Economic Growth Slows in Third Quarter

Rising rates coupled with increasing home prices have discouraged homebuying activity during the third quarter of 2018. More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/forecast/20181029_economic_growth.html?attr=rssEHR

Scary Week For Bonds; Zombie Foreclosures; No Puns Intended

While they are talking apples and oranges, both the U.S. Census Bureau and ATTOM Data Solutions each took a recent look at residential vacancies . The Census Bureau's quarterly report on Residential Vacancies and Homeownership noted a decline in the incidence of rental property vacancies and a stable situation among owned properties while ATTOM was concerned primarily with what they call "zombie" foreclosures, homes that fall vacant during the foreclosure process. The Census Bureau puts the vacancy rate for rental housing at 7.1 percent in the third quarter of this year, down from 7.5 percent last year, while the homeowner vacancy rate, at 1.6 percent was identical year-over-year. The report estimates a total of 138.6 million housing units nationwide, 121.354 million or 87.6 percent of which

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/31/3620

Area Macy's store adds virtual reality technology

The technology, currently available in 70 Macy's stores nationwide, allows shoppers to get a sense of what the furniture they're considering will look like in their home.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/71071-area-macys-store-adds-virtual-reality-technology

East 16th Street building to be rehabbed for restaurant

The new owner bought the property from Peter George, a former co-owner of the Tinker Street restaurant across the street.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/71052-developer-plans-to-rehab-east-16th-street-building-for-restaurant-tenant

Freddie Sees Home Sales Regaining Momentum in 2019; Price Slump Doesn't Mean This is 2008; Rates Edge Higher

Freddie Mac is forecasting that there will be GDP growth of 3.0 percent in the second quarter of this year, moderating from the strong 4.2 percent growth in the first quarter. The company's October Forecast, prepared by its Economic and Housing Research Group, now extends its predictions into 2020 and they are looking at substantial economic slowing by then. The forecast for all of 2018 is growth of 3.0 percent, slowing to 2.4 percent next year and to only 1.8 percent in 2020 "as the effects of expansionary fiscal policy fade." Last year's hurricanes damaged both the economy and the housing sector, but at this point Hurricane Florence is expected to create only a small dip in economic growth and cause no appreciable increase in foreclosures. The labor market picture continues to be strong with

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/30/3618

Buyers Gaining Negotiating Power in Some Surprising Markets

It's been a long wait, but new Zillow research reveals hot markets where competition is letting up just in time for buyers to get ahead of rising rents and mortgage rates.

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-10-30-Buyers-Gaining-Negotiating-Power-in-Some-Surprising-Markets

Why Is This Hairy Chair Popping Up Everywhere?

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Love it or hate it, faux fur furniture is having a big moment in home design, and you’ll spot it creeping up in a lot more interiors lately.

The faux fur trend started off as sheepskin throws over the sofa or as a fluffy accent pillow. But now that furry trend is coming to furniture. And it’s no longer just a hot dorm accessory, but you’ll also spot it being incorporated into more sophisticated living rooms too.

Here’s why it’s becoming a go-to accessory: It adds texture to a room. Texture can help make a room more visually appealing and add warmth to a space. And a statement chair of faux fur certainly adds a lot of texture! Check out how designers incorporated this now infamous chair into some of the designs below.

Photo by Meridith Baer Home – Search bedroom design ideas

Photo by Kwinter & Co. – More kitchen photos

Photo by jamesthomas Interiors – Discover bedroom design ideas

Photo by – Search living room pictures

Photo by Gillian Walsworth Photography – Search dining room design ideas

Photo by Van Parys Architecture + Design – Browse bedroom ideas

from
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StyledStagedSold/~3/3mjZjwvKLY8/

Area Macy's store adds virtual reality technology

The technology, currently available in 70 Macy's stores nationwide, allows shoppers to get a sense of what the furniture they're considering will look like in their home.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/71071-area-macys-store-adds-virtual-reality-technology

East 16th Street building to be rehabbed for restaurant

The new owner bought the property from Peter George, a former co-owner of the Tinker Street restaurant across the street.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/71052-developer-plans-to-rehab-east-16th-street-building-for-restaurant-tenant

No Fear of Freddy? Buying on Elm Street Can Be a Bargain

The biggest discount for living on Elm Street is in Youngstown, Ohio, where homes on Elm Street are worth 83 percent less than other homes in the city

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-10-25-No-Fear-of-Freddy-Buying-on-Elm-Street-Can-Be-a-Bargain

Buyers Gaining Negotiating Power in Some Surprising Markets

It's been a long wait, but new Zillow research reveals hot markets where competition is letting up just in time for buyers to get ahead of rising rents and mortgage rates.

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-10-30-Buyers-Gaining-Negotiating-Power-in-Some-Surprising-Markets

Rates Stay Near Recent Lows; Realtors Define Average Homebuyer

Mortgage rates didn't move today, despite a fair amount of underlying market volatility. Rates are able to weather the sorts of storms you hear about in the stock market in part due to the diminishing returns of stock market drama on the bond market. Along those same lines, the bonds that underlie mortgages specifically don't tend to react to stocks as much as mainstream bonds like US Treasuries. Holding steady today means that rates remain at their lowest levels in just over 2 weeks. That sounds like a good thing, but the catch is that we really haven't moved too far from recent highs during that time, and those are the highest highs in more than 7 years. The rest of the week keeps the volatility potential high . There are several important economic reports, culminating in Friday's big jobs

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/29/3615

Economic Growth Slows in Third Quarter

Rising rates coupled with increasing home prices have discouraged homebuying activity during the third quarter of 2018. More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/forecast/20181029_economic_growth.html?attr=rssEHR

