References to articles, sources, products, or services are not a specific endorsement and not guaranteed to be true or accurate, but the user must perform their due diligence and investigate whether the information provided is valid, or the product or service is right for them. I welcome any or all comments that would help others……Be careful – if it sounds too good, it probably is!
1-3-3018:
Reasons Why Real Estate Brokers Will be Needed Forever.
- They Have Serious Knowledge Of Your Local Area
- They Have A Close Eye On Current Market Trends
- They Know How To Market Your Property
- They Can Handle Heated Conversations And Paperwork
1-2-2018:
According to the National Association of Realtors, we’ve been in a Seller’s market for the past 5+ years.
Mixed real estate news— Housing starts rose 3.3% in November from October but residential housing permits fell 1.4% – WSJ, 12-20-2017, Page A2. This probably just means we are heading into the winter season which is traditionally slower housing starts due to weather and weather related delays….which cause extra cots for developers and builders.
1-1-2018:
Current value of U.S. homes are worth a combined $31.8 trillion.
12-29-2017:
IRS says many who prepaid property taxes may still face cap on deduction.
Post #1: The Hottest Real Estate Markets of 2017: Who Gained Big, Who Fell Hard.
Post #2: How new tax bill will impact real estate market in South Florida. Hey – home buyers don’t look at the mortgage interest deduction that closely when making home purchases – they look at monthly payment and how it fits their budgets – unless they have a very high income and they don’t care bout deductions, just standard of living.
Without a broad-based income tax, Florida, Nevada, Alaska, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, New Hampshire and Wyoming could be at an advantage.
Post #3: The Benefits Of Homeowner Association Newsletters.
12-28-2017:
Post #1: What Airbnb Means for Your Mortgage. Lenders often view rent from a traditional lease as income, but Airbnb income can be sporadic and the concept is relatively new so they don’t view temporary vacation rentals in the same light.
Post #2: Reconciled Tax Plan Could Leave 1 in 8 Homes Eligible for MID . Reports indicate that tax reform negotiators are considering a $750,000 mortgage interest deduction (MID) cap. Under the current law, about 44% of U.S. homes are worth enough for a homeowner to benefit from the MID. Under the new bill as reported, this proportion drops to 12.5%.
Post #3: What do today’s homebuyers want in their real estate agents?. Helpfulness ranked first, but many buyers are careful to note in their reviews that helpfulness doesn’t equate to pushiness or lots of sales pressure. According to Open Listings, “For our buyers, reactive helpfulness (i.e., answers a buyer question) was better than feeling pressured by too much agent outreach.”
12-27-2017:
Post #1: Zillow still hasn’t come to an agreement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over possible violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). “As of September 30, 2017, we have recorded an accrual for an immaterial amount in connection with this matter,” the filing stated. “There is a reasonable possibility that a loss in excess of amounts accrued may be incurred; however, the possible loss or range of loss is not estimable. We did not record an accrual related to this matter as of December 31, 2016 because the possible loss or range of loss was not estimable.”
Post #2: How can new real estate agents stand out on social media?
- Personal: About your life in your off time
- Industry-related: Market updates, up-and-coming area projects, etc.
- You working in your industry: You at open houses, inspections, closings
Post #3: US home prices surge 6.2 percent, outpacing wage growth. S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller national home price index stood in October a solid 6 percent above its previous 2006 peak.
12-24-017:
Merry Christmas and a big F U from Greedy Grinch Realtors? Real estate agents to file class action over withheld commissions. Top executives withheld what may amount to several million dollars in commissions from agents who had home sales underway before leaving the firm but that closed after their departure.
12-22-2017:
Post #1: Why are Comparable Real Estate Sales Important?. Comparable real estate sales are the sale prices of similar homes that have been sold in your area. They are neither active listings nor pending sales. You can compare both of them, but those values do not carry the same weight-age as a property that has been already sold.
Post #2: Year End Tax Savings Tips for Real Estate Investors.
Post #3: 12 Things That Trip Up Homebuyers . The list includes:
- Failing to get pre-approved
- Neglecting to factor in all the costs
- Not shopping for the best mortgage product.
12-21-2017:
Post #1: 5 simple New Year’s resolutions every real estate agent should make.
- Turn off your smart phone for at least 5 minutes a day
- Get one new lead each week
- Post once a week on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
- Get your CE done at least one week before it’s due
- Turn your car into a true mobile office
Post #2: General: Total # of US “owner” households rose over 750,000 since last year; total # of renter households dropped by about 350,000; and 400,000 households were formed.
Post #3: The Congressional tax bills are expected to create another 850,000 homes on the market in the next 10 years in addition to reducing the financial subsidy of housing purchases through fewer households qualifying for mortgage interest deduction.
12-19-2017:
Post #1: The broker confidence crisis. Real estate agents increasingly struggle to cope with technological advancements and low-cost competition. And insiders say the market is only going to get tougher for brokers.
Post #2: How to Keep Your Mortgage Approval Approved. Your mortgage approval is primarily based on documenting your income and assets, your equity stake or down payment, your credit and the cash you’ll have left over after the deal is done.
12-18-2017:
Post #1: The 2017 tax reform bill and real estate: what it means if you’re buying a home.
Post #2: Home sales seen to fall more than 5% as new mortgage rules kick in.
12-13-2017:
Post #1: No housing bubble in sight — and other predictions for 2018. More predictions…yada…yada…yada…
Post #2: Fannie and Freddie Will Wait Until Jan 2nd to Evict You. The two companies said that legal and administrative proceedings for evictions can continue during the period as well as other foreclosure-related activities. Families, however, must be allowed to continue living in the homes.
Post #3: The 2017 tax reform bill and real estate: what it means if you’re buying a home. Note: Current Reports indicate that tax reform negotiators are considering a $750,000 mortgage interest deduction – so this article is only further speculation.
12-13-2017:
Post #1: Picture Perfect HOA Reserves. A reserve study uses a component inventory analysis of the HOA’s common elements having useful lives of between 2 and 30 years to project scheduling coupled with a funding plan.Common elements deteriorate over time and as do the underlying assumptions of the reserve study.
Post #2: NAR Power Broker Roundtable: A Look at the Year Ahead. This month’s National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Power Broker Roundtable introduces Christina Pappas, district sales manager for The Keyes Company and incoming moderator of the Roundtable for 2018.
Christina Pappas: As I take over this chair, I want to emphasize exactly what my new NAR role means. I will be acting, as you have for the past year, as a liaison between brokers and NAR. I hope to bring to the forefront some noteworthy NAR news and messages, but I also want to hear from brokers out there about topics they’d like our panels to explore—and, for that matter, from brokers who may never have served on one of these Roundtable panels, but would like to participate now. I’m reachable any time, CPappas@keyes.com, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
Post #3: Will the GOP tax bill lower home prices in California? The proposed cuts to real estate-focused tax deductions could cause prices in the Golden State to drop between 8-12%.
12-12-2017:
Post #1: These government-approved high-interest green loans are turning mortgage lending upside down. Most important is the fact that PACE loans take priority over the mortgage in situations like foreclosures.
Post #2: FHA to stop backing green loans often called ‘predatory’. Congress began considering steps to roll back Property Assessed Clean Energy assessments (PACE) lending after MarketWatch, and, later, the Wall Street Journal, reported on FHA’s policy decision, which was made in July 2016.
12-8-2017:
Post #1: How to Save Enough for a Down Payment . A Zillow report released in November found homebuyers have to continuously save more for a down payment to keep up with the rising price of property throughout the U.S. The median home price is expected to be $6,275 more in a year, the report says, which means buyers will need to save an additional $105 per month simply to make up for the difference in a 20 percent down payment between now and then.
Post #2: FHA to stop backing green loans often called ‘predatory’. Congress began considering steps to roll back Property Assessed Clean Energy assessments (PACE) lending after MarketWatch, and, later, the Wall Street Journal, reported on FHA’s policy decision, which was made in July 2016.
