ActiveRain Community

I have a question for you.What is something you wish you had done 20 years ago?Bought Apple stock in 2006?Purchased Bitcoin when it was worth pennies?Invested in Amazon before e-commerce became mainstream?Bought a home before prices doubled and tripled across much of the country?Most people can instantly think of opportunities they missed. Not because they were impossible to see, but because they felt risky, unfamiliar, or too early at the time.The interesting thing about regret is that it rarely comes from taking action. More often, it comes from waiting too long. I see the same thing happening in construction today. For decades, the industry has struggled with labor shortages, cost overruns, project delays, weather disruptions, material waste, and declining productivity. We know the p... 06/14/2026

06/14/2026

Every year on June 14th, and this year on Sunday June 14, 2026, we celebrate the Happy National celebrate Flag Day, to remember all the sacrifices people made to protect our Flag.The flag has thirteen red and white stripes represent the Union of original Colonies, and stars represent the states. Congress on August 3, 1949, designated June 14 of each year as “Flag Day."I am personally very grateful to everyone for the sacrifices they made to protect our Flag, so we can live a better life. God Bless United States of America and the Old Glory of our “Flag.”I want to wish to all my friends and to all members at Active Rain community a Happy Flag Day. 06/14/2026

The ActiveRain Community has been challenged to share ideas on how we can strengthen the platform and the community we have built together.Before we can fully answer that question, I believe it helps to understand how we arrived where we are today.Many of us remember when  ActiveRain was sold years ago. The transition created significant disruption for the community. The platform's visibility in search engines suffered, member engagement declined, and many long-time contributors left. While we can only speculate about what  ActiveRain might have become had that sale never occurred, we do know the consequences were substantial.When Ben Kinney purchased  ActiveRain and brought it back to life, there was both hope and uncertainty. Ben shared a vision for the future of the platform and has ... 06/13/2026

The $375 Consultant Who Cost More Than Everyone ElseA Buyer Beware Story Every FHA 203(k) Borrower Needs to ReadThere is an old saying in construction:"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten."Over the years, I have seen that lesson play out hundreds of times.Sometimes it involved contractors.Sometimes it involved lenders.Sometimes it involved inspectors.And occasionally, it involved FHA 203(k) consultants.This is one of those stories.It started with a borrower who thought he had found a bargain.At least that is what he believed.The house was exactly what he wanted. It needed work, but not enough to scare him away. The location was perfect, the school district was good, and the price left room in the budget for renovations.His lender e... 06/13/2026

There are closings, and then there are closings that stay with you forever.Today was one of those.No, it wasn't my biggest settlement. Not even close. It certainly wasn't my quickest. We're talking years, not days, from the time we first discussed selling until the day we finally sat down at the closing table.It was a studio apartment. Click to Take a look Over the years, many people told me it would be difficult to sell. Some didn't like the size.  Some had no idea what a coop was. Others didn't understand the charm. Many commented on the furniture, the antiques, the artwork, and the very personal style that filled the space.But my seller never wavered."I told you,"  She said to me more than once. "The right person will find it."And today, she was right.One of the most beautiful parts ... 06/13/2026

Real estate can be a humbling business.Sometimes a past client gets their license.Sometimes a friend or relative lists a house with someone else.Sometimes someone you've helped for years makes a decision you never saw coming.When it happens, resist the urge to take it personally.You rarely know the whole story. It could be company culture, a mentorship opportunity, family pressure, a business partnership, or simply a path they felt was right for them.The best response?Congratulate them.Wish them success.Keep the relationship intact.This business is built on relationships, not transactions. Not every client, friend, or family member will choose us every time, and that's okay.Professionalism is often measured not by how we handle the wins, but by how we handle the disappointments.Keep ser... 06/13/2026

At the 2026 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando, Florida, industry leaders gathered to examine one of the most practical opportunities for industry transformation: offsite construction. While still representing a modest percentage of total construction starts, offsite methods are steadily reshaping how homes are designed, manufactured and assembled. Depending on whose stats you believe, offsite construction represents either 3% (National Association of Home Builders) or 6.4% (Modular Building Institute) of construction starts in North America. As this magazine has repeatedly pointed out, for this number to grow, traditional builders need to see stories of successful projects, as well as data that backs up those stories. And they need to use components, modules or some other sy... 06/13/2026

