Real Estate Industry

“All the news that's fit to print,” or to click, as the case may be, can be found right here at your favorite real estate social networking site, ActiveRain. And here you thought it was merely a great place to chat with colleagues and slap up a blog post or two.


We know you're busy – whether it's trying to fill your pipeline or following up on what's already popped out of the bottom of it. Who has time to read? And, while real estate market news geared toward consumers is easy to round up on the Internet, news for brokers and Realtors is a bit harder to come by.


Your friends at ActiveRain understand how important each of those 168 hours in every week is so we've made it easy for you by consolidating everything you need to know to keep up-to-date with the real estate industry right here, in one place.


How are housing starts looking? Has the FHFA launched any new efforts? How's that Fannie and Freddie loan limit rollercoaster doing?


You've got the questions and your colleagues here at AR have the answers. It's at your fingertips – finally.

Recent blogs on Real Estate Industry
By Paul D. Diaz, EA, MBA, Admitted to Practice Before the IRS
(Paul D. Diaz, EA, MBA)
Are you experiencing this in your market? Comment below.Interesting interview - excerpt below …Nadia Evangelou is senior economist and director of real estate research at the National Association of Realtors. This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Phil Rosen: You don't anticipate a housing crash this year. What's behind that forecast?   Nadia Evangelou: What we see in the data is that the housing market will likely pick up in the coming months, in the spring season. One very important indicator is the pending home sales index, which just rose significantly for the second straight month. And we actually expect inflation to ease faster than expectations in the second half of this year, which could bring mortgage rates down to the lower range of 6%. So we expect ...
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"If brains was lard, he couldn't grease too big a pan."  I love this quote of Jed Clampett's, a good ole' country boy with a helpful heaping of common sense. Jethro was a different story. Brawn, height and good looks don't always open doors when lacking smarts! Years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting with a potential buyer from a neighboring state. He came to the office, sat down and we started discussing wants and needs. As this burly, barrel chested man listed features and amenities, it became clear he was used to getting desired results.  It also sounded like he knew what he wanted and would aggressively go after it. A little voice in my head told me to hold on to my seat, that we might be in for a wild ride! My gut instinct would later prove true. His Wants & Needs List went as fo...
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By Mark Edwards, East West Realty
(East West Realty)
Sasser Construction Celebrates International Women's Week and Highlights Their Rock Star EmployeesAbby Brown, Kelly Melton, and Morgan WilliamsSasser Construction is proud to celebrate International Women's Day this week by highlighting the important contributions that our women employees make each and every day in building new homes for our customers. “We’re committed to creating a workplace culture that empowers women in the construction industry and celebrates their contributions”, says Sasser Construction President, Eric Sasser."Our female builders bring an unparalleled work ethic and dedication to each project, and it’s evident in the exceptional quality of our homes. I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact that having women on our team has had on our clients’ experiences.”Kelly Me...
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By June Piper-Brandon, Creating Generational Wealth Through Homeownership
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
I Did Not Get Up This Morning to Be MediocreFor the last 7 weeks, I have been participating in Coldwell Banker's Closer Club and this sign has hung at the front of the classroom along with one that says Prepare to be Uncomfortable.  In between classes, we were given a list of tasks to perform that included keeping a Gratitude Journal, making 50 calls, talking to 15 people, and having 3 face-to-face meetings every week.  This afternoon I came into the office and this was on the announcement board.  Are you thinking about buying or selling a home, or do you know someone who is? Do you know someone that is getting divorced, has had a death in the family, and may need to sell a home?  Do you know anyone who has had another child and may need a bigger home?  Do you know anyone whose child is...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
"If brains was lard, he couldn't grease too big a pan." I love this quote of Jed Clampett's, a good ole' country boy with a helpful heaping of common sense. Jethro was a different story. Brawn, height and good looks don't always open doors when lacking smarts!Years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting with a potential buyer from a neighboring state. He came to the office, sat down and we started discussing wants and needs. As this burly, barrel chested man listed features and amenities, it became clear he was used to getting desired results. It also sounded like he knew what he wanted and would aggressively go after it. A little voice in my head told me to hold on to my seat, that we might be in for a wild ride! My gut instinct would later prove true.His Wants & Needs List went as follows...
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By Ron Cedillo, Helping People and Enjoying Life
(Home Buyers Realty)
There are a lot of reasons for being self-employed, but one of the biggest is to have control over how much money you earn, and ideally to make a lot of it. But there’s not always a steady stream of income, or a pot of gold at the end of the entrepreneurial rainbow for many who go that route.Those slow months, or gaps between paydays, can make it tough to pay the bills, let alone yourself at times. So investing in real estate might not sound like a great idea—or even possible—but this Entrepreneur article gives solid reasons why it might be the best decision you could make, such as: Real estate can be a source of business funds. When you need some money to tide you over during lean times in your business, or want to grow it, you can tap into equity in your property by refinancing and ta...
