No. 4: ‘3 things homebuyers should never say to a Realtor’
Number four on our Top-10 most popular articles of 2012 is “3 things homebuyers should never say to a Realtor.”
Publish date: March 29, 2012
Written by: Lynnette Khalfani-Cox
Why Realtors should be using Pinterest
For the last several years, real estate professionals have used Facebook and Twitter to keep up with industry news, connect with clients and increase their exposure. Now Pinterest is the latest social media tool being used by the real estate industry to boost business.
Launched in 2010, Pinterest is a virtual pinboard that lets you organize and share photos. The site quickly became the third-most popular social network in the country, behind Facebook and Twitter, according to Experian. Much like Facebook and Twitter, Pinterest seeks to “connect everyone in the world through the things they find interesting.”
Economy sends mortgage rates down further
According to the latest Weekly Mortgage Rates Radar, rates on the most popular types of mortgages declined this week. The average rate for conforming 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell by four basis points (0.04 percent) to 3.66 percent. Conforming 5/1 Hybrid ARM rates decreased by five basis points, closing the Wednesday-to-Tuesday wraparound weekly survey at an average of 2.73 percent.
“The economic news continues to be tilted in a downward direction,” said Keith Gumbinger, vice president of HSH.com. “Additionally, fresh worries about Spain’s ability to manage its fiscal troubles gives global investors more reasons to pump money into the safety of US Treasury debt, driving yields lower.”
Realtors: What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay there
I first read about this story yesterday via this tweet: “REALTOR Association leaders: You Cannot Ignore This Story.” Putting my doubts aside that this was nothing more than Twitter hype, I clicked the link and in just a few short minutes began reading an unfolding story that could wind up impacting Realtors nationwide.
As first reported by Caitlin McGarry in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, three active members of the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors (GLVAR) are suing the trade association, its board of directors and its most recent past chief executive, Irene Vogel, alleging misappropriation of funds.
For real estate agents, time isn’t always money
The real estate market has evolved quite a bit since the market tanked just a few years back. Everything from the types of properties available for purchase, to the lending conditions borrowers must meet has changed thanks to the downturn.
Even the relationship between real estate professional and buyer has begun to evolve in order to keep up with current market conditions.
Realtors: Here’s how to improve your Google rank
The current reality is, all of us who work in the online space depend tremendously on search engines, especially Google–it’s one of the main ways consumers find the information they’re looking for.
Whenever I need directions, my first stop is Google maps. When I needed a chicken cacciatore recipe last weekend, I searched the term on Google (thank you, Giada De Laurentiis–it was delicious). Whenever I’m debating the answer to a question with friends, we usually settle our score by saying, “Google it!”
What if the mortgage interest deduction was eliminated?
What would your reaction be if lawmakers decided to do away with the mortgage interest deduction? For certain homeowners, tax season, along with all the usual stress it brings, means the opportunity to deduct some of the interest they paid on their mortgages all year long. However, there have been some discussions, both on Capitol Hill and beyond, of doing away with the famed mortgage interest deduction as a way to correct this country’s ever-growing deficit.
As you might anticipate, many homeowners and professionals are up in arms over the idea, while others think eliminating the deduction could be a reasonable solution.
Realtors call to increase mortgage lending
Is the current lending environment turning away too many qualified borrowers? Could the housing market be in much better shape if we approved more home loans?
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) thinks so, and they announced as much during their 2010 conference this week. Obviously, Realtors depend on home sales to support their incomes, and easier credit requirements mean more buyers which equals more home sales.
Weekly Recap (7/19/10-7/24/10)
Saturday
“Elimination of Mortgage Interest Deductions Gains Steam“:
Economist Mark Zandi encouraged the most unlikely group of professionals to jump on the ‘eliminate mortgage deductions’ bandwagon: Realtors. Much to their surprise, or should I say chagrin, Zandi told his audience that the housing sector has received enough support, “it’s time to give back.”
Elimination of Mortgage Interest Deductions Gains Steam
Economist Mark Zandi encouraged the most unlikely group of professionals to jump on the ‘eliminate mortgage deductions’ bandwagon: Realtors. Much to their surprise, or should I say chagrin, Zandi told his audience that the housing sector has received enough support, “it’s time to give back”:
And the industry shouldn’t be shy about its support for such action either, Mr. Zandi argued Wednesday in Washington. Rather, it should “get out ahead of this” and “lead the way,” he said.
