Real Estate, Updates, News & Tips - Mark Stillman - iPro Real Estate

REALTORS: Consumers Need You Now More Than Ever

While the internet has undeniably become a vital resource for real estate buyers, consumers have still increasingly relied on real estate professionals over the last 20 years.Fears of technology one day phasing out the real estate professional appear to have been overexaggerated. Instead, the consumers are turning to real estate professionals for help more now than ever before.Statistics show that buyers do tend to find homes on their own with th

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Investors Back Away From Home Flipping

Investors are retreating from flipping houses, showing skepticism that the practice will continue to pay off. About 43,615 single-family homes and condos were flipped in the first quarter of 2017, down 8 percent from the previous quarter and 6 percent from a year ago, according to ATTOM Data Solutions’ Q1 2017 U.S. Home Flipping Report. It represents the lowest number of flips in two years. ATTOM Data Solutions defines a flip as a home that has

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REALTORS: How to Get Noticed on Social Media

Forbes columnist Jayson DeMers offers the following tips to get more visibility from your social media posts, maximize your outreach, and increase your followers.Leverage influencers: Get people who already have high visibility on social media to share your posts. Target influencers within the industry and offer to collaborate with them on content, or find a way to get them to mention you to their network. Avoid asking for handouts or favors. You

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Marriage Equality Has Opened Doors for Buyers

Since the Supreme Court ruled to make same-sex marriage legal in 2015, homeownership in the LGBT community has been on the rise, according to the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals’ 2017 Homeownership Survey.Of the more than 300 NAGLREP members surveyed, 47 percent say they believe more married same-sex couples are purchasing homes now than prior to the Court’s two-year-old ruling. Forty-six percent say they bel

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Developers Shun Warnings of Urban Slowdown

Though young professionals and older empty nesters have fueled a recent housing boom in urban centers, some economists have cautioned that overdevelopment and flattening rental prices are signaling a shift away from city life. But developers aren’t leaving downtown.The number of new building permits jumped 5.7 percent in April compared to a year earlier, the Census Bureau reports, with a sizable portion centered in urban areas. The urban reside

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MUSIC: Enjoy this song "Awesome God" by Rich Mullins

"Awesome God" is a contemporary worship song written by Rich Mullins and first recorded on his 1988 album, Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth. It was the first single from the album and rose to the number one spot on Christian radio and subsequently became a popular congregational song. Its title is inspired by a biblical expression (Nehemiah 1:5, Nehemiah 9:32, Psalm 47, Daniel 9:4, etc.), variously translated as "Awesome God", (JPS, in the old-fa

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In which U.S. markets does it ‘pay to rent’?

Where do buyers have the longest wait times before feeling the financial benefits of homeownership?In March, the California Association of Realtors hosted a panel — “The California Series: State of the State” — revealing that overly strict building codes, an aversion to affordable housing in affluent neighborhoods, and, most of all, exorbitant cost of living is pushing California toward becoming a majority renter state.Zillow’s latest

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5 factors putting downward pressure on homeownership

A new study reveals the causes of this market lullKey Takeaways Post-foreclosure stress disorder, mortgage availability, the growing burden of student loan debt, single-family housing affordability and single-family housing supply shortages are the five key barriers to homeownership.Despite robust job growth and low interest rates, U.S. homeownership rates remain at a 50-year low due to issues with affordability, crushing student loan debt, harsh

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U.S. Homeowners Spend $15,000 in Hidden Costs to Sell a House

Staging, curb appeal updates, and closing costs add up.Selling a home not only takes time, but also costs money. To help with budgeting, Zillow and Thumbtack identified several common — but often overlooked — seller expenses.From closing costs to home prep projects like carpet cleaning, U.S. homeowners can expect to spend more than $15,000 on these extra or hidden costs to sell the median home, according to Zillow and Thumbtack’s Hidden Co

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OPEN HOUSE: Today June 10th and Tomorrow June 11th - Rancho Mission Viejo, CA

Price: $1,136,166Bedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 3Square Feet: 2894Description: Brand new energy efficient home, built and ready to make it your own. The Residence 2 features a gourmet kitchen with large center island, pantry, granite counter tops, and eat in dining all open to your spacious Great room. Visitors can enjoy their privacy in the main level Guest bedroom with full bath. The Master suite boasts a his and hers walk in closets and luxurious bath

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