Challenges For Real Estate Firms

Challenges For Real Estate Firms

Keeping up with technology, facing increased competition from nontraditional market participants, and growing concerns over housing affordability are the top challenges that real estate firms say they’re increasingly alarmed about, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ newly released 2019 Profile of Real Estate Firms. NAR’s report is based on a survey of more than 6,000 executives and senior management at real estate companies, both commercial and residential.

Forty-four percent of real estate firms said they expect competition from virtual firms to increase over the next year, and 43 percent expect the same from nontraditional market participants.

“It is clear that the real estate industry is rapidly changing, and with that comes growing competition in the market,” says NAR CEO Bob Goldberg.

Real estate firms also expressed concerns over young adults’ place in the housing market. Fifty-eight percent of firms said they were concerned with millennials’ ability to purchase a home, while 46 percent said they were concerned about millennials’ view of home ownership.

Despite some perceived challenges, the majority of real estate firms remain confident that sales and profits will increase over the next year.

“Real estate firms continue to look optimistically toward the future, with a majority expecting profits to increase in the next two years,” says NAR President John Smaby. “These trends are positive signs, particularly in our constantly evolving industry.”

Homeowners Richer over the past year

Homeowners Richer over the past year

Home equity continued to increase in the fourth quarter of 2018, with more homeowners profiting over rising home prices. U.S. homeowners with a mortgage saw their equity rise by 8.1 percent year over year in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to CoreLogic’s Home Equity Report, released Thursday.

The average homeowner has gained $9,700 in home equity between the fourth quarter of 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2018, the report showed. Western states saw some of the most significant annual gains. Nevada homeowners, for example, saw an increase of $29,400 in home equity over the past year, and Hawaii homeowners saw gains of about $26,900.

Home ownership Still an American Dream

Home ownership Still an American Dream

The majority of Americans—79 percent recently surveyed—still believe that owning a home is a vital component of achieving the American dream, according to a Bankrate.com survey of more than 2,000 consumers. Americans placed achieving home ownership ahead of retirement (68 percent), having a successful career (63 percent), and owning an automobile (58 percent), according to the survey.

While the majority of respondents rated ownership high, they do see several challenges to overcome to achieve it. About half of the survey’s respondents say they don’t own a home because they can’t afford it on their income. Four in 10 Americans say they don’t own because they can’t afford a down payment and closing costs, while one-third cite high home prices as the major obstacle.

Thinking about up-sizing or downsizing? Let me help!

Now that we’ve entered into a buyers market, creating a positive first impression and showcasing the best attributes of your home are essential in today’s real estate market.

Following these simple tips will help you prepare your home to sell:

• Depersonalize – Remove family photos and keepsakes
• Remove furniture: create the feeling of space
• Clean your house
• Paint the walls: keep them neutral
• Bring in the light: Take down heavy window treatments
• Do the minor repairs: Replace light bulbs etc.
• Add curb appeal: clean the yard
• Update kitchen: This is where money should be spent
• De-clutter

Thinking about up sizing or downsizing? Let me help!

Contact me for more information.

Thinking about up-sizing or downsizing? Now that we’ve entered a “buyer’s market”, creating a positive first impression is essential! With the help of myself I’ll show you the way. #RealEstate #Realtor #HomePurchase #BuyersMarket #anthonydidonato

Avoid Buyer’s Remorse

Avoid Buyer’s Remorse

Most young adults have financial regrets about their home purchase, a new Bankrate survey shows, but much of their grief could have been avoided with proper planning. That’s where you come in: Younger buyers have a need for more professional guidance about the costs of home ownership.

Sixty-three percent of millennial homeowners—more than any other generation—expressed buyer’s remorse, most often pertaining to closing costs, home maintenance, and other hidden expenses, according to the survey of more than 2,000 consumers. “When you buy a house, you can’t call the maintenance company or a landlord to fix major issues; it’s all on you,” says Luis Rosa, a financial planner in Henderson, Nev. Extra expenses, such as needing a new air conditioner, furnace, or water heater, often catch first-time buyers by surprise, Rosa adds. “I always advise home buyers to create savings buckets and open a savings account that can collect interest that’s set aside specifically for housing repairs.”

Real estate professionals may want to initiate more conversations about budgeting with their clients to help them better prepare for the true costs of ownership. The average cost of maintaining a home each year is about $16,000, according to a Porch.com analysis last year. Buyers also should be prepared for some extra costs at closing, such as inspection fees.

Mortgage Rates Remain Low

Mortgage Rates Remain Low