Mortgage Rates Fall to 2-Week Lows Amid Stock Rout; Freddie Mac Portfolio Up 2.3 Percent

Mortgage rates fell decisively today--at least in the context of the recent range--thanks primarily to heavy losses in the stock market. Stocks are far from the only consideration for interest rates, and many times, there's no correlation between the two on any given trading day. But when stocks are losing ground quickly, investors seek shelter in several safer places--one of them being the bond market. More demand for bonds means lower rates. All of the above having been said, over the past two days, I've made it a point to talk about the inconsistent behavior between mortgage rates and bond market movement. In short, mortgage rates weren't doing a good job of following the market. This was mostly a factor of timing, and we just needed to see bond markets hold onto recent gains with less volatility

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/26/3612

Finally, Stronger Housing Data; Mortgage Rates Stuck in The Mud; Fannie Underwriting Changes

Mortgage rates were unchanged yet again , making this the third day in a row at essentially the same levels. Strikingly, underlying market movement was quite different compared to yesterday. It's striking because underlying market movement drives changes in mortgage rates above all else (outside times of crisis, anyway). Simply put, markets suggested rates should fall yesterday. They didn't. Then markets suggested rates should rise today. They didn't. What gives? It wouldn't be an oversimplification to say that mortgage lenders are slightly behind the curve when it comes to adjusting mortgage rates to match market movements. That's not always the case, but it it's the case this week. That means that yesterday's stronger bond market and today's weaker bond market were like 'offsetting penalties

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/25/3610

New Home Sales Drop Sharply; Near 2 Year Lows; Rates Appallingly Unchanged; Home Prices Still Rising

New home sales managed to pull out a gain last time they were reported. The question was, with an improving inventory but rising interest rates, could they do it again? Analysts were pessimistic, but not quite pessimistic enough. Sales of newly constructed homes fell in September by 5.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 553,000. Even worse news , the August increase evaporated. Those sales were revised down from 629,000 to 585,000. With those losses, sales fell behind September 2017 by 13.2 percent and May remains the last month when sales increased. Analysts polled by Econoday had expected the Census Bureau to report around 625,000 annual sales with a range of 610,000 to 640,000. Econoday also noted that they have seen signs of price discounting on the part of builders. There

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/24/3608

Mortgage Rates Barely Budge Despite Market Volatility; Carson Plan on Affordable Housing

Mortgage rates didn't move much for the second day this week. Unlike yesterday, there was a relatively massive amount of volatility in underlying financial markets. This was especially true for stocks and the US Treasury market (which sets the tone for the broader bond market where mortgages operate). Even if we look specifically at mortgage-backed securities (MBS), we see some of the best gains this month. In fact, mortgage rates likely would have ended the day with more noticeable improvement if the gains had remained intact. Unfortunately , the strength began to erode in the late morning hours. Bonds had benefited from massive stock losses, but starting just after 10am, stocks began to bounce back while bonds weakened (weaker bonds = higher rates). Momentum kicked into higher gear later

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/23/3606

Rates Little-Changed to Begin The Week; Affordability Feeling Pressure; Another Tax Cut?

Mortgage rates didn't move much today. Lenders who made changes to Friday's rate sheets generally did so toward slightly higher rates. Actually, it would be more precise to say those lenders raised upfront costs associated with any given rate. This is typical on days where the broader rate market is slightly weaker, but not weak enough for mortgage lenders to adjust mortgage rates by the standard 0.125% increment. In the bigger picture , this leaves the average lender quoting conventional 30yr fixed rates of roughly 5% on top tier scenarios. There were no major developments or economic reports to move the bond market (which underlies rates) today. The rest of the week is on the light side as well, but things pick up on Thursday and Friday. Loan Originator Perspective Bond markets slumbered

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/22/3604

Why Is This Hairy Chair Popping Up Everywhere?

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Love it or hate it, faux fur furniture is having a big moment in home design, and you’ll spot it creeping up in a lot more interiors lately.

The faux fur trend started off as sheepskin throws over the sofa or as a fluffy accent pillow. But now that furry trend is coming to furniture. And it’s no longer just a hot dorm accessory, but you’ll also spot it being incorporated into more sophisticated living rooms too.

Here’s why it’s becoming a go-to accessory: It adds texture to a room. Texture can help make a room more visually appealing and add warmth to a space. And a statement chair of faux fur certainly adds a lot of texture! Check out how designers incorporated this now infamous chair into some of the designs below.

Photo by Meridith Baer Home – Search bedroom design ideas

Photo by Kwinter & Co. – More kitchen photos

Photo by jamesthomas Interiors – Discover bedroom design ideas

Photo by – Search living room pictures

Photo by Gillian Walsworth Photography – Search dining room design ideas

Photo by Van Parys Architecture + Design – Browse bedroom ideas

from
http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2018/10/29/why-is-this-hairy-chair-popping-up-everywhere/

Mortgage Rates Fall to 2-Week Lows Amid Stock Rout; Freddie Mac Portfolio Up 2.3 Percent

Mortgage rates fell decisively today--at least in the context of the recent range--thanks primarily to heavy losses in the stock market. Stocks are far from the only consideration for interest rates, and many times, there's no correlation between the two on any given trading day. But when stocks are losing ground quickly, investors seek shelter in several safer places--one of them being the bond market. More demand for bonds means lower rates. All of the above having been said, over the past two days, I've made it a point to talk about the inconsistent behavior between mortgage rates and bond market movement. In short, mortgage rates weren't doing a good job of following the market. This was mostly a factor of timing, and we just needed to see bond markets hold onto recent gains with less volatility

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/26/3612

Area Macy's store adds virtual reality technology

The technology, currently available in 70 Macy's stores nationwide, allows shoppers to get a sense of what the furniture they're considering will look like in their home.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/71071-area-macys-store-adds-virtual-reality-technology

Scary Things - Show 507

Real Estate Today Radio - SHOW 507

On this week's Real Estate Today, it's our special show "Scary Things."