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Your home has always been a haven and private space for you. But it would help if you made the necessary adjustments while still living in it when selling it.   There's a lot of work involved in selling a home. The process can be even more nerve-wracking if you still have to live there while selling it.  I’ve prepared a simple guide for you. You can use this to help prepare your home like a pro now that it's up for sale. We at St. Germain Group know how important it is to make a good first impression on prospective buyers. How Do You Sell Your Home If You Are Still Living In It? 1. Depersonalize your home. The first thing to do is remove all the items that make the home feel personal. Depersonalize the space as you're about to put your house up for sale. Pack up all your valuables and ...
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By Michael St. Germain
(The St. Germain Group, LLC brokered by eXp Realty, LLC)
Your home has always been a haven and private space for you. But it would help if you made the necessary adjustments while still living in it when selling it. There's a lot of work involved in selling a home. The process can be even more nerve-wracking if you still have to live there while selling it. I’ve prepared a simple guide for you. You can use this to help prepare your home like a pro now that it's up for sale.We at St. Germain Group know how important it is to make a good first impression on prospective buyers.How Do You Sell Your Home If You Are Still Living In It?1. Depersonalize your home.The first thing to do is remove all the items that make the home feel personal. Depersonalize the space as you're about to put your house up for sale.Pack up all your valuables and keepsakes...
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By Teri Isner, GRI, CRS, CIPS
(Keller Williams Realty at the Lakes)
Inflation slowed and the stock market climbed in the first six weeks of 2023, but then it stopped. A soft landing seemed possible; now recession fears are back. WASHINGTON (AP) – Maybe it was just too good to be true. For a few weeks in late January and early February, the U.S. economy seemed to have reached a rare, sweet spot. Inflation was steadily slowing from painful heights. And growth and hiring remained surprisingly sturdy despite ever-higher interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve. Perhaps, the thinking went, the Fed’s inflation fighters were managing to nail a notoriously difficult “soft landing”: A scenario in which borrowing and spending slow just enough to tame inflation without tipping the world’s biggest economy into a recession. “We were looking at landings that wer...
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By The Legacy Group, The LegacyGroup of CrossCountry Mortgage
(CrossCountry Mortgage)
Let your clients who want to purchase a home but are weary due to the rates know these facts: Inflation and mortgage rates will head lower once shelter costs catch up You want to be a buyer before things turn around, as seller are fearful right now and there is less competition Use the current higher rate environment to negotiate a discount, and when rates come down, they will gain valuable appreciation Call or text Joy Bates at 817-860-3232 to learn more!
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By Greg Tresler, We Buy Houses For Cash As Is! House Buyers Florida
(House Buyers Florida)
Are you struggling with financial burdens and need a quick solution? To sell a house fast for cash can provide the liquidity you need to make a fresh start. Whether covering medical bills, avoiding foreclosure, or finding a new place to live, selling your home fast is often the best option because of its convenience, speed, and efficiency.   In this blog post, we will explore some of the major benefits of selling your property for cash, so you can make an educated decision when it comes time to decide what is right for you and your family. Benefits of Selling Your House for Cash  Selling your house can be a daunting and time-consuming process. The traditional home sale process can take months or years, from finding a cash buyer of houses to getting the necessary paperwork in order. But ...
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By Greg Tresler, We Buy Houses For Cash As Is! House Buyers Florida
(House Buyers Florida)
Selling your damaged house can seem like an intimidating task, especially if you're in a situation where you need to move quickly. Even so, there are still ways for you to speed up the process and get top-dollar offers from house buyers Orlando. In this blog post, we'll provide valuable tips on how to best sell your damaged home fast without compromising its value. Learn about useful solutions that could help maximize the potential of your property sale and increase its resale value before it's too late.  Find Reputable House Buyers OrlandoIt's essential to work with reputable house buyers when selling a damaged house because it can help ensure that the sale goes smoothly and that you receive a fair price for your property. In addition, a reputable buyer will have experience working wit...
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By Ron Cedillo, Helping People and Enjoying Life
(Home Buyers Realty)
A lot has changed over the past year, and you might be wondering what’s in store for the spring housing market. If you’re planning to sell your house this season, here’s what real estate experts are saying you should keep in mind. 1. Houses That Are Priced Right Are Still Selling Houses that are updated and priced at their current market value are still selling. Jeff Tucker, Senior Economist at Zillow, says: “. . . sellers who price and market their home competitively shouldn’t have a problem finding a buyer.” The need to price your house right is so important today because the market has changed so much over the past year. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, explains: “With a smaller pool of buyers today and more competition from other homes on the market, homesellers will ...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
