Real estate news

• Senior home equity hits all-time high in Q1

  23-06-2017 23:31
  
  Senior home equity increased in the first quarter of 2017 to $6.3 trillion, an all new high since the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association began tracking the figure in 2000. Experts pointed out this will benefit seniors who want to modify their homes after becoming empty nesters.
  
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• Douglas Elliman Real Estate wins $4.75 million from rival agency over agent poaching

  23-06-2017 22:49
  
  One of the nation’s largest real estate companies is in line for a nearly $5 million payout after a jury found that a rival agency poached a dozen agents from the company. Earlier this week, a jury in New York Supreme Court, Westchester County, ruled in favor of Douglas Elliman Real Estate and ordered William Raveis Real Estate to pay $4.75 million.
  
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• Acting comptroller of the currency: Here are ways to reduce regulatory burden

  23-06-2017 21:46
  
  Still fresh in the position of Acting Comptroller of the Currency, Keith Noreika is already making moves to promote economic growth. In his testimony before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on Thursday, Noreika discussed his ideas on how to reduce regulatory burden.
  
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• Texas hot markets begin to see slowdown

  23-06-2017 21:38
  
  The market for new home sales in major Texas metros is slowing down as the number of days on market increase and home prices increase at slower rates. But while most major markets are slowing down, one market saw competition rise as the number of days on market for new homes dropped for the second consecutive month.
  
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• Chicago mortgage originator accused of bilking elderly homeowners out of $7 million

  23-06-2017 20:03
  
  A mortgage originator from Chicago stands accused of running a reverse mortgage scam and defrauding elderly homeowners and lenders out of $7 million. Mark Diamond is currently facing seven counts of wire fraud after being accused of fraudulently causing lenders to make reverse mortgage loans to homeowners who either did not sign up for the loans or did so after Diamond allegedly misrepresented the terms of the loans.
  
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• Affordable homes: An issue that should unite both parties

  23-06-2017 20:00
  
  [Expert commentary] Amidst the partisan rancor in Washington, there is one issue that should unite both political parties: the urgent need to expand access to affordable rental housing. The situation is dire. The good news is that many of the solutions to the rental affordability crisis already enjoy broad bipartisan support. Here are the solutions to the crisis that are already hiding in plain sight.
  
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• Forestar preparing to spurn Starwood Capital after D.R. Horton improves its offer

  23-06-2017 18:16
  
  Thanks to a bidding war between two real estate giants, Forestar Group and its shareholders find themselves squarely in the catbird’s seat. As recently as one day ago, Forestar said that it still planned to sell itself to Starwood Capital Group for $15.50 per share despite D.R. Horton attempting to swoop in and buy 75% of the company for a higher price, $16.25 per share. But things can change quite a bit in 24 hours.
  
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• Economists draw mixed conclusions over May new home sales report

  23-06-2017 18:10
  
  New home sales increased in May, partially reversing April’s drop. But while new home sales are at a post-recession high, they are still down significantly from historical norms. Here’s what the experts say about May’s new home sales report.
  
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• New home sales reverse course, increase in May

  23-06-2017 16:46
  
  After a drop in new home sales in April, the market reversed course, seeing an increase in May. Home prices and housing inventory also reversed course in May as home prices rose and inventory dropped.
  
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• Traditional home tours are becoming obsolete. Real estate agents are using movies to sell mansions - Los Angeles Times

  23-06-2017 15:30
  
  Los Angeles Times
  Traditional home tours are becoming obsolete. Real estate agents are using movies to sell mansions
  Los Angeles Times
  A woman in a red dress twirls with a dark and mysterious man through light-filled hallways. Music flutters and surges in a romantically lit courtyard overlooking the twinkling city. A mischievous coda plays, and then the credits roll. It's a classic ...
  
