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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 Guenther - WFG Title, The Extra Mile Is Part Of My Regular Route!
(WFG NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY)
CHANGE IS GREAT!Recently I chose to make a move to the 6th largest National Title Insurance company from my old employer.  WFG NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY!Williston Financial Group is what WFG stands for, But I prefer We are Freaking Great!I have been here just over a month, and the wealth of technology and tools is immeasurable.If you are a Realtor or Lender in Arizona I can help you!  Please reach out, let's set up a meeting and I can share my ideas, and tools to help with your success! 
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On March 25, 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau reported nationwide new single family home sales declined 0.3% to an annual rate of 662,000 homes in February of 2024 from 664,000 homes in January of 2024, but gained 5.9% from 625,000 homes in February of 2023.The median new home sold value was $400,500, while the average sales price was $485,000 in February of 2024.There were estimated 463,000 new houses for sale, and 8.4 months supplies of available inventory at the end of February of 2024.For complete more detailed information about HUD and U.S. Census Bureau report of new home sales February of 2024, please click HERE
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By Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"
(Hamm Homes)
Great information from Steve Depoe to share with us in the Rain on Closing Costs Before making the decision to buy a home, it's important to plan for all the costs you’ll be responsible for. While you're busy saving for the down payment, don't forget you’ll want to prep for closing costs too. Here’s some helpful information on what those costs are and how much you should budget for them. What Are Closing Costs? A recent article from Bankrate explains: “Closing costs are the fees and expenses you must pay before becoming the legal owner of a house, condo or townhome . . . Closing costs vary depending on the purchase price of the home and how it’s being financed . . .” Simply put, your closing costs are the additional fees and payments you have to make at closing. According to Freddie Mac...
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By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
Important topic! Ensuring safety is paramount when choosing a neighborhood. This blog likely offers practical tips for evaluating neighborhood safety, such as researching crime rates and talking to residents. Looking forward to learning more about assessing the safety of a potential neighborhood!Have a super fantastic week!Joe Jackson, Realtor-KWCP How to Tell if a Neighborhood is Safe Key Highlights: How to check if a Neighborhood is safe Researching the safety of a neighborhood is crucial before making a decision to move. Crime mapping services like CrimeReports and SpotCrime can provide valuable insights into the crime rates in a specific area. Checking the National Sex Offender Public Website can help identify if there are any registered sex offenders in the neighborhood. The number...
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By Steve Depoe, Taking the stress out of Buying and Selling
(The Rose Realty Team)
Before making the decision to buy a home, it's important to plan for all the costs you’ll be responsible for. While you're busy saving for the down payment, don't forget you’ll want to prep for closing costs too. Here’s some helpful information on what those costs are and how much you should budget for them. What Are Closing Costs? A recent article from Bankrate explains: “Closing costs are the fees and expenses you must pay before becoming the legal owner of a house, condo or townhome . . . Closing costs vary depending on the purchase price of the home and how it’s being financed . . .” Simply put, your closing costs are the additional fees and payments you have to make at closing. According to Freddie Mac, while they can vary by location and situation, closing costs typically include...
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By Kukun's VP of Analytics Franklin Carroll, Elite client engagement tools and proptech
(Kukun, Inc.)
With some minor legal reforms, title insurance could be made entirely obsolete: And the GSE title insurance requirement could be eliminated. After all, most industries do just fine without it. Few people buy title insurance for any other expensive commodity. Title insurance does not exist for boats, and it is not the norm for used cars where issues regarding title are also possible. Of course, many will disagree with this proposal: It is only natural to be suspicious of radical change.The Benefits of Doing Away with Title Insurance Requirements:      Cost Reduction: Title insurance can be expensive, adding to the overall closing costs for borrowers. Removing this requirement would reduce the financial burden on homebuyers, particularly for those already struggling to afford a down payme...
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By Christopher Nelson, Montgomery County, PA - Realtor
(GenStone Realty)
How to Tell if a Neighborhood is Safe Key Highlights: How to check if a Neighborhood is safe Researching the safety of a neighborhood is crucial before making a decision to move. Crime mapping services like CrimeReports and SpotCrime can provide valuable insights into the crime rates in a specific area. Checking the National Sex Offender Public Website can help identify if there are any registered sex offenders in the neighborhood. The number of homes for sale in an area can be an indication of its overall safety. Taking a tour of the neighborhood and observing the conditions can provide insights into the safety and upkeep of the area. Talking to current residents can provide firsthand insights into the safety of the neighborhood. Moving to a new neighborhood is an exciting and transfor...
