December is typically the slowest month in the housing market, but it can be a great month for home buyers who have been sidelined to finally make their move. This month may be busier than previous December’s for that reason, too, economists say. Some buyers may be looking to take advantage of steadier mortgage rates—which are still averaging below 5 percent—and home prices that are easing somewhat.Mortgage rates are still nearly a percenta
The Federal Trade Commission warns that a tropical investment scam is targeting Americans who hope to retire and live abroad. Developers were reportedly selling lots in a remote jungle area in Belize as a luxurious resort community. But the FTC alleges that instead the developers pocketed the investors’ money—up to $100 million--and have built barely anything.The FTC has alleged fraud and filed a lawsuit against the developers and Belize’s
Mortgage financing giant Freddie Mac is helping to lower the utility bills for hundreds of thousands of low- and middle-income renters through water and energy-efficiency improvements of units. The efforts are part of Freddie Mac’s three-year "Duty to Serve" plan, which aims to increase rental and homeownership opportunities in underserved markets across the country.“Workforce families don’t typically live in newly constructed apartment bui
More and more phishing scams are targeting real estate professionals and their clients, attempting to dupe you out of money. There are several steps to take to make sure that you and your clients aren’t the next victims.The National Association of REALTORS® issued an all-member alert on Sunday warning members of the latest email phishing attempt targeting the industry. The email appeared to be under the REALTOR® Party banner and solicited
Net-zero homes—those that make as much energy as they put out—may cost more up front to build, but they can save homeowners money on their energy bills. Eventually, that savings adds up and the home can pay for itself, no matter where you live, a new study shows.Net-zero energy homes usually are outfitted with rooftop solar panels, energy-efficient insulation, triple-pane windows, energy-savvy appliances, LED lighting, and smart thermostats.
Mortgage financing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced a nationwide suspension of eviction lockouts on foreclosures for the holiday season. The foreclosure moratorium will last from Dec. 17 to Jan. 2, 2019, and applies to all foreclosed occupied homes owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.“As we have done in past years, we are suspending evictions from Freddie Mac-owned homes to help provide families with a greater measure of certainty du
Just like residential real estate pros, commercial practitioners need a viable outreach plan to generate leads and build relationships with their target audiences. That may even include traveling abroad to make contacts in foreign nations in order to build your international presence and fill your book of business back home. At this year’s MIPIM conference, a global commercial real estate convention held annually in Cannes, France, industry lea
Expect to see more coral hues in home design next year. Pantone, the corporation known for its paint forecasts, unveiled “Living Coral” as its 2019 Color of the Year. The color, an orange shade with golden undertones, embodies “warmth and comfort,” Pantone says.Living Coral can make a bold statement as an accent color, and forecasters expect to see it in more shag rugs, cozy blankets, and upholstery to “create a warm, comforting, and nu
There are about 7.4 million vacation and second homes in the U.S., or about 5.6 percent of the total housing stock, according to a recent National Association of Home Builders analysis of 2016 national census data. Florida has the largest stock of second homes—1.1 million properties—followed by California, New York, Texas, Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.“The concentration of second homes is not simply restricted to conv
Starting in 2020, all new homes constructed in California will be required to have between 2 kilowatts and 3 kilowatts of electricity sourced directly from solar panels. State legislators, who have been considering such a measure for some time, officially voted recently to amend state building codes. Other states are watching how the change plays out and may want to follow suit, California officials have said. “These provisions really are histo
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