Blog

Over the past few weeks, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac fell by half a percent. The drop happened over concerns about a potential recession. And since mortgage rates have risen dramatically this year, homebuyers across the country should see this decline as welcome news. Freddie Mac reports that the average 30-year… Read more: The Drop in Mortgage Rates Brings Good News for Homebuyers

Some Highlights According to the latest data from CoreLogic, the average homeowner gained $64,000 in home equity over the past 12 months. That much equity can be a game-changer when you move. When you sell, it could be some (if not all) of what you need for a down payment on your next home. To… Read more: Why Growing Home Equity Is Great News if You Plan To Move [INFOGRAPHIC]

According to a recent survey, more and more Americans are concerned about a possible recession. Those concerns were validated when the Federal Reserve met and confirmed they were strongly committed to bringing down inflation. And, in order to do so, they’d use their tools and influence to slow down the economy. All of this brings… Read more: What Does an Economic Slowdown Mean for the Housing Market?

It’s true that record levels of home price appreciation have spurred significant equity gains for homeowners over the past few years. As Diana Olick, Real Estate Correspondent at CNBC, says: “The stunning jump in home values over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic has given U.S. homeowners record amounts of housing wealth.” That’s great for your… Read more: How Your Equity Can Grow over Time

Defining the American dream is personal, and no one individual will have the same definition as another. But the feelings it brings about – success, freedom, and a sense of prosperity – are universal. That’s why, for many people, homeownership remains a key part of the American dream. Your home is your stake in the… Read more: Is Homeownership Still the American Dream?

Some Highlights Based on a recent Gallup poll, real estate has been rated the best long-term investment for nine years in a row. Wow! Owning real estate is more than just a place to call home. It’s also an investment in your future. That’s because it’s typically a stable and secure asset that can grow… Read more: Real Estate Consistently Voted Best Investment [INFOGRAPHIC]

It can be tempting, especially with how hot the housing market has been over the past two years, to consider selling your home on your own. But today’s market is at a turning point, making it more essential than ever to work with a real estate professional. Not only will a trusted real estate advisor… Read more: If You’re Selling Your House This Summer, Hiring a Pro Is Critical

A recent survey from Bankrate asks prospective buyers to identify the biggest obstacles in their homebuying journey. It found that 36% of those polled said saving for a down payment is one of their primary hurdles to buying a home. If you feel the same way, the good news is there are many down payment… Read more: Homeownership Could Be in Reach with Down Payment Assistance Programs

There’s no denying the housing market has delivered a fair share of challenges to homebuyers over the past two years. Two of the biggest hurdles homebuyers faced during the pandemic were the limited number of homes for sale and the intensity and frequency of bidding wars. But those two things have reached a turning point.… Read more: A Key Opportunity for Homebuyers

You may be reading headlines and hearing talk about a potential housing bubble or a crash, but it’s important to understand that the data and expert opinions tell a different story. A recent survey from Pulsenomics asked over one hundred housing market experts and real estate economists if they believe the housing market is in… Read more: Two Reasons Why Today’s Housing Market Isn’t a Bubble

If you’re following along with the news today, you’ve heard about rising inflation. Today, inflation is at a 40-year high. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): “Consumer prices accelerated again in May as shelter, energy and food prices continued to surge at the fastest pace in decades. This marked the third straight… Read more: Homeownership Is a Great Hedge Against the Impact of Rising Inflation

Some Highlights When it comes to pricing your house, there’s a lot to consider. The only way to ensure you price it right is by partnering with our team at Rise Up Real Estate Group. As a local real estate professional with plenty of experience helping people in the past, we can help you make… Read more: Why an Agent Is Essential When Pricing Your House [INFOGRAPHIC]

Once you’ve applied for a mortgage to buy a home, there are some key things to keep in mind. While it’s exciting to start thinking about moving in and decorating, be careful when it comes to making any big purchases. Here are a few things you may not realize you need to avoid after applying… Read more: Things To Avoid After Applying for a Home Loan