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On March 21, 2024, National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reported that nationwide existing home sales rose 9.5% to annual rate of 4.38 million homes in February of 2024 from  million homes in January of 2024, but decreased 3.3% from 4.53 million homes from February of 2023.There were 1,07 million homes supplies of available inventory in February of 2024, higher 5.9% from January of 2024, and jumped 10.3% from 970,000 homes in February of 2023; while, there were 2.9 months available inventory in February of 2024 declined from 3.0 months January of 2024, but gained from 2.6 months in February of 2023.On average it took 38 days to sell a home in February of 2024, grew from 36 days in January of 2024, and up from 34 days in February 2023.First time buyers acquired 26.0% of homes in Februa...
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By Michael J. Perry, Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist
(KW Elite )
.       We have all been digesting the NAR Lawsuit .We have been instructed that we can not publish that any commission will be Paid to a Buyer Agent .Nor will it be disclosed anywhere in the Listing Info .Does this now mean we must call the Listing Agent to see if there is any Commission for Buyer Agents .If so this must be done in advance of showing toavoid a Code of Ethics Violation, specifically SOP 16-16 . A cooperating Agent can not interfere with the Employment Contract of the Listing Agent.More precisely adding a Contingency to the AOS ,that the transaction is contingent upon Buyer Agentsgetting paid ________% is in fact a Code of Ethics violation ( that has now been placed in writing) .It is obvious that Agents will need direction moving forward about Buyer Agent Compensation ! 
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By Rick Cordisco, Pocono Real Estate Professional
(Pocono Mountain Lakes Realty )
Pocono Mountain Lakes Realty began humbly in a small office space with just a handful of agents in Brodheadsville, PA in 2007. Over the past 17 years, the team has grown exponentially. With dozens of Rock Star Realtors now part of team PMLR, we service every corner of the Pocono Mountain Region. Whether buying, selling, or renting, PMLR has many qualified agents to help. In 2024, we celebrate four of our outstanding realtors for ten years of dedicated service to our clients, joining four other long-time team members in this milestone:  Mary Amodea Matt CordiscoRandy PileckiJim Halstead  PMLR says thank you for being Rock Stars, and we look forward to many more years of excellent service and team work!   
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By Kukun's VP of Analytics Franklin Carroll, Elite client engagement tools and proptech
(Kukun, Inc.)
AI will alter the real estate employment landscape in a number of ways. Let’s consider the major categories of real estate worker each in turn. Realtors: I don’t see online platforms pushing realtors out of the business. AI might make platforms like Redfin and Zillow a little more user-friendly, but it is unlikely enhanced chatbots will ever make someone comfortable with listing his home on one of those platforms when he wasn’t before. Rather, I see AI as being a benefit to realtors who can adopt it while hurting the income of those who aren’t able to utilize the new technology. Those realtors who embrace AI will benefit from the following:· Enhanced Customer Insights: AI can analyze vast amounts of data to provide real estate agents with detailed customer insights, such as preferences,...
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By Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP, Selling Homes Changing Lives
(DFW FINE PROPERTIES)
Home ownership has been the American Dream. The Census Bureau reports that 2 in 3 householders owned their home in 2000. In 1900, less than half owned a home. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, housing prices are 968.60% higher in 2024 than it was in 1967. If someone told you in 1967 to brace yourself for high inflation, would you ever think it would go up that much? Did you think you were going to retire?                         Saving is the gap between your ego and your income.                                                           ---Morgan HouselIf a house sold for $100,000 in 1967, it sold for $1,068,595.45 in 2024. Within 57 years, the average inflation rate for housing increased by 4.24%. If the overall inflation rate was 3.98%, inflation for housing was higher...
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By Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets, CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego
(Big Block Realty 858.232.8722)
From Big Block Realty Chat RoomCA Agent: Do we have to be members of NAR?My CA Broker: NAR membership has always been optional to some extent, but if you join a brokerage that is a member of NAR/CAR then all agents under that brokerage also must be members of NAR/CAR.From Active Rain:Whiskey's Wisdom: NAR Doesn't Set The BarFrom FacebookOut of State Agent: I foresee the phrase "agent friendly" being used in MLS descriptions.Thomas: “Cooperating” more than likely. This is a phrase we’ve been using for decades with new homebuilders. For those of us agents that have been using the Buyer broker agreement for decades, nothings going to change other than our pay is going to get better.Out of State Agent:  can you explain ?Thomas: Sure! I'll need to summarize here since this isn't meant to be ...
