Tech Companies Hope to Solve 3 Buyer Problems
Three new types of software can help buyers estimate repair costs and flood insurance costs before purchasing, and buy a home while still saving for a down payment.
‘Here It Is: Literally the Worst House on the Street!’
A Zephyrhills listing got national attention after promoting it as a fixer-upper rather than tear down. “The roof leaks, the floor creaks and there’s a terrible draft.”
Flood Insurance Data Report Finds Many Policies May Be Underpriced
The firm responsible for flood-risk estimates on realtor.com concluded that many current flood policies don’t charge enough to cover actual risk. Their data could become even more important in 7 months when FEMA starts quoting individualized prices for flood policies.
Building Air Treatment Systems Will Be Common by 2030
Over the next decade, expect more clients to ask about a home or building’s ventilation and clean-air systems that mitigate pollution and remove germs in the air.
Washed-Up ‘Old’ Millennials Still Can’t Afford a Home
Report: The oldest millennials are turning 40 soon, but 58% couldn’t afford a home before they turned 30, and two out of three have no money toward a down payment.
NAR: Existing Home Sales and Prices Rise Again in Jan.
Home sales rose 23.7% year-to-year in Jan., with the highest month-to-month increase (0.6%) since Oct. and second highest since 2006. Prices were up 14.1% year-to-year.
Scam Alert: New Email/Text Chilling Even if Not Believed
A few Realtors received a “texting you now to kill/assassinate you,” saying a hitman wants you dead. The scare-scam isn’t new and might be targeting the general public.
Single-Family Home Investors? That Market Is Getting Crowded
Institutional investors opened up the single-family rental market during the Great Recession, but pension funds, builders and apartment managers are hopping on board.
Have Testimonials? Make Them Work for You
Testimonials hold a lot of sway with customers seeking representation. Feature them on a webpage and add a link to them under email signatures and in home-sale ads.
Fla.’s Housing Market Continues Strong in January 2021
Florida Realtors’ data: Single-family home sales rose 18% year-over-year, median sales price up 15.1%; condo sales up 24.6%, median price up 15%. Chief Economist O’Connor: Closed sales in Jan. were “way, way above our historical average,” which is likely for most, if not all, of 2021.