Better Listing Descriptions? Focus on Readers, Not the House
A listing description’s first sentence should answer readers’ top question: “Why should I keep reading?” Most of the time it will note the home’s most desired feature.
Housing Affordability Hits Its Lowest Point in 13 Years
When calculating affordability, low mortgage rates have offset rising home prices so far, but 75% of U.S. counties are now less affordable than their historical average.
Congress Approves Short-Term Funding to Avert Shutdown
A possible government shutdown – and potential speedbump for closings – was postponed until at least Dec. 3 after Congress voted to approve a short-term extension.
Rent History Will Help More Buyers Qualify for a Loan
17% of buyers who couldn’t qualify for a mortgage should have better luck now that Fannie Mae includes rent history in its lending decisions. Lenders consider a history of on-time rent payments a strong predictor for whether borrowers will make regular mortgage payments.
Housing Costs May be Affecting Employment Numbers
People quit jobs if they grow discontented, and rising rental costs may be causing some discontent: 51.2% of workers say they plan to look for a new job this year.
HUD: Refusing Group Home Rentals Is Fair Housing Violation
Texas single-family landlords refused an applicant who wanted to create a group home for people with mental disabilities. HUD says that’s a fair housing violation.
Study: Credit Scores Rebound Quickly After Home Purchase
Nationwide credit scores fall about 20 points in the months following a home purchase, but they bounce back fully in less than one year. In four Fla. cities included in a LendingTree study, the full credit-score rebound ranged from 332 days in Miami to 387 in Jacksonville.
Have a Co-Worker in Distress? Suggest Mental Health Resources
Help generally comes in the form of support and listening, but the right balance can be challenging. Also: What should you do if a co-worker is being sexual harassed?
What’s Holding Back Commercial RE’s Tech Adoption?
“Sharing data helps all of us,” said a speaker at NAR’s recent C5 Summit. But many commercial brokers avoid technology and keep info “close to the vest.”
Could ‘Live Longer’ Be A Reason to Retire to Fla.?
MIT Study: Older Americans living in areas with shorter life expectancy (bottom 10%) live 1.1 years longer if they move to a peak area (top 10%) for life expectancy.