Real Estate Industry

“All the news that's fit to print,” or to click, as the case may be, can be found right here at your favorite real estate social networking site, ActiveRain. And here you thought it was merely a great place to chat with colleagues and slap up a blog post or two.


We know you're busy – whether it's trying to fill your pipeline or following up on what's already popped out of the bottom of it. Who has time to read? And, while real estate market news geared toward consumers is easy to round up on the Internet, news for brokers and Realtors is a bit harder to come by.


Your friends at ActiveRain understand how important each of those 168 hours in every week is so we've made it easy for you by consolidating everything you need to know to keep up-to-date with the real estate industry right here, in one place.


How are housing starts looking? Has the FHFA launched any new efforts? How's that Fannie and Freddie loan limit rollercoaster doing?


You've got the questions and your colleagues here at AR have the answers. It's at your fingertips – finally.

Recent blogs on Real Estate Industry
By Ron Cedillo, Helping People and Enjoying Life
(Home Buyers Realty)
Countless people have set out on the exciting journey of homeownership. Ask around and you’ll find the vast majority are thankful they took the leap and bought a home. But why? It’s because of the many emotional and lifestyle benefits that come with being a homeowner.So, if you’re trying to decide if you want to rent or buy a home, here are just a few of the many benefits you could look forward to if you buy.It’s a Safe HavenOwning a home goes beyond just having a roof over your head. It provides a sense of security and safety. In fact, in a survey from Fannie Mae, respondents say “having a sense of privacy and security” is one of the top reasons homeownership is preferred to renting. And in a different Fannie Mae survey, “living in a place where you and your family feels safe” is anoth...
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By Ron Cedillo, Helping People and Enjoying Life
(Home Buyers Realty)
If you’re feeling a bit muddy on what’s happening with home prices, that’s no surprise. Some people are still saying prices are falling, even though data proves otherwise. Part of that misconception is because people are getting their information from unreliable sources. But it’s also coming from some media coverage misrepresenting what the data really shows.So, to keep things simple, here’s what you really need to know using real data you can trust.Normal Home Price Seasonality ExplainedIn the housing market, there are predictable ebbs and flows that happen each year. It’s called seasonality. Spring is the peak homebuying season when the market is most active. That activity is typically still strong in the summer but begins to wane as the cooler months approach.Home prices follow along...
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By Alan May, A moving experience!
(Jameson Sotheby's International Realty)
This is the time of year we find ourselves thinking about our reasons for being thankful.  This year, in particular, I find myself particularly thankful, in view of all that is going on in this strange world of ours.Once again, the world has changed, and evil has ratcheted up a full notch and half.  Hundreds of women and children half a world a way are being held hostage and yet, due to modern technology it feels as though it's taking place in my living room 24/7.  The evil that led to the hostage-taking is too horrible to discuss.After six months of war in Sudan there are once again warlords battling it out and thousands of corpses line the streets in Khartoum, and the world doesn't seem to care.  Ukraine has fallen from a boil to a simmer, but a very dangerous simmer, that threatens t...
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By Millie Gil, Florida Broker Owner, Port St Lucie Florida
(Bold Real Estate Group, Inc.)
From our home to yours.
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By John Pusa, Your All Time Realtor With Exceptional Service
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Crest)
On November 21, 2023, National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reported that nationwide existing home sales dropped 4.1% to annual rate of 3.79 million homes in October of 2023 from 6.29 homes in September of 2023, and fell 14.6% from 4.44 million homes from October of 2022.There were approximately 1.15 million homes supplies of available inventory in October of 2023, higher 1.8% from September of 2023, but lower 5.7% from 1.22 million homes in October of 2022.There were 3.4 months available inventory in October of 2023 rose from 3.4 months in September of 2023, and up from 3.3 months from October of 2022.On average it took 23 days to sell a home in October of 2023, increased from 21 days in September of 2023, and grew from 21 days in October 2022.First time buyers acquired 28.0% of home...
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By Hugh Grant, I help investors and consumers with real estate
(RealMax Realty)
In the ever-evolving world of interior design and home decor, the use of a room planner has become increasingly popular. This tool, a fusion of technology and creativity, offers an innovative way to reimagine spaces efficiently and effectively. Whether you're a professional interior designer, a homeowner looking to refurbish your space, or someone who loves experimenting with home decor, a room planner is an invaluable asset.The Rise of Digital Interior DesignThe digital transformation has significantly impacted various industries, and interior design is no exception. The introduction of digital tools like room planners has revolutionized the way people conceptualize and visualize their living spaces. These tools provide a platform for users to experiment with different layouts, designs...
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By Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert, Call me at 850-517-7098
(PMI. Destin)
