Housing ‘Extras’ Add Up
Homebuyers who focus solely on the cost of their mortgage’s interest and principal are doing themselves a disservice. There are other recurring costs that should be factored into the decision.
Home Warranties Called ‘Lousy Deals’
If your client is thinking of buying a house that comes with one, you’re likely better off asking the seller to credit you with the cost of the warranty at settlement.
Home Inspections Are Changing. Here’s What You Can Expect
“Contactless” home inspections, which work like a 3D virtual home tour, offer a new way to evaluate a home even in a high-pressure real estate market.
Winter Buyers: Be Ready to Be Nimble
Buying a house in the winter is a different animal, especially in colder climates where the weather can limit your ability to fully see a property.
Douglas Elliman Launches ‘Personal Assistant’ Service for Buyers
Brokerage Douglas Elliman Realty announced the launch of a new “personal assistant” service for buyers that it said would help its agents build stronger relationships with their traditionally high-end clients.
Listings Fall Out of Contract as Rates Spike
A new report from Redfin suggests another way higher mortgage interest rates are taking their toll on the housing market: more homebuyers bailing on purchases.
DOJ-NAR Lawsuits Open Up a Can of Worms for Agents, MLS Services
It’s becoming increasingly apparent that the Department of Justice wants to force buyers to pay their own commissions. How would the real estate industry change?
What’s on the Other Side of the Fence?
You can’t pick your neighbors. You can pick your neighborhood, though, and it is a good idea to give that as much thought as the house itself, even in a beggars-can’t-be-choosers market like this.
Is Real Estate Seasonality a Thing of the Past?
Events that have traditionally signaled a start to the housing market are no longer reliable indicators and the once-predictable rhythm of seasonality seems to be declining.
Study: Agent Commissions Slid Down Last Year
Massachusetts’ buy-side real estate agents are pocketing a smaller and smaller share of the state’s larger and larger home sale prices, a new study says.
What Buyers, Sellers Liked About Their Agents This Spring
Buying a house right now takes incredible patience, acumen and buying power, while selling invites equity questions for homeowners committed to fairness. Amid such intensity, how do real estate agents improve, or aggravate, today’s home-buying process for their clients?
Backups Contracts Work for Both Sides – Especially in This Market
In real estate, a house isn’t sold until the Fat Lady sings at the closing. Until then, the seller should keep their options open by accepting backup contracts.
Don’t Pass on the Home Inspection
Sellers who jump on offers from buyers waiving the opportunity to hire an independent home inspector may rue the day they did so.
Ownership Is Power, But at What Cost?
Some homebuyers, even those who absolutely adore their places, have “buyer’s remorse” – second thoughts about their purchase.
Is It Time to Stop Writing Buyer Love Letters?
A number of agents in recent months have become adamant that we should all stop our buyers from writing “love letters” to sellers because these letters often violate fair housing laws. I strongly disagree.
How to Win a Bidding War
A recent column about would-be homebuyers giving up because they keep losing bidding wars brought a flurry of responses: Readers want to know how they can become winners in this arena.
Redfin Starts Listing All Buyer’s Agent Commissions
In a move it’s billing as a boon to consumers, Redfin announced Monday that it’s publishing buyer’s agent commissions on over 700,000 home listings across the country, including in Massachusetts.
Three Lawsuits Could Shake Up Agents’ Fees
Depending on the outcome of three major lawsuits challenging commission structures in the real estate field, the way agents get paid could change – for the better, according to one seasoned observer.
Top Strategies for Being More Profitable in 2021
When it comes to profitability, most real estate professionals are focused on revenues or gross commissions. What many agents miss, however, is how they can be more profitable by working smarter.
Hidden Referral Fees Could Cost You
Most professions restrict the payment of referral fees. But they run rampant, and are somewhat controversial, in real estate.
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