Avoid Breach When Using Music and Images
February 12, 2021
Images, videos, and music make our marketing campaigns fun and engaging. The internet offers plenty of sources for these for our convenience. Before we decide to use any image, video, and music for our branding, we have to make sure we do not infringe an owner's copyright. NAR released on December 1st, 2020 a short video of ...
Planning for a Future Move -- Declutter Now
February 12, 2021
Credit goes to Brian Carey from Carey Moving & StorageIf you’re thinking about moving in 2021, you can never start preparing too soon. A substantial part of planning this move is knowing what you’ll bring with you and what items you need to sell, give away or throw out because they have no place your new home. ...
7 Reasons to Buy a House in the Winter
February 12, 2021
Written by Diane Schmidt Real estate wisdom typically tells us that spring and summer are the prime seasons for house hunting and moving. People are more likely to get out and shop when the weather is nice. And sellers know their homes and yards look better when they're not buried in snow. However, there also are some very ...
Americans Migration in 2020
February 11, 2021
United Van Lines today released the company’s 44th Annual National Migration Study, revealing in 2020, Americans continued to move westbound and southbound – and the COVID-19 pandemic factored into and accelerated many of those decisions to move.According to the study, which tracks the company’s exclusive data for customers’ 2020 state-to-state migration patterns, Idaho was the ...
The pros and cons of a house vs. a condo for first-time buyers
February 10, 2021
A condominium can make a good starter home, but the lifestyle isn’t for everyoneCondos are often priced lower than single-family homes. ISTOCKWhether you’re having trouble finding an affordable single-family home or you’re simply fed up with renting, a condominium can be a way to wade into homeownership rather than diving into the deep end.Condos ...
Closing Costs
February 10, 2021
Wonder what closing costs are and what you are really paying for? Here is a breakdown of common fees you may pay when buying a home:Common Closing Costs for Buyers (from Realtor Magazine, National Association of Realtors)Down paymentLoan originationPoints, or loan discount fees, which you pay to receive a lower interest rateHome inspectionAppraisalCredit reportPrivate mortgage insurance premiumInsurance escrow ...
3 Reasons We’re Definitely Not in a Housing Bubble
February 10, 2021
3 Reasons We’re Definitely Not in a Housing Bubble Home values appreciated by about ten percent in 2020, and they’re forecast to appreciate by about five percent this year. This has some voicing concern that we may be in another housing bubble like the one we experienced a little over a decade ago. Here are three reasons ...
5 Tips to Make a Competitive Offer in a Hot Market
February 10, 2021
With a high level of potential buyers and a low housing inventory, the real estate market remains super competitive in 2021. More than ever, it is crucial for buyers to know how to make a confident and competitive offer once they found the right home. Here are five keys to success to make a strong offer and stand out ...
How about those forbearances?
February 09, 2021
As most everyone is aware, if you were impacted by the pandemic and you are having trouble making your mortgage payments, you can request a forbearance. Simply put, a forbearance allows the borrower to stop making payments and freeze the loan at that point. While this may be a temporary help, the piper will have to be paid ...
Mortgage Credit Certificate
February 08, 2021
What is the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program?The MCC program is a homebuyer assistance program designed to help lower‐income families afford home ownership. The program allows home buyers to claim a dollar‐for‐dollar tax credit for a portion of mortgage interest paid per year, up to $2,000. The remaining mortgage interest paid may still be calculated as an ...
State of the National Real Estate Market
February 03, 2021
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How to Fix Up Your HUD Home in Charlotte
February 03, 2021
Post by: Nancy Braun, Showcase Realty How your home looks after getting it renovated dictates the difference between a good or bad HUD home deal. This is true whether you bought the house to live in, or as an investment.Repairing a newly-bought foreclosed home could pose as quite a challenge. HUD homes are sold “as-is”, and ...
Owning a Home Is Still More Affordable Than Renting One
February 02, 2021
If spending more time at home over the past year is making you really think hard about buying a home instead of renting one, you’re not alone. You may be wondering, however, if the dollars and cents add up in your favor as home prices continue to rise. According to the experts, in many cases, it’s ...
