Jason Agee's Blog

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Construction Under The Weather; Single Family Permits on the Mend; Applications Regain Footing; Rates Rise

Mortgage rates moved modestly higher today despite bigger movement in underlying bond markets. In part, this is a byproduct of the way rates behaved at the end of last week, when lenders didn't adjust rates lower as quickly as bond market strength would have suggested. In short, rates are playing it closer to the vest while the bonds that underlie and inform rate movement have been a bit more volatile. Bonds and rates frequently react to economic reports and other news that speaks to the health of the economy or the rate-setting policies of the Federal Reserve. Although we did have a key report on new home construction and several speakers from the Fed today, rates were preoccupied with less overt motivations. One example would be bond traders who decided to sell bonds today simply because

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/10/18/3043

Rising Sea Levels Pose Significant Risk to Owners of Less Expensive Homes

Less affluent homeowners have more of their wealth stored in their homes, and could face catastrophic losses if their homes are damaged by higher sea levels

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-10-18-Rising-Sea-Levels-Pose-Significant-Risk-to-Owners-of-Less-Expensive-Homes

The Internet of Things - Show 453

Real Estate Today Radio - SHOW 453

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

This Week's Show Includes:
- Top News Of The Week
- VR: Safety, Independence, Comfort
- No Net!
- Ask The Millennial
- Smart Home Technology
- Get REALTOR(R)

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

from
http://retradio.com

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Rates Rise; Builder Confidence Bounces Back; A Friendlier Read on Recent Construction Numbers

Mortgage rates were at their best levels in roughly a month last Friday afternoon. Since then, they've risen modestly on each of the past two business days. As has been the case for quite some time, day-to-day movement continues to be very tame. The actual interest rates at the top of loan quotes rarely change from one day to the next. Instead, fine-tuning adjustments to the overall cost of financing come courtesy of slightly higher upfront costs--at least in today's case. In other words, if you were being quoted 3.875% yesterday on a 30yr loan yesterday, chances are you'd be seeing the same rate today, but with upfront costs just a bit higher (or a lender credit that's just a bit lower, depending on the scenario). In the bigger picture, rates are attempting to push lower after rising fairly

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/10/17/3041

7 Secrets for Adding a Finishing Touch to Your Staging

Styled Staged Sold_ Adding Finishing Touch to Staging_Image

Photo credit: Blinds.com

By Katie Laird, guest contributor

When staging a home for an open house, you can transform a space from an unimpressive, run-of-the-mill property to one with a “wow” factor. But without a little extra attention to detail, even the most professionally staged homes can leave something to be desired. Don’t let staging efforts go to waste—advise your clients to put the finishing touches on their staged homes, and boost their chances of selling. Here is a list of seven often overlooked finishing touches that can make a home shine.

1. Switch the lights.

It may seem like a big project, but switching out ceiling light fixtures is actually quite simple. Replacing old or broken fixtures can add a polished look and make a home feel updated. Remember that during showings and open houses, all lights will be on, so buyers’ eyes will be drawn to them. Choose something timeless that will go with any décor. And don’t forget the switch plates – dingy or yellowed light switches can make a staged room feel incomplete.

2. Consider window treatments.

Your clients may hesitate to replace blinds or shades before they move, because they can’t take them when they go. But remind them that custom window treatments can add significant value to the sale price. The right treatments can add privacy, style, and even energy efficiency to the home. They’re also the perfect way to frame a professionally-staged room. During your showing, treatments should allow as much natural light into the home as possible. Natural light balances any overly yellow lightbulbs and provides a blank canvas for the buyers to see clearly.

3. Touch-up the paint.

A professionally staged home will have impeccable furnishings and accessories. But chipped baseboards or scuffed walls can undo that polished look in an instant. Advise your clients to go through the home with touch-up paint and get rid of the most obvious offenses. It’s a simple way to hide the home’s age, and keep potential buyers focused on the its best attributes.

4. Give the floors some attention.

Stagers may add area rugs, but do not use rugs to hide scratched hardwoods or stained carpeting. Recommend that your clients make the investment into buffing and deep cleaning the flooring, so the rest of the staging looks at home in the pristine environment.

5. Add a little life.

Staging companies may add artificial plants as décor, but the living variety are even more appealing. Fresh flowers and houseplants brighten dining rooms, entryways, and bedside tables. Go neutral white or use this as an opportunity to add a pop of color. Also, try bowls of fruit, hanging ferns, or a small window herb garden to avoid having to put fresh flowers out every week. Don’t forget to look outside and freshen up the flower bed with new blooms and/or add a few potted plants around the front door.

6. Remove personal items.

Another final touch to making sure the staging looks natural is to remove any overly personal distractions. Remove family photos and memorabilia. If your sellers want to leave the frames on the wall to hide nail holes, have them consider putting a nice landscape print or piece of scrapbook paper in that spot instead. This goes for art, too. Your potential buyers might not share your enthusiasm for turn of the century pop-art, so the best choice is to swap it out for something classic, or remove completely.

7. Don’t forget storage areas.

Stagers will give special attention to the main living areas, but storage spaces like garages, closets, and basements are also vital selling points that need attention. Potential buyers look for roomy areas where they’ll be able to fit all their stuff. If basements and garages are overcrowded, it might send the signal that the home isn’t big enough for the buyers’ needs. Sellers may benefit from renting a storage space to help declutter and make every inch of the home irresistible.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Katie Laird is a frequent public speaker on social media marketing, social customer care, and profitable company culture. An active blogger and early social technology adopter, you can find her online as “happykatie” sharing home décor, yoga, parenting and vegetarian cooking tips. Laird is also the director of social marketing for Blinds.com.

from
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StyledStagedSold/~3/O0a3Oz9_ppU/

Housing Vouchers Don't Keep Up With Rising Rents

In counties where rents are rising fastest, fewer and fewer rental listings are affordable to renters with Housing Choice Vouchers

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-10-13-Housing-Vouchers-Dont-Keep-Up-With-Rising-Rents