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Real Estate Industry

“All the news that's fit to print,” or to click, as the case may be, can be found right here at your favorite real estate social networking site, ActiveRain. And here you thought it was merely a great place to chat with colleagues and slap up a blog post or two.


We know you're busy – whether it's trying to fill your pipeline or following up on what's already popped out of the bottom of it. Who has time to read? And, while real estate market news geared toward consumers is easy to round up on the Internet, news for brokers and Realtors is a bit harder to come by.


Your friends at ActiveRain understand how important each of those 168 hours in every week is so we've made it easy for you by consolidating everything you need to know to keep up-to-date with the real estate industry right here, in one place.


How are housing starts looking? Has the FHFA launched any new efforts? How's that Fannie and Freddie loan limit rollercoaster doing?


You've got the questions and your colleagues here at AR have the answers. It's at your fingertips – finally.

Recent blogs on Real Estate Industry
By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
Empowering perspective! This blog likely explores the motivations and successes of women in real estate beyond financial gain. Excited to learn more about the diverse drivers that fuel women's success in this industry!Have a super fantastic week!Joe Jackson, Realtor-KWCP Once again a headline created a pause for concern and several pondering thoughts. The leading sentence to this article from a national real estate website shouted: Women in real estate are already earning 60% less than their male counterparts.” (Source: Forbes March 2024 Gender Pay Gap Study) My sense there is more to this story or as Paul Harvey said: Here is the rest of the story. The first thing comes to mind is all fees are negotiable.  If a woman real estate agent decides to charge less than her male counterpart th...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Once again a headline created a pause for concern and several pondering thoughts. The leading sentence to this article from a national real estate website shouted:Women in real estate are already earning 60% less than their male counterparts.” (Source: Forbes March 2024 Gender Pay Gap Study)My sense there is more to this story or as Paul Harvey said:Here is the rest of the story.The first thing comes to mind is all fees are negotiable.  If a woman real estate agent decides to charge less than her male counterpart this is entirely legitimate. Also, possibly some women in real estate do not know how to negotiate given the lack of training, I have observed, on this necessary sales skill set.More importantly from my experience and research data about motivation, women are often not driven b...
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By Stephen Fells, Marketing, Technology, Fun and News!
(AgencyLogic)
Everyday AgencyLogic publishes real estate news and press releases from around the country.Here are this weeks press releases:NAR Highlights Dire Lack of Housing Affordability and Inventory in Congressional TestimonyTricked-out Backyards Can Help Homes Sell For $10,000 MoreExisting-Home Sales Vaulted 9.5% in February, Largest Monthly Increase in a YearFlorida's Housing Market: Median Prices, New and Active Listings Up in FebruaryNAR Urges Congress to Immediately Extend Crucial NFIP Before Tomorrow’s ExpirationConcessions Cool As Spring Rental Season ApproachesNAR Applauds White House Announcement Addressing Land Use Barriers and Housing ProductionCalifornia Home Sales Remain Resilient in February Despite Rising Mortgage Interest RatesHigher Mortgage Rate Forecast Leads to Decline in 202...
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By Michael Elliott, Burlington, New Jersey Residential Sales
(Fathom Realty)
A couple of weeks ago, I approached the owner of a building in my market which is newly vacant.  In  the spirit of brevity,  this guy could not have been any ruder, arrogant or weird.  He seemed angry, off-centered and unhinged.  Like a crazy fictional person in a movie.   I simply turned my back on him and walked away, muttering  what an &^%$#@ he is.  He may have heard me, I do not care.  If I were to rank him, he would be a top three biggest *&^%$# in my career, potential client-wise.  No thanks.  After years in this business, I have no interest in dealing with people like that, and I no longer have the need.  And this is why we lead generate.  If I didn't have many other leads / opportunities, I may have subjected myself to work with him.  Consistent lead generation allows you to be...