Post #3: Flood insurance – short term or long term fix? many homeowners are electing to buy flood policies even if they don’t have to because they have seen the flood damage from hurricanes in the last 14 months. Whenever Congress does reach a long-term deal for re-authorization of the program, it’s likely rates will rise.
12-7-2017:
Post #1: Change-Of-Address Fraud: Easy For Crooks, Hard For Consumers To Fix. All a criminal needs is your name and address to easily re-route your mail — intercepting sensitive documents which they can use to steal your identity.
Post #2: Double your property value thanks to real estate photo editing techniques. Buyers spend 60% of their time looking at listing photos, and only 20% each on the listing description and agent description.
12-6-2017:
Post #1: Column A new California gold rush for homeowners, the poorhouse for renters . In Los Angeles and Orange counties, 533,000 homes are owned free and clear, and the value of them is $402 billion. That works out to about $700,000 in equity for each owner.
Post #2: Will 2018 be a good time to invest in real estate?.
12-5-2017:
Post # : How Well Do You Know Real Estate? Time to Find Out.
- How do investors participate in the real-estate sector?
- What is a REIT?
- True or false: Real estate is a countercyclical sector.
- Which commercial real-estate subsector is least prosperous now?
- What were typical residential mortgage terms before the creation of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Federal National Mortage Association (Fannie Mae) in the 1930s?
- How did real estate contribute to the most recent financial crisis and related recession?
- During the real-estate bubble, which economist was known as “Dr. Doom”?
- What foreign country’s investors are buying the most U.S. commercial real estate?
- What U.S. city has the lowest rate of apartment vacancy?
- Which commercial real-estate approach isn’t recommended in 2018?
11-30-2017:
Post #1: 5 reasons to be optimistic about the housing market.
- housing inventories growing
- existing home sales have been rather strong
- Job growth in most of the country
- mortgage rates still being under 4%
- growing number of homeowners are becoming equity rich
Post #2: Ask the HOA Expert: Governing Document Provisions. The board should deal with most HOA business (except legal matters, contract negotiations, private collection matters and a few other topics) at open board meetings.
11-29-2107:
Post #1: US new home sales surge unexpectedly, hitting 10-year high in October. New home sales increased 6.2% the highest level since October 2007.
Post #2: Renting real estate to Amazon is a nightmare: sources. Durst alleges it not only ditched another building tenant early but also stopped negotiating with yet a different tenant and spent $1.6 million to make the space fit Amazon’s “delivery conditions,” all while putting finishing touches on the lease worth almost $20 million.
11-27-2017:
Post #1: Homeownership doesn’t build wealth, study finds. “On average, renting and reinvesting wins in terms of wealth creation regardless of property appreciation, because property appreciation is highly correlated with gains in the traditional financial asset classes of stocks and bonds.”
Post #2: Homeowners Admit to ‘Real Estate Stalking’. 52% of respondents admit they have spied online to track how much friends and family paid for their houses.
11-24-2017:
Post #1: Expert Tips to Avoid Falling Victim to Real Estate Fraud Schemes. For example, educate clients to not rely on wiring instructions that come through e-mail or from a website. Wiring instructions should come from a secured system or confirmed verbally from a voice the buyer knows.
Post #2: Don’t Fight The Home Inspection . Sellers may think, at first blush, that an inspection is not in their best interests. However, if the seller stops and thinks about it for a moment, it becomes very clear that even from the seller’s point of view, it is advisable to let the buyers have a short contingency to back out of the contract if they are not satisfied with the condition of the house.
11-23-2017:
Post # : The top real estate trends expected to shape cities in 2018. So what’s hot for 2018? Smaller cities, the Internet of Things and Generation Z. Generation Z — which is loosely defined as those born after 1995 — is starting to have its oldest members enter the workforce and deal with finding housing.
11-22-2017:
Post #1: The best real estate domain names for your website.
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The best real estate domain names for your website
- Keep it short and sweet.
- Include your location.
- Use new options to your advantage.
- Make it distinctive.
Post #2: 9 Things Real Estate Agents Don’t Want You to Know.
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9. Buyers and sellers can check for misconduct
- 9. Buyers and sellers can check for misconduct
- 1. You don’t need to hire a real estate agent to sell your house
- 2. You can avoid a commission if you bring your own buyer
- 3. Commission is almost always negotiable
- 4. That open house — it’s not for you
- 5. Small agencies can be just as good as big ones
- 6. Your home inspector might not tell you everything
- 7. The contract you’re signing has some fine print
- 8. Getting the best price may not always be the top goal
- 9. Buyers and sellers can check for misconduct
Bottom line: Find the right agent — if you plan to hire one at all
11-21-2017:
Post #1: Realtors voice concern over public right-of-way signage change. In my opinion, these business signs do not serve a public purpose and should not be allowed in the public right-of-way, one Government official stated.
Post #2: 2017 Homebuyer Survey Contains Valuable Information For Agents And Sellers .
Post#3: Rip-Off Alert | Scammer turns real estate flipping opportunity into financial disaster. Even when you do your due diligence, you have to follow your instincts because he knew what he was saying….
11-20-2017
Post #1: 21 real estate blogs every agent should be reading. Courtesy of Inman News.
Post #2: Realtor.com Continues to Boycott Breitbart After Claiming It Doesn’t Engage in Boycotts. But, according to the Wall Street Journal, Realtor.com deleted a tweet saying that it “will not be running ads in Hannity.” A spokesman told the outlet that staff didn’t realize it has “a practice of not engaging in boycotts.” (Realtor.com’s boycott of a Fox News program was particularly tricky for the company as it is owned by News Corp, which shares common ownership with Fox’s parent company 21st Century Fox.)
11-17-2017:
Post #1: Atlanta Real Estate Brokerage at Center of Kickback Claims by Texas-based Mattress Firm…Colliers Atlanta, an affiliate of global real estate brokerage Colliers International. One top real estate executive and two Mattress Firm executives face claims that they unjustly enriched themselves.
Post #2: 5 Times when you accept the first offer on your house.
- When it’s a cash offer.
- When the timing is right.
- When you’re pressed for time.
- When you’ve got a limited buyer pool.
- When you’ve already found your next home.
11-16-2017: How Is The Real Estate Market Reacting To Zillow’s Zestimates Lawsuit Dismissal? A judge has dismissed without prejudice four lawsuits against real estate website Zillow regarding its Zestimates feature…answer: All Estimates Are Just That: Estimates.
11-15-2017:
Post #1: 3 Tips for Aspiring First-Time Homebuyers.
- Let your finances in order
- Choose your neighborhood carefully
- Make sure technology is working
Post #2: Homeowners, real estate agents arrested in scheme to sell home with sinkhole damage. Both were member of National Association of Realtors – who’s promise is one of ethics?
Post #3: 2017 Homebuyer Survey Contains Valuable Information For Agents And Sellers from National Association of Realtors. The most useful information for sellers and their agents is to be found in the section on the home search process. While the survey results are not significantly different from those of recent years, the trends continue. For example, this year 86% of buyers said They used internet frequently during the search process. In 2003 that number was only 42% and last year 55% of buyers said that they frequently used a mobile or tablet application. That is a newer and growing phenomenon. (Two years ago it was 41 %.) 68% of buyers said that they frequently relied on a real estate agent for information.
11-14-2017:
Post #1: 2017 Homebuyer Survey Contains Valuable Information For Agents And Sellers. The most useful information for sellers and their agents is to be found in the section on the home search process. While the survey results are not significantly different from those of recent years, the trends continue. For example, this year 86% of buyers said that they used the internet frequently during the search process. In 2003 that number was only 42%. This past year 55% of buyers said that they frequently used a mobile or tablet application. That is a newer and growing phenomenon. (Two years ago it was 41 %.) 68% of buyers said that they frequently relied on a real estate agent for information.
Post #2: How Much Do Home Alarm Systems Affect Resale? Well, that all depends – on your location and proximity o crime in the immediate area. And there are some benefits – albeit minor.
