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!
12-26-2018:
How the government shutdown impacts real estate
Basically limited processing by FHA of FHA mortgage loans and no new sales or renewal of flood insurance policies.
13 Things Real Estate Agents Don’t Want You to Know
12-21-2018:
This news story just needs repeating…and who’s looking for the next agent doing the same thing…because we all know this isn’t all the drug trade in the US.
Post #1: Real Estate Tips: Essential Cybersecurity for Your Brokerage
- Monitor your environment
- Implement effective policies for the destruction and maintenance of data
- Prevent account takeover and phishing
- Review and update important financial processes
- Never enter your login details on websites that don’t start with “https:”
- Pay your attention to the language used in emails
- Don’t click hyperlinks
Post #2: Three Essential Lessons Anyone Starting Real Estate Brokerage Needs To Know – Strive For Balance is important…
Post #3;
Mortgage Strategies for Today’s Competitive Real Estate Market
“One option clients have taken advantage of is the J.P. Morgan Pledged Asset Mortgage” This mortgage strategy allows clients to pledge assets in their J.P. Morgan portfolios in lieu of a cash down payment. With the securities and home as collateral, borrowers may qualify for up to 100% financing. “We’re seeing a number of clients turn to the Pledged Asset Mortgage as part of their estate planning strategy,” adds Mr. Stewart.
12-19-2018:
12-18-2018:
Post #1: Real Estate Advice: What to know when buying a condo.
Post #2: Who usually represents who in a real estate transaction?.
12-14-2018:
Post #1: Mortgage Rates Flattening Out After Much-Needed Winning Streak.
Post #2: Housing Bubble Trouble Ahead? We Asked a DePaul Real Estate Scholar.
12-13-2018:
Top 10 states to make the most money from investing in real estate.
12-12-2018:
Post #1: IRS Regulations Give Green Light for Real Estate Investments in Opportunity Zones.
Post #2: Minneapolis is about to abolish single-family residential zoning.
12-11-2018:
Post #1: 2019 Real Estate Forecast: What Home Buyers, Sellers And Investors Can Expect.
Post #2: Mortgage Rates Lowest Since September After Jobs Report.
12-10-2018:
Real estate trouble: Reverse mortgages deplete FHA insurance reserves. The Federal Housing Administration’s 2018 audits revealed that losses from real estate reverse mortgages destroyed about a third of the taxpayer-guaranteed insurance reserves.
12-7-2018: Have a Blessed Pearl Harbor Day
Post #1: ‘Is the Real Estate Market Going to Crash?
Post #2: Real Estate Advice: Getting a mortgage after your retire.
12-5-2018:
Secrets to success as a new real estate agent.
-
- Leverage the Internet
-
- Capture Great Photos
-
- Tell Stories
-
- Go the Extra Mile
-
- Don’t Forget Your Business Plan
-
- Get
- Creative
12-3-2018:
A Checklist for Home Inspections.
11-30-2018:
It’s Alive, It’s Alive! – Digital Mortgages Awaken a New Real Estate Market. This past Tuesday at the Mortgage Bankers Association Annual Meeting in Washington D.C., representatives from Wells Fargo and Bank of America spoke about their new digital mortgage application process that began in January.
11-29-2018:
Post #1: Home and Real Estate Weekly: What to negotiate when buying a house.
Post #2: Warning: Real Estate Development in Flood Zones Is Surging in Some States. Home buyers in search of a forever house should reconsider looking on the coast.
11-28-2018:
Post #1: Can Owning a Home Still Build Wealth? That statement summarizes the argument made recently by Daniel Hertz, senior fellow at City Observatory who contends that housing can’t be both affordable and a good investment. This observation runs contrary to conventional wisdom that homeownership is the most reliable pathway to household wealth.
Post #2: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced Loan Limits Increase to $484,350.
Post #3: After years of declines, housing inventory is building.
11-26-2018:
Post #1: The best time of the year to buy a home.
Post #2: Real Estate Matters: this will be a home buyer’s Christmas.
11-23-2018:
Post #1: Property Disclosure and Liability . Agents should be aware of patent and latent defects…and also be aware their complete email, text, and phone conversations can be used in any investigationor due diligence with respect to lawsuits.
Post #2: How To Capture The Millennial Market As A Real Estate Agent.
11-21-2018:
After a Steady Run, Builder Confidence Finally Folds.
11-20-2018:
11-19-2018:
Post #1: More Americans are using real estate agents than ever before.
Post #2: Real Estate Radio.
Post #3: Amazon HQ2 Will Have Gradual Effect on Home Values, Experts Say.
11-16-2018:
Fannie Mae Offering Relief Programs in Wildfire Areas.
Question: Are other lenders/secondary mortgage insurers (i.e., HUD and Freddie Mac, and others) instituting help with payment forbearance, waiving fess, etc?
11-15-2018:
Post #1: Is real estate development good or bad? . Emotion plays no part in location decisions, it is all about making the building efficient and effective for transportation, energy and employees.
