Home shoppers and refinancers saw some relief in mortgage borrowing costs this week. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage moved to its lowest average since mid-September, Freddie Mac reports.“Mortgage rates have either fallen or remained flat for five consecutive weeks and purchase applicants are responding with an uptick in demand given these lower rates,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “While the housing market softened in r
Home sellers may need to get more realistic heading into the new year with signs of a slowing housing market. As for home shoppers, they may find more deals. Seventy-seven percent of current listings will likely sell below the original list price in the first quarter of 2019, according to a new forecast released by Knock, an iBuyer company that offers home sellers instant cash offers on their home.The company analyzed on-market listings in the la
The biggest pest of 2018? Bedbugs.The second annual Terminix Entomologists’ Almanac took a look at the biggest pest trends from the past year based on social media chatter and internet queries. Bedbugs clinched the title for the second year in a row.Americans searched for information about bedbugs more than 6.7 million times this year—more so than any other pest. Terminix, a national pest control company, says it has seen a steady increase
Sending holiday cards to your sphere might be a more valuable prospecting tool than you think. According to a survey from reference-checking firm Allison & Taylor, approximately half of holiday card recipients indicate they’re more likely to do future business with the company or individual who sends holiday greeting cards. In today’s digital age, the gesture of writing and sending cards is significant.Follow these guidelines to help ens
For the second consecutive year, REach―the growth technology accelerator operated by the National Association of REALTORS®’ strategic investment arm, Second Century Ventures―has been named one of the top accelerators in the country by the U.S. Seed Accelerator Rankings Project. The rankings were compiled by researchers from MIT, Rice University, and the University of Richmond in Virginia. Researchers evaluated hundreds of programs that mar
Today is iPro Real Estate's 6 year anniversary and we're celebrating all of you that make it possible.Also, iPro owner Jason D. Mechura aka Jason Daniels has announced his new music album available Christmas Eve.Watch the video of Glen Keane's duet animation featuring "Come be Mine" from the new album.
December is typically the slowest month in the housing market, but it can be a great month for home buyers who have been sidelined to finally make their move. This month may be busier than previous December’s for that reason, too, economists say. Some buyers may be looking to take advantage of steadier mortgage rates—which are still averaging below 5 percent—and home prices that are easing somewhat.Mortgage rates are still nearly a percenta
The Federal Trade Commission warns that a tropical investment scam is targeting Americans who hope to retire and live abroad. Developers were reportedly selling lots in a remote jungle area in Belize as a luxurious resort community. But the FTC alleges that instead the developers pocketed the investors’ money—up to $100 million--and have built barely anything.The FTC has alleged fraud and filed a lawsuit against the developers and Belize’s
Mortgage financing giant Freddie Mac is helping to lower the utility bills for hundreds of thousands of low- and middle-income renters through water and energy-efficiency improvements of units. The efforts are part of Freddie Mac’s three-year "Duty to Serve" plan, which aims to increase rental and homeownership opportunities in underserved markets across the country.“Workforce families don’t typically live in newly constructed apartment bui
More and more phishing scams are targeting real estate professionals and their clients, attempting to dupe you out of money. There are several steps to take to make sure that you and your clients aren’t the next victims.The National Association of REALTORS® issued an all-member alert on Sunday warning members of the latest email phishing attempt targeting the industry. The email appeared to be under the REALTOR® Party banner and solicited
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