If you own a home, your net worth likely just got a big boost thanks to rising home equity. Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan. And today, based on recent home price appreciation, you’re building that equity far faster than you may expect – here’s how… Read more: The Average Homeowner Gained $64K in Equity over the Past Year

A recession does not equal a housing crisis. That’s the one thing that every homeowner today needs to know. Everywhere you look, experts are warning we could be heading toward a recession, and if true, an economic slowdown doesn’t mean homes will lose value. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) defines a recession this way:… Read more: The One Thing Every Homeowner Needs To Know About a Recession

In this article: What Do Mortgage Lenders Look for on Your Credit Report? How Do Lenders Assess Your Income? Do Mortgage Lenders Consider Your Assets? What Do Lenders Require for a Down Payment? Keep an Eye on Your Credit You’ve found your dream home and you’re ready to make what’s probably the biggest purchase of… Read more: What Factors Do Mortgage Lenders Consider?

How to get a mortgage rate that’s as low as possible. At this time last year, 30-year mortgage rates sat at a little over 3%, but now, they’re over 5%. And some pros say we may see more interest rate increases this year, which makes locking in the lowest rate on a new loan appealing.… Read more: As mortgage rates tick upwards, 8 secrets to getting the lowest mortgage rate possible for you

Mortgage rates continue to push higher, but home buyers aren’t spooked. Mortgage applications for home purchases moved 5% higher last week compared to the previous week, and buyer competition remains elevated in many markets. Even as costs rise, buyers remain focused on their homeownership aspirations. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to a 5.30% average last… Read more: Buyers Resilient Against Rising Rates

Here’s how to make sense of this crazy housing market We are at the point of the economic cycle where I really just get two questions: Are we going into recession and are home prices about to fall? I am going to do my best to try to make sense of what is happening with… Read more: Are home prices about to fall?

It seems like every media outlet, and perhaps every person on Earth, is debating if the housing market is going to crash soon. While the truth is that no one really knows what’s going to happen, we can examine data and attempt to determine what is most likely to happen.  Personally, I don’t believe a… Read more: Is The Housing Market About to Collapse? What Investors Need to Know

Becoming a private lender is not as complex as it might seem. If you’re looking for an investment vehicle that generates solid short-term returns without the volatility of growth stocks, private lending may be for you. Becoming a private lender is not as complex as it might seem. All you really need is a comfortable… Read more: Profit in private real estate lending: Short-term loans to real estate redevelopers and builders can generate solid returns for investors

Why it’s worth getting a pro to sell your home When you sell your home yourself—also known as “for sale by owner” (FSBO)—it may seem like a great way to save thousands of dollars. After all, the standard real estate agent’s commission is 5% to 6%—that’s $12,500 to $15,000 on a $250,000 home.1 Given the size… Read more: 8 Reasons to Choose a Real Estate Agent Over “For Sale By Owner”

FSBO (for sale by owner) refers to the process of selling a home without a real estate agent. While the vast majority of American home sellers work with a realtor to sell their homes, a minority are willing to put in the time and effort necessary to go it alone. Most FSBO sellers are driven… Read more: FSBO vs. Realtor Statistics: What You Need to Know!

Real Estate can be a huge money maker, but it is very hard to understand without lots of experience and help along the way. 3 years ago, I walked into it thinking, no biggy, I can sell our Brooklyn Co-op on Zillow, For Sale by Owner (FSBO for those in the know). Why do I… Read more: FSBO vs. Realtor: What I Learned from Selling our Home

Need a reason to justify your reason for wanting to own a house instead of renting? We have 23 reasons for you, backed by proven facts. Homeownership has always been considered the gateway to the middle class and a benchmark of the American Dream. However, many families have chosen to find domestic bliss without paying… Read more: 23 Scientific Reasons Why Owning is Better than Renting

