Educational insights

The rapid rise of mortgage rates in the spring of 2022 sent a shock wave through the housing market. While buyers and sellers are beginning to adjust and accept that mortgage rates aren’t likely to dip back to 3% or less anytime soon, rates that hover around 5% to 6% reduce affordability for buyers compared to those historically low rates.

For the last couple of decades, the real estate industry’s focus on improving the home sale experience has centered on speed. Marketing messaging promises faster sales, speedier loan processing, and quicker closings. The emergence of iBuyers and cash-backed offer programs promises to finalize a home sale “in as little as 10 days — or less.”

Every seller aspires to receive the highest possible price for their home. Whether they want to use the proceeds to buy or build their next home, to fund their retirement, or for other investments, maximizing the sales price is always a goal. While sellers can’t control market conditions, they can take steps that may boost the offers they receive from buyers.‍

No matter what local market conditions are like, many real estate agents work pretty much all the time. After all, they need to be available when their clients are free, and they need to constantly refresh their knowledge of their local market. And yet, there are some real estate agents who manage their work-life integration seamlessly and carve out time for their family, friends and relaxation. How do they do it? One way is to rely on timesaving programs to speed up or outsource some of their tasks.

Modern house flipping can be traced back to the autumn of 1960, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) into law. Believe it or not, the legislation creating REITs was tucked into the Cigar Excise Tax Extension Act. For the first time ever, a broad base of investors could now pool resources for real estate projects, specifically commercial real estate development. In effect, REITS gave birth to the democratization of real estate investment.

Staging a home for sale may require some extra pre-sale prep, but the time and money reap plenty of rewards. The majority of buyers’ agents (82%) said that staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize a property as their future home, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors. Nearly a quarter (23%) of buyers’ and sellers’ agents said that a staged home received an offer 1% to 5% higher than a similar home that hadn’t been staged and 18% of sellers’ agents said the value of a staged home was 6% to 10% higher. In addition, 31% of agents said that staging decreased the days a home spent on the market.

Whether you’re new to homeownership or are a repeat buyer, you may not be aware of all the financing options available to help you purchase a home. While meeting with a lender to discuss your individual circumstances is highly recommended, you probably want to know a little about loan programs in advance, so you know what questions to ask.

If you’ve been in the market for a home in the past year you know that mortgage rates have climbed quickly in recent months. Average mortgage rates for 30-year fixed-rate loans were under 3% for much of 2021, according to data from Freddie Mac. By mid-April 2022 rates climbed above 5%.

If you feel a bit of whiplash trying to keep up with housing market shifts over the past few years, you’re not alone. Real estate agents, buyers and sellers have been buffeted by rising home prices, low inventory, heated competition, new migration trends and, more recently, a quick increase in mortgage rates. As an agent, you can put national housing market trends into context for your local market and provide individualized insight and advice for your clients.

Maximize the profit of your home by making key renovations to increase your bottom line before listing it on the market.

Learn how to increase your home value and maximize your return on investment by taking advantage of 5 easy and affordable renovation solutions.

There are big and small projects alike that have the potential to increase your home’s value. Here are 6 tried and true improvements to put on your list.

Marketing your house for sale is both an art and a science. By knowing what not to do, you can attract more buyers.

Many homeowners are hesitant to sell due to the uncertainty of finding another house. The Trade Up program helps owners buy their dream home in cash, relieving the anxiety of selling without a place to live. Learn more here.

The demand for contractors has never been greater. One way to stand out from the competition is to partner with home concierge services. Here’s what a contractor learned from working with us.

Brokerages across the country are beginning to partner with home concierge providers. This emergence shows a huge shift in long term thinking that emphasizes customized solutions for all. Here’s why brokerages are doubling down on home concierge.

Do you plan on selling your house? With millennial buyers entering the market, turnkey homes are becoming increasingly more popular. Understanding these characteristics will set you up for success.

Whether you plan on selling in the near future or not, certain renovations can increase your home’s value. Learn more about where to invest your money within your house.