In recent years, pundits have spoken of tight lending and the need to expand access to credit to the broadest group of credit worthy borrowers. A number of issues have been cited as reasons for tight credit including law suits from the Department of Justice, investors forcing lenders to re-purchase loans, weak demand for riskier… Continue Reading Drivers of Tight Mortgage Credit
The following is NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun’s reaction to this morning’s U.S. Commerce Department report on December residential construction: “Let’s hope the rising trend in new home construction continues throughout 2017. As evidenced by the brisk pace of rent and home-price growth, the country desperately needs more housing units. Aside from providing consumers with more… Continue Reading Instant Reaction: December Housing Starts
The newest phishing attempt hitting Gmail users is tricky and nasty and it’s really easy to get taken in by it. Learn how to protect yourself. Google’s Android app will remember the searches it couldn’t complete (when coverage is spotty) and execute them when you’re back in range of a solid connection. Pretty cool. HT… Continue Reading Beware A New & Nasty Phishing Attempt; Search Without A Web Connection; More in Five for Wednesday
While you’re waiting for the snow to thaw this winter, now is the time to start planning how to reinvest that homeowners tax refund back into your property. Envision a quaintly tiled walk-way leading up to an outdoor fire place, children laughing by the pool on lazy summer days, and a multi-colored flowerbed in the… Continue Reading Wishing for Spring? Dream Up Your Next Outdoor Remodeling Project Now
Are you looking for new, fresh ways to connect and engage with your YPN members? Get 2017 off to a solid start with these event ideas for your YPN group. 1. Go for a strike. The Greater San Antonio Board of REALTORS® YPN is hosting bowling/networking event, which is sure to be a strike (in… Continue Reading YPN Event Ideas to Kick Off 2017
Rod Troch/flickr/2010 Winter in Chicago is cold, dark, and depressing. How can we get through it without losing our minds? By embracing Hygge. Hygge (hoo-gah) is a Danish word that encompasses coziness and comfort and hominess and being with friends. The Danes are noted as the happiest nation in the world, so they must be… Continue Reading How to Hygge
A year after TRID, lenders show signs of growing optimism. The TRID or the Know Before You Owe rules were implemented in October of 2015 and indented to streamline and safeguard consumers in the closing process. Delays and closing times leapt in the wake of the change, but eased to a lower, but elevated plateau.… Continue Reading Lenders Rounding Home on TRID
Existing home sales rose 0.7 percent in November from one month prior while new home sales increased 5.2 percent. These headline figures are seasonally adjusted figures and are reported in the news. However, for everyday practitioners, simple raw counts of home sales are often more meaningful than the seasonally adjusted figures. The raw count determines… Continue Reading Raw Count of Home Sales (November)
By Justin M. Riordan, Spade and Archer Design Agency There is good staging. There is bad staging. I mean, like really bad staging. In an industry with no regulations, no standardized accreditation system, and tons of “hobbyist professionals”, one gets what one pays for. The problem here is not if that inexperienced or bargain basement… Continue Reading 5 Staging Props You Need to Stop Using … Now!
After moving up in four consecutive months at the national level, housing affordability is down 1.1 from last month and down from a year ago. Mortgage rates increased to 3.82 this November and current home shoppers may want to lock in at current rates before they rise again. Housing affordability declined from a year ago… Continue Reading November 2016 Housing Affordability Index