Real Estate, Updates, News & Tips - James Lunsford - iPro Real Estate

Homeownership rate is near its lowest level in more than 50 years

Homeownership remains a “critical part” of the national economy and “ongoing weakness in the single-family housing market, represents a substantial hurdle limiting the pace of economic growth,” according to a newly released study by the Rosen Consulting Group and Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics for the National Association of REALTORS®.Homeownership not only helps individuals build personal wealth but is also vital for

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REALTORS: Why Your Agents Still Need a Website

As a broker-owner or manager, you may be getting the question from agents as to whether having a personal business website is still relevant today, and worth the time, money, and effort. Beyond providing a profile for your agents on your company’s site, it is still wise for independent sales associates to establish their own websites, says Desare Kohn-Laski, broker-owner of Skye Louis Realty in Coconut Creek, Fla., as long as agents keep these

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You’ll Spot More Construction Cranes Here

More than 378,000 new apartments are expected to be built nationwide this year, a 30-year high, according to data from the firm Axiometrics. That means a lot more construction cranes filling skylines.Chicagoans will see the most. Chicago has more cranes for residential projects than 11 other major U.S. cities recently analyzed, according to the Crane Index, a biannual survey of crane activity conducted by Rider Levett Bucknall North America.Chica

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Google Maps Adds Share Your Location Feature

Letting others know where you are when out on appointments with clients is an important real estate safety tip. Google Maps, the popular mapping service, has announced that it has added real-time location sharing. You can allow peers or family to keep tabs on your whereabouts during your workday, along with your estimated time of arrivals to appointments.To activate, open the side menu or tap the blue dot that shows where you are on the map. Then

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Where Homes Sold the Fastest in February

Forty-two percent of homes sold in February were listed for less than a month across the country, according to the latest data release from the National Association of REALTORS®. Properties, on average, stayed on the market for 45 days last month, down significantly from a year ago when the nationwide average stood at 59 days.Some hot markets—notably in California—are seeing homes sell much faster than the national average.The metro areas wh

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Which Amenity Is Worth the Most to Renters?

Sure, bedrooms and bathrooms are the two largest factors that can affect apartment rent. But a new study also finds several amenities that renters are willing to pay more of a premium to get.A study by RentHop, an apartment search website, finds that some of the amenities that have the greatest impact on price in the 10 largest metro areas are: an elevator, doorman, in-unit washer and dryer, fitness center, “pets allowed” policy, and dedicate

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The Internet Didn’t Take Down Real Estate

The internet may have entered more aspects of a real estate transaction over the past decade, but consumers haven’t abandoned their desire for a real estate professional’s assistance, according to Steve Murray, president of the consulting firm Real Trends, who has been tracking for 40 years how real estate agents conduct their jobs. In fact, consumers are willing to pay even more for real estate agents’ services. The average real estate com

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This Is the Worst ‘Housing Drought’ Ever

The number of homes for sale is at the lowest level on record, according to the National Association of REALTORS®, who began tracking inventory 18 years ago. That means many home buyers likely will find fewer options this spring, and the homes that are being listed tend to sell fast and at a premium.The lack of new-home supply is one culprit. Housing starts are only at about 75 percent of their historical average. Builders are focusing on pricie

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REALTORS: 4 easy ways for Realtors to boost their business with Google AdWords

Capturing leads online takes practice. Here are tips to bolster your online presence with a well-thought-out campaignWith today’s online-first consumer marketplace, Realtors must be as savvy with technology and marketing as ever to rise above their competition. Especially with the influx of millennials entering the real estate market, creating and maintaining a captivating online presence is a must.Advertising through Google AdWords makes it po

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REALTORS: Agent/broker perspective: When is the right time to move up?

What should a broker do for an agent who wants to list and sell higher-priced homes?Key Takeaways Agents ought to pursue bigger and better “next level” listings with confidence and zeal. At the same time, they should make sure to market and sell their “current-level” listings with better attention and focus. Brokers must support this ambition and offer personal attention to help secure better listings.In this monthly column, Anthony Askow

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