Ready to embark on your dream home journey?  I don't really care if you are a first time home buyer or if you have multiple sales under your belt.  It is a different skill set required to accomplish both. Experience does matter.  Let's make the process as easy as pie! From finding the perfect slice of real estate to sealing the deal, I've got the recipe for a stress-free experience.#thehelpfulagent #home #houseexpert #house #listreports #homeowner #househunting #easyaspie #realestate #realtor #realestateagent #thanksgivng
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By Greg Harrelson, Myrtle Beach Real Estate
(Century 21 The Harrelson Group Firm | 7 Offices)
What Is a Mortgage?A mortgage is a loan specifically designed for buying real estate property. The borrower (homebuyer) receives funds from the lender (usually a bank or financial institution) to purchase a home, with the agreement that it will be paid back over time with interest. This means that while you are paying off your mortgage, you do not fully own your home – it serves as collateral for the loan.How Do Mortgages Work?When applying for a mortgage, your lender will consider various factors such as your credit score, income, assets, and debt-to-income ratio to determine if you qualify for a loan and how much you can borrow. The property itself usually serves as collateral for the mortgage - meaning if you fail to make payments on time, the lender has the right to take possession ...
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By Hugh Grant, I help investors and consumers with real estate
(RealMax Realty)
Florida is now the second-hottest housing market in the U.S., and for good reason. The population growth in Florida between 2012 and 2022 was more than the population of 17 states in the U.S., including Arkansas, New Mexico, and Idaho. This has led to many metros increasing in value, especially since the COVID pandemic. For example, Tampa has risen almost 89% in value and Orlando has risen by more than 72%. Florida’s smaller cities have also grown significantly. Palm Springs gained more than 7,000 new residents since 2012 while Wildwood gained more than 17,000 new residents since 2012. With the residential housing market now at 3.81 billion, many new homeowners are flocking to the Sunshine State for a variety of reasons. People are moving to Florida due to change, like with work. At lea...
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By Ron Cedillo, Helping People and Enjoying Life
(Home Buyers Realty)
If you’re looking to make a move, you want to be sure you have the latest information on the housing market. To help make that possible, here’s an update on the supply of homes for sale today. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the number of homes available in your local market matters to you. Take a look below.  What’s the Truth About Today’s Housing Inventory?While the story for the past few years has been how few homes are on the market, recent national data may leave you feeling a bit confused. That’s because Realtor.com shows inventory is actually growing a bit month-over-month in many parts of the country (see the blue states in the map below): As the map shows, nationally, housing supply increased just over 5% last month.Does That Mean the Days of Limited Inventory Are Over?T...
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By Ron Cedillo, Helping People and Enjoying Life
(Home Buyers Realty)
This time every year, homeowners who are planning to move have a decision to make: sell now or wait until after the holidays? Some sellers with homes already on the market may even remove their listing until the new year.But the truth is, many buyers want to purchase a home for the holidays, and your house might be just what they’re looking for. As an article from Fortune Builders explains: “ . . . while a majority of people take a step back from the real estate market during the holiday months, you may find when the temperature drops, your potential for a great real estate deal starts to rise.” To help prove that point, here are four reasons you shouldn’t wait to sell your house.1. The desire to own a home doesn’t stop during the holidays. While a few buyers might opt to delay their mo...
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By Ron Cedillo, Helping People and Enjoying Life
(Home Buyers Realty)
Some Highlights Thinking of buying or selling a house and wondering what the new year holds for the housing market? Experts forecast home prices to end this year up 2.8% and to rise another 1.5% in 2024. And climbing prices help make homeownership a good investment. Plus, home sales are projected to increase in 2024. That’s good news because it means experts are forecasting more activity as people continue to move. If you're planning to buy or sell, it’s helpful to know what experts project for the housing market. Let’s connect to talk about the latest forecasts and craft a plan together. 
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By Ron Cedillo, Helping People and Enjoying Life
(Home Buyers Realty)
If you're thinking about buying or selling a home, you might have heard that it’s tough right now because mortgage rates are higher than they’ve been over the past few years, and home prices are rising. That much is true. Take a look at the graph below. It breaks down how the current affordability situation stacks up to recent years.  The National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains how to read the values on the graph:“To interpret the indices, a value of 100 means that a family with the median income has exactly enough income to qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home.”The black dotted line represents that 100 value on the index. Essentially, the higher the bar, the more affordable homes are. As you can see, the orange bar for today shows higher mortgage rates and home prices...
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By Hugh Grant, I help investors and consumers with real estate
(RealMax Realty)
