When the temperature drops and words like “icy conditions” and “blizzard” start appearing in the weather forecast, keeping a house warm and cozy becomes even more important and even more difficult. There are several things homeowners can do to prepare their home for the cold ahead of time. Winterizing pipes, especially those in areas that… Continue Reading Story Ideas: Protect Your Home From the Cold
In the monthly REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey, the National Association of REALTORS® asks members the characteristics of the most recent sale that closed in the reference month, including “Was the buyer a first-time buyer?” The share of first-time home buyers accounted for 33 percent of residential sales in October 2016 (34 percent in September 2016;… Continue Reading First-time Homebuyers: 33 Percent of Residential Sales in October 2016
Since 1997, the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers has collected data on the sources of buyers’ downpayment for when they purchase a home. This year, 88 percent of all buyers financed their home and 98 percent of buyers ages 18 through 44 financed the home. All buyers financed a median of 90 percent of… Continue Reading The Sources of Downpayments Among Different Buyer Types
Homeowners across the country are beginning to open their doors for friends and family in celebration of wintertime traditions. Not coincidentally, it is during the holiday season that homeowners pay particularly close attention to necessary home improvements as they prepare to host their loved ones. While spending numerous hours preparing their favorite holiday meals, owners… Continue Reading Tis the Season to be…Thinking About Remodeling Your Kitchen?
In the monthly REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey, the National Association of REALTORS® asks members “For the last house that you closed in the past month, how long was it on the market from listing time to the time the seller accepted the buyer’s offer?” Properties stayed on the market for fewer days in October 2016… Continue Reading Properties Were Typically on the Market for 41 Days in October 2016
WASHINGTON (December 5, 2016) – In response to the announcement of Dr. Ben Carson as President-Elect Donald J. Trump’s selection for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, NAR President William E. Brown issued the following statement: “Realtors® know that the incoming Secretary of Housing and Urban Development has a big job ahead. Potential homebuyers face… Continue Reading National Association of Realtors® Congratulates Dr. Ben Carson, Nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Either way you look at it, buyers know that commuting costs are high. Some buyers need to be closer to their job while others need to be closer to school districts. The National Association of REALTORS® released its 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report to understand the trends of buyers and sellers. One… Continue Reading How Commuting Costs Factor Into Home Buying
After weeks of speculation, President-Elect Donald J. Trump this morning announced Dr. Ben Carson as his nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. In response to the news, National Association of Realtors® President William E. Brown took the opportunity to highlight the challenges facing the next HUD Secretary. He also congratulated Dr. Carson on… Continue Reading NAR President William E. Brown Congratulates Dr. Ben Carson on HUD Nomination
Example of modular housing; Photo credit: Method Homes By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine Prefab housing is shaking up the architecture world, touting attention-getting designs that are giving factory-built housing a new reputation. Manufacturers are also adding in greater abilities for home buyers to customize these homes, despite sections of them being mass produced in… Continue Reading Prefab Housing: What It Really Is and Why You Should Care
Sam DeBord By Sam DeBord Excerpted from Sam DeBord’s contribution to the book “The Honest Real Estate Agent” (2016) by Mario Jannatpour. This is the question that inevitably comes up for new real estate agents within their first few years of business. There are fees to be paid to the licensing agency, the brokerage, and… Continue Reading Why Do I Have To Become a REALTOR®?