On June 11, 2026, Realtor.com reported that nationwide median weekly housing trends for the week ending June 6, 2026.Total available listings gained 1.8% for the week ending  June 6, 2026, from the same period of time in June of 2025.Time on the market unchanged 0 day for the week ending June 6, 2026, from the same period of time in June of 2025.Median listing prices declined 2.7% for the week ending June 6, 2026, from the same period of time in June of 2025.New listing in the market higher 2.2% for the week ending June 6, 2026, from the same period of time in June of 2025.For complete more detailed information about Realtor.com’s real estate trends for the week ending in June 6, 2026, please click HERE 06/13/2026

Posts Just For You- This Week at ActiveRain June 7 to  June 13, 2026  Every day, there is something to learn here at ActiveRain.  With this series, I highlight posts that gave me that lightbulb moment. It could be something techie, a post about Real Estate or other professions, about a place, or a person. Or, it could be a post that made me sit up and take notice! June 6: Greg Brown     To Have and To Hold: The Forgotten Half of Success  What a beautiful post. Think about it.   June 7:  Rocky Dickerson    The Power of a Kind WordI’ve missed seeing Rocky at our Zoom Calls. Love his reminder that you never know.   Diana Dahlberg       How My Husband Became God's Messenger That Morning  How many times has something like this happened to you? Very uplifting.  Bill Gross      The Fed’s Real ... 06/14/2026

The key to your dream home is closer than you think. Browse homes for sale in Midtown Miami today. #RealEstateMiami #SouthFloridaRealEstate #RealEstateMidtownMiami #MidtownMiamiRealEstate #RealEstateSouthFlorida #MidtownMiami #MiamiRealEstate #RealEstate #Realtor #houseexpert #househunting #home #RealEstateAgent #RealEstateBroker #RealEstateExpert #RealEstateForSale #Realty #Broker #HomeForSale #HouseForSale #PropertyForSale #HomeForSaleMiami #HomeForSaleSouthFlorida What Rising Inflation Means for Your Move in Miami-Dade, Florida The data shows inflation is moving in the wrong direction. But before the headlines send anyone into a panic, here’s what’s actually going on, why it matters for the housing market, and what it means if you’re thinking about buying or selling.Inflation Went Up... 06/12/2026

Stop Complaining and Start Using It!Now and then, I hear real estate agents grumble about all the websites that "take our listings!!"  There are so many...Zillow, Realtor, Google, Homes, Redfin, Compass, and the list goes on.I understand the frustration. After all, we do the work. We secure the listing. We take the photos. We manage the floor plans. We write the descriptions. We verify the information. We coordinate the showings. And we upload everything into the MLS and so much more.But this morning, I had a different thought.I entered a new listing last night. About fifteen or twenty minutes after it went live, I Googled the address. I was amazed at how quickly the listing appeared across multiple platforms. By this morning, just a few hours later, the information was everywhere. And ... 06/12/2026

This month's AR Challenge, hosted by Debe Maxwell CRS and Lew Corcoran, asks the question: What can you do to help make Activerain even stronger?I joined the AR community in its early years and was not too active for a long time. As I explored the platform, I discovered the groups feature and eventually found the AR Baseball Junkies. After forming a team, I quickly learned that engagement is the key to making Activerain work. Commenting on posts, answering questions, and building relationships are what transform the site from a blogging platform into a true community.Over the years, I had read about the many Activerain meetups taking place around the country. A couple of years ago, I finally had the opportunity to attend one that Brian England organized in Washington, D.C. It was great ... 06/12/2026

Rising insurance costs are impacting condo affordability and forcing some owners to sell their units. The rising cost of insurance is driving up condo fees, making some properties too expensive for their owners to hold on to them.Rapidly Rising Insurance Costs Pressuring Condo AssociationsRapidly increasing insurance premiums are putting pressure on community associations and their members.  In a 2023 survey of condo associations, 91% said that their insurance premiums increased at the last renewal.  The increase in insurance premiums is a major factor behind rising condo association fees. Condo dues rose 20% between 2022 and 2024, according to an analysis of 1,800 associations in 44 states by real-estate tech company Rexera.The rise in these costs is squeezing homeowners when home-buyi... 06/12/2026

