Category: Around the Web

1.U.S. Stocks Drop Amid Earnings as Kerry Warns Russia
“U.S. stocks declined, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index erasing a weekly gain, as results from Amazon.com Inc. to Visa Inc. disappointed and tension escalated over Ukraine. “

2.Denver real estate market favors sellers, homes move in record time
“Homes in the Denver metro area are among the fastest selling in the nation, ranking fourth in pace of sales out of 100 metro markets, according to a report released Thursday by Trulia.”

3.Carefully weigh real-estate investments
“Most people can succeed investing in real estate if they’re willing to do their homework, which includes selecting top real-estate professionals”

4.Why I still like real estate
“I have said this many times. You will not get rich in the stock market, you will get reasonable rates of return over time but people who are wealth generally do not do it that way. Wealthy people are wealth because of 1 of 4 things. “

5.Why the housing market is still stalling the economy
“If the economy still feels stuck, blame the housing market.”

6.Housing goes from hopeful to underwhelming as 2014 moves along
“WASHINGTON — A spate of new economic reports shows that a speedier recovery of the housing market does not appear in the cards this year.”

7.A fading middle-class perk: lower mortgage rates
“WASHINGTON — For three decades, the U.S. middle class enjoyed a rare financial advantage over the wealthy: lower mortgage rates.”

8.Pending homes sales jump in March, short sales decline
“Pending home sales in California rose to their highest level in eight months in March and the percentage of short sales plummeted to levels not seen since 2008, the California Association of Realtors reported Wednesday.”

TonyAlvarez.com

1.A new housing bubble?
“Even though the recent financial crisis is barely in the rearview mirror, risk is starting to build once again in both the U.S. mortgage and housing markets.”

2.March new home sales plunge 14.5%
“Sales of new single-family homes dropped sharply last month as severe winter weather and higher mortgage rates continued to slow the housing recovery”

3.U.S. stocks rebound; Nasdaq leads gains
“NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — The U.S. stock market staged a late-morning rebound and moved higher, shaking off worries about Russia’s military drills on the border with Ukraine. “

4.UPDATE 2-D.R. Horton, PulteGroup raise prices in tight U.S. home market
“D.R. Horton Inc and PulteGroup Inc, the two biggest U.S. homebuilders, said a tight supply of homes is helping them to raise prices, suggesting that the market is regaining strength ahead of the crucial spring selling season.”

5.Survey: Most small business owners optimistic about the economy
“For the first time in five years, a majority of small business owners are optimistic about the economy, and business owners in regions of the country that last year were most concerned about the economy are now looking up, according to results of a new survey paid for by U.S. Bank.”

6.Sales of new U.S. homes plunge 14.5 percent in March
“WASHINGTON — The number of Americans buying new homes plummeted in March to the slowest pace in eight months, a sign that real estate’s spring buying season is off to a weak start. “

7.Home Staging on a Budget: 10 Simple Steps That Sell
“You’ve decided to sell your home, and you want to get top dollar for it. And you’ve seen TV shows where homeowners spend thousands of dollars staging their homes for sale, but there’s an important detail to consider: You don’t have thousands and thousands to spend.”

8.Compensation model crucial when creating real estate team
“You’re working 14 hours a day, you haven’t had a day off in months, and you’re losing market share to competitors because you can’t keep up with all the incoming business. Is the time right to start a team? “

9.Sell Your Home With Words
“What is written about a home that’s for sale may have a positive impact on its sale price. I’ve written many times about how professional videos and photos can help sell your home faster and possibly for more money but we can’t forget the power of the written word. “

TonyAlvarez.com

1.March new home sales
“Trulia chief economist Jed Kolko on the drop in new home sales in March.”

2.Where Homes Are Going Fastest This Spring
“For-sale homes are disappearing from the market fastest in the San Francisco Bay Area, Denver, Seattle, and southern California. The 2014 spring market is moving slightly faster than 2013, led by the lowest price tier of homes.”

3.Cities where home prices are hitting new highs
“Big Oil, and the big money it has brought with it, has kept Dallas’ economy running on all cylinders. “

4.New-home sales tumble in March; prices rise
“New-home sales tumble in March; prices rise”

5.Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
“WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 23, 2014) — Mortgage applications decreased 3.3 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April 18, 2014.  “

6.Rising Home Prices Crack Foundation of U.S. Real-Estate Recovery
“A crack is starting to form in the foundation of the U.S. housing-market recovery that extends beyond bad winter weather. “

7.Housing rebound in U.S. loses steam as prices rise
“The housing recovery in the U.S. is running out of steam as buyers balk at record prices and higher mortgage rates that are making properties less affordable.”

