Homeowners are tapping into equity at the fastest rate in eight years, thanks to rising home prices. And millennials are leading the pack of those who are cashing in.In 2016, the number of homeowners with potentially “tappable” equity rose to 39.5 million—those are borrowers who have at least 20 percent equity in their homes, according to Black Knight Financial Services.Millennials, in particular, are turning to HELOCs—home equity lines o
Featuring 16-plus marketing testimonials for harnessing the social media giant, real estate agents’ biggest mistakes and advice from the expertsKey Takeaways Video engages Facebook audiences the most, followed by property listings and images and infographics. If a Facebook ad does well, keep investing in it and ride the wave.How many of Facebook’s 1.86 billion users could be a real estate agent’s next lead?The social media top dog is a well
The homeownership rate of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders was 55.6 percent in 2016, possibly the first accurate data in the U.S. of this rapidly growing segment of the population. It lags behind the national homeownership rate of 63.5 percent and is significantly below the 59 percent recorded for this group in 2015.The 2016 count is more accurate, says the Asian Real Estate Association of America, because it was the first year the Census Bu
The seven-year legal battle over President Donald Trump's real estate education venture known as Trump University has ended with a federal judge approving a $25 million settlement for the plaintiffs. Trump University students had filed a class-action lawsuit claiming they were misled by failed promises of teaching "success in real estate." About 3,730 students who took part in the program could potentially get at least 90 percent of their money b
Record-high home prices do not necessarily indicate a housing bubble, and while real estate in some areas of the U.S. is seeing rapid appreciation, those markets are also showing signs of stability. Realtor.com®'s research team sought to identify metros where home prices are soaring but a housing bubble is most likely not a threat."These are the Goldilocks of today's housing market," says Javier Vivas, manager of economic research for realtor
Even as real estate professionals across the country grapple with a persistent shortage of homes available for sale, some agents are facing a different kind of challenge: convincing buyers to consider existing properties when builders are briskly turning out new homes a short distance away.That’s the situation in the coastal South Carolina city of Myrtle Beach, where a strong supply of new homes is prompting many buyers to shun properties that
The decor scheme in a bedroom often gets personal, and that personality may be turning off some home buyers when it's time to sell. When listing a home, personal taste is best minimized, especially in bedrooms. Real estate and design experts offer their tips of design trends to avoid in bedroom decor:1. Bright paint colors: “Can we please get over the bright colors—pink, lime green—especially in kids’ bedrooms?” says Reba Haas, a real
Some cities are better than others to ride out your golden years. Bankrate.com examined costs, weather, health care, crime, taxes, and cultural amenities to determine the best 10 places to retire in the U.S. These states topped the list: New Hampshire Colorado Maine Iowa Minnesota Virginia Massachusetts South Dakota Wisconsin IdahoSource: “The 10 Best States for Your Retirement,” Bankrate.com (March 29, 2017)
About 99 percent of people living in the U.S. and Europe live under light-polluted skies. That is, they are unable to see the true darkness of the sky and, therefore, can’t see the Milky Way or struggle with stargazing, according to a study published in the journal Science Advances, “World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness.”About 15 towns and cities worldwide are adopting light pollution guidelines to preserve the night sky, most of
In all the hustle and bustle of searching for a new home, it's easy to overlook how and where your car is going to live. But there are important factors for house-hunters to consider when it comes to their vehicles—namely those related to safety, security, and convenience—that may impact how they feel about potential homes or neighborhoods.Here are three handy tips that have cars so they can get the most out of their new place.1. Make sure th
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