General News - Real Estate, Updates, News & Tips

Mortgage Demand Hits Two-Month Low

Another sign the housing market may be cooling: Loan applications for home purchases—a gauge of housing demand—are now 18% lower than a year ago, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Wednesday.More listings are coming on the market, offering home buyers more choices. But some potential buyers are still getting priced out. Home prices are nearly 18% higher than a year ago, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Contract

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As Inventory Improves, Consumer Confidence Inches Up

The housing market is showing some sings of cooling, which may be making more home buyers more optimistic in a competitive market. Thirty-two percent of consumers said in August it’s a good time to buy, up from 28% in July, according to Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey, a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults. That marks the first sign of progress in home buyer sentiment since March.However, 63% of consumers still say it’s a difficult time to buy

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Retailers are in Expansion Mode

Retailers in the U.S. plan to open more new stores this year than close stores, indicating a hopeful sign for a rebounding sector. The news of more retailers in expansion mode follows a strenuous year of survival for many retailers, in which the COVID-19 pandemic caused many shutdowns in 2020.Grocery, fast-casual, and value stores are the retail leaders that are planning to expand this year, according to the report from RetailSphere. More than ha

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7 Most Affordable Metro Housing Markets

Home prices have been rapidly rising, but not everywhere. The housing market is showing some signs of cooling somewhat, which could open the door to potential buyers who the market has shut out. Also, with the growth of remote work—largely expected to remain in some form post-pandemic—house hunters may be able to expand their options and seek out markets offering greater housing affordability.“If you’re working for a company in

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Americans Want Distance from Neighbors

Americans want more social distance from their neighbors. A new Pew Research Center study finds a shift in home preferences since the pandemic with more consumers saying they want a larger home, even if it means local amenities are further away.That marks a shift from 2019 when more Americans were desiring smaller houses that were “closer to each other, but schools, stores, and restaurants are within walking distance,” according to the Pew Re

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Owners Turn to Appliance Upgrades to Boost Home Value

Three out of four homeowners would rather fix or replace appliances than accept a lower offer when selling their home, according to a new survey of about 1,000 consumers from Cinch Home Services, a home warranty company. They believe upgrading the appliances can add more value to their home, too.On average, homeowners believe upgrading their home’s appliances will increase their home’s value by $13,668.About half of homeowners surveyed say th

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Biden Outlines Plan for 100K Affordable Housing Units

The Biden administration announced on Wednesday a goal to increase the nation’s affordable housing supply with 100,000 new units available for homeowners and renters over the next three years. To do that, the administration called for a number of new policies and efforts, such as greater financing for manufactured homes and two-to-four unit properties as well as called for state and local governments to reform zoning restrictions that are limit

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REALTORS: Get on Top of your Game

   iPro was founded on the idea of building a better living with champion real estate services. We focus on incorporating and mastering the latest technologies and perform all types of real estate transactions. Our team of professionals set a stronger standard of business and give superior results.SOME OF OUR BENEFITS INCLUDE Low Broker FeesOur low compensation plan along with not having to pay any fees until closings. Transaction

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Property Damage from Hurricane Ida could Total $20B

Hurricane Ida continues to leave a long trail of destruction across Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Damages could total between $15 billion and $20 billion, Wells Fargo and Fitch Ratings estimated. Ida is tied for the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to hit the U.S. mainland.Hurricane Ida was predicted to damage 1 million homes along the Gulf Coast once it made landfall. The damage has been so extensive that officials warn it could take weeks

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Nearly Half of Renters Fear They’ll Never Own

Most renters aspire to be homeowners. But down payment barriers have many concerned if they’ll ever be able to own one day, according to a survey of 2,500 consumers from LendingTree.Eighty-eight percent of respondents said they’d rather own a home than rent. Yet, 48% of renters say they worry about whether they’ll ever be able to buy, the survey shows.Down payment barriers, home prices being too high, and difficulty qualifying for a mo

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