Owning a home might seem like a big expense to some, but for most people, it’s worth it to have the emotional connection to a home you own, and a sense of stability that renting won’t bring. There’s also a financial benefit that those who are renting won’t see, like the chance to profit when… Read more: 8 Reasons Why Owning a Home Is Better Than Renting, According to People Who Have Done It

Choosing to buy or rent a home is a big decision. For a lot of people, owning a home is worth it because it gives a sense of security and stability that renting won’t bring. Renters do not have the opportunity to make long-term investments in their property, which will appreciate over time and increase… Read more: 5 Reasons Why Buying a Home is Better than Renting

As a homeowner with a mortgage, the holy grail is having a mortgage rate below the 10-year bond yield. When you have this situation, it’s like living for free and you should not pay down extra principal. If you had the money, you could invest an amount equal to your mortgage into a 10-year Treasury… Read more: Negative Real Mortgage Rates Means Don’t Pay Down Extra Principal

If you’re thinking of selling your house this year, timing is crucial. After all, you’ll want to balance getting the most out of the sale of your current home and making the best investment when you buy your next one. If that’s the case, you should know – you may be able to get the… Read more: This Spring Presents Sellers with a Golden Opportunity

Some Highlights If you’re thinking about selling your house this season, focusing on a few quick and easy updates outside can help your home look its best. 78% of real estate agents polled say poor landscaping affects property values. As a seller, that means your yard could impact your bottom line. When getting your house… Read more: Give Your Curb Appeal a Boost Before You Sell

Even if you haven’t been following real estate news, you’ve likely heard about the current sellers’ market. That’s because there’s a lot of talk about how strong market conditions are for people who want to sell their houses. But if you’re thinking about listing your house, you probably want to know: what does being in… Read more: What You Need To Know About Selling in a Sellers’ Market

If you’re in the market to buy a home this season, stick with it. Homebuyers face challenges in any market, and today’s is no exception. But if you persevere, your decision to purchase a home will be worth the effort in the end. In fact, a recent survey from Bankrate shows homeownership is so powerful… Read more: The Dream of Homeownership Is Worth the Effort

If you’re following along with the news today, you’ve likely heard about rising inflation. You’re also likely feeling the impact in your day-to-day life as prices go up for gas, groceries, and more. These rising consumer costs can put a pinch on your wallet and make you re-evaluate any big purchases you have planned to… Read more: How Home Ownership Can Help Shield You from Inflation

If you’re planning to own a new home this season, you’re probably thinking about what you’ll need to do to get your offer accepted. In previous years, it was common for buyers to try and determine how much less than the asking price they could offer to still get the home. The buyer and seller… Read more: Is It Enough To Offer Asking Price in Today’s Housing Market?

Life events can have a major impact on what you need from your home, and retirement is one of the biggest changes many of us face. This period of your life can mean doing more of the things you enjoy, like traveling, visiting with loved ones, or taking on new hobbies. But what does that… Read more: Is It Time To Buy a Smaller Home?

Homeownership has become a major element in achieving the American Dream. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) finds that over 86% of buyers agree homeownership is still the American Dream. Prior to the 1950s, less than half of the country owned their own home. However, after World War II, many returning… Read more: Why This Housing Market Is Not a Bubble Ready To Pop

Some Highlights If you’re planning to buy or sell a home today, it’s important to be aware of common misconceptions. Whether it’s timing your purchase as a buyer based on home prices and mortgage rates or knowing what to upgrade or repair before listing your house as a seller, it takes a professional to guide… Read more: Myths About Today’s Housing Market

With today’s real estate market moving as fast as it is, working with a real estate professional like our team at Rise Up Real Estate Group is more essential than ever. They have the skills, experience, and expertise it takes to navigate the highly detailed and involved process of selling a home. That may be… Read more: Why a Real Estate Professional Is Key When Selling Your House