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By Dan McElfresh, Your St. Louis real estate & lifestyle guide
(St. Louis Living powered by Narrative Real Estate)
By Dan McElfresh, Your Guide to St. Louis LivingDiscover More About Insurance with GooseheadThe Journey BeginsMy adventure in the insurance world began in 2012 with State Farm. Those early years were foundational, filled with learning experiences and moments of true connection with my clients. I cherished every opportunity to protect what matters most to them. However, as I grew in my profession, I began to see the limitations of being bound to a single insurer's offerings. My clients' needs were as varied as their dreams, and I yearned to provide solutions as unique as they are.A Leap of FaithIn July of 2018, I took what I consider the best decision of my career—I went independent. This transition was not just a change in my professional status; it was a leap towards delivering unparal...
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By Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA, Founder and CEO of The Power Is Now Media, Inc.
(The Power Is Now Media, Inc. )
New Television Guide Magazine out 📖 Check out our latest publication featuring valuable insights, industry trends, and expert tips for real estate professionals. Get ahead in the world of real estate with our informative articles.Look here at pages 110-111: https://www.thepowerisnow.com/the-power-is-now-television-guide-magazine-windy-keefe-and-deric-beckett/
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By Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA, Founder and CEO of The Power Is Now Media, Inc.
(The Power Is Now Media, Inc. )
🌟 Welcome to My Phenomenal World! Join Emerick Peace, the operating partner of Keller Williams Preferred Properties in Maryland, the leading Market Center in Prince George's County, near Washington DC. Let's dive into the ever-changing landscape of real estate market cycles right here, right now!🏡 Are market fluctuations leaving you uncertain? Join Emerick Peace as he explores how to not just survive, but thrive in today's real estate market. We'll discuss monitoring market trends, adapting strategies, and building a resilient business plan to conquer any challenge.🌐  Keller Williams Preferred Properties in Maryland: https://myphenomenalworld.com/📞 Contact Emerick Peace Operating Partner: 240-882-0198 | emerickpeace@kw.com🌐 The Power Is Now Media: www.thepowerisnow.com📞 Contact Eric L. ...
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By Hugh Grant, I help investors and consumers with real estate
(RealMax Realty)
Upgrading your home is not only about enhancing your living experience; it's a strategic move to boost your property's market value. In the fast-paced real estate market, making smart, value-adding changes to your home can set it apart and make it more attractive to potential buyers. Whether you're planning to sell in the near future or want to invest in your property's long-term value, certain upgrades can offer significant returns. Let’s explore six effective home upgrades to significantly enhance your property's appeal and value.Kitchen RemodelingThe kitchen is often heralded as the heart of the home, a central hub where meals are prepared and memories are made. Given its pivotal role, a kitchen remodel is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to boost your home's value. Mo...
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By Hugh Grant, I help investors and consumers with real estate
(RealMax Realty)
In the diverse and dynamic real estate market of New York State, from the bustling streets of NYC to the serene landscapes of the Hudson Valley, sellers face the challenge of making their homes stand out in a competitive environment. The key to captivating potential buyers and maximizing a home’s value lies in effective staging – a strategic blend of design and marketing that highlights a property’s best features. Proper staging not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of a home but also showcases its potential, allowing buyers to envision themselves living in the space. In a market as varied as New York’s, where buyer preferences can dramatically shift from city to countryside, understanding and implementing fundamental staging tips is crucial for success.Boost Curb AppealThe journey to ...
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By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
Intriguing perspective! The terms 'buyer's market' and 'seller's market' can oversimplify the complexities of real estate trends. This blog likely delves deeper into market dynamics, offering a more nuanced view of how these terms fall short. Looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding of real estate market dynamics!Have a super fantastic week!Joe Jackson, Realtor-KWCP Our modern understanding of supply and demand owes a great deal to Alfred Marshall and his textbook “Principles of Economics.” In this seminal work, he describes many aspects of price theory that are still taught in an essentially unchanged form today; indeed, at the beginning of Milton Friedman’s career, it was still used as a textbook for entering Ph.D. students at the University of Chicago. Yet, in this work, the...
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By Lew Corcoran, Real Estate Agent, Home Stager, & Photographer
(Better Living Real Estate, LLC)
Hey there, Homeowners and House Hunters!Big news is shaking up the real estate world, and it’s all about how you pay your agent. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is rolling out a proposed settlement that’s set to change the game by mid-July 2024. So, let’s break down what this means for everyone involved in the dance of buying and selling homes. No More Commissions in MLS? That’s right! Home sellers can wave goodbye to offering commissions to buyer’s agents through the MLS. But don’t worry; you’ve still got some cards to play. Sellers can offer up to 3% in seller assist to help buyers with those pesky closing costs. Buyers, Get Your Negotiation Hats On! When you’re ready to make an Offer to Purchase, you can now ask for a little help with your agent’s commission. This is your ...
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