NAR

With rising interest rates and commodity prices still depressed, land sales and land prices continued to increase, although at a modest pace, during October 2017 – September 2018, according to the 2018 Land Market Survey of the REALTORS® Land Institute and the National Association of REALTORS®, an annual survey of land practitioners. Land sales in… Continue Reading Land Market Shows Slow But Steady Growth in 2018, According 2018 RLI-NAR Land Survey

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine A shipping container for hauling heavy freight in trains, trucks, and ships isn’t often associated with anything glamorous. But the housing industry wants to prove otherwise. Photos by: Rocket Lister, rocketlister.com This 3,000-square-foot home in Phoenix is made up of stacked shipping containers, but you’d never know it once you walked… Continue Reading Can a Shipping Container Home Be Stylish? Check This One Out!

A picture of an egg, The Miracle on the Hudson remembered, Brazilian spiders and much more, compiled by Anne-Marie Siudzinski, Senior Library Information Specialist. Just waitin’ in line for a burger. Which do you prefer on Instagram–an egg or Kylie Jenner?  We prefer the egg. Using Alexa in an open-plan office–not a great idea. Newsflash,… Continue Reading What We’re Reading: January 14-18

At the national level, housing affordability is down from last month and down from a year ago. Mortgage rates rose to 4.99 percent this November, up 19.1 percent compared to 4.19 percent a year ago. Housing affordability declined from a year ago in November moving the index down 10.6 percent from 161.0 to 144.0. The… Continue Reading November 2018 Housing Affordability Index

By Samantha Jones The old adage, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” rings true more than ever at the beginning of a new year. Sure, 2019 means a theoretical blank slate and chance to improve every facet of our lives. Yet, sometimes we set ourselves up to fail with those lofty goals. I’m all for… Continue Reading New Year’s Inspirations

A 911 misdial, automatic beer ordering, lava and water and much more, compiled by Anne-Marie Siudzinski, Senior Library Information Specialist. Out of beer?  This fridge will reorder for you. gfpeck/flickr/2009 Ooops, he dialed the wrong number (from space). Super Blood Wolf Moon–Game of Thrones episode or astronomical event? Being bored is good for you, according… Continue Reading What We’re Reading: January 7-11

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine As more homes get teched out, how do you make a home smart but stylish too? CES 2019—Las Vegas’ annual mega tech show—is showing off thousands of high-tech products, including a growing number to outfit a smart home. From smart mirrors to rollable TV screens, CES 2019 vendors are… Continue Reading High-Tech Home Design From CES 2019

In 1981 when NAR first started tracking the data, the average age of a first-time homebuyer was 29.  They made up 44 percent of all homebuyers.  Sixty-eight percent of first-time buyers were married couples, 12 percent were single female and 13 percent were single male (seven percent were other). In contrast, in 2018, the average… Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: First-Time Homebuyers Then and Now

Mortgage rates are starting off 2019 at very good levels. In fact, mortgage rates declined, starting the new year with the 30-year fixed rate mortgage dipping to 4.5 percent last week from 5 percent a month ago, according to mortgage finance provider Freddie Mac[1]. After a year of gradual increases, mortgage rates are declining. Stock market… Continue Reading Planning to Buy a Home in 2019?

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine Photo Credit: L.J. Smith Stair Systems A great staircase can be attention-getting in your listing. Don’t forget to stage it and highlight it in your property photos to give it the attention it deserves. “A circular staircase creates a positive first impression as people walk into the home,” says… Continue Reading Why You Should Consider Staging the Staircase