This Week's Show Includes:
- Top News Of The Week
- Losing Home
- Is Your House Haunted?
- Smart Home Technology
- Get REALTOR(R)

Become a part of the community at http://retradio.com!

from
http://retradio.com

Finally, Stronger Housing Data; Mortgage Rates Stuck in The Mud; Fannie Underwriting Changes

Mortgage rates were unchanged yet again , making this the third day in a row at essentially the same levels. Strikingly, underlying market movement was quite different compared to yesterday. It's striking because underlying market movement drives changes in mortgage rates above all else (outside times of crisis, anyway). Simply put, markets suggested rates should fall yesterday. They didn't. Then markets suggested rates should rise today. They didn't. What gives? It wouldn't be an oversimplification to say that mortgage lenders are slightly behind the curve when it comes to adjusting mortgage rates to match market movements. That's not always the case, but it it's the case this week. That means that yesterday's stronger bond market and today's weaker bond market were like 'offsetting penalties

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/25/3610

Retiring Wealthy - Show 506

Real Estate Today Radio - SHOW 506

On this week's Real Estate Today, it's our special show "Retiring Wealthy."

This Week's Show Includes:
- Top News Of The Week
- Retiring Wealthy
- The REALTORS(R) Relief Foundation
- Smart Home Technology
- Get REALTOR(R)

Become a part of the community at http://retradio.com!

from
http://retradio.com

New Home Sales Drop Sharply; Near 2 Year Lows; Rates Appallingly Unchanged; Home Prices Still Rising

New home sales managed to pull out a gain last time they were reported. The question was, with an improving inventory but rising interest rates, could they do it again? Analysts were pessimistic, but not quite pessimistic enough. Sales of newly constructed homes fell in September by 5.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 553,000. Even worse news , the August increase evaporated. Those sales were revised down from 629,000 to 585,000. With those losses, sales fell behind September 2017 by 13.2 percent and May remains the last month when sales increased. Analysts polled by Econoday had expected the Census Bureau to report around 625,000 annual sales with a range of 610,000 to 640,000. Econoday also noted that they have seen signs of price discounting on the part of builders. There

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/24/3608

Mortgage Rates Barely Budge Despite Market Volatility; Carson Plan on Affordable Housing

Mortgage rates didn't move much for the second day this week. Unlike yesterday, there was a relatively massive amount of volatility in underlying financial markets. This was especially true for stocks and the US Treasury market (which sets the tone for the broader bond market where mortgages operate). Even if we look specifically at mortgage-backed securities (MBS), we see some of the best gains this month. In fact, mortgage rates likely would have ended the day with more noticeable improvement if the gains had remained intact. Unfortunately , the strength began to erode in the late morning hours. Bonds had benefited from massive stock losses, but starting just after 10am, stocks began to bounce back while bonds weakened (weaker bonds = higher rates). Momentum kicked into higher gear later

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/23/3606

Rates Little-Changed to Begin The Week; Affordability Feeling Pressure; Another Tax Cut?

Mortgage rates didn't move much today. Lenders who made changes to Friday's rate sheets generally did so toward slightly higher rates. Actually, it would be more precise to say those lenders raised upfront costs associated with any given rate. This is typical on days where the broader rate market is slightly weaker, but not weak enough for mortgage lenders to adjust mortgage rates by the standard 0.125% increment. In the bigger picture , this leaves the average lender quoting conventional 30yr fixed rates of roughly 5% on top tier scenarios. There were no major developments or economic reports to move the bond market (which underlies rates) today. The rest of the week is on the light side as well, but things pick up on Thursday and Friday. Loan Originator Perspective Bond markets slumbered

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/22/3604

Purchase Share, FICOs, ARMs All Increasing; Bright Economy Muted by Housing; Inventory Turns Positive

The share of closed loans originated for home purchase continues to inch higher. Ellie Mae, in its September Origination Insight Report , says that share jumped from 68 percent in August to 71 percent . The upward trend in purchasing was most pronounced for FHA loans where the share rose 5 percentage points to 83 percent. For Conventional loans the share moved to 69 percent from 66 percent while there was only a 1-point increase in the VA share, to 73 percent. The distribution of loans did shift slightly for the first time in months. The VA and FHA shares of closed loans remained at 10 and 20 percent respectively but the Conventional shared dipped by 1 point to 65 percent. The share of adjustable rate mortgages (ARMS) increased to 7.2 percent from 6.6 percent in August. "We see refinances remain

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/19/3600

Rent Prices Turns Negative; Rates Recover But Scary Pattern Looms

Evidence is growing that the housing market is cooling, and Zillow is adding to the pile of proof. However, its contribution points more to a slowdown in the rental market than breaking any news about housing prices. The company says that annual rent growth has now slowed nationally for eight straight months and turned negative on an annual basis last month for the first time since July 2012. The annual rate of growth in September was -0.2 percent, not only a negative but far from the peak rate of appreciation, 6.6 percent, in July 2015. Still, monthly rent is hardly pocket change. The national median after that 0.2 percent or $36.00 decline, was $1,440. Rents were lower in 19 of the country's 35 largest housing markets and were unchanged in three more. The largest decline , 2.7 percent, was

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/18/3598

East 16th Street building to be rehabbed for restaurant

New owner bought the property from Peter George, a former co-owner of the Tinker Street restaurant across the street.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/71052-developer-plans-to-rehab-east-16th-street-building-for-restaurant-tenant