I have noticed how Equity Investors are pulling back on the Commercial sector as the return expectation is fading. This is all the result of higher interest rates and of course the concern of potential recession.This assessment is sadly spot on, as my business is mostly residential, with some Commercial land, I focus not only on what is going on in the Residential Real Estate Market, but what goes on in the various commercial real estate activities as well.Well, what I have noticed is that lenders are more conservative when it comes to commercial deals. Generally speaking, the traditional real estate debt sources, such as banks and life insurance companies have decreased the leverage due to rising in interest rates and softening of economic conditions.This should clearly be a concern to...
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By Ralph Williams, "The very best in sales & leadership training."
(Bottom Line University)
We're not saying that owning or leading a real estate team is the answer to having a successful career. We are saying that teams have proven to make substantial differences to several agents’ careers. The prerequisite… they start with clear expectations, and build a business called a team.  Companies who embrace them as an addition to their menu of options for agents are seeing added value.Leading and owning a successful real estate team requires a lot of work. One thing we believe wholeheartedly, today, It’s easier to build a profitable team than it is to build a profitable brokerage from scratch. The hard money investment and long-term cost commitments demanded in a brokerage can choke the life out of those who had the best intentions.The person ready to take on the challenge of build...
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By Greg Tresler, We Buy Houses For Cash As Is! House Buyers Florida
(House Buyers Florida)
  Are you sick and tired of dealing with bad credit? Whether it's in the form of high-interest rates on loans, rejected applications for housing, or even potential employers checking your credit score, bad credit can make life difficult. That's why so many people turn to credit repair to put themselves back in a better financial situation.  In this guide, we will walk you through what is involved in beginning the process of repairing your credit history step-by-step. We'll cover all aspects of the process, from understanding your current financial situation to developing sound strategies for improving your rating and increasing access to services like banking and investing that can boost its value over time. Following our comprehensive guide, you should be on your way to healthier finan...
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By Ron Cedillo, Helping People and Enjoying Life
(Home Buyers Realty)
During the pandemic, many of us reexamined the meaning of home for ourselves and our loved ones. Today, that can be seen in the recent rise in multigenerational households. According to Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Economic Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “Multi-generational buying may be a home where families live in the same home with elderly parents, children who have boomeranged back home, or other extended family members. While this is not a new concept of living, it is one which has gained recent popularity.” And citing data from Pew Research Center, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) says: “. . . multigenerational living has made a comeback in recent years, particularly after the 2008 financial crisis and during the pandemic.” So...
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By Norma J. Elkins, Realtor - Elkins Home Selling Team
( Elite Realty Group)
 This is just one way we love to use our Facebook resource!  Although I know some are not a fan of Facebook it is the most active social media site by far.  We get thousands of leads a year from posts and videos on our company page and our personal pages.   Make sure you are using Facebook and Facebook is not just using you. The key is at least 5 posts a day and 1 of those needs to be a video and you need to follow the 80-20 rule.  80% needs to be about NOT business related and the other 20 needs to be business.   We love sharing knowledge and we loving getting knowledge, so I would love any of your tips and tricks also! Happy Tuesday!  The Elkins Home Selling Team with Elite Realty Group provides services with Morristown TN Real Estate For Sale and Morristown TN Homes For Sale to home ...
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By Greg Tresler, We Buy Houses For Cash As Is! House Buyers Florida
(House Buyers Florida)
You Don't Have to Wait: How to Sell Your House Fast and Easily If you've ever felt like your house is stuck in a rut and there's no way out, we're here to tell you that doesn't have to be the case. Selling your home should be easy - if you know how. That's why we created this guide: so you can take control of the situation and finally get rid of your unwanted property with confidence.  Our advice will help you understand how to market your home effectively and quickly without waiting days or weeks for buyers. Learn which tips work best for quick sales, common mistakes homeowners make in the process, strategies on pricing correctly, where to find buyers fast – plus more!  Understanding the Selling Process Learning the basics of the selling process is critical if you want to sell a house ...
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By Greg Tresler, We Buy Houses For Cash As Is! House Buyers Florida
(House Buyers Florida)
Did you recently inherit a property in Florida? Are you considering selling it, but aren’t sure where to start? As a house buyers florida of the Sunshine State, there are certain steps you need to take when selling inherited property. Keep reading to learn more about the process and how you can make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.   Understand Your Tax Liability The first step in selling your inherited property is understanding your tax liability. Depending on the size of the estate and how long you held onto the property before selling it, you may be required to pay federal or state taxes. Speak with an accountant to get an accurate assessment of your tax obligations and make sure you have enough money set aside for them before proceeding with the sale.  Find a House Buye...
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