Some Highlights If you’re a homeowner, your net worth has gotten a big boost. That’s because recent home price appreciation has increased your equity. Your equity grows as you pay down your loan and as your home increases in value. Over the past year, the average homeowner’s equity grew by $55,300. Ready to sell? Reach… Read more: Do You Know How Much Equity You Have in Your Home? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Are you thinking about selling your house? If so, you may want to make it a priority to start the process soon. According to realtor.com, the sweet spot for sellers is just around the corner. In a recent study, experts analyzed housing market trends by looking at data from the past several years (excluding 2020,… Read more: The Best Week To List Your House Is Just Around the Corner

Today’s low inventory can be challenging for homebuyers, especially if you’re looking to purchase your first home. But if you’re one of many people who work remotely, you may have a great opportunity to use the flexibility you have at work to achieve your homebuying goals this year. In a recent report, Arch Capital Services… Read more: Remote Work Trends Mean Flexibility for First-Time Homebuyers

When it comes to buying a home, it can feel a bit intimidating to know how much you need to save and where to find that information. But you should know, you’re not expected to have all the answers yourself. There are many trusted professionals who can help you understand your finances and what you’ll… Read more: What You Need To Budget for When Buying a Home

Since the number of homes for sale is low today, it can feel challenging to find one that checks all your boxes. But if you know which features are absolutely essential in your next home and which ones are just nice bonuses, you can land a home that fits your needs. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist… Read more: Balancing Your Wants and Needs as a Home Buyer Today

Every American is feeling the bite of inflation. Groceries cost more, gas costs more, everything seems to cost more. This past week, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates in an effort to tame the highest inflation in 40 years. The cost of rent is really through the roof. Residential rents across the country went up… Read more: Would-be home buyers may be forced to rent the American dream, rather than buy it

Many homeowners who plan to sell in 2022 may think the wise thing to do is to wait for the spring buying market since historically about 40 percent of home sales occur between April and July. However, this year’s expected to be much different than the norm. Here are five reasons to list your house… Read more: Why Waiting To Sell Your House Could Cost You a Small Fortune

While some homeowners may be tempted to hold off until spring to list their houses, you should know – homebuyers aren’t waiting. Demand is high today as more people are trying to beat rising mortgage rates. As a result, eager buyers are entering the market or moving their plans up so they can make their… Read more: More People Are Planning To Buy a Home Soon

A recent survey revealed that many consumers believe there’s a housing bubble beginning to form. That feeling is understandable, as year-over-year home price appreciation is still in the double digits. However, this market is very different than it was during the housing crash 15 years ago. Here are four key reasons why today is nothing… Read more: 4 Simple Graphs Showing Why This Is Not a Housing Bubble

The “warning signs” look all too familiar. Escalating home prices have both buyers & sellers worried that the market is just “too good to be true,” and agents across the U.S. are getting bombarded with the ultimate question: “Are we in a housing bubble?” Let’s take a look at 3 key factors that suggest we’re… Read more: Are We in a Housing Bubble?

If you’re planning to sell this year, you’re probably thinking about what you’ll need to do to get your house ready to appeal to the most buyers. It’s crucial to work with trusted real estate professionals like the team at Rise Up Real Estate Group who know your local market to get your home ready… Read more: What Every Seller Needs To Know About Renovating This Year

After almost two years of double-digit increases, many experts thought home price appreciation would decelerate or happen at a slower pace in the last quarter of 2021. However, the latest Home Price Insights Report from CoreLogic indicates while prices may have plateaued, appreciation has definitely not slowed. The following graph shows year-over-year appreciation throughout 2021.… Read more: What’s Going To Happen with Home Prices This Year?

The last 18 months changed what many buyers are looking for in a home. Recently, the American Institute of Architects released their AIA Home Design Trends Survey results for Q3 2021. The survey reveals the following: 70% of respondents want more outdoor living space 69% of respondents want a home office (48% wanted multiple offices)… Read more: The Big Question: Should You Renovate or Move?

