1. Don’t Let a Home Inspection Torpedo Your Sale! Address These 5 Areas First. Realtor.com suggests “Because so much rides on a successful home inspection—that is, one that doesn’t reveal issues with your home’s major systems and physical structure—many experts recommend you have an inspection performed before even putting your home on the market.” As a seller, it’s a good idea most of the time to have a home inspection prior to listing your home. If you don’t, it’s possible once you get into a contract, the buyer’s inspector may find issues you don’t even know about, which can throw the entire listing into a tailspin.
2. YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
“REALTOR® Magazine has announced the 50 accomplished real estate professionals vying for a spot in the 2019 class of 30 Under 30. It’s all about relationships for this year’s candidates: They love the business of real estate, but they love the people they serve even more.” Presenting the 2019 30 Under 30 Finalists. Do you know any of these young go-getters? If so, I’m sure they would love and appreciate your vote.
3. WAIT A SECOND!
CNBC reports Home prices could be on the verge of heating up again, according to CoreLogic. At the end of last year, the market cooled off a bit when 30-year fixed interest rates rose to about 5%. Currently, they sit around 4.5%, “So that could mean the end of the current price chill, as more buyers this spring compete for a still-slim supply of listings for sale. Inventories have started to rise nationwide, but mostly on the higher end of the market, which is not where the bulk of current demand is. The supply of entry-level homes for sale is still very, very low, as builders continue to focus on more expensive homes, given today’s high costs for land and labor.”
4. THAT’S COLD
We all know how important it is to stage your listing. Thank you NAR for the reminder. “When you see before-and-after photos of spaces not staged versus staged, it’s easy to quickly become a believer in home staging! Vacant spaces, in particular, absolutely need to be staged for these 3 HUGE reasons…” It’s easy to get lazy especially in a seller’s market, but top agents have systems in place to make sure homes sell as quickly as possible, for top dollar in any market. I venture to say, staging is most often part of the listing process for them. Read the 3 Reasons Why Staging a Vacant Home Is Critical.
5. NORTH OF THE BORDER
Huffington Post Canada reports Canadian Rental Rates Rise At Fastest Pace In 30 Years. “Many would-be homebuyers have been priced out of the housing market due to the new mortgage stress test or rising interest rates, forcing people to stay in rental housing longer. At the same time, Canada’s population growth has accelerated over the past few years, leading to the fastest population growth in several decades.” Take a look at a list of 24 cities in Canada and their one and two bedroom apartment monthly asking rates.
6. BREATHE…
“According to Mansion Global’s 2019 Year Ahead report, more high-end condo buyers are forgoing flashy amenities like car-carrying elevators in favor of ones that promote serenity.” Business Insider suggests Outdoor yoga decks, private parks, and ‘tranquility gardens’ are the hottest new thing in luxury buildings, and it signals a change in status symbols among the wealthy. Would you forgo the flashy amenities for those that promote wellness and more mindful living? You know you can have everything, so why not have it all? There are developers meeting that demand too.
7. REAL ESTATE SPAM
Are you interested to find out the Top 10 Affordable Small Towns Where You’d Actually Want to Live, 2019 Edition? I’m always interested in reading this kind of content. “So, for the third year running, realtor.com® set out to find America’s best small towns, places that could melt even the calloused hearts of the most die-hard urban dwellers.” I always try to visualize what it would be like living in some of these small towns. Can you guess the town where the Spam Museum is located? I never thought I would ever write that sentence!
8. MOVING TO FLORIDA?
Today while reading real estate news, I noticed that Sarasota Magazine published A Surge of New $2-Million-Plus Condos Lifts the Sarasota Real Estate Market. “A string of ultra-luxury condominium projects are filling in the downtown Sarasota skyline: Auteur, Blvd, Epoch, the Ritz-Carlton Residences at the Quay and, completed last season, 624 Palm.” Check out more details on the individual projects, and please let me know if you need to find a great Sarasota agent. I have just the guy!
9. MARKET DIFFERENTIATION
Ever wonder What’s the Difference Between a Real Estate Agent, Realtor and Broker? This U.S. News and World Report article will help you, “But when you’re browsing for potential agents, how do you decipher the differences between a licensed agent, a Realtor and a broker? Does one guarantee you an unmatched level of service, and should you take the title into account when deciding who to work with?” No and maybe! The article clearly states there are differences in terminology between states but that does not necessarily mean there are significant discrepancies in levels of service. Do your due diligence and if you ever have difficulty, ask for a top agent referral.
10. HALL OF FAMER
The LA Times reports Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio’s love nest sells for over asking in Hollywood Hills. “A onetime Hollywood Hills haunt of Marilyn Monroe, which the legendary model-actress rented with baseball’s Joe DiMaggio during their brief time together, has sold for $2.727 million. That’s around $30,000 over the asking price, records show.” Click the link if you care to see several photos of the Mediterranean-style estate built in 1938.