No Fear of Freddy? Buying on Elm Street Can Be a Bargain

The biggest discount for living on Elm Street is in Youngstown, Ohio, where homes on Elm Street are worth 83 percent less than other homes in the city

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-10-25-No-Fear-of-Freddy-Buying-on-Elm-Street-Can-Be-a-Bargain

It Takes Seven Years to Save for a Down Payment

Home values have grown almost twice as much as incomes have over the past 20 years

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/press-releases?item=137441

Zillow Begins Buying and Selling Homes in Denver

Zillow Offers launches its fourth market today

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-10-22-Zillow-Begins-Buying-and-Selling-Homes-in-Denver

Staged to Sell: A Vintage Cottage That Was in Need of Some TLC

Home stager: Kelly Kurtz, a licensed REALTOR(R) with Exit Options Real Estate and founder of Simply Well Simply Organized

The home: This cottage was located in a small community in Groton, Mass. The home was rundown, and the owner had accumulated years of belongings that were scattered everywhere. Kurtz knew the home needed a deep cleaning and some staging to make it appealing to a buyer, without sacrificing the owner’s potential for profit by listing it under market value. Kurtz took the strategy of decluttering and cleaning the property but purposely muted her staging accessories to fit the style of the property. The home, which was built in 1925, was listed for $249,900.

BEFORE

AFTER – Photo Credit: Kelly Kurtz, Exit Options Real Estate

 

BEFORE

AFTER – Photo Credit: Kelly Kurtz, Exit Options Real Estate

 

BEFORE

AFTER – Photo Credit: Kelly Kurtz, Exit Options Real Estate

Kurtz’s Staging Tips:

1. Work with the “feel” of the property. In this cottage, there already was a “vintage feel” so Kurtz knew shiny, new accessories wouldn’t work. The home’s kitchen was last updated in the 1950s, and so she worked with what she had. She weaved in timeless accessories–like a red kettle on the stovetop and tea towel curtain valances–to bring out the vintage charm already present in the space. She added a vintage kitchen stool by the laundry area and a chrome rimmed high-top table and colored stools in a sitting room off the kitchen, which fit more a 1950s decor style.

Photo Credit: Kelly Kurtz, Exit Options Real Estate

2. Fit the home to the likely buyer. Kurtz envisioned what type of buyer might live there. She added simple accessories that would appeal to that demographic. Kurtz staged the home with inspiration that a young couple who possibly had a small, younger family would be drawn to the home’s location, square footage, and budget.

3. Highlight any unique features. Kurtz knew the vintage stove might be one of the first items that many real estate professionals would recommend replacing, but instead she sought to accentuate it. The new owners could then decide to keep or toss it after they closed on the home, but it was all part of the vintage feel she tried to create.

 

Have a home you recently staged that you’d like to show off here at Styled Staged & Sold? Submit your staging photos for consideration, along with three to five of your best spruce-up tips. Contact Melissa Dittmann Tracey at mtracey@realtors.org.

from
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StyledStagedSold/~3/DnfZDST5UB4/

Indiana convenience-store chain pumping up Indy presence

The award-winning Valparaiso-based operator is planning at least nine stores here. Also: Bonobos, Joella's Hot Chicken, Cabin Coffee Co. and Macy's.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/70946-family-express-convenience-store-chain-pumping-up-local-presence

Rents Decline Annually for the First Time in Six Years

Annual rent growth has now slowed for eight consecutive months; rent appreciation peaked at 6.6 percent in July 2015

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-10-18-Rents-Decline-Annually-for-the-First-Time-in-Six-Years

New Home Sales Drop Sharply; Near 2 Year Lows; Rates Appallingly Unchanged; Home Prices Still Rising

New home sales managed to pull out a gain last time they were reported. The question was, with an improving inventory but rising interest rates, could they do it again? Analysts were pessimistic, but not quite pessimistic enough. Sales of newly constructed homes fell in September by 5.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 553,000. Even worse news , the August increase evaporated. Those sales were revised down from 629,000 to 585,000. With those losses, sales fell behind September 2017 by 13.2 percent and May remains the last month when sales increased. Analysts polled by Econoday had expected the Census Bureau to report around 625,000 annual sales with a range of 610,000 to 640,000. Econoday also noted that they have seen signs of price discounting on the part of builders. There

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/24/3608

It Takes Seven Years to Save for a Down Payment

Home values have grown almost twice as much as incomes have over the past 20 years

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/press-releases?item=137441

Staged to Sell: A Vintage Cottage That Was in Need of Some TLC

Home stager: Kelly Kurtz, a licensed REALTOR(R) with Exit Options Real Estate and founder of Simply Well Simply Organized

The home: This cottage was located in a small community in Groton, Mass. The home was rundown, and the owner had accumulated years of belongings that were scattered everywhere. Kurtz knew the home needed a deep cleaning and some staging to make it appealing to a buyer, without sacrificing the owner’s potential for profit by listing it under market value. Kurtz took the strategy of decluttering and cleaning the property but purposely muted her staging accessories to fit the style of the property. The home, which was built in 1925, was listed for $249,900.

BEFORE

AFTER – Photo Credit: Kelly Kurtz, Exit Options Real Estate

 

BEFORE

AFTER – Photo Credit: Kelly Kurtz, Exit Options Real Estate

 

BEFORE

AFTER – Photo Credit: Kelly Kurtz, Exit Options Real Estate

Kurtz’s Staging Tips:

1. Work with the “feel” of the property. In this cottage, there already was a “vintage feel” so Kurtz knew shiny, new accessories wouldn’t work. The home’s kitchen was last updated in the 1950s, and so she worked with what she had. She weaved in timeless accessories–like a red kettle on the stovetop and tea towel curtain valances–to bring out the vintage charm already present in the space. She added a vintage kitchen stool by the laundry area and a chrome rimmed high-top table and colored stools in a sitting room off the kitchen, which fit more a 1950s decor style.

