National News

The 4 demographic trends that will transform housing in America

America’s demographics are transforming, and it will have huge implications on future real estate markets, said a new joint report from the Urban Land Institute and Terwilliger Center for Housing. The four biggest changes, analysts agreed, will take place

Real estate in 2025: 4 things to expect from the market of the future

The real estate market is subject to change, and over the next 10 years, it’s going to do just that – or at least that’s the conclusion of a joint report from the Urban Land Institute and Terwilliger Center for

To combat discrimination, CFPB asks lenders to report more racial/ethnic data

Although updated HMDA rules requiring lenders to report additional racial and ethnic information will come into effect in early 2018, a new CFPB ruling states that, if they want to, lenders may start reporting the data as soon as Jan. 1, 2017.

Court rules CFPB “unconstitutionally structured”

A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. ruled today the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is “unconstitutionally structured” and that the scope of Director Richard Cordray’s position is a “threat to individual liberty.” Henceforth his power has been limited. The

Real estate to play a big role in U.S. investors’ 2017 strategy

Better Homes and Real Gardens Real Estate surveyed 1,000 U.S. investors and found that 89 percent are interested in investing in real estate as part of their investment strategy.  The survey also revealed that 80 percent of investors believe

How do consumers view housing? 7 facts agents should consider

Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey is among the more detailed inquiries into how everyday consumers view the U.S.’ housing market, and the Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) portion of the survey – which details how Americans view the buying

Appraisals remain a problem for thousands of real estate agents

Back in 2012, appraisals were a hot item. Thanks to a myriad of factors – chief among them inexperienced appraisers and dramatic changes to how the industry was organized – low appraisals were the cause of numerous contract failures

NAR: the 5 curb appeal-boosting projects buyers love most

Ninety-eight percent of Realtors believe buyers respond to curb appeal, a National Association of Realtors report found. Improving a home’s curb appeal is a quick and relatively inexpensive way (as far as home-improvement projects go) to boost a home’s

The 10 biggest challenges for real estate firms in 2016

Last week, we reported on NAR’s “Profile of Real Estate Firms,” an exhaustive look at the composition of today’s realty businesses and a projection of where they are heading. Our first report looked at the state of real estate firms

The digital marketing strategy agents can’t afford to ignore

For most buyers and sellers, contacting a real estate agent isn’t their first step. Their first move is to go online. Sixty-six percent of Realtors and 70 percent of brokers have a website, the National Association of Realtors’ 2015 Member

Case Shiller: Greater Boston home prices continue their ascent

Home prices in the Greater Boston housing market have continued their ascent in 2016, according to the latest Case-Shiller Home Price Indices from Standard & Poor’s. Greater Boston prices rose 0.6 percent monthly and 4.2 percent year-over-year, both of which were slower

How do agents stay safe in 2016? 3 trends from NAR’s new report

September is Realtor safety month – an important month for real estate. As a real estate agent, you are vulnerable to harassment, being robbed at gunpoint, kidnapping and even murder. Your job can be risky – in fact, nearly 40 percent

Cracking the code: the 10 secrets to maximizing client happiness 

In one of his more famous speeches, Don Draper, the central character of the “Mad Men” television series, stated that advertising is based on one thing – happiness. And though his focus was on the ad world, Draper could

10 trends defining the real estate firm of the future

The “Profile of Real Estate Firms” is among the most interesting annual surveys from the National Association of Realtors. Conducted among its executive members, the profile offers an in-depth look at the higher echelons of the industry, as well

The no. 1 reason why so few Millennials are buying homes in Greater Boston

For some time now, agents and analysts alike have wondered why so few Millennials are buying homes, but new Census data has provided a remarkably straightforward answer – they’re all living at home with their parents. Compiled by Time magazine,

NAHB proposes 15 “critical” building code changes

The National Association of Home Builders wants to organize its membership to help pass 15 of what it describes as “critical” building code changes. In its release, the association wrote: “NAHB is urging its members to get involved locally

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