General News - Real Estate, Updates, News & Tips

The Problem Aging Owners Are Up Against

Rural areas are expected to see more growth in the 65-and-older population than urban areas over the next few decades, according to a report by the Urban Institute. But for those expecting to grow old in their home, it could prove problematic. Many of the aging homes in rural areas are not suitable for elderly homeowners, the report says.Sixty-one percent of homeowners age 55 and older say they plan to remain in their home as they age, according

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HUD Lowers FHA MIP by a Quarter Point

Mortgage insurance premiums on FHA-backed loans will be lower by 25 basis points on loans endorsed starting January 27, the federal government announced today.“After four straight years of growth and with sufficient reserves on hand to meet future claims, it’s time for FHA to pass along some modest savings to working families,” Julian Castro, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, announced today.NAR President Bi

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ECONOMISTS: More Condos Needed

The demand for rental apartments remains high as few renters are being tempted to leave apartments to take on homeownership. But industry insiders expect that to soon change, and they believe entry-level condos will be key to pressing more renters to make that leap.“We expect homeownership to return to favor, likely in the form of entry-level condos that offer the same amenities many urban apartment dwellers prefer,” says John Affleck, a rese

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Welcome Aboard PGA Tour Pro Alan Tapie Dealing Orange County!

Referred by our salesperson Charles Ray Dixon. Cheers Ray!iPro currently deals throughout the state of California, with new offices in New York, Florida and Texas. We continue to strive and broaden opportunities for real estate professionals and consumers.Visit www.iprore.com for the latest information and links!Click here for information on how to become a salesperson.

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More Millennials Finally Enter Parenthood

Millennial motherhood is on the rise. Could the increase in births for the millennial generation bode well for real estate and finally convince them to move into homeownership?About 1.3 million millennial-aged women gave birth in 2015, which accounts for 82 percent of all U.S. births that year, according to Pew Research center data. Millennial women have lagged other generations in birth rates. Nearly half of Generation X women were already into

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Mortgage Rates Start the Year Lower

Borrowing costs moved lower this week. But most economists aren’t predicting the trajectory to continue.This marked the first time in 10 weeks that mortgage rates moved lower, Freddie Mac reports."The 30-year mortgage rate fell this week for the first time since the presidential election, dropping 12 basis points to 4.20 percent,” says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “This marks the first time since 2014 that mortgage rates

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SUBDIVISION'S SELLING POINT: Doomsday-Proof

Selling extreme security features is becoming a common high-end amenity among luxury developments. But a new development popping up an hour outside of north Dallas is taking that to new levels.Trident Lakes is a 700-acre planned community that is being touted as unlike any other high-end suburban development. The subdivision is being promoted as an “ultimate safe haven” that provides “luxury life assistance.” Plus, the neighborhood is bei

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Builders to Press Entry-Level Market in 2017

The call for a greater number of entry-level homes may finally get answered in 2017. Inventories for entry-level homes has remained stubbornly low, greatly limiting the number of affordable homes to first-time home buyer.The number of available homes with less than 1,800 square feet has continued to decrease, reaching a new low of 16 percent, according to a recent report by Drew Reading, U.S. homebuilding analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence.More bu

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REALTORS: 4 Ways to Ramp Up Your Online Cred

You can build your business online on a shoestring budget, if you’re savvy enough, a recent article at Forbes.com notes. Columnist R.L. Adams offers some of the following tips on cost-effective ways to market your business better online:1. Blogging.“It does require passion, persistence, along with an inherent understanding of the subject matter and the ability to connect with your audience,” Adams notes. To be successful at it, you need to

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REALTORS: 6 Tips for Hosting an Open House in Winter

When the days get darker and colder, an open house may not be as inviting to those living in colder climates. But there are some things you can do to warm potential buyers’ up to your open house.Broker-owner Joe Moshe with Charles Rutenberg Realty offers the following tips:Keep driveways and walkways clear. On snow days, make sure to shovel the walkway and driveway so the path to the home is clear. Apply rock salt or ice melt on pathways to hel

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