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By Dan McElfresh, Your St. Louis real estate & lifestyle guide
(St. Louis Living powered by Narrative Real Estate)
by Dan McElfresh, St. Louis LivingExcerpt: Join us as we uncover the dynamic shifts in the St. Louis real estate market this February. With expert insights from Dan McElfresh of St. Louis Living, discover what these trends mean for buyers and sellers in St. Louis County and St. Charles County.Hook, Line, and Sinker: The St. Louis Real Estate SceneSt. Louis real estate market heats up this February! Discover rising sales, growing inventory, and what experts predict for buyers and sellers. Picture this: sipping your morning coffee, flipping through pages of potential homes in the Gateway City. With its ever-changing market, getting the latest intel is key. And who better to guide us than Dan McElfresh from St. Louis Living?For an even deeper dive, check out our St. Louis Living YouTube Pa...
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By Hugh Grant, I help investors and consumers with real estate
(RealMax Realty)
Property ownership is any investor's ultimate path toward financial freedom. The thought of earning a passive income through rental property can be relieving and fulfilling, knowing that not much work will be demanded of you. However, regardless of the sweet financial stories associated with becoming a landlord, you need remarkable property management skills to succeed in the real estate industry. From maintaining an attractive curb appeal to streamlining the evictions and disputes process, here are the key property management tips you should learn as a new property owner.Maintain an Attractive Presentation and Curb AppealYour first major concern as a new property owner is to attract and keep tenants into your property for the long term. Maintaining an attractive presentation and curb a...
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By Daniela Pellicciotti, The Miami condo specialist
(Condoideas Realty Group)
Eliminating or even negotiating 6% commissions on real estate transactions could introduce a challenging scenario for home buyers, warns an economist.Expressing skepticism about the recent settlement, the economist hopes the presiding judge will dismiss it.A significant transformation looms over the housing market following a groundbreaking settlement by the nation's largest real estate association. This impending change is poised to revolutionize the process of buying and selling homes. However, I think that the proposed alteration could swiftly burden buyers with additional expenses.The settlement, announced by the National Association of Realtors and slated for mid-July implementation pending approval, mandates that listings on the NAR-operated multiple-listing service no longer disc...
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By Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA, Founder and CEO of The Power Is Now Media, Inc.
(The Power Is Now Media, Inc. )
🎥 Step into the world of Prescott real estate with our newest show, "The Prescott Arizona Real Estate Show," hosted by the expert Peter Fife! Available exclusively on The Power Is Now TV platforms, this show is your ticket to unlocking insider tips and tricks for navigating the Prescott market.📺 In this episode part 2, Join Peter Fife as he dives into the dynamic Prescott real estate market, offering invaluable insights on market updates, community highlights, financing strategies, and the best real estate deals in town. With over 28 years of experience, Peter is your ultimate guide to making informed decisions in the Prescott area.📲 Ready to elevate your real estate game? Leave a comment below with your thoughts and questions, and don't forget to share this video with friends who are i...
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By Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA, Founder and CEO of The Power Is Now Media, Inc.
(The Power Is Now Media, Inc. )
 🎥 Welcome to The Power Is Now TV! Join Eric L. Frazier, MBA, and today, we're announcing a special addition to our lineup—the Prescott Arizona Real Estate Show! Joining us is the remarkable Peter Fife, an esteemed real estate professional from Prescott, Arizona, representing Coldwell Banker Northland.🏡 In this episode part 1, Eric L. Frazier and Peter Fife discuss the exciting launch of the Prescott Arizona Real Estate Show. Peter shares his passion for helping sellers achieve top dollar for their properties and assisting buyers in finding their dream homes, whether it's a first-time purchase, investment property, or vacant land. Discover why Prescott is a hot spot for real estate and gain valuable insights from Peter's extensive experience and expertise.📣 Tune in to The Power Is Now T...
