Stimulus Checks Are on the Way On Sunday night, President Donald Trump signed a $900 billion COVID relief package that authorizes rental assistance, stimulus checks to individuals for $600, loans for struggling small businesses, and more. The president had delayed signing the bill for several days after Congress approved the relief package early last week. …
Tag: tips
Dec 29
Tough Being a First-Time Buyer
Tough Being a First-Time Buyer Many first-time buyers are being priced out of the housing market as inventory shortages persist. Adding to the woes, home prices have risen annually by double-digit percentages. While home sales have increased during the pandemic, the market share of first-time buyers has mostly stayed the same. First-time buyers made up …
Dec 28
Overall Home Sales Rise Nearly 26%
Overall Home Sales Rise Nearly 26% Some real estate pros are having their best year ever for home sales, despite the pandemic. Existing-home sales in November climbed 25.8% compared to last year, the National Association of REALTORS® reported Tuesday. Existing-home sales—completed transactions on single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and co-ops—did dip down by 2.5% in November …
Dec 28
Empty Hotels Are Being Reimagined as Tiny Apartments
Empty Hotels Are Being Reimagined as Tiny Apartments The hospitality industry has been hard hit in the pandemic, as shutdowns and the lack of travel have prompted a surge in vacancies. But investors are swooping in to buy hotels and reimagine them as more than just short stays. Instead, hotel conversions are becoming a bigger …
Dec 28
More Homeowners Lean on Forbearance
More Homeowners Lean on Forbearance An increasing number of homeowners’ mortgages are in forbearance as more owners take advantage of COVID-19 relief assistance from lenders before the end of the year. About 37,000 more mortgages were added to forbearance during the week ending Dec. 15, bringing the total to 2.787 million loans. That represents about …
Dec 23
Predictions for the 2021 Rental Market
Predictions for the 2021 Rental Market Many renters have transitioned into homeownership during the pandemic, and rental demand and prices are dropping in major cities like New York and San Francisco, ApartmentList reports. “The pandemic is likely to change the expectations and behaviors of renters for an extended period, as people grew accustomed to conducting …
Dec 23
Credit Tips when applying for a Mortgage
Credit Tips when applying for a Mortgage Check out these six credit tips when applying for a mortgage! With the help of myself and John Coneys of Freedom Mortgage, (NMLS# 183853 – 610.322.4886) we can explore homebuying options to help you meet your goals. #RealEstate #Realtor #HomePurchase #BuyersMarket #FreedomFast #PlymouthMeetingFM
Dec 22
Buyers Show Interest in Smart-Home Tech
Buyers Show Interest in Smart-Home Tech Tout those smart-home features in listings. More than a third of young Americans say they’re more interested in smart-home tech for safety and security, energy efficiency, and entertainment and relaxation since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey from realtor.com®. Overall, a quarter of Americans say they’re …
Dec 22
Mortgage Rates Continue to Drop
Mortgage Rates Continue to Drop This week marked the 15th record low for mortgage rates this year. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dipped further to an average of 2.67%, the lowest rate ever recorded by Freddie Mac, with records dating back to 1971. “The housing market continues to surge higher and support an otherwise stagnant economy that …
Dec 21
Home Flipping Drops Even as Profits Reach New Highs
Home Flipping Drops Even as Profits Reach New Highs Fewer investors are taking on home flips during the pandemic. But many of those who’ve stayed with it are seeing profits rise. The number of home flips dropped again in the third quarter, comprising only 5.1% of all home sales, ATTOM Data Solutions reports. Home flipping …