Post #3: The pros and cons of using a real estate agent. For both a buyer and seller.
11-13-2017:
Post #1: Millennials are finally buying homes — but only when they’re Instagrammable. Millennials are turning to elaborate photo-shoots as a way to celebrate the milestone that is buying a first home, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Post #2: This Real Estate Developer Has A Passion For Sustainability. Veronica Mainetti, President of Sorgente Group of America, is committed to developing and restoring buildings that are both luxurious and environmentally conscious.
11-10-2017: Should pricey Jackson home sales be taxed? A Teton County lawmaker says yes.
11-9-2017:
Post #1: Realtors Blast Tax Plan Again, Present Ideas for Increasing Homeownership. The biggest impediment to sales, Yun said, is the massive shortage of supply in relation to overall demand….lack of inventory has pushed up home prices by 48% from the low point in 2011….nearly two dozen suggestions.
Post #2: State takes action against home inspector (he kept the inspection fee and never produced reports).
11-8-2017:
Post #1: New tech firm aims to protect real estate agents from opioid addicts. Now there is a new danger: drug addicts.
Post #2: A Growing Number Of Realtors May Signal A Real Estate Bubble. The number of licensed realtors tends to rise with real estate prices. We are approaching a number of licensed realtors not seen since just before the financial crisis; this may signal a degree of over-exuberance.
Post #3: Home prices rose 7% nationally in September, compared with September 2016, a higher annual increase than was seen in August, according to CoreLogic, a real estate data firm. As a result, 48% of the nation’s top 50 housing markets are now considered “overvalued,” up from 46% in August..
11-7-2017:
Post #1: Overall, there’s an average of 4 months supply of homes on the market compared with a normal market having 6 months supply. It’s a domino effect becuase alot of potential first time homebuyers are still renting and shortage of new home construction that people in starter homes aren’t moving up into them and creating any opportunities for first time home buyers buying lower priced existing homes. Also, baby boomers who used to sell and downsize are deciding to stay in their existing homes longer and renovate. Also, given the fact that many large investors bought alot of homes in foreclosure back during the crisis and instead of unloading them now and increasingly higher prices, they are enjoying rising rents due to pent up housing demand that can’t be met by low inventory of homes at increasing prices. “Homeowners Renovate and Stay Put” – WSJ, 10-30-2017 – Page A3
Post #2: Real Estate Will Be Fine Under The Tax Cut and Jobs Act. About 64% of Americans own a house. Roughly two-thirds of those homeowners have a mortgage. Only 6% of all mortgages are for $500,000 or more. Put all those numbers together and you will find that home builders and realtors think their world is ending over policy changes to the mortgage interest deduction that impact only about 2.5% of American households. he number who won’t take advantage of itemized deductions anymore is somewhat larger, but still a small minority of households as many homeowners already used the standard deduction.
Post #3: Lennar is making an offer to purchase CalAtlantic Group to make the combined company the largest builder in the country in revenue (over $17 Billion).
11-6-2017:
Post #1: What You Need to Know About Tenants-In-Common Real Estate Investing. Sometimes used by unmarried couples buying a home together when the owners have different percentages of ownership – Flexibility – Some advantages of TIC.
Post #2: What Keeps Buyers From Finding Their Next Home.
- Seeing a home “as-is”.
- Not working with an expert agent.
- Letting the important things slide.
- Living strictly in the moment.
- Skipping an inspection.
11-3-2017:
Post #1: Mortgage services like Quicken Loans, Regions Mortgage, Huntington National Bank, USAA, and Navy Federal are all ranked very high in customer satisfaction. Overall satisfaction dripped if customers waited 5 or more minutes. Suggested ways to mak your customer service experience more pleasant:
Remember: relationship and reputation of lender is imperative.
Source: WSJ, 10-20-2017, Page M5
Post #2: Internet scams target businesses and real estate transactions. Law enforcement officials say the internet is becoming one of the most popular ways for scammers to steal people’s money or identities, be they personal or business-oriented.
11-2-207: Housing starts fell almost 5% in September and remain almost 40%below 50-year average; apparently lack of new Home construction prevents those in starter homes from moving up, thereby creating a domino effect preventing others to sell and move; baby boomers aren’t in a hurry to trade up or move away Loren and are deciding otherwise to stay; also, during the mid 2000’s housing crisis, many foreclosed or distressed homes were snatched up by investment companies that now have de died to wait for prices to go higher before selling.
Source: WSJ, “Homeowners renovate and stay put” 10-30-2017, page A3.
11-1-2017:
Post #1: Places that pay you to move there? If you’re willing to make a move and fit the qualifications, many rural American towns – and whole states – are offering attractive incentives aimed at attracting new residents and reviving their communities.
Post #2: Ron Siffen’recent opinion in Marietta Daily Journal – main reason why many cities abandoned rail transit is that fewer consumers chose that mode because it wasn’t more time efficient than driving. Cobb County plans to operate bus route 10-X in 2018 at half the ridership of the BRT and cost $10 million, not $500 million. Also, operating costs were expected to be a third of what the BRT would have been. Ron recommends the express bus system in managed lanes. Can bus trip get there in reasonably competitive trip time.
My thoughts: Either get with large employers to run 10-20 people vans to transport employees to eliminate autos or negotiate deals with Lyft/Uber to transport people/employees.
10-31-2017:
Post #1: First-Time Homebuyers Are Knocking: Are They Being Let In?. Supply is so strained that 42 percent of homebuyers as a whole paid either at or over list price, the Profile shows. On average, first-timers made a 5 percent down payment, and 25 percent of them reported the most challenging aspect of buying a home was saving for it. The majority of first-timers accumulated a down payment on their own (with 50 percent taking a year or more), while some received a gift from a friend or relative.
Post #2: REALTOR® Association Sues City Over Mandatory Pre-Sale Inspections – Is this legal under the US Constitution? City of Santa Barbara, alleging that its Zoning Information Report (ZIR) ordinance “as applied and on its face…imposes unconstitutional conditions on the Fourth Amendment right of homeowners to be free from unreasonable searches.”
10-30-2017:
Post #1: Kevin Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has decided to only partially repeal the state and local tax deduction, bending to concerns of colleagues from high-tax states.
Post #2: Generally speaking, most insurance policies cover fire and smoke damage, but you need to read your homeowners insurance policy to be sure. Sometimes additional living expenses if property is damaged. Make sure you review your coverage for any home improvements; additional extra structure often up to 10% of home’s value; actual cash value not enough to cover “replacement cost”; keep an inventory (written and video) of the contents in your Home and keep it outside the home; consider an extended replacement policy; check to see if your policy covers rebuilding to current building codes; and check inflation protection.
10-28-2017:
Post #1: How to know when to drop the asking price on your home. If a listing is overpriced and sits on the market for too long, it gets stale. Potential buyers will see the time on market and click past your listing, often without even looking at it. Bu some sellers are willing to take that risk and wait for the right price….will they succeed? It all depends on a waiting game.
Post # 2: High demand and low supply have made it a seller’s market pretty much all over the country, and especially for lower-priced homes. That does not mean every house will sell or sell quickly. Price is still important, especially as some markets begin to overheat.
The low number of listings has made the market more competitive, pushing prices higher at a fast clip. Nationally, prices are up about 7 percent from a year ago, and in the hottest markets they are up double digits. Still, a house can be overpriced, and today’s savvy house hunters can smell an overpriced house a mile away.
Pending home sales unchanged in September
If a listing is overpriced and sits on the market for too long, it gets stale. Potential buyers will see the time on market and click past your listing, often without even looking at it.
10-26-2017:
Post #1: US new home sales soar to highest level in a decade. New home sales leapt 18.9 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 667,000, the most in a decade, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. Sales rose in all regions including the South, where they increased nearly 26 percent.
Post #2: Hurricanes Likely to Have These 3 Effects on Housing.