Bundle Up! Winter's Home-Buying Game Has Changed. Here's How To Win
February 01, 2021
Savvy home buyers know that winter is typically a good time to embark on a house hunt, since much of their competition stays holed up at home until spring. But this winter, buyers might notice that they've got company.Lots of it, in fact."Normally winter is a good time for buyers," says realtor.com® ...
5 Signs You Are Ready To Be a Homeowner (That Have Nothing To Do With Money)
February 01, 2021
There comes a time in renters' lives when they ask the age-old question: Should I become a homeowner? Obviously, finances have a lot to do with the decision whether to rent vs. buy.But there's more to it than just credit ratings and cash reserves—homeownership is a lifestyle change that you have to be willing to take ...
NAR Joins Coalition Calling for Clarity in Rental Assistance
February 01, 2021
January 29, 2021 Melissa Dittmann TraceyHousing groups, including the National Association of REALTORS®, are urging federal agencies to provide more information on the distribution of $25 billion in rental assistance under current COVID-19 relief legislation, which was signed into law in December. The coalition of real estate trade organizations says the funds are critical to counter the economic fallout ...
What Happens When Homeowners Leave Their Forbearance Plans?
January 28, 2021
What Happens When Homeowners Leave Their Forbearance Plans? According to the latest report from Black Knight, Inc., a well-respected provider of data and analytics for mortgage companies, 6.48 million households have entered a forbearance plan as a result of financial concerns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s where these homeowners stand right now:2,543,000 ...
Insight to Home Buying 2021
January 27, 2021
2021 is officially upon us. But how, exactly, is the new year shaping up through the lens of real estate?HomeLight’s Top Agent Insights Q4 2020 Report surveyed over 1,000 real estate agents for their insights into the 2021 housing market, including:Lack of inventory will continue to pose challenges in 2021. A lack of homes for ...
Seriously Delinquent Mortgage Loans Up 1.7 Million in 2020
January 26, 2021
2020 ended with 2.15 million seriously delinquent mortgage loans, that is 1.7 million more seriously delinquent homeowners than when 2020 began “a looming reminder of the challenges facing the market in 2021," according to the First Look mortgage loan performance report from Black Knight, published Friday. The increase exists despite continuous months of improvement; In ...
SEPARATE REALITY FROM REALITY TV!!
January 21, 2021
3 Reality TV Myths Busted Ready to buy a home this year? Let's connect to separate reality from reality TV and make sure your experience is smooth and successful.Watch Now...
How to sell your home in the age of coronavirus
January 19, 2021
By: Diana OlickNot a lot of homeowners want to put their homes on the market in the midst of a pandemic, but some do need to move, and it’s not the worst time to sell. Demand for housing is still incredibly strong, despite the hit to the economy, and supply is at a record low.For the week ...
Know Your Competition
January 15, 2021
There are two groups of buyers that many of our more local buyers seem to not consider when contemplating purchasing a HUD home. The first group is "bulk buyers/investors". Individuals in this group have often made offers "sight unseen". The second group is homeowners relocating from areas with "high price tags" homes and high taxes. ...
The good, the bad, and the likely for housing in 2021
January 15, 2021
Despite the pandemic, incredibly, the housing market has surpassed all expectations in 2020. Applications to purchase a home hit a low point in the spring due to stay-at-home orders and mandated business closures, but have rebounded swiftly.As of the week ending December 4, purchase loan applications have exceeded year-ago levels for 29-straight weeks, and cumulative purchase applications have ...
North Carolina Facts
January 15, 2021
•Capital: Raleigh •Nickname: Ol' North State / Tar Heel State •Bird: Cardinal •Elevation: 6,684 ft. •Flower: Dogwood •Song: "The Old North State" •Counties: 100•Vegetable: Sweet potato•Food: BBQNorth Carolina is teeming with ways to get outside and enjoy our lovely state! Whether you™re hiking, swimming, boating, or just exploring new attractions, our state is the perfect spot to ...
Pros and Cons of Adding a Hot Tub
January 15, 2021
Hot tubs come in a wide variety of options and can be found to fit most budgets. Check out these pros and cons to adding a hot tub. Article by Peter GoldbergPurchasing a hot tub for your home is becoming more and more appealing to those looking to spark joy in their outdoor space. Even the top local ...
