9 tips for communicating through language barriers

Language barriers and cultural differences inevitably arise while attracting and communicating with international clients. Here are nine pieces of advice shared by two luxury agents well-acquainted with international deals.

Homes That Sold for $550,000 or Less

Recent residential sales in New York City and the region.

Can My Co-op Charge Me to Get Rid of the Bedbugs in My Apartment?

Landlords and co-op boards are legally obligated to exterminate bedbug infestations. But there are other costs involved that can fall on residents.

Loan servicing giant Mr. Cooper lays off another 420 workers

Investors warned of "break even" second quarter as rising mortgage rates put a bigger-than-expected dent in loan originations.

Buyers regaining some control as market shifts, supply grows: Redfin

More than one-in-five sellers dropped their asking price during May 2022, the highest rate since October 2019.

A $100M island sold in 4 months: The moves behind this agent’s deal

After Great Island failed to sell, Douglas Elliman agent Jennifer Leahy succeeded where other agents failed by leaning on her network, building community ties and thinking outside the box.

You told us your exit strategies. A CPA breaks down what works (and what doesn’t)

In a recent Pulse column, Inman asked its readers for their take on their own personal retirement plan or exit strategy. After reading each response, financial planner Jordan Curnutt could not help but let his financial planning brain start running with each scenario. Here's his analysis.

The Top Tips for Protecting Your Property When Leasing Out to Businesses

When leasing out your commercial property to a business, you are taking on certain risks. These individuals may default on payments, damage your building, or cause other issues. If you want to get ahead of such problems and limit how much you may be liable for as well, here are the top guidelines to follow: 

Protect Yourself Against Liability 

Yes, you can be held liable for various things when you rent out your building. If any kind of damage or accident occurs due to negligence, fire, electrical issues, or even the weather, you could be held responsible. As you can imagine, the cost for such issues would be incredibly high. 

This is why you should always consult with a commercial insurance company before you rent out your property. They will be able to suggest various forms of coverage that can protect you in a wide variety of circumstances. Remember, it is best not to skimp on your coverage. What you spend now can end up saving you tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars later on. Thus, it is always good to err on the side of caution. 

Create a Screening Process 

It is important to create a screening process for each business that you will interview. You may want to sit down with a legal expert to ensure that all your bases are covered. The more extensive the screening process, the greater the chance of finding the right tenant. 

You may want to start by running credit checks – this will show you if the company will be able to continue paying the rent for the duration of their lease. It is probably best to have a background check on the main owner to ensure that they are functioning above board. Finally, checking out their general reputation may be helpful as well. 

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Amid market jolt, hiring continues in residential development sector

Employers added 16,700 residential construction jobs in May on a seasonally adjusted basis, nearly doubling the national rate of job growth, according to new Department of Labor figures.

KW demands REX turn over audio recordings in commission suit

The real estate franchisor has subpoenaed the discount brokerage for recordings of all in-bound calls, not just those purporting to show agent steering, in multibillion-dollar class-action case.

Departures, freakouts, and falling rates — it’s Inman’s Top 5 stories of the week

Looking for a quick catch-up on the buzziest stories of the past seven days? Here's Inman Top 5, the most essential stories of the week, according to Inman readers.

Inflation is running so high that even higher earners are struggling

Inflation in the U.S. is running at a 40-year high and the rising prices its causing means many Americans are having to rethink their finances and future plans.

With inflation currently at 8.3%, people are facing higher prices for food, housing, fuel and most other goods and services.

Now, a new report from BMO Harris Bank has looked at the implications of those higher costs on the lives of Americans. Worryingly, some 25% of respondents in a survey told the bank that they’re postponing their retirement plans due to higher living costs.

The finding comes after a second survey by Pymnts.com and LendingClub revealed that almost one third of consumers who earn $250,000 a year say they’re forced to live from paycheck to paycheck.

The survey authors said that, based on typical benchmarks, some higher earners may have overspent on their housing. For instance, a mortgage on a $1.7 million home with a 20% down payment would cost $100,000 a year. That would make up 40% of a $250,000 pre-tax income, according to Bloomberg. Most financial analysts advise limiting housing costs to 30% of income.

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Can Foreigners Buy Property In Germany?

Lots of people want to buy property in Berlin or any other city in Germany, but as a foreigner, you might be unsure of the process and whether or not you are even eligible. Do not worry! This guide will tell you everything you need to know about purchasing property as a foreigner in Germany.

Are Foreigners Restricted From Buying Property in Germany?

The first thing you should know is that there are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in Germany. You are treated the same as a German citizen when it comes to buying property. The process is relatively straightforward and there are a few things you need to know before getting started.

Find a Reputable Realtor

The first step is finding a reputable realtor who specializes in foreign buyers. They will be able to help you with the paperwork and answer any questions you have about the process. Look for someone who has the experience and is knowledgeable about the German property market.

To find a realtor, you can start by asking friends or family if they know anyone. You can also search online or on the yellow pages. Once you have found a few realtors, you can interview them to see who the best fit is for you.

Get Your Finances in Order

Before you start looking at properties, you need to make sure your finances are in order. This means getting pre-approved for a mortgage and having a down payment saved up. You will also need to show proof of income and have your tax returns ready.

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Top-earning Juracich Team moves from Elliman to Corcoran

The Catherine Juracich Team, which has brought in $156 million in sales volume year-to-date, will now be affiliated with Corcoran Group's Chelsea office.

Garden Ideas for Small Spaces

With a few containers, some good soil and plenty of sunlight, you can grow flowers, vegetables and more just about anywhere.

The false choices of the commission crunch

Many real estate professionals look down on discounted brokerages, but it may be because they're asking themselves the wrong questions. Grant Clayton offers some alternatives for your consideration.

From ‘Better’ to worse: Real estate companies making layoffs so far

With a few exceptions, the layoffs have so far largely been confined to companies providing mortgages and mortgage-related services like title and closing.

Is flat fee the future of real estate? Here’s what to know

As home prices have risen, driven by supply shortages and increased demand, many real estate industry experts have started considering whether the existing commission compensation model is still working.

‘It changed my attitude’: Behind the $1.5M sale of the ‘Conjuring’ home

Agent Ben Gugliemi said in an interview that working with the sellers of the estate, Jenn and Cory Heinzen, and hearing their stories about the property was enough to shift his perspective on the supernatural. 

How Refugees Transformed a Dying Rust Belt Town

Since the 1970s, refugees escaping war and persecution have helped to stem the decline of Utica, a town that lost industry and population.

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