General News - Real Estate, Updates, News & Tips

How High-Priced Homes Changed the Mortgage Game in 2021

The housing market in 2021 was one for the record books. With prices at historic highs and the number of listings in a deep hole, open houses looked like Black Friday sales and many would-be buyers were elbowed out of the melee.In 2021, the share of buyers paying all cash for home purchases trended higher in the United States, but the overwhelming majority of home sales still involved mortgages. Unfortunately, as with every year, many 2021 mortga

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Top 5 Questions Real Estate Investors Want Answers to

Whether a you're looking to purchase a vacation home, multifamily apartment building, or primary residence with the purpose of renting out space, you will surely have questions about the process. 1. What are the rules for doing a 1031 exchange? A 1031 exchange is a way to sell an investment property and defer the capital gains tax by purchasing another property of “like-kind.” Here are the main rules all real estate professionals sh

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Florida Hurricane Attracts Bargain Hunters

Less than a month after Hurricane Ian caused widespread devastation to southwestern Florida, investors and other buyers are scouring for housing deals in a region where home prices have soared in recent years.Demand remains strong from both locals and out-of-staters, according to residential real-estate agents in Naples, Fla., and other areas near the path of the Category 4 storm. They say they have received numerous inquiries

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US Homebuilder Sentiment Extends Record Slide as Rates Soar

A measure of US homebuilder sentiment dropped for a 10th straight month in October, hitting the lowest level since the early days of the pandemic and illustrating a housing market battered by soaring mortgage rates.The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo gauge decreased 8 points to 38, the weakest since May 2020, figures showed Tuesday. The gauge was weaker than the most pessimistic forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists.Senti

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Buyer Turns $123K Wire Fraud Loss into Teachable Moment

Falling prey to a wire fraud scheme, he lost the down payment that took his family years to save. Now he’s helping real estate pros protect their clients against cyber scams.Aaron Cole and his wife and two children stand in front of the home they nearly lost in Canby, Ore., after Cole was swindled out of the family's $123,000 down payment in a wire fraud scheme.After a yearlong search, Aaron Cole and his family finally found their dream home in

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Some Real Estate Markets Cooling as Mortgage Rates Hit 20-Year High

Burbank — Inflation, soaring mortgage rates and record high prices are making it difficult for many Americans to buy a home. But there could be some relief in sight, as skyrocketing rates have helped cool some of the nation's hottest housing markets.According to Freddie Mac, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage now sits at 6.92%, the highest it has been since 2002, and more than double what it was just a year ago. Ho

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Three of the Hottest Suburban Markets in the U.S. Right Now

The mass exodus from cities inspired by the pandemic may be over, but suburban markets are still hot. With many people working remotely, the suburbs continue to be a more comfortable and affordable option without sacrificing access to the city, albeit with a bit of a longer drive or train ride.Check out these suburban markets that are even giving New York City a run for its money.The Woodlands, Texas A waterway runs through The Woodland

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10 Ways to Create Inspiring Interiors for Less

Create stylish and functional spaces on a budget with these Ikea room ideas These Ikea room ideas provide the perfect inspiration for those looking to create a stylish and functional home on a budget.Offering everything from modular, self-assembly kitchen cabinets and storage systems to beds, sofas, lighting and soft furnishings, Ikea is a one-stop-shop for affordable and flexible decorating ideas for every room. Renowned for its s

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Just How Difficult it's Getting for Home Buyers

Mortgage rates, now at a 20-year high, combined with inflation and stock market volatility are causing housing markets to soften quickly. The next several months will be a critical test for the economy, experts say.© photoschmidt - iStock/Getty Images PlusConsumers are facing economic pressure from every angle—rising mortgage rates, stubbornly high inflation, a battered stock market—and the financial environment keeps getting worse for aspir

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Major Causes of House Fires and How to Prevent Them

Homeowners have only three to four minutes to evacuate in the event of a fire, research shows. Share the dangers with your clients to help them prepare and stay safe.Deadly house fires are growing in frequency—and many homeowners have less time to get to safety. Newer homes and furnishings are burning faster(link is external), research shows, giving owners just three to four minutes to evacuate when a fire breaks out. Thirty years ago, whe

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