Photo Credit: Kelly Kurtz, Exit Options Real Estate

2. Fit the home to the likely buyer. Kurtz envisioned what type of buyer might live there. She added simple accessories that would appeal to that demographic. Kurtz staged the home with inspiration that a young couple who possibly had a small, younger family would be drawn to the home’s location, square footage, and budget.

3. Highlight any unique features. Kurtz knew the vintage stove might be one of the first items that many real estate professionals would recommend replacing, but instead she sought to accentuate it. The new owners could then decide to keep or toss it after they closed on the home, but it was all part of the vintage feel she tried to create.

 

Have a home you recently staged that you’d like to show off here at Styled Staged & Sold? Submit your staging photos for consideration, along with three to five of your best spruce-up tips. Contact Melissa Dittmann Tracey at mtracey@realtors.org.

from
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StyledStagedSold/~3/DnfZDST5UB4/

It Takes Seven Years to Save for a Down Payment

Home values have grown almost twice as much as incomes have over the past 20 years

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-10-23-It-Takes-Seven-Years-to-Save-for-a-Down-Payment

Zillow Begins Buying and Selling Homes in Denver

Zillow Offers launches its fourth market today

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-10-22-Zillow-Begins-Buying-and-Selling-Homes-in-Denver

Rents Decline Annually for the First Time in Six Years

Annual rent growth has now slowed for eight consecutive months; rent appreciation peaked at 6.6 percent in July 2015

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-10-18-Rents-Decline-Annually-for-the-First-Time-in-Six-Years

Zillow to Receive Listings from Redline Real Estate Canada

Redline Real Estate Canada's listings will soon be displayed on Zillow.

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-10-17-Zillow-to-Receive-Listings-from-Redline-Real-Estate-Canada

Mortgage Rates Barely Budge Despite Market Volatility; Carson Plan on Affordable Housing

Mortgage rates didn't move much for the second day this week. Unlike yesterday, there was a relatively massive amount of volatility in underlying financial markets. This was especially true for stocks and the US Treasury market (which sets the tone for the broader bond market where mortgages operate). Even if we look specifically at mortgage-backed securities (MBS), we see some of the best gains this month. In fact, mortgage rates likely would have ended the day with more noticeable improvement if the gains had remained intact. Unfortunately , the strength began to erode in the late morning hours. Bonds had benefited from massive stock losses, but starting just after 10am, stocks began to bounce back while bonds weakened (weaker bonds = higher rates). Momentum kicked into higher gear later

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/23/3606

It Takes Seven Years to Save for a Down Payment

Home values have grown almost twice as much as incomes have over the past 20 years

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-10-23-It-Takes-Seven-Years-to-Save-for-a-Down-Payment

New Research Shows Renters Continue to Find Affordability in Renting

New research finds a large and growing segment of renters continue to believe renting is a more affordable option than owning, even as many of those same renters are feeling the squeeze of rising housing costs. More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/consumer-research/20181017_affordability_renting.html?attr=rssEHR

Rates Little-Changed to Begin The Week; Affordability Feeling Pressure; Another Tax Cut?

Mortgage rates didn't move much today. Lenders who made changes to Friday's rate sheets generally did so toward slightly higher rates. Actually, it would be more precise to say those lenders raised upfront costs associated with any given rate. This is typical on days where the broader rate market is slightly weaker, but not weak enough for mortgage lenders to adjust mortgage rates by the standard 0.125% increment. In the bigger picture , this leaves the average lender quoting conventional 30yr fixed rates of roughly 5% on top tier scenarios. There were no major developments or economic reports to move the bond market (which underlies rates) today. The rest of the week is on the light side as well, but things pick up on Thursday and Friday. Loan Originator Perspective Bond markets slumbered

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/22/3604

Zillow Begins Buying and Selling Homes in Denver

Zillow Offers launches its fourth market today

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-10-22-Zillow-Begins-Buying-and-Selling-Homes-in-Denver

Staged to Sell: A Vintage Cottage in Need of Some TLC

Home stager: Kelly Kurtz, a licensed REALTOR(R) with Exit Options Real Estate and founder of Simply Well Simply Organized

The home: This cottage was located in a small community in Groton, Mass. The home was rundown, and the owner had accumulated years of belongings that were scattered everywhere. Kurtz knew the home needed a deep cleaning and some staging to make it appealing to a buyer, without sacrificing the owner’s potential for profit by listing it under market value. Kurtz took the strategy of decluttering and cleaning the property but purposely muted her staging accessories to fit the style of the property. The home, which was built in 1925, was listed for $249,900.

BEFORE

AFTER – Photo Credit: Kelly Kurtz, Exit Options Real Estate

 

BEFORE

AFTER – Photo Credit: Kelly Kurtz, Exit Options Real Estate

 

BEFORE

AFTER – Photo Credit: Kelly Kurtz, Exit Options Real Estate

Kurtz’s Staging Tips:

1. Work with the “feel” of the property. In this cottage, there already was a “vintage feel” so Kurtz knew shiny, new accessories wouldn’t work. The home’s kitchen was last updated in the 1950s, and so she worked with what she had. She weaved in timeless accessories–like a red kettle on the stovetop and tea towel curtain valances–to bring out the vintage charm already present in the space. She added a vintage kitchen stool by the laundry area and a chrome rimmed high-top table and colored stools in a sitting room off the kitchen, which fit more a 1950s decor style.

