Remote Online Notarization Is One Step Closer The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday evening to expand the availability of remote online notarization (RON) nationwide, a key advocacy priority for the National Association of REALTORS®. The bipartisan SECURE Notarization Act now goes to the Senate for consideration. RON allows a notary and signer …
Tag: News
Aug 04
Pending Home Sales Tumble as More Buyers Get Priced Out
Pending Home Sales Tumble as More Buyers Get Priced Out Pending home sales fell in June as surging mortgage rates and record-high home prices are making home buyers more cautious in moving forward. The median existing-home price hit an all-time high in June ($416,000). Homes were 80% more expensive in June than they were in …
Aug 03
Could Solving the Housing Shortage Help Close the Racial Gap, Too?
Could Solving the Housing Shortage Help Close the Racial Gap, Too? The nation’s housing shortage has also fueled a housing inequity problem, Bryan Greene, vice president of policy advocacy for the National Association of REALTORS®, writes in an essay included in a new report, “Housing Underproduction in the U.S.” To close the widening racial gap …
Aug 02
Mortgage Rates Rise Ahead of Fed’s Big Announcement
Mortgage Rates Rise Ahead of Fed’s Big Announcement Mortgage rates rose slightly this week ahead of the Federal Reserve’s highly anticipated meeting next Tuesday, when it is expected to increase its benchmark rate by up to a full percentage point. What impact could that have on mortgage rates ahead? “Even though the upcoming rate hike …
Aug 02
Existing-Home Prices Hit New Record as Sales Slow
Existing-Home Prices Hit New Record as Sales Slow Prices for existing homes climbed to a record high in June, continuing at a breakneck pace with double-digit-percentage annual increases. The median price for an existing home rose to $416,000 last month, up 13.4% compared to a year earlier, the National Association of REALTORS® reported Wednesday. Home …
Aug 01
Single-Family Construction Is Going Soft
Single-Family Construction Is Going Soft Builders are growing concerned that demand for new homes is leveling off, and they’re slowing production out of fear that too many buyers have been priced out of the market. Single-family construction in June dropped to its lowest level since April 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was just beginning, the …
Jul 22
Affordability, Inventory Issues Block Foreign Investors, Too
Affordability, Inventory Issues Block Foreign Investors, Too Worsening housing affordability and stubborn inventory shortages are not only pushing more Americans out of the real estate market but also blocking many foreign investors from purchasing homes in the U.S., according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ newly released 2022 Profile of International Transactions in U.S. Residential …
Jul 22
Volatility in Mortgage Rates as Recession Fears Grow
Volatility in Mortgage Rates as Recession Fears Grow Mortgage rates are showing volatility as the economy slows and recession fears take center stage. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to an average of 5.51% this week, up from 5.3% last week, according to Freddie Mac. Home buyers are facing rising costs across the spectrum. Inflation shot …
Jul 21
New Benefit Helps REALTORS® Convert Renters to Home Buyers
New Benefit Helps REALTORS® Convert Renters to Home Buyers REALTORS® now have free access to Rental Beast, a software provider with a secure FCRA-compliant online rental application and tenant screening tool. The National Association of REALTORS® announced Tuesday that Rental Beast has become the newest addition to NAR REALTOR Benefits®. “NAR REALTOR Benefits® aims to …
Jul 21
Technology REALTORS® Use the Most
Technology REALTORS® Use the Most REALTORS® use multiple technology platforms daily to promote their business and stay connected to clients. While smartphones and email are key tools that facilitate most of those connections, 53% of REALTORS® also use social media apps or GPS features daily, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2022 Member Profile. Typing proves …
Jul 20
REALTORS® Expand Income Despite Low Inventory, Fierce Competition
REALTORS® Expand Income Despite Low Inventory, Fierce Competition Fierce competition in the industry didn’t stop REALTORS® from increasing their transaction sides and income over the last year, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ newly released 2022 Member Profile. The booming housing market has prompted more people to pursue a real estate career, as NAR’s …
Jul 19
Good Credit when Applying for a Mortgage
Good credit is critical when it comes to obtaining the best interest rates and terms on a mortgage.Katy Sychterz of RoundPoint Mortgage, (NMLS# 183951 – 484.534.5107) and I want to offer you some credit tips for when you do decide to apply for a mortgage. #RealEstate #Realtor #BuyersMarket #FreedomFast #CreditTips #PlymouthMeetingRP