8.Foreclosures in Sacramento fall far below historic norms
“Sacramento-area foreclosures fell far below long-term averages in the first few months of this year, continuing to decrease as the housing and job markets recovered, DataQuick reported Tuesday.”

9.The façade of a recovering housing market: New home sales collapse and supply of inventory finally reaches six months.
“New home sales had a horrible reading in the latest set of data. Hard to blame the polar vortex on this one since the only area in the country that saw a jump in sales was in the frigid Northeast but what of the other areas?”

10.Realtors: California pending home sales jump in March
“California pending home sales increased more than usual in March and rose to the highest level in eight months, according to figures compiled by the California Association of Realtors.”

11.San Fernando Valley housing inventory jumps 50 percent
“The number of homes for sale soared 50 percent in the San Fernando Valley during March, but sales remained soft as prices crested the half-million-dollar mark, a trade association said Monday.”

12.10 Reasons Why Homeowners Have an Edge on Renters
“Homebuying has earned a bad rap in recent years: The subprime mortgage crisis and ensuing economic meltdown left many homeowners underwater, unable to pay their mortgage and even facing foreclosure.”

13.47 Least Affordable U.S. Housing Markets
“RealtyTrac recently analyzed the affordability of renting and buying in 1,586 U.S. counties and found a surprising number of Americans living in markets that are unaffordable by traditional standards.”

14.California Foreclosure Starts Hover Near 8-Year Low
“La Jolla, CA.–For the third consecutive quarter California foreclosure starts remained little changed at a level last seen in early 2006, the result of steady economic growth and higher home values. Foreclosure processors are still mostly plowing through a pool of toxic subprime mortgages originated back in mid-to-late 2006, a real estate information service reported. “

TonyAlvarez.com

1.Home sales slip in March across U.S.; price growth slows
“Home sales slipped across the U.S. in March as would-be buyers continue to grapple with tough credit standards and too few houses on the market.”

2.Sales of US Existing Homes Slip to a 20-Month Low
“Sales of existing U.S. homes slipped in March to their lowest level since July 2012 as rising prices and a tight supply of available homes discouraged many would-be buyers.”

3.UPDATE 2-U.S. home resales hit 1-1/2 year low, but may be stabilizing
“WASHINGTON, April 22 (Reuters) – U.S. home resales fell to their lowest level in more than 1-1/2 years in March, but there were signs a recent downward trend that has plagued the housing market may be drawing to an end”

4.Foreclosure rates edge downward in Central Valley
“The pace of homes falling into the foreclosure process declined in February across much of the Central Valley, once the epicenter of the nation’s mortgage meltdown, according to a report Tuesday from financial information company CoreLogic Inc. (NYSE: CLGX) of Irvine.”

5.Thawing out: Warmer temperatures lift U.S. economy
“A recent batch of government and business reports show a U.S. economy emerging from winter’s deep freeze. “

6.Real Estate Q&A: Money-Saving Home Improvements, Who To Call If There’s A Fire In Your Home
“I just bought a house that was built in the late 1950s and has no insulation in the walls, attic or crawl space. It also has older single-pane windows that I’m considering replacing. For my limited budget, which project is the most financially advantageous, if any?”

7.San Fernando Valley housing inventory jumps 50 percent
“The number of homes for sale soared 50 percent in the San Fernando Valley during March, but sales remained soft as prices crested the half-million-dollar mark, a trade association said Monday.”

8.Alternatives to Putting 20 Percent Down on a Home
“It’s a mantra often repeated in the real estate industry: If you want to buy a house, you need a 20 percent down payment. But with the average house in the U.S. costing $311,400 as of December 2013, according to the Census Bureau, all one has to do is the math to get a coronary. Raising a 20 percent down payment isn’t an easy thing to do.”

9.What we are lacking right now is not intelligence, but wisdom
“When you look around the world right now, you see an amazing number of leaders, with very high IQs, making terrible decisions,” says Huffington Post Media Group Chairwoman, President and Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington. “The problem is not that they are not smart. The problem is they are not wise. What we are lacking right now is not intelligence, but wisdom.”

10.Best Renovation To Add Value? Income Suites
“What’s the best renovation project if you want to add resale value to your home? Most of us would say improving the kitchen or bathroom, but the correct answer is adding an income suite, says Scott McGillivray, a real estate investor, contractor and the host of Income Property on HGTV Canada.”

11.Rich Dad Poor Dad: How to Buy Your FIRST Real Estate Investment Available for FREE Download
“The Rich Dad Company makes How to Buy Your FIRST Real Estate Investment workbook available for free eBook download beginning today. “

TonyAlvarez.com

1.Listing in winter may yield higher home price
“WASHINGTON — It’s common knowledge verging on holy writ in real estate: Spring is the absolute best time of the year to sell a house.”