Vacant Land is one of the most overlooked and misunderstood real estate investments in the world. Most real estate investors completely fail to recognize the superior benefits that come with owning land in its raw form. It’s unfortunate because the simplicity and stability that come with owning the right piece of land (purchased at the… Read more: The Truth About Land Investing: 21 Warning Signs To Look For When Buying Vacant Land

As we move into the latter half of the year, questions about what’s to come are top of mind for buyers and sellers. Near record-low mortgage rates coupled with rising home price appreciation kicked off a robust housing market in the first half of 2021, but what does the forecast tell us about what’s on… Read more: What Do Experts See on the Horizon for the Second Half of the Year?

If you’re selling your home right now—or thinking about doing it soon—you should know that today’s housing market is unlike anything we’ve seen or experienced lately, maybe ever. In the past, home sellers might have waited weeks or months to get an offer that might not be as high as they’d hoped. Buyers may have… Read more: The New Normal of Selling a Home Today, Explained

There’s a great deal cities can do right now to address the vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties that are contributing to lower property values and economic hardship in their most vulnerable neighborhoods, said a panel of community revitalization experts  on Tuesday. The panelists presented at the National Association of REALTORS®’ webinar “Engaging the Community to… Read more: How to Address Problem Vacancies in Your Neighborhood

Property taxes can vary considerably based on where you live. Homeowners in some metro areas pay thousands of dollars more per year than owners elsewhere. Home shoppers will want to factor in these added costs when they buy to avoid unexpected tax surprises. For example, the median real estate tax in Las Vegas—the lowest of… Read more: Where Property Taxes Are Highest

Cash is often king. Buyers who can make an all-cash offer on a home can stand out when competition is tight. Cash purchases tend to pose less risk that a deal will fall through from a low appraisal, have fewer financing hang-ups, and tend to make for faster transactions. All-cash deals comprised 20% of sales… Read more: More Buyers Paying Cash to Win Bidding Wars

As the economy continues to strengthen, mortgage rates are heading upwards. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased from its 2.94% average last week to 3% this week, Freddie Mac reports. “Mortgage rates are more likely to continue to rise than fall throughout the rest of 2021,” Nadia Evangelou, National Association of REALTORS® senior economist and director… Read more: Mortgage Rates Move Up, Now Average 3%

The home-buying experience for the Williams family says a lot about the state of the metro New Orleans housing market, where prices for most single-family properties have held up through the coronavirus pandemic even as unemployment surged and the economy staggered. Will Williams, together with his wife Rachel and their four young children, were looking… Read more: An inside look at the New Orleans real estate market and why prices are going up

Converting a closet into a home office is one of many creative home office solutions author Chris Peterson covers in his newest book. Is it me or, as the pandemic slowly whimpers away, are you, too, hearing those who have been cooped up working from home chanting: There’s no place like the office, there’s no… Read more: They’re Here To Stay, So Learn To Get The Most From Your Home Office With These Expert Tips

A Room of One’s Own ― The pandemic has pushed the demand for Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs, like this one in Palo Alto, Calif., designed by Maydan Architects. They fill an increased need for affordable housing or a separate home office. Fortunately, more city and state regulations are allowing them. Last week, I wrote… Read more: ‘Granny Flats,’ Or Small Homes On A Main House’s Grounds, Can Add A Getaway Space — Or A Rental Income

Important Reasons To Hire A Buyers Agent For New Construction Homes 1) The Builder’s representative is often not a licensed Real Estate Agent … but an employee of the builder. Their legal obligations to you as a Seller Representative for New Construction Homes – are different than what the Real Estate Commission requires of licensed… Read more: Buyer Representation For New Construction Homes

Building a new home? Are you aware that there are many stages in the build process that are signed off by a building surveyor throughout the build phase? I work with many clients who are building their home and one of the questions that I get asked many times over is what happens throughout the… Read more: The Building Stages and What to Expect