- Hurricanes Likely to Have These 3 Effects on Housing
- Inventory will be tighter while house prices will see short-term growth
- Rebuilding activity will be slow due to tight labor market
- Delinquencies will increase
10-25-2017:
Post# 1: answers to common questions received by clients in the weeks following Irma’s visit to Florida.
- Who pays when my neighbor’s tree falls on my house?
- Who pays for hurricane damage if I’m under contract?
- Do I still have to close? Will the deadlines in my contract be extended?
- How can I better protect myself in the next transaction?
Post #2: Getting a mortgage? Don’t get tricked into high title insurance fees. You might not have understood that the insurance underwriter — the company that actually insures against title problems affecting your new home — didn’t end up with the majority of the premium charges you paid. In fact, it may have only received just 10 -20% of your total fees; the title agent or settlement attorney pocketed the other 80-90%. You could also have missed the monetary side deals that may exist between the realty brokerage firm and the title agency or settlement attorney.
10-24-2017:
Post #1: Health care: an emerging real estate asset. With the current shortage of hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities, an ageing population and the rise of medical tourism, there is a pressing need for additional healthcare facilities in the region over the coming years.
Post #2: Home Price Appreciation Moves Back Toward 7% – CoreLogic. Looking ahead, the CoreLogic HPI Forecast indicates that home prices will increase by 4.7 percent on a year-over-year basis from August 2017 to August 2018, and by 0.1 percent from August to September.
10-23-2017:
Post #1: Buyer Beware: Health and Safety Dangers in a Fixer-Upper. Long-outdated houses are often fraught with serious structural, electrical, plumbing and air quality problems. Before you take a sledgehammer to any walls, it’s necessary to thoroughly check the property for health and safety hazards and make any needed updates the No. 1 priority.
Post #2: OIG Criticizes Ginnie Mae Oversight of Non-banks. Ginnie Mae, is a wholly owned U.S. government corporation that guarantees and securitizes pools of mortgages originated through FHA, Veterans Administration, and Rural Housing Administration programs.
10-20-2017:
Post #1: New York Real Estate Commission: What’s a Fair Amount? Although the typical real estate commission is 6 percent, there is nothing about that figure that’s set in stone, or the law. Commissions are negotiable.
Post #2: The plot to kill consumer protection. The CFPB scrutinizes everything from financial products to college loans to rent-to-own operations. It’s also charged with protecting people from deception and abuse, while informing them of their rights. CFPB established itself as the only Washington agency more responsive to consumers than to lobbyists. Since 2011, it’s handled 1.2 million complaints, returning over $12 billion to consumers. Of those complaints, how many were materially or factually based? From 2008 to 2017, the number of commercial banks (community and otherwise) did fall from 7,175 to 4,982.
10-19-2017:
Post #1: Why doesn’t the NFL and NFL players stand up and support Comprehensive Crisis Intervention Training across the US like Memphis and Miami police departments did? Results of training – 71,000 police calls and only 150 arrests…officers have liked the training because it saves lives – both blue and all other colors!
Post #2: Population of attorneys in the US exceeded 450,000 and law schools add 34,000 each year…Trial lawyers are a major source of Democratic Party funding. One Dr. was named in a suit, even though the plaintiff’s medical adviser confirmed he had no involvement in the patient’s outcome. This doctor’s attorney attended many deposition meetings running up a tab of tens of thousands of dollars in charges that were dropped when the trial started.
10-18-2017:
Post #1: Why Use a Real Estate Agent? Paperwork – Access to Homes – Closing – etc.
Post #2: Goldman Sachs Group acquired Genesis Capital (company that backs investors to buy, restore, and sell homes – i.e., flipping homes). Genesis makes an average $1 million loan with rates up to 12% over a one year duration. About 35% of house flippers today use borrowed funds to co0mplete projects. Due to the current environment of rising home prices and lower inventories is driving more and more financial institutions to loan money to house flippers.
Post #3: 10 essential questions to ask your real estate agent before buying or selling a home…straight out of Ilyce Glink’s the 100 Questions everyone should ask
10-17-2017:
Post #1: Report: Atlanta has one of country’s largest new delinquent real estate loans. Hint: Mall at Stonecrest!
Post 2: Real Estate Advice: The ways to ‘refi’ a mortgage. (One way – shorten the term?)
10-16-2017:
Post #1: Do your own research when buying or selling a home: Ask Joe.
Post #2: Wire Fraud Creeps Through Real Estate Industry. A growing trend among hackers is to rummage through consumers’ email inboxes to identify people in the process of buying a home or land.
10-13-2017:
Post #1: 3 Reasons Experienced Investors Love Putting Their Money in Real Estate. 1. Real estate is great for diversification. 2. Real estate can involve high returns and low risk. 3. Real estate offers easy entry.
10-12-2017:
Post #1: Property investors regain their appetite for real estate as first home buyers also return. In seasonally adjusted terms, the value of investor loans jumped 4.2 per cent over the month to $12.6 billion despite higher interest rates and tighter bank restrictions in the sector.
Post #2: Mortgage fraud may be both more prevalent than lenders know and more insidious than they realize.
Post #3: HUD officials stopped debt collections and effectively disposed of government receivables totaling at least $4.4 million without appropriate authorization. HUD terminated debt collections and forgave debts without ensuring that required collection actions were taken and that U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) approval was obtained when required.
10-11-2017:
Post #1: Wells Fargo will refund up to $98 million in mortgage fees. Wells Fargo announced Wednesday that it would be refunding customers who paid rate-lock extension fees that they should not have been charged.
Post #2: How to pay down student debt by buying a house (Hey – you’ll pay either way!). Enter Eagle Home Mortgage…They’ll take 3% of the purchase price—up to $13,000—and put that toward your debt.
10-10-2017:
Post #1: Crowdfunding Your Way Into a Home. A new crowdfunding platform—HomeFundMe—was recently launched by CMG Financial, a privately-held mortgage banking firm. This could be a game changer, since it’s the first crowdfunding service approved by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Post #2: How many work type VISAs does the US offer? About 185 different types of immigration exist in two main categories of U.S. visas.
10-9-2017:
Post #1 : Crowdfunding the Down Payment, ADA-Compliant Real Estate Websites, Mortgage Deduction, and More
Post #2 : Zillow introduces 3D technology app to real estate agents. Its new app allows homeowners and real estate agents to capture the 3D images from their iPhone.
10-8-2017:
Scientists have long known the brain is a monitoring and thinking system – its attention is drawn toward anything new, intriguing, or otherwise striking. According to a 2015 Journal of Experimental Psychology study conducted found that those who were interrupted by cell phone alerts that their focus wandered and work got sloppier hence indicating distraction of phones. Yes, it doesn’t take this study to understand that cell phone attention distracts people…look at the accident statistics by those who were texting and driving. Another 2015 study reported in the Journal of Computer Mediated Communication reflected that when people hear their cell phones ring, blood pressure rises, pulse quicken, and their problem solving skills decline. Another study at UCSD revealed that in one test of “available cognitive capacity” (i.e., those who were to focus on specific tasks) scored poorly and another test of fluid intelligence” (i.e., ability to interpret and solve unfamiliar problems) scored higher when they left their cell phones in another room. The integration of smart phones into our lives has caused a brain drain that can diminish mental skills like learning, logical reasoning, abstract thought, problem solving, and creativity. Another study in applied Cognitive Psychology researchers examined how smartphones affected learning in a lecture class and found that – those who left their phones somewhere else scored a grade higher. In the journal Labour Economics, when schools banned smartphones, examination scores went up substantially. In a study reported in Science, different groups were read statements and then typed them into the computer – half told they would disappear and the other half told they would be saved…the half that thought they would disappear remembered much more than those who thought they were saved. “The art of remembering is the art of thinking” – William James in 1892.
Source: WSJ, “How Smart Phones Hijack Our Minds”, October 7-8, 2017, Page C1-2.
10-6-2017:
Post #1: Preparing Your Home for a Disaster. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross and the Department of Homeland Security all provide advice on preparedness.