2.Property-Tax Collections Rising at Fastest Pace Since U.S. Crash
“Property-tax collections are rising at the fastest pace since the U.S. housing market crash sent government revenue plunging, helping end an era of local budget cuts. “

3.Gauge of US Economy up for 3rd Straight Month
“A measure of the U.S. economy’s health rose in March for the third consecutive month, a sign of stronger growth after harsh winter weather caused the economy’s pace to slow.”

4.Rent or buy a home? This map has the answer
“To help make the decision simpler, RealtyTrac crunched the numbers and created an interactive map of the rent/buy fault lines across America”

5.Home sales getting crimped by more than the weather
“Officials will release monthly sales data this week for new and existing homes, and economists polled by MarketWatch expect to hear that both series remained at lackluster rates in March. “

6.A mortuary of 7,000,000 foreclosures and counting: Nation still faces 9.1 million properties that are seriously underwater.
“If a foreclosure happens in the wilderness, does it make a sound? It seems like people have conveniently forgotten that since the housing crisis hit we have witnessed more than 7,000,000+ foreclosures.”

7.Economy Stuck in Lower Gear But Expected to Accelerate in Q2 2014
“WASHINGTON, DC – A slow growth pattern dominated the first quarter of the year, but the economy is expected to gain momentum in the second quarter amid an increase in government spending and diminishing drag from a slowdown in inventory stockpiling, according to Fannie Mae’s (FNMA/OTC) Economic & Strategic Research Group.”

8.Is starting a team the right solution for your real estate business?
“At Real Estate Connect, Ben Kinney, who runs one of the most successful real estate teams in the country, claimed, “Real estate teams are the future of real estate.” Whether you agree or disagree, before you go down the path of starting a team make sure you are prepared for what is required.”

TonyAlvarez.com

1.Buying a House? Why Putting 20 Percent Down Is the Smartest Decision
“There are many challenges that come into play when you’re in the market to buy a home. According to Trulia’s American Dream survey, consumers said the number one obstacle to homeownership was saving enough for a downpayment. “

2.Americans have fallen in love with real estate once again
“FORTUNE — As the real estate market recovers, so does America’s faith in housing as an investment.”

3.Rent or buy a home? This map has the answer
“To help make the decision simpler, RealtyTrac crunched the numbers and created an interactive map of the rent/buy fault lines across America”

4.The Incredible Comeback Of The American Love Affair With Real Estate
“This recent Gallup survey on expected future returns of asset prices is pretty interesting.  It shows that most Americans still think that owning a home is the best way to generate a high return in the future”

5.Even after the crash, Americans still love real estate best
“Five years after a real estate bubble popped in epic fashion, it seems Americans are looking to get back in the trade”

6.Secrets to Getting Multiple Offers on a Home
“Homeowners hear that the real estate market has finally turned a corner and assume that means multiple offers and bidding wars are back.”

TonyAlvarez.com

1.The real economy is finally doing better than the money economy
“FORTUNE — Here’s a switch: The bankers are all of a sudden doing worse than the butchers, the bakers, and the candlestick makers.”

2.Treasuries Decline With Dollar as U.S. Stocks Fluctuate
“Treasuries fell with the dollar and oil climbed as U.S. jobless claims hovered near the lowest level in almost seven years. “

3.O.C. median home price hits $580,000
“Sales of new and luxury homes in March helped boost the Orange County median home price to $580,000, the highest point in seven years, according to DataQuick Information Systems.”

4.HOME SALES: Spring sales hit a 6-year-low
“Home sales across Southern California fell to a six-year low as median prices rose to its highest point since 2008, a new report from the real estate aggregator DataQuick said.”

5.Average US 30-Year Mortgage Rate Falls to 4.27 Pct
“Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages fell this week for the second straight week as the spring home-buying season begins.”

6.Sellers’ market has few homes
“Home sales in the Sacramento region were stuck in an odd rut in March, traditionally the start of the spring homebuying season.”

7.Orange County and Los Angeles County. Southland homes sales reach 6 year low while median price hits 6 year high.
“I always found it fascinating that one of the most toxic mortgage products ever created, the option ARM was pushed heavily by California banking institutions.  Places like WaMu, Countrywide Financial, First Fed, and other bygone institutions were heavily into this crack for housing mortgage.”

8.Americans still think real estate is best long-term investment
“Americans today are more likely to think real estate is the best option for long-term investments than in the past, ranking it ahead of gold and stocks, according to Gallup Inc.”

