Real Estate - Real Estate, Updates, News & Tips

REALTORS: Why Your Clients Hate Automated Messages

If you’ve set up automated replies to prospect inquiries online, you may be saving time—but turning off potential customers. Only 14 percent of consumers say they will respond to a message they perceive to be automated, while the rest say they’ll ignore it and move on to another service or professional, according to a new white paper produced by Move Inc.’s Realsuite business solution platform for real estate professionals.The vast majori

Read More

‘Disappointing’ Housing Starts Close Out 2017

Fewer new homes entered the construction pipeline at the end of 2017, further depressing already low inventory levels in many markets. Housing starts across the country dropped 8.2 percent month over month in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.19 million units, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. National Association of REALTORS® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun called the decline “disappointing” but expressed optimism for

Read More

Zillow Faces New Lawsuit Over ‘Zestimates’

In a lawsuit filed this week, a New Jersey brokerage is accusing Zillow of hiding its “Zestimate” home valuation tool on certain residential listings at the request of brokers who have special contracts with the site. The brokerage, EJ MGT, says Zillow’s actions violate federal antitrust laws.The case stems from a listing the brokerage had in Cresskill, N.J., that appeared on Zillow. The eight-bedroom, 10-bathroom home was listed for just u

Read More

REALTORS: 6 secrets to getting a real estate listing every day

Efficiency is the key to earning 30 listings in 30 daysWe all know that listings are essential to success. Increasing the number of listings you collect each month allows for more possibilities for your business, and it’s the most direct way to improve your real estate productivity.The keys to achieving an increase in your listings are improving your branding, productivity and finding a niche. Your goal in the real estate market should always

Read More

What to expect in the housing market in 2018

Learn more about current trends and how to tap them to expand your businessThe booming real estate industry is the healthiest it’s been in the last 30 years with home sales and prices near where they were during the housing boom — and there’s none of the drama involved due to a more stable economy. So what’s in store as the industry looks ahead to the year to come?Sales and interest rates will likely increaseThe National Association of Re

Read More

U.S. foreclosures hit a 12-year low in 2017

Filings were submitted on 676,535 U.S. properties — a 27 percent year-over-year dropAttom Data Solutions today released its Year-End Foreclosure Market Report, which revealed that foreclosure filings were submitted on 676,535 U.S. properties — a 27 percent year-over-year decline and the lowest level since 2005.The filings, which included default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions, accounted for 0.51 percent of all housing unit

Read More

Starved for Inventory, Some Cities Eye ‘Granny Flats’

“Granny flats” or in-law units are surging in popularity in some housing-starved areas. Some lawmakers are leading the charge by changing laws to allow accessory dwellings units in backyards, converted basements, or garages of existing homes.In the San Francisco Bay Area, the number of people applying to build these units has grown by more than 1,000 percent over the past year, due to a change in laws that now allow for these small dwellings.

Read More

REALTORS: Work With the Deaf Without Sign Language

As you build your sphere of influence, you may connect with the deaf or hard of hearing. If you don't know how to communicate with them, you may strain the relationship through etiquette blunders or even just inefficiency. Always ask them how they prefer to communicate, but start with these guidelines from Lifehacker.com and you'll quickly pick up the rest.To get their attention, a few options include moving into their field of vision, gently tap

Read More

The Fastest Growing Cities May See Housing Boom

The population of the U.S. is growing, rising by 2.2 million people in 2016, according to the latest Census data. But the population growth is not even across the country. For instance, the South and West saw their populations rise by 1.1 percent in 2016, while the Northeast and Midwest saw just a 0.1 percent uptick.Eight states saw populations grow by more than 1.6 percent in 2016. Many of the fastest-growing states tend to be affordable, midsiz

Read More

The 7 Best Cities for Bargain Hunters

Where can a home buyer’s money stretch the furthest? The Rust Belt and Midwest may offer some of the best bargains.The realtor.com® research team scoured across 500 of the largest metros to rank the ones with the lowest median home prices. The results were limited to one city per state for the purposes of geographic diversity.“There are a lot of people in that first-time home buyer group looking for starter homes, and they can’t afford it

Read More

This website includes images sourced from third party websites including Adobe, Getty Images, and as otherwise noted.