Photo Credit: Kelly Kurtz, Exit Options Real Estate

2. Fit the home to the likely buyer. Kurtz envisioned what type of buyer might live there. She added simple accessories that would appeal to that demographic. Kurtz staged the home with inspiration that a young couple who possibly had a small, younger family would be drawn to the home’s location, square footage, and budget.

3. Highlight any unique features. Kurtz knew the vintage stove might be one of the first items that many real estate professionals would recommend replacing, but instead she sought to accentuate it. The new owners could then decide to keep or toss it after they closed on the home, but it was all part of the vintage feel she tried to create.

 

Have a home you recently staged that you’d like to show off here at Styled Staged & Sold? Submit your staging photos for consideration, along with three to five of your best spruce-up tips. Contact Melissa Dittmann Tracey at mtracey@realtors.org.

from
http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2018/10/22/staged-to-sell-a-vintage-cottage-in-need-of-some-tlc/

New Research Shows Renters Continue to Find Affordability in Renting

New research finds a large and growing segment of renters continue to believe renting is a more affordable option than owning, even as many of those same renters are feeling the squeeze of rising housing costs. More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/consumer-research/20181017_affordability_renting.html?attr=rssEHR

New Research Shows Renters Continue to Find Affordability in Renting

New research finds a large and growing segment of renters continue to believe renting is a more affordable option than owning, even as many of those same renters are feeling the squeeze of rising housing costs. More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/consumer-research/20181017_affordability_renting.html?attr=rssEHR

It’s Easy Being Green: How to Add This Year’s Hottest Hues of Green to Your Décor

Photo Credit: Crate and Barrel

By Laura Love Bardell, guest contributor

This year in home decor, green is really having a moment. Far from being a short-lived trend, however, this verdant color is definitely here to stay. Luckily for us, green goes with just about everything, and it’s easy to incorporate into any room of your home.

Add some life.

The simplest way to add green into your home decor is with botanicals, which blend effortlessly into any color scheme. Place a cluster of potted succulents on the coffee table, and fill that empty corner behind the sofa with a statement fiddle leaf fig tree. In spaces that lack sufficient natural light for live plants, consider faux varieties. With advances in manufacturing techniques, many artificial plants look just as convincing as the real thing and require no maintenance.

Accessorize.

In rooms with a neutral color palette, use green accessories to add a pop of color or texture. Swap out existing window treatments with curtains featuring botanical leaf prints or patterns. Layer throw pillows and blankets on the living room sofa. Avoid choosing all solid color pillows as the effect can be a bit flat; instead opt for complementary patterns and textures for a fresh, updated look.

Style your bookcase or end table with a vibrant emerald centerpiece bowl, or intersperse green vases with on-trend marble decor on the console table for a chic, of-the-moment look. For a bolder statement, consider a kelly-green statement wall, palm print wall decals, or a luxe velvet sofa in a rich olive hue.

Mix it up.

Beyond neutral palettes, green works beautifully in any number of color schemes. Many shades mix easily with black and white; use this combination for a classic, timeless aesthetic. Juxtapose a muted lime green with pops of red, orange, and yellow for a playful, energized space. Paler hues mix well with pastels or jewel tones offer a rich, vibrant look.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Laura Love Bardell  writes for  Crate and Barrel,  where  she creates design-savvy content on the latest home-furnishing trends. Laura enjoys giving tips for how to use furniture creatively for any space, big or small.

from
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StyledStagedSold/~3/-BO0RozAdiY/

New Research Shows Renters Continue to Find Affordability in Renting

New research finds a large and growing segment of renters continue to believe renting is a more affordable option than owning, even as many of those same renters are feeling the squeeze of rising housing costs. More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/consumer-research/20181017_affordability_renting.html?attr=rssEHR

Purchase Share, FICOs, ARMs All Increasing; Bright Economy Muted by Housing; Inventory Turns Positive

The share of closed loans originated for home purchase continues to inch higher. Ellie Mae, in its September Origination Insight Report , says that share jumped from 68 percent in August to 71 percent . The upward trend in purchasing was most pronounced for FHA loans where the share rose 5 percentage points to 83 percent. For Conventional loans the share moved to 69 percent from 66 percent while there was only a 1-point increase in the VA share, to 73 percent. The distribution of loans did shift slightly for the first time in months. The VA and FHA shares of closed loans remained at 10 and 20 percent respectively but the Conventional shared dipped by 1 point to 65 percent. The share of adjustable rate mortgages (ARMS) increased to 7.2 percent from 6.6 percent in August. "We see refinances remain

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/19/3600

Rent Prices Turns Negative; Rates Recover But Scary Pattern Looms

Evidence is growing that the housing market is cooling, and Zillow is adding to the pile of proof. However, its contribution points more to a slowdown in the rental market than breaking any news about housing prices. The company says that annual rent growth has now slowed nationally for eight straight months and turned negative on an annual basis last month for the first time since July 2012. The annual rate of growth in September was -0.2 percent, not only a negative but far from the peak rate of appreciation, 6.6 percent, in July 2015. Still, monthly rent is hardly pocket change. The national median after that 0.2 percent or $36.00 decline, was $1,440. Rents were lower in 19 of the country's 35 largest housing markets and were unchanged in three more. The largest decline , 2.7 percent, was

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/18/3598

Construction Down but Not Out; Apps Just Down; Rates Just Up

Mortgage rates moved higher at a quicker pace today, following the release of the Minutes from the most recent Fed meeting. But correlation isn't necessarily causality in this case. The Minutes provide a more detailed account of the Fed meeting that resulted in September's rate hike. That rate hike was foregone conclusion and the Fed has been a relative open book in the intervening 3 weeks. In other words, there wasn't bound to be much by way of surprises. Even so, investors are always looking for clues in this more robust snapshot of the Fed's decision-making process. As such, it has the potential to cause some market volatility . There was market volatility today--especially for bonds (which directly affect mortgage rates). It's debatable whether it was purely a function of the Fed. More

