Nov 19
Census: Big Cities’ Home Values Fared Worse in Recession The largest metros in the country saw some of the most significant declines in median home values following The Great Recession, according to a newly released Census report. The report shows that 43 of the 40 largest counties posted significant declines in median home values …
Nov 19
Home Repossessions Fall as Investors Step in. The number of foreclosures and repossessions by banks is dropping, and investors may be the ones driving the decrease. Investors are increasingly buying up properties when they go on sale at public auction, according to RealtyTrac. With an improving housing market, “investors are back in the …
Nov 18
Another Sign Foreclosure Crisis Is Evaporating? Mortgage delinquency rates fell in the third quarter, marking it the seventh consecutive quarter for such a decrease, according to TransUnion data. Mortgage delinquencies of at least 60 days dropped 4.09 percent in the third quarter, following a 4.32 percent drop in the second quarter. A year ago, …
Nov 18
Mortgage Rates Move Higher Again Fixed-rate mortgages are on their way up this week for the second consecutive week, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reaching its highest level since Sept. 19 when it averaged 4.50 percent, Freddie Mac reports. “Fixed mortgage rates increased this week following stronger than expected economic data releases,” says Frank …
Nov 15
Government Shutdown Proved Costly to Taxpayers The Obama administration issued a report detailing the impact of the two-week government shutdown in October that furloughed government employees and has been blamed on putting the economy — including the housing market — in a holding pattern. The shutdown caused back-pay of furloughed government employees to amount to …
Nov 15
Payday for Borrowers After Foreclosure? More than 1,000 home owners who lost their homes to foreclosure in the Phoenix metro area may be eligible to recoup thousands of dollars in cash due to rising home prices. Many foreclosures are selling for more because of the general uptick in home prices, and some are even fetching …
Nov 14
Loan Demand Softening This Month Loan demand for home purchases and refinancings fell last week as mortgage rates edged up. The Mortgage Bankers Association reports that its mortgage application index — which reflects both refinancings and loans for home purchases — dropped 1.8 percent for the week ending Nov. 8. That follows a revised …
Nov 14
Fake Online Reviews Become Growing Problem Seventy percent of people trust online reviews, but only 14 percent believe online advertisements — which makes a business’ focus on managing its online reputation increasingly important. But a growing number of fake online posts that offer up bad reviews about a company is posing a challenge, Forbes reports. …
Nov 13
Agent, Appraiser: How Much Can We Talk? One big misunderstanding between real estate agents and appraisers centers on how, when, and what they can communicate about the valuation process, said panelists at a Valuation Forum on Saturday at the 2013 REALTORS® Conference & Expo. While federal laws dictate those communications, appraisers and agents don’t have …
Nov 13
3 Ways to Show Former Clients Your Appreciation How are you going to differentiate yourself in 2014 to get more leads? Here are three ideas from Victoria Gillespie with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates in Mount Airy, Md. Gillespie presented “Redefining Your Business Proposition” on Friday at the REALTORS® Conference & Expo. Her first secret weapon is …
Nov 12
Where to Find the Best Leads in Real Estate The most valuable leads for real estate professionals still come from traditional paths over online sources, according to the Imprev Thought Leader Survey of top real estate executives. Traditional sources like open houses, past-client referrals, For Sale signs, and walk-ins to brokerage offices are more effective …
Nov 12
Home Interest Rates Move Higher for the First Time in Three Weeks Mortgage rates reversed course this week, moving upwards for the first time in three weeks amid more positive economic data, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey. Production in the manufacturing industry and non-manufacturing sector alike showed signs of expanding. …