Ready to house hunt? It’s a jungle out there: Prepare for a flurry of paperwork, stampedes of buyers competing for the same digs, and other challenges, before you get your hands on those house keys. We won’t lie: The process can be complex and stressful—especially if you are a first-time buyer. Having a real estate… Read more: What Is a Buyer’s Agent? A Trusted Guide Who’ll Help You Find a Home

How to Buy New Construction Five steps to owning a newly-built home. Buying “new construction” is a bit different from buying a previously-owned home. For one, because there is no previous homeowner, you don’t have to deal with a seller’s emotional tie to the property, which typically influences the negotiating process. Whether you’re designing and… Read more: Buying a New Construction? Why You Need Your Own Real Estate Agent

Making The Deal Like pretty much all of life, real estate is filled with “what ifs.” What if the inspection uncovers major structural problems? What if my financing falls through? What if the bank appraisal comes in low? When you’re buying a home, the “what ifs” are handled, or at least mitigated, through contingency contracts.… Read more: Contingencies: How They Work and Why They’re a Buyer’s Friend

 Who do you know who wants to sell a property? People choose to work with us because we make it simple and easy. We can help you soar. Rise Up!  Profits on Home Sales Increase in Nine of Every 10 Housing Markets in 2020; National Median Home Price Up 13 Percent From Last Year to… Read more: U.S. Home Seller Profits Soar in 2020 as Prices Set New Records in Spite of Coronavirus Pandemic

Millennials may have delayed their first step into homeownership more than previous generations, but when they do buy, many want to go big and are skipping the traditional starter home. “In the past, people bought a modest property, lived in it until starting a family, and then traded up to a larger property,” Bradley Nelson,… Read more: Bypassing the Starter Home: Delayed First-Time Buyers Are Going Big

As we look back over the past year, we’ve certainly lived through one of the most stressful periods in recent history. After spending so much more time at home throughout the health crisis, some are wondering if they should move to improve their mental health and well-being. This is no surprise since the U.S. Census… Read more: Why Moving May Be Just the Boost You Need

The housing market made an incredible recovery in 2020 and is now positioned for an even stronger year in 2021. Record-low mortgage interest rates are a driving factor in this continued momentum, with average rates hovering at historic all-time lows. According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index Survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), buyer demand across the country is… Read more: Why Right Now May Be the Time to Sell Your House

Mortgage Interest Rates Today What are today’s mortgage rates? The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell 1 basis point to 2.95% from a week ago. The 15-year fixed mortgage rate fell 1 basis point to 2.37% from a week ago. Additional mortgage rates can be found in the chart and graph below. 3-month trend 30-Year… Read more: Current Mortgage Rates

The for-sale housing market showed incredible strength in 2020, and we expect 2021 will be even stronger. Demand continues to stay high, and is expected to surge in cities as economies reopen. Annual home sales growth is expected to be the highest in almost 40 years as life and financial certainty brings more sellers into… Read more: Bold 2021 Predictions: A Stronger Housing Market Across the Board

2021 Housing Market Forecast and Predictions 2021 National Housing Market Forecast and Predictions: Back to Normal To say 2020 was a year of surprises is an extreme understatement. What started off as a bright year for the housing market and the economy was soon derailed by a global pandemic and severe economic recession. As detailed… Read more: 2021 Housing Market Forecast and Predictions

Why It Makes Sense to Sell Your House Now If you’re one of the many homeowners thinking about taking your house off the market for the holidays, hang on. You definitely don’t want to miss the great selling opportunity you have right now. Here’s why this month is the optimal time to make sure your… Read more: Does It Makes Sense to Sell Your House This Holiday Season?