The HissJackson Advantage Team is excited to share another successful closing!167 Ceramic Drive, Columbus, OH 43214 has officially sold for $710,000.Listing Agent: Deb McGuireCongratulations to our sellers on the successful sale of their home. We are grateful for the opportunity to guide them through the process and help them reach their real estate goals.The Columbus market continues to provide opportunities for homeowners who are considering making a move. Whether you're thinking about selling, buying, or simply want to understand your home's current value, having a knowledgeable real estate professional by your side can make all the difference.Congratulations again to everyone involved in this successful transaction! 06/12/2026

Another successful closing for the HissJackson Advantage Team!292-294 Wyandotte Avenue, Columbus, OH 43202 has officially sold for $371,000.Listing Agent: Joe JacksonCongratulations to our sellers on reaching the closing table and moving on to their next adventure. Every transaction comes with its own unique challenges and opportunities, and we're grateful to have helped make this sale a success.The Columbus real estate market continues to offer opportunities for both buyers and sellers. If you're wondering what your home may be worth in today's market or are considering making a move, now is a great time to start the conversation.Thank you to everyone who helped make this transaction possible.Thinking about selling your Columbus home? Contact the HissJackson Advantage Team to discuss y... 06/12/2026

🤖🏦 AI IS CHANGING MORTGAGE LENDING — AND REGULATORS ARE PAYING ATTENTION 🏦🤖Artificial Intelligence is becoming a bigger part of banking, lending, underwriting, compliance, and customer service.And now regulators are taking a closer look.According to reports, both the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) are asking banks detailed questions about how AI is being used in lending decisions, customer screening, and risk management.🔍 WHAT ARE REGULATORS FOCUSED ON?✔️ Data privacy and security✔️ Human oversight of AI decisions✔️ Vendor and third-party risk management✔️ Fair lending compliance✔️ Documentation and audit trails✔️ System controls and "kill switches"⚠️ WHY THIS MATTERSAI can be a powerful tool.But lenders still have to comply with fair lending law... 06/12/2026

Sometimes you deserve a second chance, not because you weren't fabulous the first time, but because the timing and circumstances weren't quite right. You just got overlooked."   -Carol Williams  Second Chance Saturday is all about giving deserving posts more exposure. If you see a deserving post that didn't get Featured, be sure to tag Carol in the comment section of any post and watch for it in the next edition of Second Chance Saturday.  Let's Welcome Our First-Time Bloggers:Note: I don't feature first-time blogs that aren't about real estate or those that appear to be spamming their own blogs. We consider that spamming the site. I also don't feature blogs that don't allow comments.Javeria Khan  Sharon Smith Hammer  Carter David  Carrie Liotta  Erica Wainright  Ryan Jabbour  Gaultier ... 06/13/2026

On June 9, 2026, National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reported that regional existing home sales in the Northeast gained 2.2% to an annual rate 460,000 homes in May of 2026 from of April 2026, but declined 8.0% from May of 2025. The median price in the Northeast was $534,900 in May 2026, higher 6.7% from May of 2025.Home sales in the Midwest jumped 6.4% to an annual rate 1,000,000 homes in May of 2026 from of April 2026, and up 2.0% from May of 2025. The median price in the Midwest was $336,300 in May of 2026, grew 2.8% from May of 2025.Home sales in the South rose 3.2% to an annual rate 1.96 million homes in May of 2026 from April of 2026, and increased 5.9% from May of 2025. The median price in the South was $373,100 in May of 2026, gained 1.1% from May of 2025.Home sales in the We... 06/12/2026

Welcome to Eleven Slade in Pikesville! This rare corner apartment features beautiful wood floors, custom built-ins, and accent moldings. It includes three spacious bedrooms, one of which serves as an open den, perfect for a home office. The generous balcony allows plenty of natural light to flow into the living and dining areas. You will also enjoy the convenience of your own washer and dryer, along with ample pantry storage. The apartment has two bathrooms: the primary bathroom includes a walk-in accessible tub, while the second features a steam shower. The bright eat-in kitchen, equipped with a window above the sink, boasts granite countertops, double ovens, ample cabinet space, and a Sub-Zero refrigerator. Residents can access both the front and back lobbies, with the back lobby feat... 06/11/2026