Tips on how to buy a home from a real estate professional
Real Estate Today
How do real estate professionals find a home themselves? Virginia REALTOR® Lorraine Arora shares why it’s important to look beyond any clutter or design features you may not like and focus on the layout, neighborhood, and other factors in deciding to make it her home. She also goes through real estate terms that every home buyer should know. NerdWallet’s Elizabeth Renter explains how despite a year-over-year increase in listings on the market, tighter lending standards are making it tougher for potential home buyers to get a home loan. And credit expert Gerri Detweiler tells us why she...
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Benefits of living off the grid or in rural areas
Real Estate Today
Looking to live off the grid or in a unique home that’s out there? California real estate broker and REALTOR® Eileen Oldroyd explains how to live off the grid and what it’s like. Yes, low monthly living costs are a benefit. We then head to the last frontier with REALTOR® D’Ette Owen who explains what it’s like to live in Alaska, a place that amazes her every day but takes a lot of work. And Texas real estate land specialist and REALTOR® Brian Smith shares how he purchased an old cattle ranch and turned it into a wildlife habitat that won the Lone Star Land Steward...
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Homebuying tips and loans for veterans and service members
Real Estate Today
Does it make sense to buy your first home while you’re in the military? Louisiana broker and REALTOR® Candice Skinner discusses the benefits available to veterans and active-duty service members to help them become homeowners and why the VA loan is the best loan on the market. We dig deeper into VA loans with Chris Birk from Veterans United Home Loans and author of “The Book on VA Loans: An Essential Guide to Maximizing Your Home Loan Benefits” who shares ten things people don’t know about VA loans. Massachusetts real estate agent and REALTOR® Wendy Rocco discusses Operation American...
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2023 Real Estate Market Update
Real Estate Today
How are interest rates, housing inventory, and supplies impacting the current real estate market? NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun discusses the most recent existing-home sales data and why he thinks interest rates will drop later in the year. Ohio home builder and remodeler Bill Owens gives us an update on expected wait times for new home builds and how capacity issues are impacting the ability to build a new home and changing home renovation projects. And yes, supply chain issues are still out there. Pennsylvania REALTOR® Greg Herb shares what he’s experiencing on the local level with...
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Tips to Improve Your Outdoor Living Space
Real Estate Today
How do you improve your home’s exterior or your outdoor living space? We talk to gardener Natalie Carmolli to learn how plants improve your curb appeal and Kris Kiser of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute gives tips on how to do your yardwork safely. But first, we start with a Mother’s Day special segment with mother and son Michigan real estate duo Pat Vredevoogd Combs and Brett Vredevoogd. Also, NAR’s Ken Fears is back to explain what happened with the FHFA mortgage fee increases that were scheduled for August 1 and Melissa Dittmann Tracey explains what fragrance zoning is and if...
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The benefits of homeownership
Real Estate Today
Homeownership can make housing costs predictable and build generational wealth. Utah REALTOR® and 2023 NAR President Kenny Parcell explains the benefits of owning a home. Realtor.com chief economist Danielle Hale discusses the current homeownership rate in the United States, possible reasons why it’s currently at a standstill, and what she values about being a homeowner. Keith Gumbinger from HSH.com clarifies when a home buyer becomes a homeowner. Also, NAR’s Ken Fears analyzes the rule changes to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage fees to give us the facts on what the changes...
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Understanding the benefits of smart home technology
Real Estate Today
How does smart home tech benefit you? Angela Moscaritolo from PC Magazine shares the best smart home devices including doorbells, floodlights, and locks for your house and why it’s important to look at the power source for your smart home tech. Pennsylvania REALTOR® Bill Lublin tells us why he made his home brilliant and how home buyers are leaning toward technology as they look for a new home. And Kate Peters from Eversource explains how smart thermostats make homes more efficient and save you money. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey shares whether floating staircases or if painting your...
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What to know about getting a mortgage in 2023
Real Estate Today
What type of mortgage should you get with the current interest rates? Keith Gumbinger from HSH.com shares how interest rates are impacting the mortgages home buyers are qualifying for and why they may need a 30% increase in income to qualify for the same loan they would have been able to get last year. Las Vegas REALTOR® Linda Rheinberger shares how home buyers can utilize down payment assistance programs, temporary buydowns, or adjustable-rate mortgages to get the house they thought they were shut out of purchasing. Also, Virginia REALTOR® Peter Crouch discusses whether it’s a good idea...
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How to increase the value of your home
Real Estate Today
Want to know how you can increase the value of your home? Ohio REALTOR® Greg Blatt talks about floors, landscaping, and other home improvement projects that a homeowner can do easily and affordably to get the most value out of their house. Newport, Rhode Island REALTOR® and home appraiser Jamie Moore shares the home appraisal process steps and what an appraiser is looking for so you can make sure your home gets the highest appraisal price. Do you renovate your basement or the space above your garage? Jamie gives her advice. And April is Fair Housing Month; Baltimore, Maryland REALTOR®...
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How to Invest in Real Estate
Real Estate Today
How can you get started investing in real estate this spring? Louisiana REALTOR® Matt Ritchie explains how to get going despite higher interest rates and how today’s real estate market can be an opportunity. Plus, he defines many of the most important terms that real estate investors need to know. Chicago REALTOR® Dan Wagner explains 1031 like-kind exchanges and how you can use the tax deferral program to build your portfolio. And REALTOR® Luke Worrell from Jacksonville, Illinois tells us about investing in land and he explains what makes ‘good’ land ‘good!’ Also, Melissa...
info_outlineAre you ready to sell your house this spring? NAR Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Jessica Lautz explains why the latest existing-home sales data saw the largest increase since the summer of 2020, what the median home price in the United States is, and if home sellers are once again getting multiple offers for their houses. REALTOR® J. Lennox Scott discusses how home sellers are dealing with higher interest rates and what they need to do to get their homes ready to sell for the best price. And interior designer Karen Post gives tips on how to prepare your home to sell without spending a lot of money. Also, are floor-to-ceiling mirrors on walls and closets or barn doors HOT or not? Melissa Dittmann Tracey lets us know.