Realtor Literally Reads Brainwaves to See What Buyers Think
An Oklahoma agent attached wires to willing buyers and found that their top-of-mind thoughts often don’t match how they really feel about a home.
The U.S. Now Has More Realtors than Home Listings
It’s an unusual situation, but heavy U.S. job losses boosted the number of new agents; at the same time, the number of for-sale properties hit record lows.
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.”