As the economy improves, mortgage rates could dip as low as the 4% range, bringing buyers back to the market. The inflation rate has been calming in recent months, contributing to falling mortgage rates through the holidays. Consumer prices are still running well above the typical 2% inflation rate, but November’s level of 7.1% was …
Category: Real Estate Tips
Jun 20
End Rate Hikes
The Fed today would do well to consider the wisdom of Wayne Gretzky. Mortgage rates fell on the day Silicon Valley Bank went bankrupt. In times of panic, financial market investors seek out the safest asset. Nothing is more secure than U.S. government bonds; they will be paid. There are, however, interest rate risks that …
Jun 19
Help Amplify the Message That Homeownership Is a Win
Here’s how you can help spread the word about the benefits of owning a home and support advocacy efforts to expand housing access. Homeownership is a financial windfall for most households, with homeowner wealth soaring 40 times higher than renters. Over the last decade, most owners have earned more than $100,000 in equity, according to …
Jun 16
Help Amplify the Message That Home ownership Is a Win
Here’s how you can help spread the word about the benefits of owning a home and support advocacy efforts to expand housing access. Homeownership is a financial windfall for most households, with homeowner wealth soaring 40 times higher than renters. Over the last decade, most owners have earned more than $100,000 in equity, according to …
Jun 15
What Homeowners Should Know About Solar Panels
Increasing energy costs are spurring more homeowners to go solar, but an abundance of choices in the field can make the decision daunting. Help homeowners weigh the options with these five considerations. Key Takeaways: Installing solar panels or modules to convert sunlight into electricity and conserve energy is not a new concept. Back in 1954, …
Jun 14
A Home Gym? No Sweat
Many homeowners are still reluctant to work out in gyms as COVID-19 remains a threat. Here’s how they can outfit a space without spending a bundle. Key Takeaways: In the 1980s and ‘90s, when houses were getting bigger and fancier with all sorts of specialty spaces—theaters with stadium seating, giant aquariums, rathskellers, and sports courts—some …
Jun 12
A Primer on Home Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
One of the newest amenities builders are including in housing developments to attract buyers is electric vehicle charging stations. Learn more about this feature that’s growing in popularity among your clients. Key Takeaways: As more car manufacturers add electric vehicles to their fleets, those who own or lease them know the value of having a …
Jun 12
Survey Reveals Least Popular Decorating Colors
More than a third of survey respondents ranked these two colors as their least favorite. America’s least desired colors for home decoration: orange and pink. This is the result of a survey of more than 1,500 consumers by Modsy, an online interior design service. More than a third of survey respondents ranked these two colors …
Jun 09
Gardening Tips
Landscape designer Michael Glassman(link is external) started his fall yard and garden work shortly before Halloween. Late October to mid-November is the perfect time to weed, prune, and mulch to prepare for chilly winter and then the spring growing season. Even those homeowners who live in a warm climate have their work cut out for …
Jun 08
Know Your State’s Laws Around New Residents With Pets
Your clients who are relocating across state lines may be surprised at the requirements for pets that are coming with them. Consult this state-by-state breakdown. Many home buyers keep their pets top of mind when shopping for a property, with 43% of pet owners saying they’re willing to move to accommodate their furry friend, according …
Jun 07
Strategies for Maintaining a Home as an Asset
High-profile bank failures offer lessons worth sharing with your clients and customers. Key takeaways: The high-profile failures of Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank are an object lesson on the importance of managing one’s assets. Companies, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, who had more than $170 billion stored at SVB, were left scrambling to access …
Jun 06
Top Places to Buy a Tiny Home
While more homeowners have been interested in gaining space during the pandemic, the market for tiny homes is still appealing to certain segments, particularly investors and first-time home buyers. The affordability of these homes is one of the biggest draws. Many tiny homes cost between $30,000 to $60,000. For comparison, the median price for a …
