Pending home sales, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 2.4% month over month and 9.4% year over year in February—a fresh sign that the underpinnings of the real estate market are strong, even as the coronavirus outbreak poses significant challenges, the National Association of REALTORS® reported Monday. All four major regions of the …
Category: News
Mar 30
Owners Are Most Eager to Lower Mortgage Payments
Owners Are Most Eager to Lower Mortgage Payments As mortgage rates hover near historical lows, homeowners have eyed taking advantage of them to lower their monthly payments. Refinancing dollar volume was up a whopping 138% in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to a year ago and was at the highest level since the first …
Mar 30
Stark Design on the Way Out?
Stark Design on the Way Out? The signature look of stark, white, impeccably clean minimalist design may face declining appeal in home decor. Instead, comfort and usability will likely guide home design going forward, design experts predict in a new article at realtor.com®. The era of sheltering in place during the COVID-19 outbreak has turned …
Mar 27
HUD to Award $40M in Grants
HUD to Award $40M in Grants The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Wednesday that it will award $40 million to help nonprofit organizations address fair housing violations across the U.S. and combat housing discrimination. The National Association of REALTORS® was quick to commend HUD’s action. “HUD is committed to supporting efforts to …
Mar 27
Homeowners Facing Hardship Get Mortgage Payment Deferral
Homeowners Facing Hardship Get Mortgage Payment Deferral Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac unveiled a payment deferral option for homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments, regardless of whether the reason is related to COVID-19. Homeowners could be eligible to defer two months of their mortgage payments until the end of their mortgage, depending …
Mar 26
Congress Reaches Deal on $2 Trillion Stimulus Deal
Congress Reaches Deal on $2 Trillion Stimulus Deal Lawmakers and the White House came to an agreement in the wee hours Wednesday morning on a nearly $2 trillion stimulus package intended to boost the economy and rush financial support to businesses and individuals during the COVID-19 outbreak. The package that leaders so far have agreed …
Mar 26
Mortgages for medical professionals
Mortgages for medical professionals Check out the photo below for more details: If you’re a medical professional or know someone who is, call me and John Coneys of Freedom Mortgage, to find out how we can help in the quest of finding that dream home. #RealEstate #MedicalProProgram #HomePurchase #CureforCorona #FreedomMortgage #LowMortgageRates #LetFreedomHelp
Mar 24
REALTORS® Step Up in Response to Coronavirus
REALTORS® Step Up Relief Efforts in Response to Coronavirus While REALTORS® are on the front lines of keeping housing alive and pushing for financial relief during the coronavirus crisis, some also are in the background, fighting against tall odds to deliver food, shelter, and health care to the most vulnerable citizens. Many past Good Neighbors—members …
Mar 24
Luxury Market Finally Took a Turn…
The fourth quarter of 2019 was a strong one for the luxury housing sector, as million-dollar sales and prices rose, according to the realtor.com® Q4 2019 Luxury report released Wednesday. Million-dollar sales in the quarter rose 11.4% year over year. The luxury entry point reached $1.27 million, up 2.1% annually, realtor.com® reports. The report is …
Mar 23
Coronavirus Won’t Kill New Construction
Coronavirus Won’t Kill New Construction Low interest rates and inventory will draw buyers to the market, Lennar Corp.’s executive chairman, Stuart Miller, said on a conference call with industry analysts this week. The home builder, one of the largest in the country, said it was working on new ways for buyers to purchase new homes …
Mar 23
Googled Home Styles
Googled Home Styles Farmhouse-style home design is the most Googled type of interior decoration in the U.S. Terms related to the design trends draw about 318,950 searches a month, according to data analyzed by the firm SellHouseFast.uk. Though designers recently have called the style overdone, farmhouse still appears to have the public’s affection. The next-highest …
Mar 19
Keep Your Phone, Laptop and Car Germ-Free
Keep Your Phone, Laptop and Car Germ-Free Cell phones and other everyday objects could potentially carry the coronavirus. Washing your hands and disinfecting areas frequently touched are the best strategies for stopping the spread of germs, according to the CDC. For real estate pros, that also likely means paying careful attention to your laptop, car, …