As any real estate agent knows, leads are the lifeblood to success. This is why it is no secret that a high percentage of most agents’ time is dedicated to uncovering possible leads via as many conduits as possible.  That being said, all leads are not created equal. Some leads roll in thanks to expensive… Read more: Investors: A Real Estate Agent’s Most Powerful Partnership

Buying a home is an important – and exciting – decision. After all, having a place to call your own, to raise your family in, to do as you wish with no landlord to answer to are all motivating factors in starting the process. But, in addition to these emotional reasons, buying a home can… Read more: How Pre-Qualification Can Help You Get Your Dream Home

Here are the updated national housing market trends—home prices, inventory, sales, and forecast. If you’re wondering what the state of the housing market 2020 will be like over the next twelve months, especially if you’re an investor, then here is some good news for you. Given the current fundamentals, real estate sales should remain strong… Read more: Housing Market 2020 Forecast: Will It Crash or Recover?

Historical data may be less apparent as market accelerates Last week, HousingWire reported surging mortgage volume and record low interest rates are putting excess pressure on appraisal turn times. This week, appraisal experts said those same variables are having a profound impact on an age-old conflict of appraisal reports versus what the market believes the… Read more: In a hot housing market, gap between purchase price and appraiser condition ratings causes headaches

Even as mortgage delinquencies climb, foreclosure activity continues to be low. Foreclosure moratoriums ordered by federal and state governments during early phases of the pandemic likely helped to minimize the foreclosure rate, says Rick Sharga, executive vice president at RealtyTrac, a real estate data firm. “It’s inevitable that there will be a significant increase in… Read more: Moratoriums Keep Foreclosures Nearly Nonexistent

  Urban dwellers across the U.S. continue to show an increased appetite for suburban homes, a trend brought about by the desire for more space and the flexibility to work from home amid the coronavirus pandemic. During the second quarter of the year, 51% of home searches by urban residents of the 100 largest metro… Read more: U.S. Metro Dwellers Are Increasingly Searching for Suburban Homes

It’s the question every handy homeowner getting ready to embark on a renovation asks themselves: How much can I actually do myself? If you’re willing to get your hands dirty, it may be more than you think. Curbed spoke with experts including DIY home renovators, contractors, and architects to determine the realistic DIY projects in… Read more: DIY vs. Professional Renovation: What To Tackle Yourself And What To Leave To The Pros

Existing-home sales are down 9.7 percent from April to a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.91 million, according to the latest data from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). The dip marks three consecutive months of declines in sales as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and a 26.6 percent drop from May 2019. All four… Read more: Existing-Home Sales Down 9.7 Percent in May, But NAR Expects a Strong Rebound in the Months to Come

Discover the history of the annual holiday and check out 13 surprising facts about the American flag and how to properly display it. When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, the colonists weren’t fighting united under a single flag. Instead, most regiments participating in the war for independence against the British fought under their… Read more: What Is Flag Day?

Hurricane Preparedness Hurricane Season is June 1 – November 30. While we all like to think that we are ready for any kind of tropical storm, the fact is that we could all be a little more prepared. To help you and your clients ensure you are ready this Hurricane Season, we have compiled a… Read more: Hurricane Preparedness – Information You Need To Stay Afloat

Why do buyers markets benefit buyers? In a buyers market, there are more homes for sale than there are buyers shopping for homes. This gives buyers the negotiating power, because many listings are competing with each other to get the attention of relatively few buyers. A buyers market is often prompted by low interest rates.… Read more: Selling a Home in a Buyers Market

Every listing agent has a similar goal — sell your house for the most money in the least amount of time. But there’s much more to it than that, and many things set a good or great agent apart from an average one. Sellers evaluate real estate agents based on the services they offer, their… Read more: What Makes a Good Real Estate Agent for Home Sellers

What do you do when you need to sell your home fast, but extensive repairs are out of the question, either because they’re too costly or too time consuming? Busy home sellers have a few options in this scenario, including selling as-is, completing just minor repairs, and focusing on only the big-ticket items most buyers… Read more: How to Sell a House As-Is When It Needs Repairs

As we enter the summer months and work through the challenges associated with the current health crisis, many are wondering what impact the economic slowdown will have on home prices. Looking at the big picture, supply and demand will give us the clearest idea of what’s to come. Making our way through the month of… Read more: Home Prices: It’s All About Supply and Demand

