Friday, June 19, 2015
What are Bank Foreclosures and Why are they Important?
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Come August, there will be a new roadblock to closing a deal on a house
by Bernice Ross on Mar 30
New integrated disclosure forms will throw a wrench in the homebuying works
There’s a shift coming that’s about to wreak havoc at the closing table for agents and clients alike.
On Aug. 1, 2015, the new TRID (TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure) forms replace the HUD-1 Settlement and Good Faith Estimate. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s mission is to rebuild the mortgage banking landscape so that the industry will avoid the type of conditions that led to the Great Recession. The CFPB replaces the Department of Housing and Urban Development for oversight because HUD did not provide specific consumer protection.
Everyone agrees that increasing consumer protection is a desirable goal. Nevertheless, the unforeseen ripple effects from these changes could seriously disrupt how the closing process is conducted.
A recent Inman article outlined one of the most serious issues that will result from the new changes handed down by the CFPB: The new rules will require a new three-day waiting period when there are any changes in the TRID forms. The recommendation is to allow an extra 15 days to close your transactions. In other words, 30-day contracts will now require 45 days, and 60-day contracts will require 75 days.
Read the entire article at: http://www.inman.com/2015/03/30/come-august-there-will-be-a-new-roadblock-to-closing-a-deal-on-a-house/?utm_source=20150404&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weeklyheadlines
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Why is housing inventory so low?
by Chris Trapani on Apr 2
Parsing the reasons why fewer houses are on the market
There has been a great deal of discussion regarding the consistently low housing inventory levels throughout the nation. Very little, however, has been written about the reasons why inventory levels are so low, especially following the economic disruption of 2008-2011.
Understanding the why can be helpful in predicting how these factors might influence longer-term supply levels and future appreciation potential. This knowledge might also shed light on why inventory might remain constrained over the long run.
In the second half of 2011 we began to see an acceleration in the decline of inventory levels nationally, and since that time the available housing inventory has continued to remain historically low. The graph (figure 1) below highlights the continuous low-inventory environment.
Why is this so? There are numerous conditions that have contributed to this phenomenon and bundled together have created an inventory control dynamic that, as prices rise, only serves to limit the number of homes available for sale.
To read the entire article go to: http://www.inman.com/2015/04/02/why-is-housing-inventory-so-low/?utm_source=20150404&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weeklyheadlines
Thursday, March 12, 2015
The Benefits Of A Low Fee Broker
Potential for more business
Though you may be getting lower commissions for each sale when you work for a low fee broker such as Homes and Equity Real Estate Group, you have the potential to get more clients because many people who sell Bellevue real estate want to keep as much of their sale price as possible.
Less work
Low-fee brokers are able to accept lower commissions because they keep their costs lower by offering fewer services to those selling Bellevue real estate. People who use low fee brokers to sell their homes may be responsible for more of the marketing and may even have to do their own showings. This requires less work of the agents, which allows them to spend more time drumming up business or doing other things.
Lower costs
Because the low fee brokerage keeps its costs low, that cost savings gets passed on to the agent. Depending on the brokerage, agents may be responsible for some or all of their own costs when marketing Bellevue real estate, so the less they have to do, the less they will spend. Also, doing fewer showings or open houses can cut down on gas costs and staging expenses.
Lower expectations
People trying to sell a home can have unreasonable expectations of their agent, but those using a low fee broker such as Homes and Equity Real Estate Group may have a more reasonable view of the process. This can make trying to sell that particular piece of Bellevue real estate less stressful.
Overall, while commissions may be lower, there are other definite advantages to working for a low fee real estate broker, and it's something agents may want to consider.



