Conditions for home sellers are shifting. According to new research home prices are still strong, more listings have had their prices reduced—an indication that multiple-offer scenarios are shrinking, and homebuyers have more options. Across the country this month, 15 percent of listings had prices reduced, the research shows. Last January, the figure was 13 percent. Where […]
As we begin 2019, it’s important to take time to reflect on the best way to start your year. Planning at the beginning can give you a clear track to follow, setting you up for greater success. In order to plan your year, it can be helpful to look at what happened in 2018 to […]
Donors gave a record $410 billion to nonprofit causes last year, according to Giving USA Foundation, in part because taxpayers were bunching contributions ahead of this year’s higher standard income tax deduction, experts say. That led to worries that 2018 might be a down year for philanthropy. The higher standard deduction means fewer people will […]
Retirees who own their homes outright are often at an advantage over their renting—and retired—counterparts. There are two reasons for this: their housing costs are generally lower, and they have access to safety-net cash in the form of home equity. However, all homeownership is not created equal, explains Russ Thornton, financial advisor at Wealth Care […]
Some 2,400 miles due west in the Mojave Desert is a multi-colored spectacle, called “Rancho de Colores,” one of the most popular Airbnb listings in Joshua Tree, Calif. The 1,500-square-foot, three-bedroom house, painted in blazing reds, oranges and greens, stands out among the placid chestnut-colored playas of the desert. Popular among Pinterest and Instagram enthusiasts, […]
Make 2019 the year you take your savings to the next level. Here are six ways to save more this year. Automate Everything You can’t forget to save if it’s automated. Whether it’s your 401(k) contribution taken pre-tax from your salary or automatic transfers from your checking account into a savings account or money market […]
Are you happy in your home, or are you looking to move? If your answer to the first question is yes, you’re in the company of 83 percent of homeowners, according to Zillow’s annual report on Consumer Housing Trends. In fact, 63 percent have no intention of moving, either because they’re content with their current […]
This Could Take a While With inventory low and prices rebounding, affordability has become one of the foremost housing issues—both for buyers entering the market, and homeowners looking for a new, but practically priced property after selling. According to new research, accumulating enough for a down payment can take over seven years—and even longer in […]
It’s a new year, and now is an ideal time to invest in yourself. Take time to explore educational opportunities and expand your existing knowledge in a specialized area of real estate. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and its affiliated organizations offer numerous programs and courses to gain skills to help yourself and your […]
With inventory loosening and prices slowing, buyers’ chances look promising—but as mortgage rates rise, how great are their odds, really? According to recently released research by Zillow, home-buying power is shrinking. In the average scenario, where a buyer earns the median national pay, a buyer could have bought a $393,700 home in January of last […]