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/17/3596

Home Price Reductions Are Increasing, Especially at High End; Builder Confidence Improves

Recent research from Trulia shows home price reductions are increasing . The share of homes for sale that have had at least one price cut since being listed is the highest since 2014. This, the company says, is more evidence that the market may finally be tilting in homebuyers favor, but the benefits are certainly not evident across the board, or maybe even where they are most needed. During the first part of this year the share of listings with a price changes stayed much as it was in 2017, but then shot up in July and August. When this is coupled with the slowdown in home price growth that has been noted in most indices, and inventories that are finally creeping up, the increase in price cuts, according to Trulia, could be a critical third confirmation that things may finally be shifting

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/16/3594

Freddie Announces More "Big Data" Tools; Rates Waiting For a Sign; New MBA Pres Comes Out Swinging

Freddie Mac is announcing a couple of enhancements to its Loan Advisor underwriting tool. The additional capabilities will allow lenders to automate the assessment of borrower income and assets to reduce documentation which the company says will significantly speed-up the approval process. There are several components to the advances which the company unveiled at the Mortgage Bankers Associations Annual Convention and Expo in Washington which began on Sunday. Automated collateral evaluation combined with collateral rep and warranty relief Automated assessments for borrowers without credit scores Automated asset and income validation. The automated collateral evaluation has been available in some form previously and with this announcement appears to be extended to condominium units . It is unclear

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/15/3592

"Debt-to-Income" Now Biggest Player in Mortgage Denials; Rates and Stocks Stabilize

Mortgage denial rates ebb and flow with the economy, with lenders appetite for risk, and sometimes with the pressure lenders feel to make loans. Denial rates in 2017 continued to diminish as they have done since the economy began to improve in 2013 and were the lowest in any year since at least 2004. Using data collected from lenders under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), CoreLogic estimates only about one in ten mortgage applications were denied last year. Poor credit used to be the primary reason that lenders turned borrowers away, but Yanling Mayer, writing in the CoreLogic Insights blog, says that, in the current credit cycle that has changed. The tight inventory of starter and lower-priced homes has pushed the prices of those homes up faster, impacting affordability more on that

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/12/3588

Retiring Wealthy - Show 506

Real Estate Today Radio - SHOW 506

On this week's Real Estate Today, it's our special show "Retiring Wealthy."

This Week's Show Includes:
- Top News Of The Week
- Retiring Wealthy
- The REALTORS(R) Relief Foundation
- Smart Home Technology
- Get REALTOR(R)

Become a part of the community at http://retradio.com!

from
http://retradio.com

Indiana convenience-store chain pumping up Indy presence

The award-winning Valparaiso-based operator is planning at least nine stores here. Also: Bonobos, Joella's Hot Chicken, Cabin Coffee Co. and Macy's.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/70946-family-express-convenience-store-chain-pumping-up-local-presence

Rent Prices Turns Negative; Rates Recover But Scary Pattern Looms

Evidence is growing that the housing market is cooling, and Zillow is adding to the pile of proof. However, its contribution points more to a slowdown in the rental market than breaking any news about housing prices. The company says that annual rent growth has now slowed nationally for eight straight months and turned negative on an annual basis last month for the first time since July 2012. The annual rate of growth in September was -0.2 percent, not only a negative but far from the peak rate of appreciation, 6.6 percent, in July 2015. Still, monthly rent is hardly pocket change. The national median after that 0.2 percent or $36.00 decline, was $1,440. Rents were lower in 19 of the country's 35 largest housing markets and were unchanged in three more. The largest decline , 2.7 percent, was

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/18/3598

Set For Life - Show 505

Real Estate Today Radio - SHOW 505

On this week's Real Estate Today, it's our special show "Set For Life."

This Week's Show Includes:
- Top News Of The Week
- Your Team
- The 1031 Exchange
- Smart Home Technology
- Get REALTOR(R)

Become a part of the community at http://retradio.com!

from
http://retradio.com

Indiana convenience-store chain pumping up Indy presence

The award-winning Valparaiso-based operator is planning at least nine stores here. Also: Bonobos, Joella's Hot Chicken, Cabin Coffee Co. and Macy's.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/19-property-lines/post/70946-family-express-convenience-store-chain-pumping-up-local-presence

Rents Decline Annually for the First Time in Six Years

Annual rent growth has now slowed for eight consecutive months; rent appreciation peaked at 6.6 percent in July 2015

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2018-10-18-Rents-Decline-Annually-for-the-First-Time-in-Six-Years

Construction Down but Not Out; Apps Just Down; Rates Just Up

Mortgage rates moved higher at a quicker pace today, following the release of the Minutes from the most recent Fed meeting. But correlation isn't necessarily causality in this case. The Minutes provide a more detailed account of the Fed meeting that resulted in September's rate hike. That rate hike was foregone conclusion and the Fed has been a relative open book in the intervening 3 weeks. In other words, there wasn't bound to be much by way of surprises. Even so, investors are always looking for clues in this more robust snapshot of the Fed's decision-making process. As such, it has the potential to cause some market volatility . There was market volatility today--especially for bonds (which directly affect mortgage rates). It's debatable whether it was purely a function of the Fed. More

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/17/3596

Home Price Reductions Are Increasing, Especially at High End; Builder Confidence Improves

Recent research from Trulia shows home price reductions are increasing . The share of homes for sale that have had at least one price cut since being listed is the highest since 2014. This, the company says, is more evidence that the market may finally be tilting in homebuyers favor, but the benefits are certainly not evident across the board, or maybe even where they are most needed. During the first part of this year the share of listings with a price changes stayed much as it was in 2017, but then shot up in July and August. When this is coupled with the slowdown in home price growth that has been noted in most indices, and inventories that are finally creeping up, the increase in price cuts, according to Trulia, could be a critical third confirmation that things may finally be shifting

