1. Big news this week. Zillow jumps into homebuying and -selling It’s as easy as “A home seller answers a questionnaire about the condition of their home, and the iBuyer uses an algorithm to set a “fair market” price for the house and make an offer. Interested, or does it seem a little strange?
2. MIDDLE AMERICA
Having trouble finding an affordable place to call home? U.S. New and World Report looked at “what portion of the median annual household income went to the average cost to own or rent a home, plus the typical cost of utilities and taxes.” These are The 25 Best Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2018
3. LEVERAGE THIS
Any idea how much you would have made if you bought a house in one of these cities 20 years ago? CNBC reports: “Here are 16 cities where GBR saw incredible appreciation over the past two decades.” This has not happened in all U.S. markets so it’s important you consult a great Realtor before making such a large investment.
4. MILLENNIALS
Are you guys ready for this? Elle Decor suggests This is how much you need to make to own a home in every state. Can you guess which state is the highest? Think about it a minute, then click this link.
5. THE BOTTOM LINE
“Seattle, Los Angeles, and Portland, Ore., have logged sharp increases in permits for accessory dwelling units following changes to zoning laws.” Bloomberg published this article suggesting A Small Fix for the Housing Crunch Is in Your Backyard
6. HOMELESS INTEREST
“In an attempt to alleviate the soaring homelessness problem in Los Angeles County, officials want to pay homeowners to house people by building new living units or bringing existing dwellings up to code if they are in violation.” NPR mentioned a similar project in Oregon to the one in California.
7. HIDE AND SEEK
Have you ever gone into a house on the market and had a weird feeling that there was something strange going on? You were probably right. When a homeowner lists a house, “The MLS does not provide independent verification, nor is it liable for any inaccuracies.” It’s important to look around very carefully with your agent. The Huffington Post suggests 7 Signs A Home Seller May Be Hiding Something.
8. COFFEE ANYONE?
People are looking at walk scores these days. I think it’s a great idea. Here is some data Coastal Living found for a recent post: “A 2015 Zillow report found that, between 1997 and 2014, homes within a quarter-mile to a Starbucks increased in value by 96 percent.” It’s one of 4 Surprising Qualities That Can Boost Your Home Value
Have a great weekend!
