Most Consumers Now Comfy with Online Closings
After a year of the pandemic, 81% of adults say they’re okay buying things – even expensive things – online, especially with extra authentication and verification steps.
Outlook Brightens for Apartment Landlords Amid Rising Rents
Moody’s Analytics REIS: The national average effective rent, a key industry measure, rose 0.6% in 2Q 2021, lifting the average U.S. effective rent to $1,394.79.
Latest ‘Blow Me Away’ Amenity for Buyers? Home Classrooms
Some parents home-schooled their kids even before the pandemic. But after the recent lockdowns, more buyers with kids see it as a golden amenity.
Calm Before the Storm? Forecasters Add to Hurricane Predictions
NOAA: 7-10 hurricanes will still form out of 15-21 named storms (includes tropical storms). If true, 2021 will be a record sixth straight year of above-normal activity.
Prediction: Lots of International Buyers Over the Next Year
The pandemic’s border closures and lockdowns dinged the international buyer market over the past year, but signs point to a resurgence among new buyers and those who postponed a purchase. Economists say today’s buyers should expect to face even more competition.
Tab for ‘Climate Change Risk’ Added to Some Listings
What threat do heat, flood, drought and fire pose to a house as the earth warms? Redfin says it’s adding ClimateCheck, scaled 1-100, to each listing on its website.
Mortgage Rates: 6-Week Streak Under 3%
The average 30-year mortgage rate fell to 2.77% this week, down from last week’s 2.80%, in part due to investor uncertainty over the COVID-19 delta variant.
Realtor Groups File Emergency Motion to Stop Eviction Ban
The Supreme Court agreed the original eviction ban was unconstitutional in a suit filed by two Realtor associations. On Wed., they asked a District Court to rule against the latest ban, even as a push is on to get more money to landlords. In Fla., only 2% of $870M the state received so far has…
How Much Money Do You Really Need to Invest in Real Estate?
It depends, but you don’t need to be ‘rich’ to invest in real estate. You just need to be smart with your money and willing to invest it in an appreciating asset.
What if You Don’t Have Flood Insurance?
If a home floods, the owner needs flood insurance. But other post-disaster options can also provide help, via grants or low-cost loans earmarked for repairs.