A rise in interest rates last week may have prompted would-be refinancers and home buyers to pause. Mortgage applications—for both refinancings and home purchases—dropped 2.6 percent last week on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Wednesday. Mortgage volume is now 10.5 percent lower than a year ago.The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to its highest level since April 2011 last week—a 4.86 percent average,
Thanks to a strengthening economy and increased competition for skilled labor, many businesses are looking for ways to improve their offices for greater comfort, profitability, and efficiency. Whether you’re a broker hoping to spruce up your company’s space or a commercial pro in the office sector, there are several trends you don’t want to miss next time you rethink an area dedicated to workers. Cicero’s Development Corp, a general contr
House flipping activity surged to an 11-year high this year, with more than 207,000 homes flipped, according to ATTOM Data Solutions, a real estate data firm. But the key is knowing where to be and when. “The sweet spot for successful home flipping is finding the neighborhoods just emerging as the next hot neighborhoods in a city,” says Daren Blomquist, a senior vice president at ATTOM Data Solutions. The firm says the average profit for a
HomeServices of America Inc., the company owned by billionaire Warren Buffet, has acquired the Ebby Halliday brand. The acquisition includes Ebby Halliday, REALTORS®; Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate; and William Trew Real Estate. The brand boasts more than 1,700 agents in over 30 offices. Its affiliates, Home Team Mortgage and Texas Premier Title, are also included in the deal.Ebby HallidayDespite the acquisition, the Ebby Halliday brand will rema
The U.S. House passed a bipartisan bill on Tuesday that will roll back some of the strict rules placed on thousands of small- and medium-sized banks enacted as part of the 2010 Dodd-Frank law.“We commend members of Congress for passing this bipartisan legislation to level the lending playing field for community banks and credit unions,” says NAR President Elizabeth Mendenhall. “This bill provides appropriate consumer protections while goin
iPro currently deals throughout the states of California, Texas, Florida and New York. We continue to strive and broaden opportunities for real estate professionals and consumers. Visit iprore.com for the latest information and links.Click here for information on becoming a salesperson.
About MitzeProperty management experience includes managing commercial facilities including: industrial, medical, and class-A high rise office buildings; preparing and adhering to annual budgets, creating financial reports, negotiating and maintaining service contracts, daily oversight of building staff, tenant and capital improvement projects, managing accounts receivables and payables and conducting building inspections and property tours.Curre
Tom Ferry explains why it’s crucial to have a USPYou’re in a competitive situation every day of your life. That’s the life you chose when you opted for a real estate career.So competing against others 24/7 begs the question: What makes you different? Or, in business terms: What is your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)?If you have never answered that question, I want to help you do that today.I also encourage you to download our List &
Insights on the up-and-coming ASEAN marketAs technology weaves a more connected global web, U.S. real estate brokerages and agents have new opportunities to grow their businesses by participating in emerging overseas markets.In addition to amping their overseas dealflow, brokerages and agents get the chance to grow their brands by engaging in these developing regions.Effective connections and targeted knowledge are critical for U.S. real estate c
The National Association of REALTORS® has announced it will be launching a new top-level internet domain, .realestate, later this year. The new domain will be available to members of NAR starting in September, and then offered to the general public in late November.Real estate professionals and firms will be able to market properties, geographic areas, and their personal brands using the .realestate web address. NAR members who already have an a
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