Don’t Pocket Those Listings
Do you really want to withhold your property from the widest possible audience just to give your agent a chance to bank the entire commission, or at least keep the payday in-house?
This Real Estate Agent Went FSBO
by Lew Sichelman | Apr 6, 2025
This agent – licensed in another state – sold his parent’s home in a highly sought-after area in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., for $100,000 over the asking price, but regrets his decision.
What’s Better for Buyers: Commission Percentages or Dollar Figures?
by Lew Sichelman | Mar 30, 2025
Which would you rather pay a real estate agent to help you sell your $450,000 house: a 6 percent sales commission or $27,000? They’re exactly the same amounts, of course, but one sounds a lot less.
Presidential Plans Raise Anxiety in Housing Sector
by Lew Sichelman | Mar 23, 2025
In the market for a newly constructed house? You might want to hurry. Soon, new homes are likely to cost more and take longer to build.
Showing at a Moment’s Notice
by Lew Sichelman | Mar 16, 2025
Houses are meant to be lived in – except when they are for sale. That’s when they switch from a home to a commodity: a place that has to be ready for prospective buyers at a moment’s notice.
Beware Pre-Closing Pitfalls
by Lew Sichelman | Mar 9, 2025
It takes about 43 days, on average, to go from signing a contract on a house to reaching the settlement table. And between those dates, bunches of things can go haywire and scuttle the deal.
EV Sales Just Hit a Record. So How Do You Add a Charger to a House?
by Lew Sichelman | Mar 2, 2025
Sales of electronic vehicles continue to increase every year. And with that comes greater demand for at-home EV charging stations.
Need Listings? Look for Homes that Were Taken Off the Market
by Lew Sichelman | Feb 16, 2025
Would-be sellers who have taken their houses off the market should be ready for an all-out blitz this spring from agents looking to relist their places
What Real Estate Agents Shouldn’t Do
by Lew Sichelman | Feb 9, 2025
Collectively, real estate agents don’t always have the greatest reputation, even if it’s undeserved in many cases. But some agents really cross the line. Here’s a listing of some of the biggest red flags.
More Homes Come with HOA Dues
by Lew Sichelman | Feb 2, 2025
Nearly two-thirds of all single-family houses started in 2023 were within HOA-governed properties. And fees those associations collect are rising.
Finding Money to Rebuild After Disasters
by Lew Sichelman | Jan 26, 2025
Hurricanes, fires, floods: If you’re struck by one of these disasters, you’re going to need money. The good news is that there are numerous financial resources available.
Homebuyers’ Student Debt Issues Can Be Solved. Here’s Where to Start
by Lew Sichelman | Jan 19, 2025
Massive, often insurmountable amounts of student debt have prevented millions of otherwise qualified borrowers from obtaining financing to buy a house.
After Death or Divorce, What Happens to the House?
by Lew Sichelman | Jan 12, 2025
When a family member passes away, their loved ones sometimes become homeowners unexpectedly. In these situations, servicers are supposed to help, but some just steer borrowers into costly refinances.
Should Sellers Sign Long-Duration Listing Agreements?
by Lew Sichelman | Dec 29, 2024
The Department of Justice has warned buyers not to sign contracts binding them to the agent showing them houses. And maybe they shouldn’t. But what about sellers?
Flood Insurance Is Getting More Affordable
by Lew Sichelman | Dec 22, 2024
The National Flood Insurance Program is working on allowing policyholders to pay their premiums on a monthly basis. Previously, premiums could only be paid annually.
A Homebuyer’s Glossary of Key Terms to Know
by Lew Sichelman | Dec 14, 2024
Real estate has its differences – like the difference between spec houses and custom-built homes, or between a pending sale and a completed one.
One Mortgage Banker’s Plan to Fix the Housing Crisis
by Lew Sichelman | Dec 8, 2024
To Mark Milam, a mortgage banker and loan originator in Atlanta, many current proposals are like “swallowing an aspirin next year for a headache you have now.”
Are People Losing Interest in Second Homes?
by Lew Sichelman | Dec 1, 2024
Are people losing interest in second homes? It appears so, according to an analysis of the latest Census Bureau data.
Early Returns Show Commissions Are Falling
by Lew Sichelman | Nov 24, 2024
A survey of some 1,300 agents and brokers suggests that the class-action settlement that rocked the real estate world is pushing real estate agent commissions down.
Dropping Homeowners Coverage Could Prove Costly
by Lew Sichelman | Nov 17, 2024
If you’re a homeowner who’s considering canceling your insurance coverage due to the high cost, think twice. You could be up the creek even without a natural disaster.
Most Popular | Most Recent
- Avidia Bank Plans to Convert to Stock Ownership
- Biotech Tenant Expands in Fort Point
- Dorchester Development Battle Heads to Court
- Faced with a Housing Crunch, Cape Cod Makes Move to ‘Do Something’
- Local Zoning Is a Confusing Mess. Beacon Hill Can Help with Definitions
- Boston Media Is Missing the Big Story When Covering Megaprojects
- Relationships Lead to Creative Real Estate Opportunities
- Can Good Service Help in Uncertain Economic Times?
- Developers Say Downtown Plan Doesn’t Go Far Enough
- April 21, 2025
- Developers Say Downtown Plan Doesn’t Go Far Enough 579 views
- Faced with a Housing Crunch, Cape Cod Makes Move to ‘Do Something’ 82 views
- Avidia Bank Plans to Convert to Stock Ownership 67 views
- Biotech Tenant Expands in Fort Point 66 views
- Dorchester Development Battle Heads to Court 57 views
- Boston Media Is Missing the Big Story When Covering Megaprojects 40 views
- Gillette Begins Expansion Project at Andover Campus 36 views
- State Delays Enforcement of Electric Truck Requirements 31 views
- Can Good Service Help in Uncertain Economic Times? 31 views
- Alexandria Says Ex-Employee Stole Trade Secrets 27 views