9.How to sail through a home appraisal
“Real estate appraiser Matt Cook just finished working his way through a house to gauge its value when the homeowner reached out to shake his hand.”

10.Should Fannie and Freddie Bankroll ‘Affordable Housing’
“On Jan. 24, 33 Democratic senators sent a letter to Federal Housing Finance Agency director Mel Watt, requesting funding for two initiatives that have been suspended since their inception in 2008 — the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) and the Capital Magnet Fund (CMF). The NHTF, created by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, was intended to send money to  states which would end up benefiting low-income renters as well as first-time homebuyers. “

TonyAlvarez.com

1.Want to make money as a landlord? Try Detroit
“Want to make money as a landlord? Consider Detroit… seriously.”

2.Stocks: Off to a good start
“Earnings, economic data, and China seemed to be the special sauce for a good market start on Wednesday.”

3.Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
“WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 16, 2014) — Mortgage applications increased 4.3 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April 11, 2014. “

4.Should American Dream still be owning a home?
“There are plenty of buyers in the market now and there’s not much holding them back,” says Kershisnik, 34, who works out of Germantown, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. “

5.Real estate market has buyers, but needs more homes
“Good home sale numbers for the first quarter are certainly a welcome jolt for the spring real estate season, but Realtors report that inventory is low and new listings are sorely needed.”

6.HUD AND CENSUS BUREAU ANNOUNCE NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IN MARCH
“WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau today announced the following new residential construction statistics for March 2014”

7.Detroit’s $1,000 houses may be a lousy deal
“For Sale: A spacious 1,600-square-foot, three-bedroom Tudor-style home built in 1929, with one-and-a-half baths, glass block windows, hardwood floors, crown molding and custom fireplaces. Within walking distance of restaurants, playgrounds and public schools. “

8.Southern California housing market shows two sides in March
“Southern California’s tepid housing market took on a split personality in March, with sales stuck near a six-year low and prices at a six-year high, a market tracker said Tuesday.”

9.U.S. Industry Shows Some Vigor, But Housing Still Soft
“WASHINGTON — – U.S. industrial production rose at a faster-than-expected clip in March, the latest sign the economy was gaining momentum.”

10.The Five Biggest Mortgage Mistakes You Can Make
“For most buyers, the mortgage is the largest monthly expense they will have. Yet most borrowers will do little to no preparation, negotiation, or shopping to get the best deal. And they end up paying much more for their loans than they need to. You? You’re smarter than that, or you wouldn’t be reading this article. Here are five of the biggest mistakes that can cost you real money.”

11.Make These Upgrades to Save Energy & Boost Your Home’s Resale Value
“Most homeowners would benefit from a home energy audit, especially those with older homes. An audit will uncover where your home is wasting energy and how to best remedy the situation. Remodeling your kitchen, bathroom or living room may add to your home’s resale value, but the following energy-efficient upgrades add value and save you money on your monthly utility bills – and you’ll help the environment, too.”

12.Southland Home Sales Stuck at 6-year Low; Median Price Rises to 6-Year High
“La Jolla, CA—Southern California home sales quickened last month compared with February, as they normally do, but remained far below average and at the lowest level for a March in six years. The median sale price rose to a more-than-six-year high, driven up by demand that continues to exceed supply in many areas, as well as a shift toward a greater share of sales in middle and high-end markets, a real estate information service reported. “

TonyAlvarez.com

1.Applications for New Home Purchases Increased in March 2014
“WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 15, 2014) — The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for March 2014 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases increased by 15 percent relative to the previous month.  This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns. By product type, conventional loans composed 68.3 percent of loan applications, FHA loans composed 17.2 percent, RHS/USDA loans composed 1.6 percent and VA loans composed 12.9 percent.  The average loan size of new homes increased from $295,008 in February to $296,428 in March. “

2.Why buyers do not make offers on over-priced listings
“Sellers often wonder why they have not received an offer on their home. After all, their home is so nice, upgraded, and they have put so much money into the home. The answer is the price is probably too high. But, “buyers can always make an offer, right?” Of course they can, but serious buyers usually don’t make an offer on a home that’s priced too high.”

3.Return of the ‘Ownership Society’?
“There are plenty of buyers in the market now and there’s not much holding them back,” says Kershisnik, 34, who works out of Germantown, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. “

4.Qualified mortgages could make it harder to get a loan
“Just about everyone in banking, finance and real estate has heard about the new lending laws from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that took effect in January. A result of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, these new rules are designed to protect lenders and borrowers, and ultimately the national economy, from another economic crisis like the one we experienced in 2010.”

