HomeLight raises $115M and acquires cash offer rival Accept.inc

Scottsdale, Arizona-based HomeLight announced that its all-stock deal raises the company's valuation to $1.7 billion and makes it the largest "agent-focused" cash offer program in the U.S.

Homes for Sale in New Jersey and on Long Island

This week’s available properties are a four-bedroom, Victorian-era house in Maywood, N.J., and a four-bedroom Colonial in Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.

Homes for Sale in New York City

This week’s available properties are on the Upper West Side, in Greenwich Village and in Park Slope.

Homebuyers ‘need a bit of a reset,’ Fed chair Jerome Powell declares

Jerome Powell on Wednesday acknowledged the tough situation buyers now find themselves in, adding that "We need to get back to a place where supply and demand are back together."

Fed’s aggressive rate hike to reduce housing market buyer pool, economist says

The Federal Reserve just announced its largest interest rate increase since 1994 and the move is expected to have a serious impact on the housing market, economists believe.

While the Fed’s key interest rate doesn’t directly affect mortgage rates, it does have a very strong influence on them.

On Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee announced it had decided to increase the benchmark funds rate by 0.75% to help rein in inflation that is now at a 40-year high. Banks use the Fed’s rate as their benchmark to charge one another for short-term borrowing. Wednesday’s hike results in a big increase in interest rates, and Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, told CNBC it is likely to be the first of yet more hikes on the way in the coming months.

To date, the Fed funds rate has jumped by 175 basis points this year, resulting in the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate increasing even more, by almost 300 basis points. For a $300,000 mortgage, that translates to monthly repayment of $1,800, up from just $1,265 in December.

Yun said it is a “painful” increase and would undoubtedly “shrink the buyer pool”.
As a result, we can expect to see a further slowdown in the housing market, the economist said.

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Could mortgage rates fall? Agents react to biggest rate hike in 28 years

Reaction to rate hike was mixed on Wednesday as real estate agents noted what they saw as a clear signs of a "transitioning market." Economists say mortgage rates could actually dip

How the market shift will impact your investment strategy

With the negative shift ravaging the real estate market, it is easy to say that there is no positive to take out of it. But as with every market, there are opportunities.

Do better: Stop rejoicing over industry layoffs

Laughing and cheering at the expense of others, whether those others are real estate professionals losing their jobs or celebrities embroiled in abusive situations, has no place in this industry, says Jay Thompson.

Dog Owners Want More Space. Here’s Where They’re Finding It.

Areas with homes that have pet-friendly features and are close to a dog park are in hot demand, a new analysis shows.

How one broker is giving agents the launch pad they need

Although the debate about what is “right” in terms of the future of office space lives on, allowing employees to be flexible can be a game-changer, resulting in higher productivity and fewer HR issues.

Broker Spotlight: Nick Van Assche, Sea Glass Properties

This week, our spotlight shines on Nick Van Assche of Sea Glass Properties, serving the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Heading North to Upper Manhattan, or the Lower Bronx, With $400,000. Guess Which Apartment They Chose.

After six years in a dim Washington Heights rental, a couple of first-time buyers explored the prewar possibilities in Inwood and Spuyten Duyvil. Could they afford a second bedroom?

Teams Spotlight: Michael and Brandon Doyle, Doyle Real Estate Team

Meet the tech-savvy, father-and-son driven Doyle Real Estate team that consists of Brandon Doyle, father Michael Doyle and one awesome assistant.

5 tips for starting a coaching program at your brokerage

Coaching encompasses a constant evolution of learning and implementation to help agents build their businesses. As many teams shift from professional development into coaching, these strategies can help, says President and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes Christian Barnes.

8 Common Misconceptions That First-Time Home Buyers Have

If you recently shared with friends or family that you’re ready to buy your first home, you have no doubt been offered plenty of well-intentioned bits of advice about the process. But be aware: Not everything you’ve heard may be accurate. 

Here are some common misconceptions first-time home buyers may have and the real facts behind them. Remember that every home buyer’s situation is unique, so do what you feel is best for yours.

It’s Cheaper to Rent Than Own

This may be true if you’re planning to rent for a short period of time. But if you’re planning to rent for several years, you might be better off purchasing a home. A fixed-rate mortgage is stable for 15 to 30 years, but rents may increase on average as much as 5% per year. 

Money spent on a mortgage each month is building equity in something you’ll eventually own, and is a foundational means to growing wealth. Consider using a rent vs. buy calculator to run the numbers and see if owning makes better financial sense for you in your area. 

You Need a 20% Down Payment to Get a Mortgage

A 20% down payment will help you avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI), but you can secure a conventional mortgage with as little as 3% down. You may be able to put down even less if you qualify for a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. Check with your loan officer to see if you qualify for any first-time buyer programs. 

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One-click is all it takes for Luxury Presence’s new website product

Customers of Luxury Presence can select from a number of single-property site templates that will reflect their current design and brand.

Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions preps for global growth with 2 key hires

Sotheby's Concierge Auctions has hired two former Sotheby's International Realty executives, Zackary Wright and Charlie Smith. Both men will lead SCA's international growth.

Fed’s biggest rate hike in 28 years might not further impact mortgages

After bond market sell-off Friday and Monday, investors take Fed's 75 basis-point rate hike in stride. "The Fed managed to hint at today's move," said the CEO of one capital markets advisory firm.

6 Critical Questions to Ask When Buying Land

Things to Find Out Before Purchasing Land

Performing due diligence is vital when purchasing a home. It is even more crucial when buying a building lot. Buying land can be an exciting and profitable investment. However, it is important to ask questions and get advice before making a purchase.

Real Estate agents are asked important questions all the time as it pertains to land. Things like how big is an acre or how many square feet are in an acre. While these are basic questions with straightforward answers, the are others that may not be so simple.

We will look at six questions that should be asked when buying land. These are the questions that you should either ask a Realtor or a land owner before making a purchase.

What to Ask Before Buying a Piece of Land

Is The Land Buildable?

The most vital question to get an immediate answer for when buying land is whether it’s buildable. When your intention is to build a home the rest of the questions will become meaningless when the lot you want to purchase can’t be built on.

There are quite a few things that will determine whether you will be able to pull a building permit for house construction. We will cover these things so you’re well prepared to move forward or not.

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Pacaso aims to make co-ownership more familial with UrbanSitter deal

While Pacaso continues to expand its technology-forward co-ownership model into more luxury home destinations, its owner-services division is working on ways to make its second homes feel like first homes.

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