Post #2: Questions to ask the real estate agent before home buying or selling process. . Have you sold property in this area before? In this question helps you to know what buyers want, what types of homes sold faster. If an agent has experience in your neighborhood, it’s a major advantage.
11-14-2018:
Post: 6 Must-Ask Questions to Identify Qualified Leads in Real Estate.
-
- 1) What Do You Know About the Real Estate Market?
-
- 2) Are You Financially Capable of Buying a Property?
-
- 3) Are You Pre-Approved by a Lender?
-
- 4) What Type of Property Are You Looking For?
-
- 5) Are You Currently Working with Another Agent?
- 6) Do You Have a Timeline?
11-13-2018:
Post #1: Realtors no longer simply show houses. Realtors also now play a large part in helping buyers integrate into the community. Comrie notes that buyers often ask for recommendations on painters, carpenters and other home service providers along with regional recommendations for shopping and schools.
Post #2: Is a Second Career in Real Estate Right for You? . A career in real estate can be challenging but rewarding if you are willing to put in the hours. According to the National Association of Realtors, 87 percent of agents leave the career within the first 5 years – so only 13 percent succeed. It also takes on average 9 months to make your first sale. Here are some tips to defy the odds and succeed.
11-12-2018: Veterans Day – Please thank a Veteran for their service…not just today but every day.
Post #1: Mortgage applications fall to 4-year low as homebuyers exit housing market.
Post #2: Housing Sentiment Continues to Sour as Economy Booms.
Post #3: How to protect yourself in a real estate transaction .
11-9-2018:
Post #1: ‘U.S News & World Report’ Partners With HomeLight To Boost Real Estate Coverage. Readers will gain info on about 7,000 cities nationwide, with USNews.com’s research on home improvement, financing, and buying and selling advice combined with HomeLight’s market statistics, list of top performing agents and demographic data.
Post #2: HUD riles housing discrimination complaint against Facebook.
Post #3: 3 must-have skills for new agents to succeed in real estate :
1. Learn your local area on a personal level
2. Pay attention to details
3. Network like a boss
11-8-2018:
Post #1: Five Things To Know Before Buying Your Home In A New Real Estate Development.
Post #2: What Are Real Estate Comps and Are They a Good Estimate of Value?
Post #3: Home and Real Estate Weekly: Which down payment strategy is right for you?. You must evaluate the pros of low amount you give up and saving your cash for emergency repairs v. higher monthly payment through monthly Private Mortgage Insurance premiums.
11-7-2018:
Post #1 Freddie Sees Home Sales Regaining Momentum in 2019.
Post #2: Real Estate: Is renting or buying a home the right choice for you?.
11-6-2018:
Post #1: CEO in Real Estate Ponzi Scheme Fined $120 Million by SEC.
Post #2: Real Estate Roundup: U.S. Homebuyers Love Their Patios.
Post #3: Affordability Now Biggest Concern as Metro Home Prices Rise.
11-5-2018:
Post #1: Women in Real Estate Luncheon addresses challenges for women in a male-dominated industry .
Post #2: 7 Winter Home Prep Tasks You Haven’t Done Yet.
Post #3: The 17 Best Real Estate Podcasts Every Agent and Broker Should Be Listening To.
11-2-2018:
Post #1: As the housing market stagnates, American homeowners are staying put for the longest stretches ever.
Post #2: Home flippers are fleeing the market as their profits shrink.
11-1-2018:
Post #1: Baby Boomers Are Living at Home. That’s Bad News for Senior-Housing Developers. Occupancy rates for senior housing stood at 87.9% in both the second and third quarter—the lowest rate since 2011 when it reached 87.5%, according to NIC, which tracks market-rate properties. Occupancy levels for assisted-living facilities, a category of senior housing, are also at their lowest levels since reporting on this data began in 2006, NIC said.
Post #2: Does a real estate agent have to tell you a home is haunted?
10-31-2018 (Nothing really scary here):
Post #1: Zillow and Redfin Continue Their Decade-Long Quest to Disrupt Real Estate.
Post #2: Are Women Real Estate Agents Changing the Game? .
Post #3: Can you trust real estate agents to give you the full story on house prices?.
10-30-2018:
Post #1: Slower growth in US metro areas.
Post #2: What Real Estate Agents Should Know About Cryptocurrency and Blockchain.
10-29-2018:
Post #1: Angie’s List: DIY projects can increase a property’s real estate value.
Post #2: Why millennials don’t like real estate.
-
- Risk appetite
-
- Job opportunities
-
- Lifestyle
- Unaffordable price
10-26-2018:
Post #1: Hiring A Real Estate Agent? Ask These 6 Questions First.
- How many transactions have they done so far this year?
- Do they seem to know the area?
- Are they available when I need them?
- Do they have experience with my type of transaction?
- Do they seem to have my best interest in mind?
- Do I have a good feeling about them?
Post #2: HUD Charges Minnesota Real-Estate Agent And Homeowners With Discrimination.
