The “magic of homeownership.” That’s how Julián Castro, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), described one of the pillars of the American Dream during a speech at the 2015 convention of the Mortgage Bankers Association. “President Johnson once said that owning a home is more than just a cherished dream: It represents achievement,...
By Bud Clark, Managing Broker at Willis Allen Real Estate With the 2016 Presidential election being such a hot topic right now, everyone’s buzzing about what influence the election will have on the U.S. economy, consumer spending and yes, the real estate market. Yet, in reality, a closer look suggests something quite different is taking place, a textbook example...
Just when you think you've seen every possible way to market a home—from Michael Jordan's voice-over to this “babe” infested monstrosity--someone rolls in to prove you wrong. Recently, California-based real estate company SF Good Life unleashed a new listing video starring several fluffy, four-footed friends. “Kitten Invaders” showcases the listing 16...
Few brokers have bested the challenge of motivating agents to adopt technology—and with a revolving door of new tools, overcoming that challenge appears a fool’s errand. But as attendees of RISMedia’s recent Broker Best Practices Webinar learned, there are solutions that impart a positive effect on agent adoption outcomes, and they start with one question: Why? “It’s...
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, millennials now number 83.1M – more than one quarter of the nation’s population. As the largest demographic cohort in America, millennials are a powerful buying force and brands are vying for their attention. They are the largest source of new demand for rental housing and represent 32 percent of the U.S. home buying market...
Across the U.S., homeowners’ associations are on the ascent. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 59 percent of newly constructed homes in 2014 were part of a homeowners’ association. That’s up from 46 percent in 2009. So, what’s the draw of homeowners’ associations? By the same token, what are the drawbacks? “A well-run and managed HOA can be a blessing,...
Judie Crockett is proud to admit that she’s addicted to Facebook. While she used to feel embarrassed about her self-professed love for the popular social networking site, Crockett realized that it’s actually a reflection of her love for the real estate business. “I’m addicted to Facebook because I’m addicted to people. I really do care about people and I...
“Comps” – or recent comparable sales – give real estate practitioners and appraisers the information they need to price a home at fair-market value. Though comparable data are clear-cut to a professional, how many sellers understand the various tangibles and intangibles that inform these comparisons? If the gap between seller perception and appraiser opinion...
Panelists share their successful growth strategies during RISMedia's 2015 CEO Exchange. When it comes to growing in today’s recovering yet challenged real estate market, brokers are pulling out all the stops in order to set their firms up for continued growth as we head toward the future. While recruiting, retention, organic expansion, roll-ins and mergers and acquisitions...
For today’s real estate pros, business comes from a wide variety of places, off- and online. For those not maximizing leads from the Web, a lot of prospective clients – and money – could be left smack dab in the middle of the table. For Galand Haas, operating principal of Keller Williams Realty Eugene and Springfield, in Oregon, and Lane Hornung, CEO and founder...
