1.Manufacturing Picks Up as U.S. Consumers Open Wallets: Economy
“Manufacturing picked up in April after consumer spending surged the prior month, showing the U.S. economy is poised to lift off in the second quarter. “
2.Appraisal Value And Market Value Are NOT Always The Same Thing
“As we’ve seen values soften over the last 6 months with slightly higher interest rates, I’ve had multiple conversations with sellers fixated on a price for their home based on an appraisal they had a few months ago.”
3.Do foreclosures and short sales still exist?
“Unfortunately short sales and foreclosures are still taking place. Yes the real estate market is getting better but there are still homeowners losing their homes. “
4.Average US 30-Year Mortgage Rate Eases to 4.29 Pct
“Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages declined slightly this week as the spring home-buying season has gotten off to a slow start.”
5.House flipping becomes more profitable
“In the first three months of this year, home flippers raked in a 30% gross return on their investment — one of the highest levels in years, according to data released Thursday by RealtyTrac ; that’s compared to just 4% in the last quarter of last year. Flippers bought the homes for an average of $183,276 and sold them for $238,850, the data showed.”
6.Fewer homes ‘flipped’ in first quarter, says RealtyTrac
“In a sign that real-estate markets may be returning to a more rational level of appreciation and value, house-flipping, namely purchases and resales of the same home within six months, fell in the first quarter of 2014 to a rate of just 3.7% of all single-family homes sold in the U.S., RealtyTrac reported. “
7.Home flipping slips as price gains slow
“The housing recovery is turning out to be especially profitable for home flippers—who are pocketing returns as high as 80 percent in some markets. “
8.What’s wrong with housing?
“The weather is warming up, home prices are still strong, and more listings are coming onto the market.”
9.5 trends heating up REITs as other stocks stall
“So far this year, real estate investment trust (REIT) stocks have bucked the trend in the equity markets stall out. The MSCI US REIT Index has returned 12.18 percent, while the S&P 500 has sputtered to a 2 percent gain. “
10.Real estate agents are outsmarting the listing portals’ ‘three-headed monster’: what to do immediately after signing a new listing
“Are you tired of having three other agents’ pictures displayed prominently next to your listing on another brokerage or listing portal, especially when your contact information is buried where almost no one can find it? While it’s difficult to slay the “three-headed monster,” there are steps you can take to limit its destructiveness to your business.”
11.Pooled MLS listings create new market opportunity for Realtors
“More than 88,000 agents and brokers belonging to two of California’s biggest multiple listing services will soon be able to seamlessly access each other’s listing information and offer buyers and sellers listings from across the state on their public websites.”
12.A Kitchen Clean Up Pays When Selling Your Home
“When it comes to selling a home, a kitchen clean up pays. You don’t have to do an expensive remodel to make your kitchen appealing to buyers. If you’re starting with a good kitchen space, then making a few inexpensive modifications can help you get your home noticed and sell for more money. “
13.As prices rise, housing recovery wobbles
“A housing recovery that was expected to accelerate this year is instead sputtering. And no, you can’t just blame the weather.”