10-25-2018:
Post #2: New Home Sales Drop Sharply and other topics. Sales of newly constructed homes fell in September by 5.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 553,000. Even worse news, the August increase evaporated. Those sales were revised down from 629,000 to 585,000. With those losses, sales fell behind September 2017 by 13.2 percent and May remains the last month when sales increased. The median price of a home sold during the month was $320,000 and the average was $377,200. The sales prices in September 2017 were $331,500 and $379,300 respectively. At the end of the reporting period there were an estimated 327,000 new homes available for sale. This is a 7.1 month supply at the current rate of sales, up from 6.5 months in August. Marketing time for a completed home was a median of 2.9 months for the second month in a row.
10-24-2018:
Post #1: Real Estate Agents Answer: What’s The One Thing You Wish Sellers Knew?.
Post #2: The Uber of real estate is coming and once again, it’s millennials who are behind the disruption .
10-23-2018:
Post #1: Why do some real estate agents get such a bad rap?.
Post #2: 3 digital marketing tips for getting your own real estate leads:
1. Use hashtags
2. Use industry quotes
3. Come up with great blog ideas
10-22-2018:
Post #1: Mortgage rates retreat, but housing supply crunch won’t let up . So far this year, the 30-year-fixed has averaged 4.49%, up from 3.99% throughout 2017.
Post #2: Office of Inspector General (FHFA- OIG) for the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA or Agency) identifies four serious management and performance challenges facing the Agency for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. Office of Inspector General (FHFA- OIG) for the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA or Agency) identifies four serious management and performance challenges facing the Agency for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 and a management concern, and its assessment of those challenges and concern. Both FHFA and FHFA-OIG have acknowledged the difficulties resulting from the ongoing uncertainty regarding the future role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (collectively, the Enterprises) in the housing finance system.
10-19-2018: (Word for today is…BLOCKCHAIN)
Post #1: Is it safe to buy and sell real estate on the blockchain? The most important value of the blockchain is that it gives traders the opportunity to directly share the database. With blockchain, power is decentralized and there is no central administrator or set of administrators.
Post #2: Is Blockchain In The Future Of Real Estate? .
Post #3: Real Estate and the Blockchain: A Transactional Perspective.
Post #4: PayPal Alum: How Blockchain Will Change Investing and Why Real Estate Will Be First.
Post #5: Nine Things To Keep In Mind About Blockchain In Real Estate.
1. Technology Will Enhance Security And Transparency
2. Blockchain Will Disrupt The Real Estate Title Industry
3. Relevant Information Is Available On Specific Sites
4. Education And State Approval Will Help Adoption
5. Blockchain Will Form A Secondary Market
6. Blockchain Should Be Integrated Into Entire Value Chain
7. Adoption Starts With Learning, Adaptability And Application
8. Blockchain Will Reshape How Data Is Exchanged
9. Blockchain Is Not Cryptocurrency
10-18-2018:
Post #1:4 Real Estate Investing Strategies: Which One is Right for You?
Post #2: 5 questions to ask before hiring a real estate agent to sell your home.
10-17-2018:
Post #1: Home Price Reductions Are Increasing, Especially at High End.
Post #2: Number of Real Estate Teams are Growing, NAR Survey Finds.
Post #3: Are We Entering Into A Buyer’s Market? – The National Real Estate Cafe.
10-16-2018:
Post #1: “Debt-to-Income” Now Biggest Player in Mortgage Denials . Poor credit used to be the primary reason but debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is now the primary reason for denial of mortgage.
Post #2: Real Estate Roundup: Millennials Prioritize Homeownership Over Marriage and Children.
10-15-2018:
The growth in home values slows as buyers become more apprehensive.
10-13-2018:
Post #1: California tax shelter saves children big bucks on inherited property.
Post #2: 6 cryptocurrency questions investors should ask real estate agents (and how to answer).
10-10-2018:
Post #1: Top Five Must-Listen Real Estate Podcasts.
Post #2: Mortgage fraud is getting worse as more people lie about their income to qualify for loans. Mortgage fraud risk jumped more than 12 percent year over year at the end of the second quarter, according to CoreLogic, which measures six fraud indicators: identity, income, occupancy, property, transaction and undisclosed real estate debt. The biggest jump in mortgage fraud risk was due to income reporting, up 22% annually.
10-9-2018:
Post #1: Real Estate Corner: 8 things I didn’t know about Realtors — until I became one! .
Post #2:
Homeowners are sitting on a record $6 trillion in equity. Why aren’t they using it?
.
10-7-2018:
Is your state the same as Pennsylvania is regarding property taxes under Democratic leadership?
Pennsylvania could eliminate property taxes this year.
Feel like you’re being taxed to death in Pa.? A new study confirms that you probably are | Opinion.
10-5-2018:
Post #1: Fannie Mae – preventing mortgage fraud.
Post #2: 4 ways real estate can turbocharge your retirement income.