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By Michael Elliott, Burlington, New Jersey Residential Sales
(Fathom Realty)
Who could be a good match for a cloud based broker (like Fathom Realty) ? Tired of office drama and politics, wants to work from home only Thinks  they are overpaying their broker (I pay $550 per closing to Fathom which is capped) If you are more self-sufficient and don't need constant support Wants to be focused and distraction-free Someone who has a home office or desk space If you have ability to buy office resources (copier, paper, envelopes, etc) Obviously, I have no commute to work. No worrying about weather, storms, traffic, gas. I get to listen to music in my home office if I choose, or watch my office tv when I want without bothering anyone. Privacy? I never have to be concerned about someone else hearing my conversation about 123 Main Street. Making lunch in the microwave has ...
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By Lori Mode, Real Estate Made Simple
(The Mode Real Estate Group)
I’ve been selling homes for 35 years, and this strategy always works.Alright, here’s the strategy.First, I use market data to determine what your house is worth.As a process, it’s a science and an art. And I’ll go ahead and tell you now, online estimators simply aren’t able to do that.Once I determine the market value of your home (aka the ball park it should sell in), then I determine what price we should list at.Yes, they are different.Pricing your home right on the mark of what it’s worth can actually result in longer days on market and a lower sales price.What?  Sounds counterintuitive right?Instead of doing that, you want to price it JUST UNDER what it’s actually worth.This will create more demand and…more offers.When you receive more offers, an experienced real estate agent (me) c...
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By Lori Mode, Real Estate Made Simple
(The Mode Real Estate Group)
There’s many different loan options….Here are some of the common ones 👇01 – 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑳𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒔: These are standard mortgage loans not insured or guaranteed by the government. They typically require a down payment of 3% to 20% of the home’s purchase price.02 – 𝑭𝑯𝑨 𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒔: Insured by the Federal Housing Administration, these loans help borrowers with low down payments and lower credit scores.03 – 𝑽𝑨 𝑳𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒔: Available to eligible veterans and military personnel, VA loans offer favorable terms, including no down payment and flexible qualification criteria.04 – 𝑼𝑺𝑫𝑨 𝑳𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒔: These loans, offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are designed for borrowers in rural areas and offer low or no down payment options.👉 Remember that this is just a brief overview, and each type of mortgage loan has...
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By Christopher Nelson, Montgomery County, PA - Realtor
(GenStone Realty)
Trending Designs: New Home Construction Trends 2024Key Highlights New home construction is projected to surge 2024, with home renovations, sustainability, and AI-driven home technology advances leading the trends. The top trends in new home construction for 2024 include eco-friendly and sustainable building materials, smart home technology integration, emphasis on energy efficiency, innovative use of space with multi-functional rooms, indoor-outdoor living spaces, health and wellness features, community-oriented development, minimalist design with bold accents, adoption of 3D printing in construction, and the rise of prefabricated and modular homes. Pennsylvania's unique influence on home construction trends is also discussed, including historical and cultural influences in modern desig...
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By Kukun's VP of Analytics Franklin Carroll, Elite client engagement tools and proptech
(Kukun, Inc.)
I wrote the following at the end of last year, but I think my analysis is still holding up. Please feel free to let me know what you think. Elon Musk and others have been presaging doom within commercial real estate, though oddly enough this pessimism is not shared by the majority of experts surveyed recently by Deloitte in their 2024 Commercial Real Estate Outlook Survey. That said, there are reasons to be bearish though these negative signs do not suggest any crisis is imminent. The voices that proclaim one is looming are simply not looking closely at the facts; rather, they are reflexively reacting to how unusual the current real estate market is: In a lot of people’s minds, strange equals scary.The commercial real estate alarmists are pointing to some real economic factors that do s...
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On March 26, 2024, The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that the U.S. house price lower 0.1% in January of 2024 from December of 2023, but gained 6.3% from January of 2023, based on home sales values obtained from mortgages sold to or guaranteed by FNMA and Freddie Mac.Nationwide, among nine census West North Central Divisions was highest with an increase of 1.5%, and South Atlantic Division was lowest with a loss of 1.5% in January of 2024 from December of 2023; while the East North Central Division was the highest with jump of 8.7%, and West South Central Division was the lowest with a gain of 3.8% in January of 2024, from January of 2023.For complete more detailed information about the FHFA’s home price index for January of 2024, please click HERE
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By Mark Lomas, Experience You Can Count On!