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• Real Estate Firm With Ties To Trump May Build The New FBI Headquarters - NPR

  23-06-2017 10:19
  
  NPR
  Real Estate Firm With Ties To Trump May Build The New FBI Headquarters
  NPR
  In ordinary times, New York-based Vornado Realty Trust would be a natural candidate to take on a major construction project such as the long-awaited rebuilding of FBI headquarters. As with so much about the Trump era, however, the ordinary rules don't ...and more »
  
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• An Idea Whose Time Has Come

  23-06-2017 00:33
  
  While Help-U-Sell offers a modern approach to real estate, the company is certainly no newcomer to the business. Founded in 1976, Help-U-Sell leapt out of the gate with its set-fee, full-service business model, breaking the traditional mold from the onset. Now serving more than 100 offices in 26 states (and counting), the company has stepped up its value proposition with an in-house IT department that offers an all-in-one tech and marketing solution for affiliates. In this special interview, COO
  
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• Serving Southeast Asia With Expertise and Education

  23-06-2017 00:29
  
  Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Rahim & Co International is in its 41st year of delivering real estate services to local clients and investors from around the world. Despite market challenges, including housing affordability, Director of Research Sulaiman Saheh is capitalizing on Malaysia’s many market opportunities. Find out more about the firm’s success in this interview with Saheh.
  Real Estate magazine: Please tell us about your firm.Sulaiman Saheh: Established in 1976, Rahim &
  
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• Historic Ridgefield Conn. Estate Sells Before Auction

  23-06-2017 00:24
  
  Editor’s Note: This was originally published on RISMedia’s blog, Housecall. See what else is cookin’ now at blog.rismedia.com:How to Make Your Home Design Pet-Friendly
  SURVEY: Zillow Instant Offers Creates Industry Firestorm—Take the Survey and Tell Us Where You Stand
  Building Stronger Client Relationships: 5 Ways to Get Social With It
  Those looking to drop a few mill on a luxury estate in Connecticut’s Fairfield County have missed out. This historic property was sn
  
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• Mortgage Rates Click Down

  23-06-2017 00:20
  
  Mortgage rates on average clicked down this week, continuing steady at low levels, according to Freddie Mac’s recently released Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). The 30-year, fixed mortgage rate was 3.90 percent, on average, while the 15-year, fixed rate was 3.17 percent, on average. The 5-year, Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable rate was 3.14 percent, on average.
  “Following last week’s sharp decline, the 10-year Treasury yield rose three basis points this week,&
  
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• Retirees Turning to Custom Homes to Get the Right Space

  23-06-2017 00:18
  
  Editor’s Note: This was originally published on RISMedia’s blog, Housecall. See what else is cookin’ now at blog.rismedia.com:Luxury Homes: How to Tell If You’re Getting a Fair Price
  $1 Million a Week: Starting With Quality Leads
  Don’t Let Clogged Gutters Wreak Havoc on Your Home
  As people reach retirement, their current house may simply be too big for their needs. Paying large utility bills, maintenance costs and property taxes for an older home on a large lot can
  
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• Federal Reserve: All banks passed stress tests again

  23-06-2017 00:15
  
  On Thursday, the Federal Reserve announced the results of the annual stress testing, which showed that all 34 participating financial institutions are adequately capitalized and could withstand a "severe recession." It's the second year in a row that all of the participating banks passed the stress test.
  
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• Retirees Look to Build Smaller, Custom Homes

  23-06-2017 00:00
  
  Though many people downsize after retirement, many older home buyers seek a property more tailored to their personal needs and tastes.
  
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• Most Undervalued U.S. Cities in 2017

  23-06-2017 00:00
  
  These areas exceed livability metrics and boast a reasonable price per square foot for properties, according to a new analysis from...
  
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• Mortgage Rates Hold at Low Levels

  23-06-2017 00:00
  
  Good news for home shoppers: The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage remains near its yearly low. 
  
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• Copyright Judgment Against Zillow Upheld

  23-06-2017 00:00
  
  A federal judge in Seattle approved a portion of a lower court’s ruling finding Zillow liable for copyright infringement against real estate...
  
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• California MLS Launches Solar Data Fields

  23-06-2017 00:00
  
  For the first time, real estate professionals can call out specific solar energy features of their listings.
  
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