Cooling inflation and slower global economic growth prompted mortgage rates to drift down to the lowest levels in a year, Freddie Mac reports.“While housing activity has clearly softened over the last nine months and the lingering effects of higher rates from last year are still being felt, lower mortgage rates and a strong job market should rekindle demand for the spring home buying season,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.F
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
Nearly 60 percent of millennial singles say that homeownership makes a potential mate a lot more attractive, according to a new survey conducted by realtor.com®. Women were more likely than men to find homeownership attractive (48 percent versus 43 percent).“Attractiveness is in the eye of the beholder, and this survey data suggests that many beholders find homeownership attractive, perhaps using it as a signal for financial savviness and succ
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
Valentine’s Day is a time to express your love for family and friends. But why not spread the love to your clients, too? Take this holiday as an opportunity to thank them for being your customers, according to trainer and customer service expert Shep Hyken.While flowers are appropriate for your spouse, expressing your appreciation can be achieved in many other ways. “It can be something as simple as a thank-you note or as elaborate as a custo
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
Mortgage rates can vary across the country. LendingTree, an online loan marketplace, analyzed just how much mortgage rates could vary across state lines.The average offered interest rate for all 50 states is 4.84 percent and the average offered loan amount is $224,297, the study found. But homeowners in California, New Jersey, Washington, and Massachusetts tend to snag the lowest interest rates. The average interest rate in California is 4.74 per
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
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