Humor is one of the quickest ways to overcome distance and uncertainty between new acquaintances. The art of conversation is a learned technique, and those who struggle with “small talk” and “soft conversation” can benefit from “stocking the pantry” with favorite “canned” one-liners designed to break the ice and build trust.Although not our original creations, these […]
Everyone knows the social advantages of home ownership. However, some question the financial benefits of owning a home. Three recent studies shed some light on the issue. RealtyTrac recently released a report comparing home price appreciation to wage growth over the last two years. The study revealed that home price appreciation has outpaced wage growth […]
“One of life’s quiet excitements is to stand somewhat apart from yourself and watch yourself softly becoming the author of something beautiful even if it is only a floating ash.” ― Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It Have you ever had a profound, life-changing experience just by being exposed to the work of a magnificent artist? If […]
Every seller wants to get the best price for their house. We learned in high school that the best price for any item will be determined by the demand for that item relative to the supply of that item. We have reported that the inventory of houses for sale is well below normal numbers. There […]
In the latest sign that the U.S. real estate market is improving, more Americans signed contracts to purchase homes in February than in nearly a year. The National Association of Realtors released the data, which showed that the seasonally adjusted pending home sales index increased 3.1 percent to 106.9 in February. That’s the highest it’s been […]
Career Day can be an exciting event for both students and speakers! Realtors® are frequently invited to participate, and it is both a tremendous honor and opportunity to share the passion that many entrepreneurs find when they match to real estate careers. Few presentations can match the powerful impact of seeing a successful and happy Realtor® […]
The National Association of Realtors just released their 2015 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey which revealed that vacation home sales boomed in 2014 to above their most recent peak level in 2006. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said favorable conditions are driving second-home sales: “Affluent households have greatly benefited from strong growth in the […]
If you are debating purchasing a home right now, you are surely getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family will have your best interest at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in real estate. Let’s look at whether or not now is actually […]
Some Highlights: The National Association of REALTORS® surveyed their members for their Confidence Index The REALTORS® Confidence Index is a key indicator of housing market strength based on a monthly survey sent to over 50,000 real estate practitioners. Practitioners are asked about their expectations for home sales, prices and market conditions. Homes sold in less than […]
The national housing market continues to show gains, with home prices rising year-over-year during the month of February. This is fantastic news as it shows that the U.S. real estate market continues to rebound from the Great Recession. If you’re considering listing your home anytime soon, please continue reading to learn more about current national […]