5.Pittsburgh among world’s best long-term real estate investments

“Pittsburgh’s propensity for comebacks makes for good long-term real estate investment, according to a report by an international property development company.”

6.Scarce land could blunt recovery for U.S. homebuilders
“April 15 (Reuters) – A resurgent U.S. housing market has created an unforeseen land shortage that could take the shine off an otherwise promising year for homebuilders.”

7.US stocks drift lower at midday; Homebuilders sink
“NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are moving lower in midday trading, giving up an early gain.Beazer Homes, Ryland Group and other homebuilder stocks fell after a survey showed that the industry’s confidence in the housing market remains low.”

8.Americans’ economic confidence holds steady – for now
“Steady as she goes seems to be the operative phrase for Americans about the economy, at least recently, according to a new survey by Gallup Inc.”

9.10 hidden costs of commercial real estate — part 3
“In my first article, I highlight three of the lesser known costs of commercial real estate we sometimes forget about: city business license fee, sewer fees and environmental cleanup fees. The second article discussed other costs: capital expenditures, commissions and readying the space, vacancies, prepayment penalties and building code upgrades. In my third article of the series we will talk about two tax related costs: special assessment districts and income tax misconceptions.”

10.Southern California housing market shows two sides in March
“Southern California’s housing market took on a split personality in March with sales stuck near a six-year low while prices hit a six-year high, a market tracker said Tuesday.”

11.Why 2014 Will Be a Downer for Mortgage Lenders
“There’s little doubt that 2014 is going to be a tough year for mortgage lenders, something which has been apparent for some time.”

12.Can you run a successful business without Zillow, Trulia or realtor.com?
“The guest opinions presented below are responses to Inman News’ first ‘Real Debate’ question: “Can you run a successful real estate company without Zillow, Trulia or realtor.com?” We invite you to share your own thoughts on the matter in the comments section of this article.”

13.What Happens When Your Loan is Sold?
“Question: We refinanced our home loan in March with an on-line mortgage lender. Within a couple of weeks, we received a letter from another mortgage company advising us that our May payment was to be made to them. A May payment invoice was included. I contacted the original lender, and was told that the loan was not sold.”

14.Why Do Some Real Estate Agents Do Well in Today’s Economy?
“Is that a question you’ve ever asked yourself? Have you ever wondered why some real estate agents do well in today’s economy while others fail? There is a huge discrepancy right now between people who are failing and people who are succeeding.”

15.Homeowners: Are You Really Insured?
“Homeowners insurance, also known as hazard insurance, provides you protection from the damage or loss of your property as well as liability coverage for anyone who has an accident on your property.”

16.Southland Home Sales Stuck at 6-year Low; Median Price Rises to 6-Year High
“La Jolla, CA—Southern California home sales quickened last month compared with February, as they normally do, but remained far below average and at the lowest level for a March in six years. The median sale price rose to a more-than-six-year high, driven up by demand that continues to exceed supply in many areas, as well as a shift toward a greater share of sales in middle and high-end markets, a real estate information service reported. “

TonyAlvarez.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.Bullish March retail sales brighten growth outlook
“U.S. retail sales recorded their largest gain in 1-1/2 years in March, in the latest sign the economy was emerging from its weather-induced slumber and on track to accelerate in the second quarter.”

2.Evictions from rent-controlled units on the rise in L.A.
“Arie Shashou remembers simple pleasures from the decades spent in his Westside home: helping neighbors with small tasks; the daily chats with the former manager of the complex; the paintings that line the walls of his one-bedroom.”

3.7 of the biggest home-buyer turnoffs
“Home sellers in hot real-estate markets — where there’s not enough for-sale inventory for the number of people who want to buy — may not feel compelled to go all out in preparing their home before listing. And they may not need to, given the reduced competition. “

4.Retail sales spike, signal improving economy
“U.S. retailers saw their biggest gains in more than a year in March, according to figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department.”

5.Technology changes real estate agent’s role
“In days of old, Lori Reiland was in the field with clients 70 percent of her business time and on the computer 30 percent. Now, said the associate broker with the Peoria office of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, those percentages have flipped.”

6.Yearly foreclosures down, but quarterly increase seen in CA foreclosure starts
“Year-over-year foreclosure activity – default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions – continued a downward trend in California, with another double-digit decline in March, according to Irvine-based RealtyTrac.

7.How open data is changing the business of real estate
“Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff talks about how the explosion in open data that’s available to tech companies will affect the real estate business.”

8.Home Sellers’ Asking Prices Hit Five-Year High
“If housing demand has softened, someone forgot to tell home sellers.”

TonyAlvarez.com