1. Tapping equity in your home
2. REITS
3. Direct ownership
4. Crowdfunding
Post #3: IRS 20% business deduction brings good news to real estate agents.
10-4-2018:
Post #1: Housing tipping back to a buyer’s market as sellers cut prices.
Post #3: REAL ESTATE: Metro Atlanta home prices are rising very quickly.
10-3-2018:
Post #1: Why the housing industry should fear Amazon.
Post #2: 5 Mistakes Home Sellers Make .
Post #3: https://dsnews.com/daily-dose/09-19-2018/real-estate-vs-wire-fraud.
10-1-2018:
Post #1:Improvements are Needed for HUD’s Code Enforcement Program.
Post #2Jim Valentine: When real estate transactions don’t go as they should.
Post #3: 5 questions as lawmakers set to probe FHFA, GSE scandals. Specifically, the committee will examine FHFA’s policies and procedures used to supervise Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the FHFA’s structure and the need to reform the housing finance system in the United States…
9-30-2018:
Post #1: Solano Real Estate Scene: Are Realtors an endangered species?.
Post #2: How does depreciation add value to your investment? Put simply depreciation increases an investor’s cash return for residential and commercial property. One of the main challenges for investors is managing cash flow for their investment. Tax depreciation schedules assist in maximizing your cash return from an investment property. As a building gets older and items within it wear out they depreciate in value.
9-28-2018:
Post #1: Why should I research a Real Estate Agent before selling my home?
Post #2: Why Millennials Are Choosing Real Estate As A Career. Other than the push from his father, Mr. Geddie said being a real estate agent appeals because it has allowed him to “make money doing hard work with on-the-job training.”
Post #3: What are America’s fastest-growing (and shrinking) housing markets?.
9-26-2018:
Post #1: Many Enlist, but Flood Coverage Still Falls Short.The Urban Institute (UI) reports that the number of policies homeowners purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NIP) has declined over the last ten years and the total is now just over 5 million nationwide. There are also some private insurance policies, but nowhere near enough to cover the affected homes.
Post #2: Homeowners’ best, worst reasons to tap home equity.
Post #3: Home-price gains decelerate to 11-month low as housing market tries for a soft landing.
9-24-2018:
Post #2: Home Buying Checklist: What Else Does ‘Location’ Mean? .
9-20-2018:
Post #1: What Not To Do When You Are Moving.
9-19-2018:
Post #1: IRS 20% business deduction brings good news to real estate agents.
Post #2: FHA loans plummet in metro Phoenix, but that may be a good thing for Millennials.
9-16-2018:
6 Things to Know About Buying a Home Under New Tax Rules:
1. It may no longer make sense to deduct mortgage interest
2. You may not be able to deduct all your mortgage interest if you’re buying a more expensive home
3. Home equity loans aren’t deductible anymore
4. Forget about deducting mortgage interest on a second home
5. Your state and local taxes may no longer be fully deductible either
6. Capital-gains rules for home sales stayed the same
9-14-2018:
Post #1: Mortgage Fraud Risks Rise, Especially Income Fraud.
The risk of mortgage fraud jumped by 12.4 percent on an annual basis in the second quarter, the seventh consecutive quarter in which it has increased.
Post #2: HOA Board And Manager Authority .
9-13-2018:
Post #1: The Questions You Should Be Asking Your Real Estate Agent But Aren’t.
Post #2: Why the Best Real Estate Deals are not in the MLS .
9-12-2018:
Post #1: NY IG: Syracuse woman collected workers’ comp while working as real estate broker.
Post #2: Do I really need a mortgage broker? Hint: Mortgage brokers work for you, not the lender.
9-11-2018: (NEVER FORGET THE TWIN TOWERS, COURAGEOUS AIR TRAVELERS, & COWARDLY ATTACKERS!!!)
Post #1: Fannie and Freddie End Funding of Single-Family Rentals.
Post #2: How to speed up the home buying process.
Post #3: Is Amazon responsible for Seattle’s housing cooldown? Real estate experts weigh in.
9-10-2018:
Post #1: Are Home Prices Finally Pumping the Brakes?
Post #2: iBuyer Apps are Changing the Market.
Post #3: Home Makers: Renovation, real estate and media-savvy couple are on the rise .
9-7-2018:
Post #1: Rockwood police help residents fight back against increased IRS phone, email scams .
Post #2: NAR Sees Overheated Housing Market Starting to Cool.
8-30-2018:
Post #1: Three Creative Ways Real Estate Agents Can Market To Millennials .
8-29-2018:
Post #2: The housing recovery isn’t over, it just feels like it is.
Post #3: What Everyone Should Know Before Investing In Real Estate .
8-27-2018:
Post #1: Reverse Mortgages Draining FHA Resources, Overhaul Needed. Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program the program is an economic drain…the most recent showed the program with an economic value of negative $14.5 billion
Post #2: What You Really Need To Know Before You Pick A Real Estate Agent.
- Real estate is local ― hyper-local, actually. Your agent should be, too.
- Your friend or relative may not be the best agent for the job.
