Upscale Buyers: How Much Space Is Too Much?
Many buyers determine what they can afford and look for a home there. But upscale buyers have a “sweet spot.” Many pick a size based on future costs and overall hassle.
New-Home Sales Plunge 18.2% in February
It’s the slowest pace since May 2020, and largely blamed on severe winter weather across much of the U.S. and a lack of supply.
New-Home Slowdown Isn’t Buyers, It’s Builders
New-home market problems aren’t new – rising prices for supplies and a tight workforce. But pending sales continue to be high, and many builders are pausing to complete a backlog of projects. In top-listed Jacksonville, pending new-home sales are up 80.5% year-to-year.
Consumer Housing Confidence High – Finances Not So Much
Survey: In Nov. 2020, 71% of renters worried about making their monthly payment. But things are getting better: In Feb. 2021, it dropped to 63%.
Social Media: The 2nd Most Effective Way to Get Clients
Direct referrals from past clients and others is the No. 1 way to get new business, but in a 2020 study, 44% of agents surveyed got at least one client via social media.
Fla.’s Housing Market: More Sales, Higher Median Prices in Feb. 2021
Florida Realtors’ data: Single-family home sales rose 15.7% year-over-year, median sales price up 16.6%; condo sales up 28.7%, median price up 16.6%. Chief Economist O’Connor: Fewer new listings and a tight inventory means a strong seller’s market.
NAR: Feb. Home Sales Down, Prices Way Up
Feb. existing home sales fell 6.6% month-to-month, but they were up 9.1% year-to-year. Median prices, however, rose 15.8% higher when compared to Feb. 2020.
RE Commission Structure: It Serves Public, Says NAR President
In a strong statement, NAR Pres. says the current commission structure “ensures greater equity and equality for first-time, low-income, and many other homebuyers.”
Walking the Walk: Housing Equity in Practice, Not Just Theory
The new national focus on discrimination convinced some businesses to take assertive, tangible steps to boost housing equality, such as creating new company policies.
NAR to Members: Don’t Panic Over PRO Act
A bill passed by the U.S. House could affect Realtors who are independent contractors, but NAR says it’s working with senators to include a Realtor exception in the bill.