(Santa Barbara Real Estate)
The NAR settled a lawsuit without acknowledging they or the membership had done anything wrong.  The lawyers, real estate disruptors, and the buyers who brought the suit have done more to confuse the process than help anyone other than themselves.  It’s not a win for buyers or sellers. The major news outlets continue to misinterpret what this settlement means.I’m not an attorney and I’m not familiar with all the legal intricacies of the lawsuit, and all I’m offering here is, one person’s opinion. Many of the major media outlets are suggesting that commissions will drop because previously they were not negotiable and the standard in the industry was 6%.  Not true.  Commissions have always been negotiable in California. It’s in every listing agreement. Clear as day.  Successful agents don...
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By Stephen Fells, Marketing, Technology, Fun and News!
(AgencyLogic)
Everyday AgencyLogic publishes real estate news and press releases from around the country.Here are this weeks press releases:Redfin Reports New Listings Rose to the Highest Level in 17 Months in FebruaryNearly 75 Percent of First-time Homebuyers are Optimistic about the Current Housing MarketPrices Rose 0.6% in February, Marking Return to Pre-Pandemic NormU.S. Foreclosure Activity Continues To See An Annual IncreaseCorrecting the Record: NAR Does Not Set CommissionsCalifornia Home Sales Remain Resilient in February Despite Rising Mortgage Interest RatesRE/MAX National Housing Report For February 2024Higher Mortgage Rate Forecast Leads to Decline in 2024 Home Sales ExpectationsNAR Responds to President Joe Biden’s Remarks on Lowering Housing Costs for American FamiliesHome Flipping Plum...
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By Hugh Grant, I help investors and consumers with real estate
(RealMax Realty)
Renovating your home doesn't have to break the bank. With strategic planning and creative solutions, you can achieve remarkable transformations without overspending. Budget-friendly home renovations focus on maximizing impact while minimizing costs, allowing you to enhance your living space without exceeding your budget. In this guide, we'll explore several cost-effective renovation ideas that can make a big impact on your home's aesthetics, functionality, and value.Fresh Coat of Paint:Painting is one of the most cost-effective ways to refresh and revitalize your home's interior and exterior. A fresh coat of paint can instantly brighten up a room, hide imperfections, and create a sense of cohesion and harmony. Opt for neutral colors to appeal to a broad range of tastes and preferences, ...
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Excellence is the standard of success in the busy world of real estate, and Xrealty has become a shining example of that. At the recent Emaar Awards 2023, Xrealty was happy to be named one of the top 10 brokers. This was a big step forward in its quest for greatness. Let's look into the specifics of this fantastic success and see what makes Xrealty stand out in the fast-paced world of real estate.Introduction to XrealtyXrealty is a top real estate company known for its creative approach and unwavering dedication to customer happiness. With a team of experts who love going above and beyond, Xrealty has a great reputation for giving its clients outstanding results and excellent service.The Emaar Awards: A Benchmark of ExcellenceIn the Dubai real estate market, the Emaar Awards are a very ...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
The media outlets and real estate information forums, newsletters, websites, etc. continue to predict that real estate sky is falling and woe to real estate agents.  Funny thing about predictions, they are usually wrong.Remember all the hysteria about Y2K bug and the 2000 scare?Then we had all those false predictions by so called experts such as Bill Gates who said in 1981 “640K ought to be enough for anybody.”False predictions create fear and unfortunately human beings are conditioned to fear, a vestige of our much earlier human evolution and development.I remember back in the 1980’s when working in corporate between the gasoline shortage, lines at gas stations, housing interest rates of 14% plus and all of those continued dire predictions. Then we had those climate predictions where i...
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