- The best listing agent is not the one who tells you what you want to hear.
- Go with the agent who actually closes deals.
8-26-2018:
Post #1: Real Estate Advice: Do your homework when searching for a home.
Post #2: 22 Secrets Your Real Estate Agent Isn’t Telling You.
8-24-2018:
Post #1: Millennials prefer cash over real estate as investment strategy. Hampered by student loan debt and escalating home prices, millennials prefer stowing away money in savings accounts and certificates of deposit over real estate or stock investments, according to a new survey published Wednesday.
Post #2: Moving? Avoid Making These Mistakes :
1. Hiring a shady mover.
2. Messing up the quotes.
3. Packing too much stuff.
4. Failing to schedule your move well in advance.
5. Ignoring the need to pack ahead of time.
Post #3: Is Blockchain In The Future Of Real Estate? .
8-22-2018:
Post #1: What To Expect When Getting A New Roof.
Post #2: What Do New Home Buyers Want? The Surprising Results.
Post #3: Maintaining Your Hot Water Heater.
8-21-2018:
Post #1: Why long-term renters are buying homes in cities they’ll never live in.
Post #2: The Importance of Fences in Adverse Possession.
Post #3: SEC going after brokers for peddling shares in $1.2 billion real estate Ponzi scheme.
8-20-2018:
Post #1: U.S. home prices up at greatest rate in 12 years.
Post #2: Developers could make bank from rollback of Dodd-Frank. The bill, which Trump signed Thursday, reduces some regulatory burdens for community and regional banks. These banks have long argued that Dodd-Frank has been too costly and unfairly burdensome, maintaining that it was Wall Street and major banks that were responsible for the toxic lending that led to the financial crisis, not smaller lenders.
Post #3: Banks are working to woo new doctors into home mortgages .
8-19-2018:
Post #1: Wire Fraud Creeps Through Real Estate Industry.
Post #2: How to Prepare a Property for Sale.
Clean, clean, then clean some more
Complete
Any
Repairs
Don’t Forget Outside
To Stage or not to Stage?
What to do on the Day
8-17-2018:
Post #1: Real Estate Agents Answer: What’s The Biggest Mistake That Buyers Make?.
Relying too much on the advice of family and friends:
Waiting for the ‘perfect’ home to arrive:
Biting off more than they can chew, financially:
Going on a ‘shopping spree’ after applying for a mortgage:
Post #2: Mortgage Broker Q&A.
8-16-2018:
Post #1: 7 real estate scripts that stand the test of time.
Post #2: Beware of “Fake” Real Estate News.
Post #3: There are Different Kinds of Community Associations . Homeowner Associations: the main difference between a condo and a homeowner association (HOA) is that the HOA owner owns his/her house — including the front and back lawn — but there are covenants (rules recorded in the land records) which must be followed by each owner.
Condominiums
Cooperative Housing
Homeowner Associations
8-15-2018:
Post #1: Affordability at 10-Year Low, .
Post #2: Redfin CEO warns of slowing national real estate market, as frustrated buyers are sitting out.
Post #3: The Realtors’ Last Hurrah.
8-14-2018:
11 things real estate agents could get in legal trouble for:
1. Breach of contract
2. Breach of duty
3. Failure to disclose flaws
4. Misleading clients
5. Fair housing issues
6. Data security
7. Giving legal advice
8. Failing to advise inspections
9. Negligence
10. Antitrust misconduct
11. Working outside your comfort zone
8-13-2018:
Post #1: Millennials Turn To Crowdfunding For Mortgage Down Payments.
Post #2: All Things Real Estate: Interview Realtors to find one you’re comfortable with their advice.
Post #3: 5 Things Every Buyer Absolutely Needs To Know About the Market.
8-10-2018:
Post #1: The number of consumers going without real estate agents is rising: Study.
Post #2: Why foreign buyers are pulling back from US housing market at record rate. “The [discussion of a] trade war or just the rhetoric against foreigners may have dampened some of the enthusiasm to buy property in the U.S.,” NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun told the Journal. Higher home prices and a strong dollar are other key factors NAR economists pointed to as drivers behind the plummeting interest from overseas.
Post #3: Housing market has hit a ‘significant slowdown’ in recent weeks, Redfin CEO says.
8-9-=2018:
Post #1: Real Estate Agents Answer: What’s The One Thing You Wish All First-Time Homebuyers Knew?.
Post #2: How Irresponsible Mortgage Lenders Created A Second Housing Bubble.
Post #3: Don’t Be Afraid Of The Seller’s Disclosure .
8-8-2018:
Post #1: The Best Time to Sell Your House, Based on Real Estate Market Data . If you need to put your home on the market now, you’re in luck. Nationwide housing market data shows August as the best time to list a house in order to get the highest sale price. August was the best time to list overall from 2014 – 2017. Real estate transactions often take a few months to close, which means that homes listed in August will most likely close in November. Homes that closed in November over 2014 – 2017 sold for 4.04% higher than the national average.