Post #2: FORWARD-LOOKING HOMEOWNERS WANT ROOMS THAT DO DOUBLE DUTY. Younger home buyers see flex rooms as a way to customize their homes – baby boomers, hoping to age in place, are asking for flex rooms that could someday be a main-floor master bedroom or a suite for a live-in health aide.
Forward-looking home designers now plan for all those stages.
10-5-2017:
Post #1: A Guide To HOA Board Responsibilities. For the President-Vice President –
Secretary – Treasurer – All Board Member.
Post #2: Trump mortgage review draws Realtors’ notice. The Trump administration has floated consideration of reducing interest costs up to the current $1 million of mortgage debt as part of a tax reform package under scrutiny.
Note:
Medicare forced to spend $1.5B replacing faulty heart devices over past decade.
10-4-2017:
Post #1: Real Estate Advice: Don’t go for interest-only mortgage. Author’s conclusion: With interest rates as low as they are, there is no reason in my book to take out an interest-only ARM. I think they are a bad idea.
Post #2: 7 Tips to Close Your Mortgage Faster>/a>.
10-3-2017:
Post #1: Real estate agent to pay fines to resolve water test report. The Buyer Agent falsified water quality reports to bleed price concession from Seller. Totally unethical.
Post #2: Buyer beware! How hackers are stealing real estate transaction down payments. They are hacking into real estate agent emails and sending fake wiring instructions to another criminals account.
10-1-2017: Property Priorities: 5 Things Every Real Estate Lender Should Know. Location is of great importance – Know the property – Ensure the necessary documentation is in place – Look for strong borrowers – The importance of innovative products
9-30-2017: In California – Seller must disclose any defect, even if it occurs after original disclosure.
9-29-2017: Don’t Fight The Home Inspection. It is imperative for a homebuyer to obtain a home inspection after the contract for sale is signed by all parties.
9-28-2017: What to do when your house doesn’t sell?
9-27-2017: Home not selling? Here’s 10 ways you’re turning off prospective buyers. Things like messy, odors, bad photos, or TMI.
9-26-2017: 8 things sellers should expect from their real estate agent…Besides being ethical???
9-25-2017:
3 Trends That Will Drive The Mortgage Market in 2018 – Freddie Mac. (1) Increase in purchase mortgage volume; (2) cooling of rate refinance activity, and (3) more borrowers tapping their home equity.
9-21-2017:
Post #1: 8 things sellers should expect from their real estate agent….besides loyalty?
Post #2: Foreclosures start rising in Houston – is Florida next?
9-20-2017: How real estate developers are luring millennial homebuyers. Offering to pay off their student loans? Nope – pet spas!
9-19-2017: Mortgage Rates Continue Pushing Recent Highs. The good news is that rates’ ascent has been (for the moment) been orderly and moderate.
9-18-2017: Freddie Mac Unveils its HARP Replacement Loan = Enhanced Relief Refinance Mortgage. The new product, branded as the Enhanced Relief Refinance Mortgage, will provide refinance opportunities to borrowers with existing Freddie Mac mortgages but who cannot utilize the Freddie Mac “no cash-out” refinance because the LTV of the new loan would exceed that program’s maximum limit.
9-14-2017: The Advantages Of Electronic Mortgage Closing.
9-13-2017:
5 Things Real Estate Agents Wish You Knew About Buying a House.
9-12-2017:
Post #1: Five Key Questions For Home Sellers.
Post #2: Zillow Group Acquires New Home Feed.
9-11-2017: Three Big Things Homebuyers Are On The Look-Out For.
9-8-2017:
Post #1:
Crystal McDowell Missing: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know.
Post #2: 5 Mistakes Buyers Make.
9-7-2017:
Post #1: What Are Your Rights And Responsibilities If You Lose Your Home To A Natural Disaster.
Post #2: Wall Street Journal (8-26/27-2017 page A2) “Paydown the Mortgage, Forgo Gains” – Good question is “How much cash do you need to have in case of emergency?” Also you need to calculate the benefit of deducting mortgage interest. But what the article didn’t address is your ability to control your discretionary spending after you pay off credit card debt with home equity…or…Are you maxing out your retirement and other investment opportunities?
9-6-2017:
Post #1: Are we headed for another housing collapse?
Post #2: Should real estate agents be allowed to act for both buyer and seller?
9-5-2017 – See my new blog post: Official Georgia Wood Infestation Inspection Report.
9-4-2017:
Post #1: What Hurricane Harvey means for real estate and mortgage rates.
Post #2: Home Builders stock values have risen high as well as the costs and prices of homes. Materials costs are rising as well as severe labor shortages have resulted….median home price today $315,000 today and $236,000 about 5 years ago. If we see the mortgage rates rise we will see pressure on builders and home prices.
9-1-2017:
Post #1: What is a real estate easement?
Post #2: Rip-Off Alert: Cyber scammers stepping up game in real estate fraud.
8-30-2017:
Post #1: First-Time Home Seller Tips: Identify a Strong Offer.
1. Analyze the Housing Market
2. Understand Your Home Both Inside and Out
3. Consult with a Real Estate Agent
Post #2: It’s not just you — there really are fewer homes for sale with inventory at a 20-year low.
8-29-2017:
Post #1: Study: FSBOs Net ‘Significantly’ Lower Profits. “It appears that many sellers are avoiding commissions while netting home prices less than they would with an agent-represented MLS sale. They are avoiding commissions at any price, even one that exceeds a commission rate.”
Post #2: Fortress Builders Building at Marietta Active-Adult Community. To learn more about claiming a new home in this exciting active-adult community and the closing cost incentive, contact the sales center at 404-307-5867 or BarrettPreserve@BuiltByFortress.com
8-28-2017:
Post #1: Is real estate still a man’s domain?
Post #2: How Much Should You Disclose When Selling Your House.
8-25-2017:
Post #1: Seattle Real Estate Firm Offers “For Sale By Owner” Assistance With Five Figure Savings.
Post #2: Amazon Hints at Possible Real Estate Services Expansion.
Post #3: Are Millions Of Boomerang Buyers About To Ignite The Real Estate Market?
8-24-2017:
Post #1:
Three Percent Or 20 Percent – Which Is The Smarter Down Payment Strategy?
Post #2: Who Pays the Real Estate Agent When You Buy or Sell a Home? .
8-23-2017:
Post #1: 12 Ways to Find New Real Estate Clients
Post #2: HOA Meeting Basics – Basic outline of how to conduct a 2 hour HOA meeting.
8-22-2017:
Post #1: When It Comes To Disclosures, How Much Do You Really Have To Tell? It depends on your state’s laws. For example: In Georgia, there is no contractual requirement for you to furnish written disclosures, but it is required for you to make “material” disclosures to a Buyer such as disclose if you have lead based paint, but you don’t need to disclose if anyone has died in the home.
Also, the buyer must investigate certain information about the neighborhood where the home is located. Georgia statutes specifically state a seller isn’t required to inform buyer if a registered sex offender lives in the area (Georgia Official Code Annotated §44-1-16 (b)).
8-21-2017:
Post #1: Are we to see an end to property purchase appraisals? Well, yes and no – it all depends!
Post #2: How to Identify the Right Buyer for Your Home.
8-18-2017:
Post #1: Buying a Short Sale: 4 Tips to Make Yours the Winning Offer. 1. Have your finances sorted 2. Be ready to wait for approval 3. Don’t expect contingencies 4. Don’t navigate a short sale alone.
Post #2: source: WSJ, 8-11-2017, Page M3 – “Closings take a big leap into the digital age”. A property closing took place totally online without buyers and sellers there at the same time. Not totally unusual but what was unusual was they both signed electronically and no original copies. And even though a survey of homeowners reflected 70% were not in favor of closing without th parties being there.
8-17-2017:
Post #1: Do You Think of Real Estate When You Look At Facebook?
Post #2: Atlanta Commercial Real Estate News.
8-16-2017:
Post #1: What Does a Real Estate Agent Do?