Selling your house for sale by owner (FSBO) to avoid paying a listing agent’s 3 percent commission can be financially appealing, but the process isn’t as easy as you might think. If you want to try selling your own house, preparing yourself for the stressful and turbulent road ahead is a must. According to the… Read more: How to Sell Your House For Sale By Owner

To clarify the part of the year we’re talking about, fall includes dates between September 1 and November 30. In most of the country, this time of year is marked by cooler weather, shorter days, and falling leaves — think picking apples, carving pumpkins, and enjoying turkey dinners. Holidays that fall within this period include… Read more: Tips to Sell Your Home in the Fall

Redfin RDFN, -4.30% is the latest real-estate company to jump back into the iBuying game after a coronavirs-related shutdon. The Seattle-based brokerage said Thursday that its RedfinNow segment, which provides instant offers to home sellers to purchase their properties, would resume home-buying activities. In doing so, Redfin joins fellow iBuyers Opendoor and Offerpad in re-enteing… Read more: Vacation Real-Estate Markets Are ‘Toast’ Because Of The Pandemic – Airbnb Owners Rush To Offload Their Homes, Redfin CEO Says

As stay-at-home orders increased across the nation last month, it showed in the lack of homes for sale. New listings fell 44.1% in April, as well as asking prices flattening and homes staying on the market longer, according to a new report from realtor.com, While it’s worth noting that April is the first full month… Read more: New Listings In April Were Nearly Cut In Half

While the economy faces a slowdown from the COVID-19 pandemic, economists are pointing to the housing market as a way to jumpstart the recovery. Every home sale added at least $54,741, up to a maximum of $184,763, to the economy in 2019, the National Association of REALTORS® reports. And economists point out that home sales… Read more: How Each Home Sale Adds to the Economy

America has a new hobby during the COVID-19 pandemic: browsing listings of homes for sale. Real estate professionals are reporting an uptick of online views of their listings. The increased activity could be from a growing number of window shoppers daydreaming of moving to a new home after the pandemic eases. “Window shopping for real… Read more: Window Shopping for Real Estate: A New Favorite Pastime

Financial institutions have been tightening up on lending in recent weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and home equity lines of credit have become the most recent target. JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo are the latest bank giants to announce that they will no longer be accepting applications for new HELOCs. “The decision to temporarily… Read more: More Banks Halt HELOCs

An important piece of the real estate puzzle hinges on building a strong team. This is why in addition to our network of agents, lenders, attorneys, and brokers, we are always on the lookout for great contractors to partner with. Below is some more insight on what we are looking for along with a number… Read more: Seeking High-Quality Contractors to Join Our Team

If you are a real estate investor looking to purchase wholesale properties or partner on joint venture projects, look no further. Our team has the experience, know-how, and infrastructure to offer you opportunities in your real estate investment endeavors. No matter if you are looking for a rehab project to work on or you are… Read more: Are you Looking to Grow Your Real Estate Investment Opportunities?

Homeowners find themselves in the position of having to sell their home fast for any number of reasons. For example, there are times when family obligations require you to move out of state with little warning. Maybe a job relocation takes you to a new area. Or a personal situation has arisen, putting homeowners on… Read more: Situations We Can Help Home Sellers With

Although the housing market continues to experience a slowdown in home price appreciation, new data from Zillow suggests the nation’s rental market is thriving. According to the company’s Real Estate Market Report, U.S. rent prices accelerated for the ninth-straight month in June. As of now, the average apartment costs the typical renter $1,483. This translates to a 3% annual increase,… Read more: America’s Rental Market Heats Up As Its Housing Market Takes A Breather

NEW ORLEANS — Today, the City announced it will hold an online tax certificate sale as part of its continuing efforts to collect delinquent real estate taxes. The online auction will be active Tuesday, Aug. 13, through Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. Over 1,300 properties are scheduled to go to sale in the auction, which is… Read more: City of New Orleans to Hold Online Tax Certificate Sale