Post #2: 5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional Before Entering the Market!
Post #3: Agents: Real estate TV shows skewing home buying expectation .
8-7-2018:
Post #1: Millennials prefer cash over real estate as investment strategy . Among respondents of all ages, 32% viewed the stock market as the best investment, while only 24% chose cash instruments such as a savings account as the most lucrative option. Real estate clocked in at third, with just 22% of respondents describing it as an ideal investment.
Post #2: Homeownership Keeps Climbing. More and more renters say they aren’t interested in buying a home because of financial reasons, according to a semiannual survey released by mortgage company Freddie Mac earlier this year.
8-6-2018:
Post #1: CFPB Enforcement Is Back—With a Softer Touch.
Post #2: Are Real Estate Agents Still Relevant In The Age Of Tech?.
Post #3: 6 Tips on Choosing The Right Real Estate Agency For You .
1. They Have Proven Themselves Over the Years
2. They Provide Great Customer Service
3. They Demonstrate Their Expertise
4. They Give Back to the Community
5. They Uphold the National Association of Realtors® Code of Ethics
6. They Do It Right
8-3-2018:
Post #1: Why Buying A Home Is Not A Good Investment (It’s A Service).
Post #2: 7 Tips To Make Moving Stress-free When Buying a Home:
Preparation / Start Early
Yard Sale
Change of Address
Moving / Packing Supplies
Ask for Help
Sort and Organize your Belongings
Clean the Empty House Before Moving In
Post #3: Realtors no longer simply show houses.
8-2-2018:
Why Buying A Home Is Not A Good Investment (It’s A Service)
8-1-2018:
Are teams good news or bad for real estate brokerages?.
7-25-2018:
Post #1: Home sellers want to spy on buyers, real estate agents.
Post #2: Dear Monty: A sad real estate story. This also happened to me that a major realtor in the local market failed to submit bids to the seller…unfortunately, she was a “Realtor” without Ethical morals.
7-24-2018:
Post #1: U.K. Proposes Prison For Real-Estate Money Launderers.
Post #2: Why Are Emotional-Support Pets Allowed in My Pet-Free Building?
Post #3: Is Real Estate Crowdfunding Right For You?
7-23-2018:
Post #1 : Home-sellers continue legal battle against Zillow, appeal judge’s decision to toss Zestimate lawsuit.
Post #2: Zillow hit with patent infringement lawsuit over ‘real estate information search’ apps.
Post #3: Real estate business botches: The truth about fixer-uppers.
7-18-2018:
Post #1: PRE-LISTING HOME INSPECTIONS ARE THEY WORTH IT?
Post #2: Real Estate and the Blockchain: A Transactional Perspective.
Post #3: 9 things not to say in your real estate listing.
7-16-2018:
Post #1: You’ve got your real estate license — 4 tips on what’s next.
Post #2: How to Find a Real Estate Agent .
Post #3: Why First Time Buyers Flock To The FHA Loan Program .
7-12-2018:
Post #1: Ex-township leader to pay restitution for real estate fraud.
Post #2: What A Real Estate Agent Really Does — And How To Find The Right One For You.
Post #3: New homeowners makes surprise discovery of tenant already living there.
7-11-2018:
Post #1: Millennials Still Aren’t Home Alone.
Post #2: Six Reasons You Shouldn’t Become A Real Estate Investor.
- 1. You can’t find the right property.
- 2. You don’t have the cash.
- 3. You don’t have a go-to list of contractors.
- 4. Rehabbing for profit and for personal taste are two different things.
- 5. Becoming a landlord is a full-time job that few want.
- 6. There are expenses you never thought of that will drain you dry if you don’t budget for them.
Post #3: How would a more conservative Supreme Court impact real estate?.
7-10-2018:
Post #1: How weather affects real estate, and why spring is not the best time to sell your house.
Post #2: How do interest rate increases really impact real estate decisions?. “When you look at the numbers and the incentives, you’ve created a system where many homes are more valuable to an investor than to an owner-occupied homeowner. If you see a continuation of the same tax policy and continued wage stagnation, I see a trend toward more renters and less ownership.”
Post #3: Meet the Inman Innovator Finalists: Most Innovative Real Estate Technology part 2.
Post #4: 17 essential real estate terms you should know.
7-9-2018:
RE agents caught in the crossfire as wealthy homeowners battle new flight paths.
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac privatization would affect many real estate portfolios. The largest 1,000 U.S. retirement plans had a combined $315.8 billion in real estate assets as of Sept. 30, Pensions & Investments’ latest annual survey found.
Real Estate Agents Answer: What Makes A Winning Offer?
Offer your highest and best
Find out what the seller wants
Write an offer letter
Act quickly:
Limit contingencies
Make your offer 'as-is'
That’s why it’s so important to consider all of your monthly expenses related to buying a home- Increased commuter costs
- Higher utility bills
- Homeowner’s association
- Home improvements
- Landscaping
- Warranty
- Mortgage Interest
- Home Equity Line of Credit Interest
- State and Local Property Taxes
- Rental Income
- Home Office Expenses (Including Home Office Deduction: It’s often considered a red flag for an audit…experts say if you deserve it and have the records to show it, take it..nut first consult a tax specialist to discuss future recuperation of write off.)