Pot #2: What Should Homebuyers do in this Real Estate Market? Here are 3 Tips.
8-15-2017:
Post #1: Norton: Technology is changing real estate..– Norton said this technology won’t replace a broke…but what about agents?
Post #2: WSJ, 8-11-2017, page b1. “US home Renata giants plan to merge.” Both Blackstone Group and Starwood Waypoint Homes plan to merge resulting in a total of 82,000 homes with American Homes 4 Rent with 49,000.
8-14-2017:
Post #1: Answer to LIBOR Question Written in Reverse Mortgage Notes.
Post #2: One Big Reason Millennials Are Buying Homes? For Their Dogs.
8-11-2017:
Post #1: Mortgage interest tax break has ‘no effect’ on homeownership, says study.
Post #2: Home renovation is booming. We’ll de-construct the reasons why and look at the hot new trends..
8-9-2017:
Post #1: What You Should Know Before Buying A Condominium .
Post #2: WSJ, 7-29/30-2017, B4 “The Winners and Losers of a Tax Overhaul”
Ok – we know now that Congress can decide anything – even inaction – when it comes to real change…but it’s interesting that proposals for eliminating the mortgage interest deduction (worth $65 Billion in tax revenue); charitable deductions (worth about $60 Billion); and elimination of deduction for state and local taxes (worth more than $100 Billion) are being considered.
8-8-2017:
Post #1: WSJ – 7-26-17 A2 “taxpayers report fewer identify thefts”
Although there are fewer reports of IRS related identity theft, criminals are attempting to breach computer systems of tax preparers, payroll companies, and employers to gain personal information about employees. Or, wherever large Mounts of personal data are stored…like the cloud?
Post #2: Why seniors should consider a reverse mortgage. Using a reverse mortgage to pay for long-term health care—such as a long-term care insurance premiums, payments to caregivers or nursing homes, and modifications to make a home more accessible—may be a wise financial move for seniors, but be sure to consult a professional financial advisor.
================================
8-7-2017:
Post #1: Jones Long Lasalle Income Property Trust (from Chicago) reportedly just closed on its $47 million purchase of The Reserve apartment complex in Johns Creek, GA which equates to about $224,000 per unit of the 210 units. That’s alot for apartments renting from $1,100-1,800/month rent…maybe they will convert them to condominiums soon (next 1-3 years)for $300K+ and reap big return?
Post #2: How drones are changing the real estate business. Realtors try to use eye-catching visuals that will help sell homes.
8-4-2017:
NOTE: File a complaint immediately at FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Post #2: Amazon’s Alexa Adds More Real Estate Skills.
8-3-2017:
Post #1: Hidden costs of homeownership may run over $9,000 per year.
Post #2: Uber, Lyft take down not just cab drivers, but also lenders.
8-2-2017:
Post #1: 10 tips for first-time buyers<>.
Post #2: Mbultiple articles on real estate issues. Mortgage Industry Complaints, Millennials Buying Homes, Seller Disclosure Guidelines, and More.
7-31-2017:
Post #1: Technology allowing buyers to purchase Tucson homes without stepping foot inside.
Post #2: Thieves, posing as landlords, tell potential renters that in order to get in the house for a tour, they have to provide their credit card number as a deposit. And they get it!
7-28-2017:
Post #1: Action 9 investigates a real estate secret that can haunt homeowners.
Post #2: Homeownership rate jumps from 50-year low.
7-27-2017:
Post #1: Wall Street Journal – June 12, 2017-R2
Fannie Mae – allows the homebuyer with student debt to use housing debt at a lower interest rate,to pay off stid not loans. Anyone can use financing – it doesn’t have to be the student. Fannie Mae no longer considers student loan, car loan, credit card debt that is paid in past 12 months by someone else in the debt to income ratios. Even some states are offering inc notices. Maryland offers a 2nd mortgage up to 15% of the mortgage which isn’t required to be paid back, but 20% is forgiven each year the homeowner stays in the house. New York of feral up to $15,000 down payment assistance. Ohio offers both down payment assistance and discounted mortgage interest rate to recent college grads.
Post #2: New Homes Sales Fall Short of Expectations. 
7-26-2017:5 Tips for Tenants Renting a Foreclosure Property.
7-25-2017: Broad institute of mit and Harvard and 3 others own Crispr-Cas9 patents and submitted 22 patents for evaluation of proposed pool including intellectual property rights. Crispr is the defense system of bacteria using protein Cas9 to edit genes in plants, animals, and people. Main question: who should control its use…research or industry and should the government help allocate its use? Wsj, 7-10-17, B4.
7-24-2017:
Post #1: Freddie Mac news: Home prices are up, inventory is down. And that just means there’s a free market system in residential real estate…somewhat free.
Post #2: Illinois borrowed $17 billion to pay pensions that are unfounded by $130 billion…Chicago public schools borrowed $400 million @6.4% to pay pension obligations.
7-21-2017: How to Buy a Home.
7-20-2017: Sacramento realtors say squatting is on the rise.
7-19-2017: Foreigners buy record number of U.S. homes despite fears of immigration crackdown .
7-18-2017: Focus on Finance: When do you need a real estate survey? Note: Be sure to check with your closing attorney to determine impact on your enhanced title insurance coverage.
7-17-2017:
Post #1: Legislature passes construction defects legislation.
Post #2: Almost Half of Americans Have Buyer’s Remorse About Their House.7-14-2017:
Post #1: The difference between a real estate market correction and crash? Hint: 10% drop – more or less.
Post #2: Attorney pushes back on allegations against real estate agent.
Post #3: 7 Key Things That Help You Qualify For A Mortgage.
7-13-2017:
Post #1: A bizarre co-working scheme and the global rise of online real estate fraud.
Post #2: Focus on Finance: When do you need a real estate survey?
7-12-2017:
Post #1: 5 Tips for Tenants Renting a Foreclosure Property.
Post #2:Ask these questions before choosing a Realtor”.
7-11-2017:
7-10-2017:
Post #2: NAR said 2016 may be best year for existing home sales volume since 2006 WSJ-8-25-16, C8 (Probably because new homes are so damn expensive.)
7-7-2017: June 28, 2017 WSJ, Page B8 Worker Shortage Squeezes Developers – About 2/3 of developers surveyed said they are having a challenge to finish jobs on time since they can’t find qualified contractors for concrete, interior finishing, masonry, electrical and plumbing. (My comment from experience and what I’ve witnessed in real estate: “NO”, illegal immigrants don’t have those skills either since most learn “on the job” what the developer/builder wants done.
7-6-2017: Protecting Yourself During a Move.
7-5-2017: Delaware raises its transfer tax to 4% of property price at closing. How will it affect the state’s economy? What is the transfer tax in your state? In Georgia, it is currently $1.00/$1,000 of property price paid at closing.
6-30-2017:
Post #1: Real estate broker accused of taking items from home. Allegedly sold $400,000 worth of personal and household belongings without homeowner’s permission.
Post #2: Fake Florida Board of Realtors scam alert. Elaborate scheme to get realtors to send $200+ to criminals.
Post #3: Scumbag Alert: Real estate agencies contacted by man attempted to lure women to properties. I assume this happens in other instances since some realtor photos make a female agent appear to be a sexy or more provocative looking female. Some photos I’ve seen makes realtors look like whores!
6-28-2017:
SCAM ALERT: Fake REal Estate Board targets REALTORS® again!
6-22-2017: WSJ, May 30, 2017, Page A1 – Credit Picture Brightens…At least 6 million people will have their personal bankruptcies removed from their credit picture in the next 5 years.,,,Average FICO credit score in the US was 700…Mortgage foreclosures usually stay on credit reports for 7 years and personal bankruptcies stay for 7-10 years…Chapter 13 bankruptcies (those who work out payment plans) stay for about 7 years.
6-20-2017: Zillow’s real estate ‘Zestimates’ under fire. An Illinois real-estate broker filed a lawsuit based on the Zestimates and their accuracy. Even though Zillow offers disclaimer about acccuracy of Zestimates, people often use these estimates as real property values.
