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Remember the days of 3% mortgage rates? As a relieved nation emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, along with it came those historically low average mortgage rates below 5.00%, 4.00% or even sub-3.00%. But as inflation began to increase so too did mortgage rates, rising to nearly 8.00% in 2023 and 2024, their highest…

The post Lender Data Shows Refinance Offers Have Increased 42% Nationwide Over the Last Year appeared first on RISMedia.

How are consumers feeling overall, and how does that translate to a real estate sale? The question is multifaceted, but asking it could be key to learning where buyers stand as the election fast approaches. The consumer sentiment index indicated yet another rise, for the third consecutive month, per the University of Michigan’s survey of…

The post Consumer Sentiment Rises Slightly for the Third Consecutive Month appeared first on RISMedia.

A key skill to being a real estate agent is judging a buyer’s mood. So how are consumers feeling on a wide scale?  Consumer sentiment dipped slightly in the early days of October 2024, from 70.1 to 68.9, per the latest report for the University of Michigan. This monthly change comes in below expectations; median…

The post Consumer Sentiment Shifts From Gains to Slight Decline appeared first on RISMedia.

Maintaining client relationships means hopefully selling them another house in the future, and representing them as the seller agent as well. As such, it’s imperative you guide them in all aspects of homeownership even in times when they are not buying or selling. One key topic is refinancing. Here are four mortgage refinancing mistakes to…

The post 4 Mortgage Refinancing Errors Your Longtime Clients Must Avoid appeared first on RISMedia.

With a recent interest rate decrease from the Fed and slowing inflation, consumers’ economic hopes saw a significant increase in September. Consumer sentiment rose 3.2% in September, from 67.9 in August to 70.1, according to the University of Michigan’s latest report. This is the second consecutive month of increase, following August’s rise of 1.5 points,…

The post Consumer Sentiment Turns Positive as Inflation Slows appeared first on RISMedia.

“The rent is too damn high,” famously proclaimed New York City perennial candidate Jimmy McMillan. The latest analysis from Harvard University’s State of the Nation’s Housing 2024 report suggests those who share McMillan’s views are unlikely to change their tune.  The report, tracking data up to Q2 2024, includes three major takeaways when it comes…

The post Rental Markets Cool—but Not to Pre-Pandemic Levels appeared first on RISMedia.

Consumers reported significantly greater optimism about the future direction of mortgage rates, despite showing little change in overall home buying sentiment, according to Fannie Mae data.  Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI) for August increased 0.6 points to 72.1, up 5.2 points year over year. Fannie Mae added that a high of 39% of…

The post Fannie Mae: Most Consumers Remain ‘Apprehensive’ About Housing Market appeared first on RISMedia.

Paying off a mortgage is a momentous financial achievement. It can happen during the process of selling a home or before. During a sale, homeowners often ask me when they should stop paying a mortgage. My guide will walk you through the entire process, from understanding your mortgage terms to updating your records. I will…

The post Understanding the Home Mortgage Payoff Process: A Complete Guide appeared first on RISMedia.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which measures American opinions of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months, rose in August to 103.3, from an upwardly revised 101.9 in July, while the Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—improved to 134.4 from 133.1.  The Expectations…

The post Consumer Confidence Up Slightly in August Due to Economy and Inflation appeared first on RISMedia.

Probate in real estate refers to the legal process of transferring property after a homeowner’s death. This process involves validating the deceased’s will, settling debts and distributing assets to heirs. Understanding probate is crucial for buyers, sellers and inheritors of real estate. Understanding estate planning for the family should never be overlooked. My guide will…

The post What Is Probate in Real Estate? appeared first on RISMedia.

Would you like excellent moving tips for the summer? Moving after selling your home in the summer can present unique challenges and opportunities. The warm weather, peak moving season and specific logistical considerations all play a role. My guide will teach you to manage these factors effectively to ensure a seamless transition. I will provide…

The post Tips for a Smooth Move After a Summertime Home Sale appeared first on RISMedia.

With the release of Real Estate Webmasters’ (REW) newest CRM, the leading real estate technology innovator has leapfrogged every other “all-in-one” real estate platform to take the No. 1 spot in the combined website, lead generation and CRM space, according to the company.  “When Zillow acquired Follow Up Boss (FUB), I knew it was time…

The post Real Estate Webmasters’ Summer of Innovation Empowers Customers With the Tools and Knowledge They Need to Excel appeared first on RISMedia.

Closing a deal for your client feels like crossing the finish line, but there’s always the potential for the contract to fall through somewhere along the way.  Bright MLS, the second-largest multiple listing service covering the Mid-Atlantic region, wanted to know how concerned REALTORS® should be about this—a question that drove its recent report, “Getting…

The post Are We Seeing More Contracts Fall Through? appeared first on RISMedia.

Selling a condo involves unique challenges and considerations. My guide will explore navigating HOA rules, understanding special assessments and necessary disclosures. I will also provide insights on how long it takes to sell a condo and the best times based on location and seasonality. From my thirty-eight years of experience, you will also get specific…

The post Common Challenges in Selling a Condo: A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on RISMedia.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was up 0.2% from June to July 2024 and up 2.9% from a year ago, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Index measures the costs of goods and services across the American economy so as to track inflation levels; as such, it is…

The post Latest CPI Data Shows Lowest Inflation Since 2021 appeared first on RISMedia.

Interest rates are critical in the real estate market, especially in selling condominiums. Understanding this impact can help buyers, sellers and investors make informed decisions. Introduction to interest rates and condo sales Interest rates are the cost of borrowing money, typically expressed as an annual percentage of the loan amount. They influence the affordability of…

The post The Impact of Interest Rates on Condo Sales appeared first on RISMedia.

Selling a home can be challenging, but with the right seasonal strategies, you can make your property stand out. Whether it’s fall, winter, or the holiday season, tailoring your home to the time of year can attract more buyers and potentially speed up the sale. I have put effort into giving you the best advice…

The post Seasonal Home Selling Tips: How to Prepare Your Home for Sale in Any Season appeared first on RISMedia.

Fannie Mae has released its latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI), tracking changes in consumer attitude over the month of July 2024. That month, the index decreased 1.1% to 71.5, suggesting an overall lack of enthusiasm. Changes in consumer responses are minute but indicative of a negative trend. Key details: 17% of respondents said that…

The post Fannie Mae Update Says Potential Homebuyers are Frustrated by Market appeared first on RISMedia.

With just over a week before the changes agreed to by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) in its lawsuit settlement go into effect, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), a non-profit that has been sharply critical of the real estate industry, released guidance aimed at consumers ostensibly meant to help buyers and sellers through…

The post Consumer Advocate Group Highlights ‘Opportunities and Risks’ of NAR Settlement appeared first on RISMedia.

The holiday season is a unique time for the real estate market. Understanding how holidays affect home sales now can guide buyers and sellers in making informed decisions if they decide to enter the market at that time of year. I have provided detailed information to help potential home sellers whether it makes sense to…

The post The Impact of Holidays on Home Sales appeared first on RISMedia.