- Capital Gains From a Home Sale
1. Draw up a contract
2. Set a strict schedule and budget
3. Communicate throughout the project
1. Rising rates and the economy
2. Politics and political uncertainty
3. Housing affordability
4. Generational change and demographics
5. E-commerce and logistics
Insurance company cancels policies for Atlas Chalet roofs.- How Much Do You Need?
- Communicate with Owners
- Don’t Commingle Funds
- Borrow Reserves Funds Carefully
- Develop a Reserve Investment Plan
- The investment policy should include
- Other issues to consider include
.- Discover the Many Faces of Facebook
- Master the Minimalist Approach on Twitter
- Get Visual on Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube
- Connect with Professionals on LinkedIn
- Keep Up with the New Kids on the Block
- Check Your Social Media Metrics
The trend in agent-related lawsuits and complaints has increased dramatically since the 1990’s and will probably continue for the foreseeable future.- more and more complex real estate transactions
- lack of adequate agent training
- Society as a whole is growing more litigious
- Studies have shown we are becoming a less trusting society and some question “everything and everyone.”
2. Purchase agreement
3. Addenda, amendments, or riders
4. Seller disclosures
5. Home inspection report
6. Closing disclosure
7. Title insurance policy
8. Property deed- What’s the Demand?
- Location Matters
- Know Your Land Size
- Know the Costs
- You Don’t Have to Build
- Put your deed somewhere safe. Like, in an actual safe, preferably one that is fire and waterproof. Or even better, place the deed to your home in a safety deposit box.
- You still have to pay property taxes. And homeowners insurance. That’s easy to forget about, at least at first. If you’re like most people, your taxes and insurance were part of the monthly mortgage payment. They were held in escrow by the loan servicer, which would make the payments for you.
- Spend that monthly mortgage payment wisely.
- The Truth About Down Payment
- The Truth About Down Payment Assistance
- The Truth About Weak or Bad Credit
- The Truth About Help With Student Debt
-
- 1. Antitrust laws
-
- 2. Misrepresentation
-
- 3. Unauthorized practice of law
-
- 4. Environmental issues
-
- 5. Fair housing violations
-
- 6. Employment or independent contractor status of salespeople
-
- 7. Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) violations
-
- 8. False (misleading) advertising lawsuits
- 9. Americans with Disabilities Act violation
-
- 1. The ‘smoke-and-mirrors artist’
-
- 2. The ‘I know best’ agent
- 3. The ‘ever-elusive home executive’
-
- Home prices
-
- Mortgage Standards
-
- Mortgage debt
- Housing affordability
2. Check for license and disciplinary actions
3. Ask about professional awards
4. Select an agent with the right credentials
5. Find out how experienced an agent is
6. Look at the agent’s current listings
7. Gauge the agent’s knowledge of the area
2. Blockchain Will Disrupt The Real Estate Title Industry
3. Relevant Information Is Available On Specific Sites
4. Education And State Approval Will Help Adoption
5. Blockchain Will Form A Secondary Market
6. Blockchain Should Be Integrated Into Entire Value Chain
7. Adoption Starts With Learning, Adaptability And Application
8. Blockchain Will Reshape How Data Is Exchanged
9. Blockchain Is Not Cryptocurrency-
- 1. Owning a Home Can Save You Money at Tax Time
-
- 2. Buyers and Sellers Are Happier When Working with Realtors
-
- 3. Decluttering and Staging Your Home Works
-
- 4. It’s a Sellers Market
-
- 5. When You List Your Home Matters
-
- 6. Selling on Your Own Isn’t as Easy as You Think
-
- 7. Price the House Right
-
- 8. The Process Will Probably Take Longer than You Think
- 9. Open Houses Might Not Be That Effective
-
- Kick out clause: when you want out of your purchase
-
- The HOA get out
-
- Contingencies
-
- Contingencies and purchase negotiations
-
- What it can cost to back out of an offer to buy a home
-
- Sellers are people
- Play nicely
- To save time
- To get information and help with negotiations
- The services of agents are usually free to buyers
- More time to show properties
- Psychological impact on consumers
- Marketing tactics
- To save time
- To get information and help with negotiations
- The services of agents are usually free to buyers
Buyer Love Letters Often Work; But They Can Backfire Too.- Tip #1: Create an Effective Marketing Plan
- Tip #2: Establish an Online Presence
- Tip #3: Build Solid Listening Skills
- Tip #4: Follow Through
- Tip #5: Become Part of the Community
- Tip #6: Stay Educated
The new tax law And state and local income tax and property tax deductions and a total of $10,000. But there may be a way around that cap for people who rent out their home for at least 15 days a year. At let’s say you rent your house for three months you can deduct 25% of your property taxes on schedule E and adopt the difference below 10,000 on schedule in A. Another benefit is the new law makes it easier than ever to deduct in a single year the cost of personal property like furniture or appliances use by renters. You can now deduct 100% of your tax basis (cost and time some percentage of your of the property is rented).- What Can You Realistically Afford?
