Why Have Banks Really Tightened Lending Standards? Home ownership affordability is at a record high due to low home prices and all-time low mortgage rates. But housing experts have blamed banks’ tightened lending standards for keeping more buyers on the sidelines because they are unable to qualify for financing. Lending standards increased sharply after the …
Tag: tips
Jan 27
First-Time Buyers More Willing to Compromise
First-Time Buyers More Willing to Compromise. When it comes to space and upgrades, first-time home buyers are more willing to compromise than repeat buyers, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2011 “Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.” While they have big wish lists too, first-time buyers seem to be most driven by finding a …
Jan 26
Fed Vows to Keep Rates Low Until 2014
Fed Vows to Keep Rates Low Until 2014 The Federal Reserve announced that short-term interest rates will likely stay near zero for nearly three more years, a move that is expected to spillover to long-term mortgage rates for home buyers and home owners. In August, the Fed had made a rare move to say it …
Jan 25
FHA May Ease Seller Concession Cap
FHA May Ease Seller Concession Cap Many in the real estate industry were concerned that a change announced last year to the maximum seller contributions allowed for Federal Housing Administration-insured loans could cause more deals to fall apart. The FHA announced last year that it would cut seller contributions from 6 percent to 3 percent …
Jan 20
Winter Home Maintenance
Winterize Home Maintenance It may be cold outside, but it’s no time hibernate when it comes to home maintenance. Have you ever wondered how some friends or neighbors live in older homes that are still in good working order? This isn’t just a lucky coincidence. Houses require careful attention, especially in the Winter, in order …
Jan 19
Real Estate Marketing Strategies: Stop Being so Hard on Yourself
Do you have to be hard on yourself in order to succeed in your Real Estate Marketing Strategies? When I coach real estate agents in creating their multiple six-figure incomes, I often hear this misconception: “I need to be hard on myself in order to succeed.” When I ask about the origin of this belief, …
Jan 18
Relying On An Agent
Relying On An Agent The latest NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers showed a growing trend among recent buyers. The latest figures show that 89 percent of buyers purchased their home with the help of a real estate or broker. This is a sharp increase from a decade ago in 2001, when only 69 …
Jan 17
Mortgage Rates Continue Trend of Record-Breaking Lows
In Freddie Mac’s results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey®, it showed mortgage rates easing to new all-time record lows for all products covered in the survey helping to keep homebuyer affordability high. The average for the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has been below 4.00 percent for six consecutive weeks. 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged …
Jan 04
Real estate resolutions, predictions, wish lists for 2012: Part 2
Real estate resolutions, predictions, wish lists for 2012: Part 2 Industry professionals keep optimism alive By Inman News, Monday, January 2, 2012. Inman News asked readers to share their expectations for real estate’s top issues and trends in 2012, and to find out what tops their wish lists and to-do lists in the year ahead. …
Jan 03
Real estate pros share their insights on 2012 (A Small Collection)
Inman News asked readers to share their expectations for real estate’s top issues and trends in 2012, and to find out what tops their wish lists and to-do lists in the year ahead. What are the top items on your real estate wish list for 2012? 1. Jobs, jobs, jobs. You can’t revive housing without …
Dec 29
What’s in Store for 2012 in Real Estate?
For most in real estate, 2011 was yet another rough and tumble year. As we tried our best to deflect the continued slings and arrows of a challenged economy, many adjusted to the market and unearthed new opportunities for growth and expansion. Here, members of RISMedia’s Real Estate Information Network® (RREIN) share their strategies for …
Dec 27
Housing Forecast: Positive Signs Offset the Negative
The median home price in the U.S. has plunged nearly 40% in a little over five years, but the worst is definitely over, according to a recent report by Kiplinger: The market has finally wrung out the last excess valuations born of the housing bubble. Before you break out the party hats, note that this …
