1.Zillow launches mortgage pre-approval tool
“In light of the market heading into the spring buying season, Seattle-based Zillow (Z) launched its new mortgage pre-approval tool that allows home shoppers to get pre-approved for a mortgage quickly and easily.”
2.U.S. Stocks Gain After Data Offset Rate-Rise Concerns
“U.S. stocks rose after better-than-forecast data on leading indicators and regional manufacturing fueled optimism in the economy, offsetting comments that interest rates may rise in the middle of next year. “
3.Sales of US Existing Homes Slip to 19-Month Low
“Sales of U.S. existing homes slipped in February to their lowest level since July 2012 as severe winter weather, rising prices and a tight supply of homes discouraged buyers.”
4.Fastest, slowest moving housing markets
“As the home buying and selling season kicks off, many people will have an eye on inventory levels — especially in the country’s tightest markets”
5.US home resales drop 0.4% to 19-month low
“U.S. home resales dropped slightly in February to a 19 month-low as cold weather and a shortage of homes for sale continued to sideline potential buyers. A separate survey showed factory activity in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region expanded far more than expected in March. “
6.3 reasons THIS spring could save chilled housing
“The housing recovery has been suffering from a winter cold that’s created a “low inventory problem,” but that could change now that spring has finally arrived, Realogy’s Richard Smith told CNBC on Thursday.”
7.Existing-home sales slowest since July 2012
“WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Hurt by rising mortgage rate and prices, the sales pace of existing homes ticked down last month, hitting the slowest rate since July 2012, according to data released Thursday. “
8.Tom Reddin: Where are mortgage rates headed in 2014?
“Around this time last year, I forecast that mortgage rates would increase in 2013. Back then, rates on a 30-year fixed mortgage were hovering around 3.5 percent. I predicted that we would see a gradual rise in 2013 to 4 percent or so.”
9.Budding Economic Growth Expected in Spring and Summer As Harsh Winter Fades
“WASHINGTON, DC – Despite a deterioration in economic activity at the end of 2013 that has continued through the first quarter of this year, growth is expected to pick up in the second quarter and build throughout the summer, firming to approximately 2.7 percent for all of 2014, according to Fannie Mae’s (FNMA/OTC) Economic & Strategic Research Group. The near-term outlook remains somewhat clouded due in part to an unsustainable build-up in inventory in the second half of last year and as downside effects from the winter have yet to fully materialize. However, the return of weather to seasonal norms should help boost growth in the second quarter, supported by consumer spending, business investment, and housing starts.”
10.Get your Zillow profile and listings firing on all cylinders and leads flowing directly into your CRM
“Get your Zillow profile and listings firing on all cylinders and leads flowing directly into your CRM Insights from Zillow’s Greg Schwartz”
11.Treat everyone like they’re your only real estate client, not ‘leads’
“Being a real estate agent doesn’t have to be about capturing thousands of leads on the Internet so that we can convert a small percentage of them into customers.”
12.Real Estate Marketing Strategies: 3 Essential Steps to Working Smarter, Not Harder
“Can you understand now why you might sabotage your success? Why would anyone every want to suffer like that?”
13.Existing Home Sales Lowest Since July 2012
“Existing Home Sales, which are completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, continued trending lower in February, falling to their lowest level since July 2012 according the the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Compared to last month’s reading of a 4.62 mln annual pace in January, today’s 4.60 mln is essentially unchanged. “