the recently… Continue Reading Thanksgiving 2017: How family and friends can influence the home purchase

Thanksgiving prep, design, and tech. This marvelous product from Stove Top is sold out, but maternity pants should still do the trick. Just a reminder for the novice Thanksgiving chefs out there that the Butterball Hotline really does exist. grassrootsgroundswell/flicker/2011 Don’t mistake us for ungrateful, but we wish we worked in this library! Gaudi’s La… Continue Reading What We’re Reading: Nov. 13-17

One of my favorite gifts to both give and receive is a book. It may seem passé in this world of digital media, but I think the fact that our lives are lived increasingly online makes books especially luxurious and gift-worthy. Here are a few examples of real estate topics writ large that would be welcome… Continue Reading Beautiful, Gift-Worthy Real Estate Books

At the national level, housing affordability is up from last month but down from a year ago. Mortgage rates increased to 4.15 percent this September, up compared to 3.78 percent a year ago. Housing affordability declined from a year ago in September moving the index down 5.4 percent from 169.8 to 160.7. The median sales… Continue Reading September 2017 Housing Affordability Index

Kevin Tengan told attendees at the REALTORS® Conference & Expo to remember that home buyers are looking for “a place for their life to happen.” To help your listing stand out from the competition, focus on the lifestyle the property will help buyers achieve, in addition to common details such as square footage and number… Continue Reading Don’t Just Sell a Home; Market a Lifestyle

Prospective first-time buyers in recent years have had to navigate several obstacles on their path to homeownership, including higher rents and home prices, tight inventory conditions and repaying student loan debt. These impediments are a big reason why first-timers were only 34 percent of all transactions in the National Association of Realtors®’ 2017 Profile of Home… Continue Reading The Anatomy of a First-time Buyer in 2017

Anita Clark By Anita Clark Finding it difficult to make an impact with your real estate blog? In this industry, half the battle is making sure that your traffic is actually relevant. Use these guidelines below to do exactly that, then take a look at this extended guide to creating and promoting real estate content.… Continue Reading How to Promote Your Real Estate Blog

After the release of the tax reform legislation from the House, last week’s question was “who will be affected by the new bill?” One of the key elements of the tax reform is the proposed capping of the mortgage interest deduction at $500K. Under the current tax framework, taxpayers who own a home are able… Continue Reading Who Owns a Half Million-Dollar Home?

By Brian Balduf, VHT Studios Appealing to home buyers is all about making that emotional connection. Smart marketers know emotions trump other factors, especially when you hear buyers say the listing “just feels right.” They may be searching for a new house, but they’re envisioning their next home. Buyers’ emotional experience while home shopping is… Continue Reading View the Possibilities With Virtual Staging