Average fixed-rate mortgages rose for the second consecutive week and, for the first time since last summer, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage shot above 4 percent, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey.“This is the highest weekly average for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage since May of 2017,” says Len Kiefer, Freddie Mac’s deputy chief economist. “Some may be wondering if this is the last time we’ll see a three handle
Amazon has narrowed its choices for the home base of its second headquarters, known as HQ2, down to 20 cities, and the stakes are huge. The winning city will garner up to 50,000 new high-paying jobs as well as a promise from Amazon to invest $5 billion in the local economy. In total, 238 cities and regions submitted applications to Amazon, promising tax breaks and other incentives to lure the online giant.“Amazon’s decision on where it will l
If you’ve set up automated replies to prospect inquiries online, you may be saving time—but turning off potential customers. Only 14 percent of consumers say they will respond to a message they perceive to be automated, while the rest say they’ll ignore it and move on to another service or professional, according to a new white paper produced by Move Inc.’s Realsuite business solution platform for real estate professionals.The vast majori
Fewer new homes entered the construction pipeline at the end of 2017, further depressing already low inventory levels in many markets. Housing starts across the country dropped 8.2 percent month over month in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.19 million units, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. National Association of REALTORS® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun called the decline “disappointing” but expressed optimism for
In a lawsuit filed this week, a New Jersey brokerage is accusing Zillow of hiding its “Zestimate” home valuation tool on certain residential listings at the request of brokers who have special contracts with the site. The brokerage, EJ MGT, says Zillow’s actions violate federal antitrust laws.The case stems from a listing the brokerage had in Cresskill, N.J., that appeared on Zillow. The eight-bedroom, 10-bathroom home was listed for just u
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Efficiency is the key to earning 30 listings in 30 daysWe all know that listings are essential to success. Increasing the number of listings you collect each month allows for more possibilities for your business, and it’s the most direct way to improve your real estate productivity.The keys to achieving an increase in your listings are improving your branding, productivity and finding a niche. Your goal in the real estate market should always
Learn more about current trends and how to tap them to expand your businessThe booming real estate industry is the healthiest it’s been in the last 30 years with home sales and prices near where they were during the housing boom — and there’s none of the drama involved due to a more stable economy. So what’s in store as the industry looks ahead to the year to come?Sales and interest rates will likely increaseThe National Association of Re
Filings were submitted on 676,535 U.S. properties — a 27 percent year-over-year dropAttom Data Solutions today released its Year-End Foreclosure Market Report, which revealed that foreclosure filings were submitted on 676,535 U.S. properties — a 27 percent year-over-year decline and the lowest level since 2005.The filings, which included default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions, accounted for 0.51 percent of all housing unit
Homebuilding is still falling short in many markets in alleviating the shrinking inventories of homes for sale. But builders are blaming the construction shortfall on several factors.Builders revealed the following top 10 “significant” problems they expect to face in 2018, according to the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo Housing Market Index: Cost/availability of labor: 84% Building material prices: 84% Cost/availability
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