Thursday, 26 December 2024

D. Ong

10 Terms Real Estate Agents May Include in Buyer Agreements That Violates NAR Settlement Terms: Report

The NAR imposed changes to its regulations as part of a settlement agreement in a lawsuit accusing it of artificially inflating commissions for real estate agents.
Inside Jennifer Garner’s $7.9 Million Farmhouse Where Ben Affleck Stayed Amid Divorce From Jennifer Lopez

Garner, 52, first built the farmhouse in 2018 in collaboration with designers Steve and Brooke Giannetti.
US Home Sales Fell To Lowest Level Ever Recorded Despite Declining Mortgage Rates

Pending home sales in the US dropped by 5.5% in July even as mortgage rates declined from the 8% peak in October 2023.
Elon Musk Moves to Foreclose on $13 Million 'Willy Wonka' Home After Loaning Owners $6.7 Million

Musk sold the 2,750-square-foot home to Jordan Walker-Pearlman, nephew of late Hollywood royalty Gene Wilder, in 2020 for $7 million.
US Buyers Must Earn $80,000 To Afford a Typical Starter Home; Median Earners Priced Out of 25 Housing Markets

Median workers in the United States earn $59,436 yearly, about $20,000 less than needed to afford a typical starter home.
Should You Sell Your House When Mortgage Rates are Dropping?

Falling mortgage rates can create unique circumstances in the US housing market. Here's how sellers can benefit or put themselves at a disadvantage if they sell their home when mortgage rates are declining.
3 Things That Need To Happen Before the US Housing Market Becomes Affordable Again: Expert

TD economist Shernette McLeod believes that national housing affordability will likely improve by mid-2027.
Man Who Filed NAR Lawsuit Over Inflated Agent Commissions Launches a Flat Fee Real Estate Startup

The website would allow users to hire a real estate agent for a flat fee of between $49 to $199, depending on the services they want.
Marvel Star Jeremy Renner Lists 9,000-Square Foot ‘Forever Home’ for $13 Million

Jeremy Renner has listed his home as part of an effort to downsize following his nearly fatal 2023 snowplow accident.
10 US Cities With the Highest and Lowest Rent Prices for One-Bedroom Apartments: Report

The median price of one-bedroom units in the US rose to $1,534, but the price soared to $4,500 in New York City - the metro area with the most expensive rent in the nation.
Only 10% of Americans Think Homeownership Is Easy To Achieve Amid the Housing Affordability Crisis

The survey comes after home prices hit a new record in June, increasing 5.4% year-over-year from the same month in 2023.
Cape Cod Couple Struggles To Sell $1 Million Home Due to Nearby Pickleball Court

The homeowner has taken the property off the market after failing to find a buyer after eight months.
Undocumented Immigrants Could Soon Be Eligible for Affordable Housing Assistance of Up to $150,000 in California

The measure, introduced by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula in January, is now heading to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Real Estate Tips: A Step-By-Step Home Buying Checklist for 2024

To help you close on your dream home, we created a home-buying guide that considers recent changes in the home-buying process.
NYC to Turn One of Its Most Photographed Landmarks Into a Condominium by 2026

The Flatiron will have 60 high-end condominium units sold at market rate. New York City is now preparing to turn the Flatiron Building--one of the most photographed landmarks in the area--into a high-end condominium by the end of 2026.
30-Year Mortgage Rate Drops Ahead of the Fed Cut, the Lowest Level in 16 Months

The contract rate for the 30-year loan fell to 6.44% in the week ending Aug. 23, marking the lowest level recorded since April 2023.
The Fed Is Expected To Cut Interest Rates on September 18, Mortgage Rates May Fall as a Result: Report

The Fed could make a quarter-point or a half-point cut on their interest rates during their next meeting.
5 US Housing Markets Where Buyers Have the Most and Least Power: Report

Housing markets where buyers have the most buying power have a growing number of homes for sale and decelerating price growths.
Home Prices Posts an Annual Gain of 5.4%, Marking the Most ‘Unaffordable Housing Market’ in US History

The index tracking home prices in the 20 largest metro areas in the US also posted gains of 0.4% from May.
5 Things Every Home Buyer and Seller Needs to Know About Negotiating Real Estate Commissions

Prior to the recent NAR changes, home sellers covered the commissions of both their agent and the buyer's agent.
US Monthly Mortgage Payments Fell to $2,500, Declining for the First Time Since 2020

Mortgage payments fell after contract rates declined to 6.46% in the week ending Aug. 22. The median monthly mortgage payments in the United States fell to just over $2,500, marking the lowest level recorded in four years.
Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against RealPage for Allegedly Helping Artificially Inflate US Rent Prices

The civil lawsuit accused the software of developing an algorithm that facilitated a price-fixing scheme and decreased competition among landlords.
Airbnb vs Renting Out Your Home: Which Is the Better Option for You?

If you're having difficulties choosing between renting out your house long-term or short-term, here's a guide that could help you choose the most suitable option for you.
5 Best Real Estate Markets in the US in 2024: Analysis

The study analyzed each city across 17 metrics such as living costs and job growth to determine the best housing markets in the US.
7 Ways To Keep Your Garden Thriving in the Fall

With the right care and attention, your garden could thrive in the fall season. Here is a quick guide on things you can do to maintain your garden.
Shaquille O’Neal Sells 5,200-Square-Foot Texas Mansion for $1.7 Million After Listing Just a Month Ago

The final sale price was not disclosed, but the listing had an asking price of $1,695,000. Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal has found a buyer for his Texas mansion, selling it for $1.
30-Year Mortgage Rate Dips To Lowest Average Since 2023; Existing-Home Sales Rise

The average contract rate for a 30-year mortgage in the week ending Aug. 22 was 0.77% lower compared to the same week in 2023.
Buyers are Now Required to Negotiate Real Estate Agent Fees, Broker Commissions Upfront

The changes are part of a $418 million court settlement involving the National Association of Relators (NAR).
Here Are the Five Hottest Housing Markets in the US in 2024

In some of the hottest zip codes in the US, homes spent 32 to 45 fewer days on the market in the first half of 2024.
New Apartment Construction in the US To Reach Over 500,000 Units by the End of 2024: Report

It will be the first time in US apartment construction history that the number of new rental units will surpass the 500,000-unit threshold.

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