News
What Is Real And What Is Pure PR About The Tesla Solar Roof?
Tesla rocked the solar power world when it acquired Solar City for $2 billion. The entire industry waited with baited breath to see what grand machination Tesla CEO Elon Musk had cooked up. They were not disappointed when he announced the creation of the Tesla Solar...
Fed announces rate hike, mortgages already on the rise
Additional increases throughout the year could push mortgage rates as high as 5 percent by year's end In a widely anticipated move, newly appointed Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Wednesday announced a modest benchmark interest rate hike of between...
No Such Thing As Real Estate Ethics?
A delightful little book by John Maxwell is provocatively titled, There's No Such Thing as Business Ethics. Now some might simply think, "no kidding." But for the curious, or those inclined to disagree, Maxwell's book makes an interesting argument. His point is not...
Renovation Reality: Actual Costs Of Four Popular Redos
So you want to redo your kitchen. Great! Now you have to do is pick out your new appliances, countertops, backsplash material and other assorted finishes, figure out what to do with your cabinets, find a contractor, and get started. Phew! Before you can do any of...
NAR wants permanent tax relief for distressed homeowners
Trade org urges Congress to reinstate expired exclusion preventing forgiven mortgage debt from being taxed as income During testimony on Wednesday before the U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Policy in Washington, the National Association of...
The social causes real estate leaders should rally behind
Gentrification and affordable housing, tax reform, government regulations and health care are the top issues impacting the industry, according to Inman's first-ever Real Estate Leadership Survey. This is one part of Inman’s five-part Essential Guide for Real Estate...
Everyone Can Lose When There’s No Contractor’s License
Spring is almost upon us and many homeowners are eagerly awaiting a return to weather that will allow them to undertake construction projects ranging from repairing damage caused by winter storms to engaging in projects to remodel, enlarge, and otherwise improve. If...
A loan officer’s presence at closing can make or break referrals: study
When borrowers are caught off guard because their financing doesn’t close at the rate and fees they expected, they tend to blame everyone in the room Every real estate professional knows the importance of attending the closingalong with his or her buyer and...
HUD considers dropping anti-discrimination language from mission, draws criticism from real estate
Zillow, NAR speak out on the importance of fair housing and diverse, inclusive communities. HUD says it remains committed to these ideals. Under the direction of secretary Ben Carson, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the 53-year-old agency...
What does the apartment of the future look like?
8 key takeaways from the National Multifamily Housing Council’s disruption report If you’re tired of seeing the same old, same old when you preview homes, you’ll love the National Multifamily Housing Council’s (NMHC) apartment of the future according to its...