Confusion over down payment requirements is hindering some consumers’ confidence about buying a home.For the past three years, the median down payment for first-time buyers has been 6 percent and 14 percent for repeat buyers, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Yet, when consumers are asked about the down payment amount they need to buy, 87 percent of non-owners say that a down payment of 1
Office construction is on the rise across the U.S., and 2017 is expected to be another mega year for the sector.Indeed, 2017 is expected to surpass office construction starts from 2016 by 10 percent – or 10 million more square feet than in 2016, according to Dodge Date & Analytics’ 2017 Dodge Construction Outlook. Dodge forecasters are predicting that this year the office sector will post the largest surge in starts than any other segment
You know the goal when it comes to online marketing: Get to the top of the search rankings. But are there certain things you could be doing that may be hampering your path to the top?Forbes.com recently featured several mistakes to avoid with your SEO. Among the most common mistakes:Thinking you don’t need to do any optimization.You may believe that the content you are serving up should suffice. But great content is no substitute for SEO. “
Many markets are calling for greater new-home construction to meet buyer demand and counter housing shortages plaguing many areas. But the homebuilding industry is facing a big challenge in meeting that call: They can’t find enough skilled workers.The Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey shows that nearly 200,000 construction industry jobs are unfilled across the country, an increase of 81 percent in just two years.
As you gather around the TV, munchies in hand, to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday, take note of more than just the big plays and even bigger commercials. Brokers and agents can learn a thing or two about acing their next presentation from the players on the field.Whether you’re in a one-on-one meeting with clients, speaking at your local chamber of commerce, assuming a leadership role in community, or getting in front of your entire company or
President Donald Trump reportedly will sign an executive action Friday to scale back the regulatory system that was put in place in 2010 in response to the financial crisis. The Trump administration has set out to remove what it views as regulatory burdens by overhauling mortgage financing giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and easing lending regulations."Americans are going to have better choices and Americans are going to have better products b
Homeowners who sold in 2016 saw an average home price gain since purchase of $38,206 – or a 21 percent, on average, increase since purchase, ATTOM Data Solutions repots in its Year-End 2016 U.S. Home Sales Report. That's up from an average 13 percent gain in 2015, and it is the highest increase since 2007.The largest metro areas to see the highest average percent gain since purchase for home sellers in 2016 were: San Francisco, Calif.: 69% gain
Depending on where you live, saving for a down payment can take several years of financial planning. For example, in some markets, it may take the average person nearly a decade to save enough to buy a home. In California, that especially rings true.California is home to four of the five cities on a recent list by SmartAsset of the places where it takes the longest to save for a down payment: San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego.Sm
Reverse mortgages for purchases have been around a while but they stand to see more use as younger baby boomers hit retirement age. The mortgages are backed by FHA and they let households buy a home without having to make monthly mortgage payments. Instead, buyers put up a fairly sizable down payment and finance the rest with the reverse mortgage. The monthly payments then come out of the reverse mortgage each month, freeing up money for househol
Internet users don't tend to have a lot of patience. For example, 79 percent of users will search for another site to complete a task if your website is not optimized, according to an ExperienceDynamics' study. A broken link or even the slightest delay could be enough to get them to move on.A great website can help draw more business to you; a bad one could be costing you business. Better Homes and Garden Real Estate's blog, Clean Slate, recently
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