6-19-2017: Passive Income Is Great, But Are You Really Cut Out To Be A Landlord?
6-16-2017: Billionaires Beware: Taxpayer Funded Stadiums Nearing the End Zone.
6-15-2017: Using the Reverse Mortgage to purchase a home. Get a reverse mortgage loan of between 47% to 52% of the purchase price of the new home. It may be required to sell your current home to make the remainder of down payment.
6-13-2017:Buy A Home With A Reverse Mortgage.
6-10-2017: Homebuying secrets from the real estate battlefield.
6-9-2027:
Post #1: 8 Rookie Mistakes That Keep People From Selling Their Home.
Post #1: Passive Income Is Great, But Are You Really Cut Out To Be A Landlord? .
6-7-2017: Zillow’s “Instant Offers” disrupts real estate community.
6-6-2017: . Case was dismissed on a technicality….bummer!
6-5-2017:
Post #1: Top 10 Markets With the Highest Hidden Costs of Owning a Home.
Post #2: >New Home Prices Are Falling—So Why Are There Fewer Sales?
6-3-2017: The pros and cons of using drones in the real estate business.
6-2-2017: How to Get Denied for a Mortgage After Preapproval. (Hints: Employment-debt-moving money – credit score changes too much.)
6-1-2017: 10 Crucial Real Estate Contract Terms Home Buyers Should Know Before They Sign.
5-31-2017: ‘Will An Exclusive Buyer’s Agent Really Look Out for Me?’
5-30-2017: 3 home insurance myths you need to dispel. Not everything is covered-no; flood insurance-no; and market value insured-no…
5-26-2017: Real estate agents share dos, don’ts for buyers, sellers.
5-24-2017: New home sales are down over 11% in April but national Association of realtors said that we’re on a slow and study upward trajectory on existing homes and the supplies of new homes should be rising as well. This should be good news for those that are in the market search for better inventory and for sellers to move to more choices. Source: WSJ, 5-24-2017, page A2.
5-23-2017:
Post #1
Zillow’s next step may disrupt real estate brokerages.
Post #2:
Three Things Home Buyers Should Never Do
5-22-2017: First-time buyers are snatching up homes in droves.
5-19-2017: How to Get Along With Your Contractor.
5-17-2017: The biggest regrets people have after buying a home. Not buying a bigger house. This was the No. 1 regret listed in studies. About 41% of homeowners said they were not aware of all of their loan options. About 1 in 5 home buyers wished they had had more information about their homes. Other findings in report from Nerdwallet were interesting.
5-16-2017:
Post #1: Real estate’s new normal: homeowners staying put.
Post #2: About 4% of employers offer mortgage assistance to relocating employees; 3% offer down payment assistance; 8% offer reimbursement of fees paid to real estate agents. The movement of employers now is to offer a lump sum amount to employees and not detailed coverages. It is suggested that employees try to negotiate for the best deal and consider the income tax implications of a lump sum payment for relocation. WSJ 5-5-17, Page M4.
5-15-2017: Real Estate’s New Normal: Homeowners Staying Put. The median length of time people have owned their homes rose to 8.7 years in 2016, more than double what it had been 10 years earlier. And now that interest rates have begun to turn up from their historic lows, the housing market may face a problem called “the lock-in” effect, where homeowners are reluctant to move, since moving might entail taking out a new mortgage at a higher rate.
5-12-2017:
Post #1: Do Schools Really Impact Property Values? YES…YES…and YES!
Post #2: 7 Snapchat tips for agents (i.e., How to better market to millennials).
5-11-2017: Is the Traditional Real Estate Model Under Pressure? (California may BAN Dual Agency?)
5-10-207:
Post #1: 3 Big Things Home Buyers Are Looking For In Their New Home .
5-9-2017: Homeowner sues Zillow, says ‘Zestimate’ is nonsense.
5-8-2017: A drop in new home construction (labor shortages, increased zoning regulations, rising prices of building materials, and caution among builders) and strong demand from Buyers pushing prices up is causing National Home Price Index to rise. With small chance of supply gut in near future, economists expect prices to continue to rise. Nationally it is estimated that home prices are 4% overvalued.
Source: Rising Home Prices Stir Overheating Fears – WSJ, 4-26-2017, Pge A2
5-5-2017:
Post #1: Arzona Real estate agent sick of burglaries drives into man he believed was stealing.
Post #2: 10 Most Common Real Estate IRA Questions Asked by Investors.
5-4-2017:
Poat #1: Home Values in 2017: Are We Facing A Real Estate Bubble?.
Post #2: Real Estate Sale: First 4 Steps After Deciding To Sell Your Home.
5-3-2017:
Post #1: NAR report highlights growing appraisal problems. Also, combined with financing issues comprises over 50% of issues preventing closings. Over 50% of mortgage originators interviewed in a separate survey said they had experienced difficulty with appraisals. But is this the fault of appraisers, or agents/homeowners pricing their homes too high?
Post #2: Are Your Title Insurance Fees Paying for Rangers’ Playoff Tickets?
5-2-2017: Minnesota Commerce Warns of Wire Scam involving Real Estate – spreading across the US. The scam profile: Criminals hack into the computers or email accounts of real estate professionals; find out when closings are happening; then send fake email containing instructions to wire funds to a different account. This works pretty well since most all closing attorneys don’t accept Certified Checks any longer for funds since they can’t be verified as legitimate.
5-1-2017: Rental-home success depends on quality of tenants.
4-28-2017: Should You Use a Real Estate Agent to Find Your Next Rental?
4-27-2017: Real Estate Lawyers Applaud New Jersey Supreme Court’s Ruling on Email Notice.
4-25-2017:H1-B Visas – can we have the evidence that US citizens are even considered?
4-21-2017: Commercial Lending Falls Amid Growing Risks.
4-20-2017: Why world tensions are making mortgages cheaper.
4-19-2017: Using Smart Home Devices to Help Seniors.
4-18-2017: What Happens When a Buyer Backs Out Last-Minute.
4-17-2017: What a New Glass-Steagall Act Wouldn’t Do.
4-14-2017: Homeowners and appraisers disagree on home valuations.
4-13-2017: Appraiser Opinions Keep Falling Short of Homeowner Expectations…ut some cities are bucking that trend.
4-12-2017:HUD Administrative actions against mortgage lenders.
4-11-2917: America now divided over Bible verses. And I would say to those who ask “what does this have to do with real estae?”…well, He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands!
4-10-2017:Real Estate Advice: Shop around for the right mortgage.
4-7-2017: U.S. Property Taxes Levied On Single Family Homes In 2016 Total More Than $277 Billion.
4-6-2017:Buyer Beware: Real estate scams exposed.
4-5-2017: Mortgage interest rates respond to the 10 year Treasury notes since most homeowners stay in their homes closer to 10 years than what used to be the typical 30 years.
4-4-2017: Hidden Costs That Can Diminish Your Rental Property Profits.
4-3-2017: Cost of Construction permitting has risen over past decade including storm water capturing devices, customized architectural plans, and $15,000 to remove a tree on a property, as well as other new regulations. The average cost of compliance with regulations has risen 30% in the past 5 years. WSJ, July 23-24, 2016.
3-31-2017: ‘No Knock’ Registry Is a Jab at Real Estate. Is this coming to a town near you? Doe it also include mailings and posted advertisements like “We Buy Houses”?
3-30-2017: Veteran with A Purple Heart received a free house. Isn’t that good news? Wells Fargo said that since 2012, the bank has donated about 300 homes, with a value of more than $50 million, to veterans in all 50 states. Wells Fargo has donated more than 200 through the Military Warriors foundation.
3-24-2017:
Buyer Beware: Real estate scams exposed. Never wire money to anyone in a real estaet transaction unless first verifying the Bank and Account info is legitimate.
3-23-2017: 10 Secrets to Selling Your Home Faster.
