If automated text messaging is part of your marketing strategy, you could be setting yourself up as a tempting target for plaintiff’s lawyers. A growing number of class action lawsuits are claiming that automated text messages fall under the restrictions imposed by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a 1991 law that was enacted to curb unsolicited sales calls.In the class action lawsuits, lawyers say the marketing texts, if th
Couples may be eager to find their perfect home. But house hunting can be stressful, and finding a property that both parties agree on can pose a challenge.A common spat that many real estate pros see? Not being able to agree on where to live. Elizabeth Gigler, broker for John Greene Realty in Naperville, Ill., told realtor.com® in a 2018 article that she once had one partner who really desired a home in a prime location while the othe
For singles trying to find a special valentine, their chances may fare better depending on their address. And a move for love may not be so far-fetched: A third of single Americans surveyed say a big determinant for their move will be the number of dateable people living there, Apartment List cites in a new study.Apartment List compiled its 2019 list of best—and worst—cities for dating, using survey data from more than 9,000 of its singl
Real estate professionals not only serve buyers and sellers but also have become major service stewards within their communities. Nearly 70 percent of real estate professionals say they volunteer in their communities each month, according to a survey by the National Association of REALTORS®.That giveback attitude is exactly the point of NAR’s Good Neighbor Awards program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The program recognizes REALTO
Where do the wealthiest buyers and sellers own property? Coldwell Banker’s “State of Luxury Real Estate 2019” report breaks down the “power markets,” where affluent consumers flock for lifestyle and culture. The brokerage worked with the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing to analyze the top 5 percent and top 10 percent of active and sold listings in 2018.“There are hotbeds of luxury home sales at the million-dollar price point and hi
While wallpaper is once again an attractive decorating trend for homeowners looking for textures and accents, it's not for everyone. Designer Jessica Lagrange of Jessica Lagrange Interiors in Chicago works primarily with luxury clients who love wallpaper. Here’s what she advises about the “stay or strip” decision before listing a home.1. The clash test. Some wall coverings are neutral, such as those with small patterns, intriguing text
A different kind of market is on the rise, stretching beyond the big cities and just out West, a new realtor.com® report shows.The number one market on realtor.com®’s hottest market list for January is Midland, Texas.“Availability of affordable inventory is what’s driving the markets that are catching up,” says Javier Vivas, director of economic research for realtor.com®.Four of the five housing markets that increased the most in realt
The home theater is moving out of the basement and into the main living area. Home theaters are being replaced by multifunctional media rooms that feature lounge-style spaces—cozy couches, tables, and chairs around a TV, as well as a place to entertain guests or for the kids to do their homework, The Wall Street Journal reports.Homeowners Mark and Kathy Harrison in Indianapolis told WSJ they chose to have their home theater in the
The tiny home craze has drawn a lot of attention over the last few years, but is it overhyped? Are more homeowners really ready to ditch their spacious digs for living spaces that are 500 square feet or less?Apparently not. Even the priciest places—where homeowners are the most likely to downsize and save on costs—are not favoring tiny homes. Tiny homes comprised only 2 percent of all home sales in New York City and San Francisco over th
Women have grown more powerful as a homebuying force over the last few decades, and they tend to take on more financial risk than their male counterparts, according to a new report from personal finance website SmartAsset. In 348 of 402 metros analyzed by SmartAsset, women had a larger loan-to-income ratio than men.SmartAsset ranked the places where women are buying the most homes by looking at the percentage of mortgages approved for women and c
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