At the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla. last month, I had the chance to sit down with two authors who know a ton about generating customer loyalty. One was Jason Forrest, a sales trainer and coach whom I’ve known as a regular contributor to REALTOR® Magazine over the years. He introduced me to Paul… Continue Reading Sales Doesn’t Equal Service
REALTORS®remain broadly optimistic about housing market conditions over the next six months, according to the December 2016 REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey Report, a monthly survey of REALTORS® about their sales activity and local market conditions.[1] The REALTORS® Confidence Index—Six-Month Outlook indices for all properties have been trending upward since 2012, and on an annual basis, 2016… Continue Reading REALTORS® Remain Broadly Optimistic About Market Conditions in 2017
As tax reform heats up on Captiol Hill, National Association of Realtors® President William E. Brown is working to make sure the Realtor® message is heard. In an op-ed to “The Hill,” Brown said Realtors® are eager for responsible reform. “America’s tax system deserves an overhaul, with an eye toward ensuring individual tax rates are… Continue Reading NAR President: “Tax Reform Must Protect Homeownership”
Anecdotes have increased in recent quarters that there is a growing shortage of appraisers. 55.6 percent of lenders who took part in the most recent Survey of Mortgage Originators indicated some level of issues getting appraisals. However, 11.1 percent indicated that the issue was significant. Respondents indicated that roughly 9.8% of volume was hit with… Continue Reading 2016 Survey of Mortgage Originators, Fourth Quarter
While local conditions vary, the REALTORS®Buyer Traffic Index and the REALTORS® Confidence Index—Current Conditions for single-family homes remained above 50 in December 2016, indicating that more respondents reported “strong” than “weak” conditions, according to the December 2016 REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey Report, a monthly survey of REALTORS® about their sales activity and local market conditions.[1]… Continue Reading Highlights of the December 2016 REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey Report
Take a closer look at the home’s foundation before buying, says Matt Stock, president of U.S. Waterproofing, based in the Chicago area. An undisclosed structural foundation repair could leave a new buyer facing a price tag of $20,000 or more. “We’ve seen foundations sink 8 inches,” says Stock. “That was a $150,000 repair for the… Continue Reading Do a Foundation Check: 5 Things to Watch For
John Blom By John Blom Last year I blogged about my experience as president of my local association, so it seemed right to wrap it all up with a grand finale — a seminal description of the lessons that I learned as part of that experience. I sat down last week to write that post and… Continue Reading Great Leaders Exhibit Gratitude
REALTORS® reported that sales of distressed properties continued to fall in 2016, according to the December 2016 REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey Report, a monthly survey of REALTORS® about their sales activity and local market conditions.[1] Distressed sales accounted for seven percent of sales (eight percent in 2015). With rising home values, improved economic conditions, and… Continue Reading Distressed, Investment, and All-cash Sales Continued to Decline in 2016
Super Bowl Sunday is almost here: the New England Patriots (a shocker to nobody) vs. the Atlanta Falcons. Last month we looked at who would be the this year’s champion if the winner was determined based on the home price movements of each team’s city. It now appears that much to the chagrin of NFL Commissioner… Continue Reading Super Bowl LI: New England’s Higher Home Prices vs. Atlanta’s Faster Price Growth
Deals, animals, health, Pac-Man, battery life, juniper trees, taxes, and snacks. Good news if you are buying a house this month! You lucked out! Nope. We’d have to move. We don’t want to tell anyone how to spend their money, but it seems like a waste to buy plane tickets for this group. Rob Gallop/flickr/2007… Continue Reading What We’re Reading: Jan. 30 – Feb. 3