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/16/3594

Freddie Announces More "Big Data" Tools; Rates Waiting For a Sign; New MBA Pres Comes Out Swinging

Freddie Mac is announcing a couple of enhancements to its Loan Advisor underwriting tool. The additional capabilities will allow lenders to automate the assessment of borrower income and assets to reduce documentation which the company says will significantly speed-up the approval process. There are several components to the advances which the company unveiled at the Mortgage Bankers Associations Annual Convention and Expo in Washington which began on Sunday. Automated collateral evaluation combined with collateral rep and warranty relief Automated assessments for borrowers without credit scores Automated asset and income validation. The automated collateral evaluation has been available in some form previously and with this announcement appears to be extended to condominium units . It is unclear

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/15/3592

"Debt-to-Income" Now Biggest Player in Mortgage Denials; Rates and Stocks Stabilize

Mortgage denial rates ebb and flow with the economy, with lenders appetite for risk, and sometimes with the pressure lenders feel to make loans. Denial rates in 2017 continued to diminish as they have done since the economy began to improve in 2013 and were the lowest in any year since at least 2004. Using data collected from lenders under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), CoreLogic estimates only about one in ten mortgage applications were denied last year. Poor credit used to be the primary reason that lenders turned borrowers away, but Yanling Mayer, writing in the CoreLogic Insights blog, says that, in the current credit cycle that has changed. The tight inventory of starter and lower-priced homes has pushed the prices of those homes up faster, impacting affordability more on that

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/12/3588

Mortgage Rates Are Lower vs a Week Ago; Stocks vs Bonds; Effects on Homebuying

Mortgage rates fell today as the stock market sell-off remained in focus. Stocks and rates certainly don't have a linear and predictable relationship, but when stocks move lower as quickly as they have over the past 2 days, rates tend to see at least some benefit. Even though yesterday's stock sell-off was much worse, today was a better day for rates due to timing. Simply put, the mortgage market didn't have quite enough time to adjust to the move in stocks before the close of business. Lenders who did change rates yesterday were somewhat conservative with those changes in the event stocks bounced back in a major way. When stocks failed to improve overnight, mortgage lenders passed along more of the improvements seen in the underlying bond market. The average lender is now offering rates that

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/11/3586

Construction Down but Not Out; Apps Just Down; Rates Just Up

Mortgage rates moved higher at a quicker pace today, following the release of the Minutes from the most recent Fed meeting. But correlation isn't necessarily causality in this case. The Minutes provide a more detailed account of the Fed meeting that resulted in September's rate hike. That rate hike was foregone conclusion and the Fed has been a relative open book in the intervening 3 weeks. In other words, there wasn't bound to be much by way of surprises. Even so, investors are always looking for clues in this more robust snapshot of the Fed's decision-making process. As such, it has the potential to cause some market volatility . There was market volatility today--especially for bonds (which directly affect mortgage rates). It's debatable whether it was purely a function of the Fed. More

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2018/10/17/3596

New Research Shows Renters Continue to Find Affordability in Renting

New research finds a large and growing segment of renters continue to believe renting is a more affordable option than owning, even as many of those same renters are feeling the squeeze of rising housing costs. More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/consumer-research/20181017_affordability_renting.html?attr=rssEHR

It’s Easy Being Green: How to Add This Year’s Hottest Hues of Green to Your Décor

Photo Credit: Crate and Barrel

By Laura Love Bardell, guest contributor

This year in home decor, green is really having a moment. Far from being a short-lived trend, however, this verdant color is definitely here to stay. Luckily for us, green goes with just about everything, and it’s easy to incorporate into any room of your home.

Add some life.

The simplest way to add green into your home decor is with botanicals, which blend effortlessly into any color scheme. Place a cluster of potted succulents on the coffee table, and fill that empty corner behind the sofa with a statement fiddle leaf fig tree. In spaces that lack sufficient natural light for live plants, consider faux varieties. With advances in manufacturing techniques, many artificial plants look just as convincing as the real thing and require no maintenance.

Accessorize.

In rooms with a neutral color palette, use green accessories to add a pop of color or texture. Swap out existing window treatments with curtains featuring botanical leaf prints or patterns. Layer throw pillows and blankets on the living room sofa. Avoid choosing all solid color pillows as the effect can be a bit flat; instead opt for complementary patterns and textures for a fresh, updated look.

Style your bookcase or end table with a vibrant emerald centerpiece bowl, or intersperse green vases with on-trend marble decor on the console table for a chic, of-the-moment look. For a bolder statement, consider a kelly-green statement wall, palm print wall decals, or a luxe velvet sofa in a rich olive hue.

Mix it up.

Beyond neutral palettes, green works beautifully in any number of color schemes. Many shades mix easily with black and white; use this combination for a classic, timeless aesthetic. Juxtapose a muted lime green with pops of red, orange, and yellow for a playful, energized space. Paler hues mix well with pastels or jewel tones offer a rich, vibrant look.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Laura Love Bardell  writes for  Crate and Barrel,  where  she creates design-savvy content on the latest home-furnishing trends. Laura enjoys giving tips for how to use furniture creatively for any space, big or small.

from
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StyledStagedSold/~3/-BO0RozAdiY/

New Research Shows Renters Continue to Find Affordability in Renting

New research finds a large and growing segment of renters continue to believe renting is a more affordable option than owning, even as many of those same renters are feeling the squeeze of rising housing costs. More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/consumer-research/20181017_affordability_renting.html?attr=rssEHR