- Take a Look At Your Mortgage Options
- Leave No “Stone” Unturned
- Submit Your Offer
- Basic free and low-cost online courses
- Prelicensure online education
- State licensing exam prep
- Continuing education requirements
- Courses to become a broker and earn designations
- Online certificate programs at universities
- Real estate online degrees
- Consider the right plants for your climate
- Avoid overdeveloping your yard
- Plan for the right professional help
- Know your maintenance limits
- Seed and aerate your lawn appropriately
- Know what local ordinances allow and require
- Ensure surfaces aren’t angled toward your house
- Keep shade in mind as you plan
- Contact your homeowners insurance provider
- Don’t restrict yourself to an existing layout
- Real Estate Touring and Staging Options
- Real Estate Video Solutions
- Real Estate Live Videos
- Time Management Resources
- Real Estate Marketing Material Creation
- Document Services
- Real Estate Keyword Planners
- Real Estate Education
- Does it Make the Best First Impression?
- Does it Appeal to The Target Market?
- Can Buyers Visualize Living in This Home?
- Are Key Features Highlighted?
- Millennial Property Purchases = Perfectionism
- Millennial Choices: City or Suburb?
- Millennials Won’t Start with a Starter
- Millennial Demands: Are You Prepared for the Future?
- Next-Generation Clients Expect Next-Generation Tools
- don’t work with an agent for months and buy from someone else at an open house
- don’t work with more than one real estate agentDon’t contact listing agents personally. Use ypur real estate agent
- Don’t ask an agent to show homes for sale before getting pre-approved
- Don’t look at homes outside the pre-approved price range
- The buyer should understand where they want to live
- Don’t make unrealistic lowball offers
- Lastly, don’t make an offer contingent on selling a home.
- Home Office & Office Space
- Drive Time
- Client Relations and Lead Generation
- Home Showings
- Fees and Dues
- Staying on Top of Your Taxes
- TAXATION AND DEPRECIATION
- MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTIONS
- PROPOSALS THAT DID NOT MATERIALIZE
- PASS-THROUGH ENTITIES
- DEPRECIATION
- BUSINESS INTEREST LIMITATION
- The right location
- The right overall layout
- Enough bathrooms
- Dual sinks
- A good family gathering space
- Upstairs laundry
- A sufficient garage
- The right size backyard
- A kitchen you can work with
- Look for down payment assistance
- Save your pennies
- Shop for a better savings account
- Do automatic transfers
- Get a gift
- Save all raises and bonuses
- Shift some money toward repairing your credit
- Pare down
- Call your cable, Internet, and phone providers
- Make your coffee – and your lunch – at home
Two California residents are facing federal indictments for allegedly participating in a nationwide telemarketing real estate scam that reached into parts of Madison and St. Clair counties. Under the SCAMS Act, because it alleged that the crimes took place in connection with telemarketing, and victimized ten or more people over age 55, the maximum penalty for the conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. The pair can also be fined up to $250,000 per count, and can be ordered to pay restitution to the victims.- Focus on the clients you have, not the leads you want
- Showcase your expertise with a digital storefront
- Distinguish yourself from the countless other agents in your market
- Consistently utilize one or two brand-building activities
- Create value with your content-marketing strategy
- changes to tax law, estate planning, resulting neighborhood development
- Saving for a down payment,
- Paying monthly condominium fees,
- Pay attention to which laws, regulations, services, and real estate expenses have actually changed
Source: Wall Street Journal, 1-29-2018, “Up in the Air over Down Payments”, Page M7- Curb Appeal
- Space
- Updates
- Work with a good REALTOR®
- Get that preapproval
- Talk to landlords
- Consider a home that needs work
- Look just outside your target neighborhood
- Consider a transitioning neighborhood
- Raise your budget
- Go back to your lender
- HOME VALUES WILL CONTINUE TO RISE
- NEW CONSTRUCTION WILL MAKE REAL ESTATE MORE ACCESSIBLE
- MILLENNIALS WILL MOVE TO THE SUBURBS
- BOOMERANG BUYERS WILL RETURN TO THE MARKET
- NEW TAX LEGISLATION WILL IMPACT HOMEOWNER DEDUCTIONS
- INTEREST RATES WILL RISE
- Cap on Mortgage Interest Deduction
- New SALT Deduction Limit
- Preserved Exclusion of Capital Gains
- Deductibility on Home Equity Loans
- Doubling of the Standard Deduction
- Be Online
- Mobile-friendly
- Friendly content
- Make it easy
- Get out there
- Be Transparent
- Re-evaluate Your Listings
- 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
6-15-2018:
1. Draw up a contract
2. Set a strict schedule and budget
3. Communicate throughout the project
