House-Flipping Rate Rises, but Investors’ Profits Are Falling

Nearly 10 percent of U.S. homes sold in the first quarter of 2022 were flipped, but investors were challenged by shrinking supply and rising costs.

He Wanted His Own ‘Little Piece’ of Los Angeles. Which Option Did He Choose?

After stints in Florida, Arizona and Britain, a longtime renter fell in love with Southern California. But would $800,000 be enough for a single-family home?

31 July Prompts to Heat up Your Socials This Summer

Trends in the market can sometimes heavily favor either buyers or sellers. When this happens, staying connected to your audience through social media can help you successfully encourage those who are hesitant to get started, keeping your business thriving. 

Explore this month’s prompts to see how you can use your social media plus Designs in Command to keep home sellers and buyers engaged.

Week 1

July 1 – First day of the month, last day of the work week! Use your story to share your summer playlist or a new song that you’ve recently added that you’re excited to start the weekend with.

July 2 – Remind your potential buyers about the joys of homeownership with a client testimonial. Use a testimonial template from Designs to highlight your favorite home-buying success story.

July 3 – The Fourth of July is tomorrow! Make sure your audience knows where and how it’s safe to celebrate. Use your story to pass on local government updates about personal fireworks and share some tips about firework safety during the celebrations.

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The Path to Homeownership Begins with A Budget

The path to homeownership often begins with a budget. But it may not be the one you think. Personal financial habits are actually the foundation for home-buying opportunities. So, helping a client understand their personal budget will help them determine not only what their home-buying or investment budget may be, but also spot opportunities for aligning their habits with their goals.

Layout A Monthly Budget

Have your client gather the following materials:

The last three months of their bills, pay stubs, bank and credit card statements, and any other financial document.Using the categories provided in the personal budgeting resource, have your client calculate how much they spend, on average, in a month.Download Our Personal Budgeting Worksheet

If your client is satisfied with their spending habits, congrats! Their work is done. You know what their monthly budget is and can use that when evaluating the investment that they want to make in a monthly mortgage payment.

Once each of the categories is filled, if they feel less than stellar about how much they are spending each month in total or in any one of the areas, they are in a position to re-evaluate their habits.

As their agent and fiduciary, remember that you cannot decide what is important to your client. Your commitment to them is that you will help them evaluate their priorities and their options. So, if your client needs to adjust their budget, have them work through the following exercise to decide where they may want to make adjustments.

House Hunting in Ecuador: An Andes Retreat Outside Cuenca for $550,000

While Ecuadoreans power the market in greater Cuenca, the city has long attracted retirees with its low cost of living and high quality of life.

What $1.4 Million Buys You in New York, Illinois and Massachusetts

An 1873 Victorian in Hudson, a three-bedroom townhouse in Chicago and a 19th-century home in Gloucester.

Living in Ridgewood, N.J.

For more than a century, the Bergen County village has drawn buyers with its upscale shops and restaurants and its ‘interesting and beautiful’ homes.

Ridgewood, N.J.: A Historic Suburb With a View of the City

For more than a century, the Bergen County village has drawn buyers with its ‘interesting and beautiful’ homes and its upscale shops and restaurants.

Your Lawn Questions, Answered

No, mowing less often doesn’t mean more ticks. And there’s a way to get around those homeowner association rules. Read on.

A Traditional Seaside Cottage With a Twist

The Amagansett, N.Y., cottage had to be rebuilt from the ground up. So one couple went all in with nautical style.

An East Hampton Renovation Fit for a Ship’s Captain

The Amagansett, N.Y., cottage had to be rebuilt from the ground up. So one couple went all in with nautical style.

What $900,000 Buys You in California

A two-bedroom bungalow in Oakland, a Craftsman home in Long Beach and a Spanish-style house in Ojai.

Shopping for Tablecloths

With so many appealing ones out there, it’s never been easier to dress your table up (or down).

The Storied History of the Belnord

Viewers of “Only Murders in the Building” know it as the Arconia, but this Upper West Side building has a name — and a dramatic story — of its own.

Homes That Sold for Around $750,000

Recent residential sales in New York City and the region.

How to Survive a Rental Bidding War

As the rental market convulses with a dearth of listings and intense demand, list prices can be deceptive. Here’s how to handle a bidding war.

John Legend and Chrissy Teigen Sell a Pair of Penthouses in NoLIta

The couple got nearly $16.8 million, making it one of the largest closings in New York City in June. The biggest, a Midtown penthouse, sold for around $56 million.

Looking for Affordable Housing in New York? Here’s Where To Find It.

Enter your household income and size, and we’ll tell you what housing programs you may be eligible for and how to apply.

When the Rent Rushes Relationships

Soaring rents across the country have motivated some young couples to move in together earlier than they planned.

These Homeowners Decided to Rent Again

Some homeowners looked at rising home prices and decided to get out while the going was still good. Now they’re renters again.

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