3-22-2017: How millennials are changing the real estate market. Millennials are in fact very civic-minded and believe in equality for all…willing to buy a smaller place in a less desirable area …increasing number of millennials accessing the internet exclusively on mobile devices, agents should also look into marketing avenues and mobile apps that could enhance their businesses.
3-21-2017: Ask the HOA Expert: Mold Conditions.
3-20-2017: What are Atlanta’s real estate hotspots of 2017?
3-16-2017: 4 Common Real Estate Scams That Smart People Fall For.
3-15-2017: After peaking at all time high of 69.2% in 2Q04, the US homeownership rate fell in 2Q16 to 62.9% (lowest rate in 50 years) but more likely skewed by the higher rate of renter household formation. WSJ, 7-29-16, A2. However, by January 2017, the rate has risen to 63.7%. Encouraging sign of growth?
3-14-2017: MBA Reports Double Digit Jump in New Home Purchase Applications.
3-13-2017: Understanding VA Minimum Property Requirements.
3-10-2017: Utah real estate agent gets 6 months in jail over waterless subdivision.
3-9-2017: 7 Things You Can Do Now To Instantly Up Your Home Value For Under $100.
3-7-2017: Should You Work With a Part-Time Real Estate Agent?
3-6-2017: How pot is firing up this real estate. A Cannabis REIT? – Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (IIPR)
3-2-2017: Retirement: Can I use my IRA to buy real estate?
3-1-2017: Six arrested in ‘elaborate’ real estate fraud scheme.
2-28-2017: Gap between housing affordability and availability will grow in the months to come. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) suggests homebuyers at many income levels could see an inadequate amount of listings on the market within their price range in coming months.
2-23-2017: Existing Home Sales and Prices Surge Despite Rate Increases
2-20-2017: U.S. Congress passed a law years ago that first time home buyers who purchase a home between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009 would be eligible for a $7,500 tax credit. As I understand it, $500 tax credit per year for 15 years or until the property ownership is transferred. If the ownership transfers prior to the 15 year period, then all cumulative tax credits are now owed to and to be paid back to the IRS upon ownership transfer. Furthermore, the US Congress passed another bill that made those first time homebuyers who purchased homes after December 31, 2008 and before December 1, 2009 would now be eligible for an immediate $8,000 non refundable (isn’t required to b paid back to the IRS) tax credit. I wonder how many homeowners are stuck in this position now that home prices are returning to re-crisis levels and they are ready to sell their homes and move?
2-18-2017: Six Reasons Why Wholesale Repeal of Dodd-Frank is Unlikely.
2-17-2017: 2016 Homebuyer Survey Contains Valuable Information For Agents and Home Sellers.
2-16-2017: Distressed Asset Stabilization Program (DASP) = 105,000+ loans sold to private investors & 10,000 remained in homes – worth taxpayer payout? Also per WSJ, 7-1-2016, A2 article – homeowners got to stay in 20% of the DASP homes. Regardless of actual %, was the payout from US taxpayers (via lower sales price of loan and through FHA loan losses) worth it?
2-15-2017: Realities of Real Estate: What’s the value of improvements when a home is sold? .
2-13-2017: Before anyone blames Trump for playing favorites with mortgage lenders, it was Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (or more correctly Mel Watt (an Obama appointee) in charge of FHFA approved it. Fannie and Freddie agreed to arbitration over appeals from lenders in cases where Fannie and Freddie accused lenders of loan mistakes and compel them to buy back the mortgage loans. The result is that if lenders have a path to prove their innocence in arbitration, then they are more willing to make loans. Source: WSJ, 2-3-2016, Pag C6.
2-10-2017:Here’s Why More Millennials Are Living With Mom and Dad.
2-6-2017: Countertop Pros And Cons: What To Choose And Why.
2-3-2017: Question of the day: When a life insurance policyholder dies, is it up to the insurance company or the beneficiary to follow up to ensure payment?
2-2-2017: By 2020 there are forecast to be 54 million 55-plus households in the U.S..
2-1-2017: Hey – wait a minute….California residents demand repeal of zoning laws to provide more housing?
1-31-2017: YEs – yes, I know this the topic of REITs or Real Estate Purchase and Leasebacks aren’t my typical thing, but I found this a little humorous and sad at the same time. Online transactions are crushing “brick and mortar” retailers like Macy’s and Sears. But there is hope for future revenues and expenses. Macy’s is now partnering with Brookfield (property management company) to offer 50 real estate properties (100 more to come in 2017) for subleasing or development for other retailers or companies thereby generating lease revenue. Sears has created Seritage Growth Properties (who bought almost 300 Sears/Kmart properties and rents most back to Sears) to use their real estate assets to generate income as well. Sears and Macy’s got some level of cash infusion selling these properties and now are in a position to terminate any long term leases of stores that are not profitable. However, they have a good idea to sub-lease space in their stores for products and services that “can” make money and therefore, pay “rent”. AJC, 1-29-2017, Buyer’s Edge, Page 4.
1-30-2017: Real estate investors (many are small companies) may lose important tax tool – Section 1031 deferred tax exchange. US Congress may eliminate or seriously restrict the use of tax-deferred exchanges – property swaps – under Section 1031. This applies to commercial & rental properties only – Fixer-upper houses and other real estate held for short periods and then flipped to new buyers do not qualify for tax-deferred exchanges, nor do owner-occupied residences.
1-27-2017: Explanation of duties between Listing Agents and Buyer Agents.
1-26-2017: Post #1: City of Chicago to expand $1 lot program to 4,000 vacant properties.
Post #2: How to buy a property without a real estate agent.
1-25-2017: U.S. Home Affordability Drops to 8-Year Low in Q4 2016.
1-24-2017: 2016 Saw Mortgage Distress Recede Strongly.
1-23-2017: Where were home sales most likely to FAIL in 2016?
1-20-2017: Trump suspends the January 9th FHA mortgage insurance rate reductions on day of Donald Trump’s inauguration. Why? Congressional Republicans believe the fund isn’t sufficient to cushion taxpayer bailouts during any economic downturn since these loans are more risky than conventional loans.
1-19-2017: 6 Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent Before Buying a Home?
1-18-2017: Developer building up a portfolio by creating housing for millennials.
1-12-2017: Real estate scam bilks buyers, sellers during transactions. Email hackers and spoofers will pretend they are from closing attorney or real estate offices and send an email to you reportedly stating there has been a change of financial institution routing information. Normally, you may follow those instructions. However, you should call the closing office to verify any financial institution routing transaction information first before you execute any wiring transmission to the closing office. Cybercriminals who have hacked into the email accounts of real estate brokers, title companies and consumers who are in the process of buying or selling a home.
1-11-2017: Foreclosures Approach Normal Level.
1-9-2017: Breakdown of FHA’s Multifaceted MIP Cut. Annual FHA MIP drops by 25 bps effective February 1st and beyond.
1-6-2017: A New Twist on Owner Occupancy Fraud.Borrowers are applying for loans with the stated intent of investment property, using rent income to qualify for loan, then moving into property as personal residence….mortgage fraud!
1-5-2017: Buying More Affordable Than Renting in 66 Percent of U.S. Housing Markets.
1-4-2017: Banks make house flipping easier for investors.
12-31-2016: Wish for a Happy New Year in 2017 for you!
Vision #1: Real estate agents predict low inventory levels in 2017.
Vision #2: What’s ahead for 2017? Headwinds form in real estate boom-bust cycle.
Vision #3: Speical Inman Report – Outlook for 2017 Real Estate. See full Inman Real Estate Report for 20176 here.
Vision #4: Rising interest rates in 2017 may not matter in housing demand and prices.
Vision #5: These 5 Trends Will Shape the Housing Market in 2017.
Vision #6: Top 5 real estate trends for 2017.
Vision #7: 2017 Real Estate could be bumpier. Although it’s not true that TRID has been implemented smoothly (there are still errors and as an agent, I don’t receive document before closing so when I see mistakes, it’s too late!) Interesting that PMI will no longer be tax deductible.
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