With the rising mortgage rates, identifying the best financing options for your real estate project is essential for success. Your financing strategy is crucial since it impacts the size of your project and potential returns on your investment. However, finding favorable financing options has become more important as harsh economic times make financing more expensive.Most new real estate investors consider traditional mortgages the predominant option. In contrast, you can get other credit options that allow you to acquire lucrative real estate properties. Here are a few financing options for your real estate project.1. Hard Money LoansHard money loans are a credit financing option open for real estate investors, but ordinary homeowners don't qualify. Typically, this is a non-conforming ...
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By Linda Santos, Realtor - Ithaca Fingerlakes NY Real Estate
(Warren Real Estate)
We hear this term often enough, but what does it really means?What is a so called "Market Leader"?  At Warren Real Estate, we are fortunate to have earned this designation for decades running now.  If a company is consistently placing at the top of the rankings, it is usually not by accident.Warren as a company has the statistics to show their track record as leader of the pack in regional real estate sales.  But the numbers are just one part of the story.  I think there is more to it.When I joined this company myself in 2010, I was looking for something in the leadership team.  I might not have known exactly what that was, but I recognized it when I saw it early on, and it is what has kept me happy here for 13 years.  The elusive quality that I really go for in a work environment, is c...
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By John Pusa, Your All Time Realtor With Exceptional Service
(Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Crest)
On November 17, 2023, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau reported nationwide housing building permits gained 1.1% to 1,487,000 units in October of 2023 from 1,471,000 units in September of 2023, but decreased 4.4% from 1,555,000 in October of 2022. Single family building permits grew 0.5% to a rate of 968,000 units in October of 2023, from 963,000 units in September of 2023, and there were 569,000 multifamily building permits issued in October of 2023.Nationwide housing starts up 1.9% to 1,372,000 units in October of 2023, from 1,346,000 units in September of 2023, and down 4.2% from 1,432,000 units in October of 2022. Single family starts higher 0.2% to a rate of 970,000 units in October of 2023, from 968,000 in September of 2023, and there ...
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By Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA, Founder and CEO of The Power Is Now Media, Inc.
(The Power Is Now Media, Inc. )
 🌟 Immerse yourself in a journey through the ever-evolving real estate landscape in part 2 of a captivating Roundtable with Eric L. Frazier and CRMLS CEO, Art Carter! This exclusive dialogue awaits you on The Power Is Now TV app, Apple TV, Roku, and more.🏡 Join the insightful conversation as Eric L. Frazier and Art Carter dive into the dynamic intricacies of the real estate industry. Gain key insights into CRMLS's crucial role, in shaping industry standards, and navigating the complex world of business. Discover the secrets to innovation and adaptation within the real estate sphere.👉 Elevate your real estate knowledge! Leave your thoughts in the comments, share this video with your network, and subscribe for a continuous stream of industry sagacity. Your engagement fuels our journey to ...
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By Charles Ross - eXp Realty LLC, Love To Help People
(eXp Realty LLC Salina Group)
Commercial real estate (CRE) is a cornerstone of the global economy, serving as a barometer for economic health and a catalyst for urban development. This sector, encompassing everything from office spaces to retail complexes, offers unique opportunities and challenges for investors, developers, and business owners. In this blog post, we will explore the intricacies of commercial real estate and how to navigate this lucrative yet complex market successfully.Understanding Commercial Real EstateDefining CRE: Commercial real estate includes properties used for business purposes, such as office buildings, retail spaces, warehouses, and industrial facilities. Unlike residential real estate, CRE investments are often characterized by more extended lease contracts and higher initial investment...
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By Dean Cacioppo, Real Estate Marketing Guru
(One Click SEO)
The real estate market is known for its cyclic nature, with periods of robust activity followed by slowdowns. When home sales slow down, it can be a challenging time for many realtors, especially agents who have not yet experienced a challenging market.However, instead of becoming discouraged, real estate professionals can take proactive steps to navigate these downturns and position themselves for success when the market rebounds. In this article, we will explore strategies that realtors can employ when faced with a sluggish housing market.Diversify Your OfferingsDuring a slow housing market, it's essential for realtors to diversify their service offerings. Consider expanding into other aspects of real estate, such as property management, real estate consulting, or rental properties. O...
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By Hugh Grant, I help investors and consumers with real estate
(RealMax Realty)
The intersection of self storage and real estate property values presents a fascinating aspect of the housing market. While often overlooked, the availability and quality of self storage solutions can significantly influence property valuation. This connection stems from the growing need for space in residential areas, where homes may not always suffice for all storage needs. The presence of nearby, accessible self storage options adds a layer of convenience and functionality to properties, making them more attractive to potential buyers and renters. This introduction explores how self storage facilities impact the real estate market, from offering additional space solutions to affecting the perception and desirability of a neighborhood. Understanding this relationship is crucial for ho...
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