NAR

U.S. capital markets had a banner year in 2016, even accounting for volatility. The investment environment for commercial markets remained well-diversified, totaling $6.6 trillion in 2016. Debt investments accounted for 57 percent of total, with equity comprising the rest. On the equity side of commercial real estate financing, where equity investors held $2.9 trillion in… Continue Reading Maturing Commercial Loans 2017: the Wall of Debt that Didn’t Crash

Fannie Mae has come to recognize the problem people are facing when they’d like to buy a house but they’re hemmed in by tens of thousands of dollars of student loan debt. First, in calculating loan applicant’s debt-to-income ratio, the company is no longer factoring in debt that’s being paid by someone else. That means,… Continue Reading Largest Source of Mortgage Funds in U.S. Tries to Help Homebuyers Struggling With Student Debt

By Amalie Drury, guest contributor Photo credit: Crate and Barrel A great outdoor space is at the top of many home buyers’ checklists. So even if your listing doesn’t include a large lawn or an over-the-top patio, it’s important to show buyers that the home still offers the perks of an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. Be sure… Continue Reading The 5 Biggest Yard and Patio Staging Mistakes

One of the US’s largest banks made a subtle, but important change last month that could have big implications for entry-level homebuyers. That bank raised the cost of mortgages on lower priced homes significantly. If this change is adopted system wide, it could create headwinds for first-time buyers. However, it would behoove REALTORS® to work… Continue Reading Cheaper Homes Just Got More Expensive

Alexis Craig By Alexis Craig For a long time, I couldn’t make a cold call. I have a stutter and it’s noticeable when I’m nervous or talking to strangers. But I wanted to see if I could use cold calling as a lead acquisition and growth strategy. I initially expected cold calling to be a large… Continue Reading 3 Reasons Cold Calling Isn’t Dead

The economic and housing forecast panel at the annual National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE) spring conference is always one of the most interesting and engaging sessions during the week. This year’s session in Denver did not disappoint. “A majority of consumers are still indicating that now is a good time to buy a… Continue Reading Highlights from Lawrence Yun’s #NAREE17 Housing Forecast Presentation

June is National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate and promote the American Dream of owning a home.  REALTORS® know that homeownership is the best investment an individual can make to build their personal wealth, however, owning a home is not just in the best interest of the homeowner. Homeownership provides social stability, builds communities and… Continue Reading Story Idea – National Homeownership Month

History, dirt, duality, home improvement, architecture, 2020 Olympics, fidget spinners, housing, and rankings. This is an interesting long read about the heavily cloaked development of the iPhone. Who could use this when showing their listings? With this house, you don’t have to choose between the US and Canada!  Chris Connelly/flickr/2011 Summer is an opportune time… Continue Reading What We’re Reading: June 12-16

Realtors® know first-hand that real estate closings are a complex process that’s often slow and confusing for their clients. Consumers want simplicity and transparency, and Realtors® say electronic closings have the potential to deliver on that demand, but widespread acceptance of so-called “e-closings” has yet to take hold. National Association of Realtors® 2017 President-Elect Elizabeth… Continue Reading Electronic Closings a “Business Imperative,” but Hurdles Remain Before They’re Widespread

The following is NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun’s reaction to this morning’s U.S. Commerce Department report on the dip in residential construction in May: “Housing shortages look to intensify and may well turn into a housing emergency if the discrepancy between housing demand and housing supply widens further. The falling housing starts and housing permits… Continue Reading Instant Reaction: May Housing Starts