When to Advise Clients to Look Beyond the Mortgage Rate
By Jake Perry (NMLS 231682), Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, Member of CCAR’s REALTOR®/Lender Committee Mortgage interest rates and rate changes are a huge topic of conversation with consumers who are actively looking for a new home, as well as those considering looking for a home. The rate on a mortgage loan impacts monthly payment, but…
Sellers More Negotiable on Price: Imperative Buyers Hire Agents Equipped to Handle Changing Market
PLANO, Texas — The Collin County Association of Realtors (CCAR) reports that sellers were more motivated to sell and negotiate in December than the area has experienced since 2013. On average, sellers accepted 5.1% less than their original listing price in December 2018. Despite sellers’ willingness to negotiate on sales price, accompanying stats indicate Collin…
A New Year With New Challenges: A Lender’s Look at The Year Ahead
By Alexandra Swan (NMLS 117371), Willowbend Mortgage, Member of CCAR’s REALTOR®/Lender Committee Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe that the holidays have come and gone and a new year is upon us. Both the REALTOR® and Lender communities experienced challenges in 2018, and as we roll into January those challenges will continue. The FED is…
Home Affordability in Collin County and Surrounding Area Remains at All-Time Low
The Collin County Association of Realtors (CCAR) reports that November 2018 continued to be a difficult time to qualify for the purchase of a home. According to the Housing Affordability Index, the October 2018 drop of home affordability did not improve in November, and remained at 97 percent. This means that the median household income…
Customer Service is The Way of the Future
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) officially launched a new program aimed at making you more successful. Aptly named “The Commitment to Excellence” (C2EX), the program scores and rewards agents who exhibit excellence and professionalism to their clients, and is completely free to NAR/CCAR members. The C2EX is a “cutting-edge program that empowers REALTORS® to…
Collin County Housing Market Approaching Balance; Still Better to Be a Seller
The Collin County Association of Realtors (CCAR) reports that the real estate market continues to favor sellers, but if trends continue, North Texas may soon find itself in a more balanced market. Over the past 12 months, median sales price has increased 1.5 percent to $301,500, which is 6 percent less of an increase than…
What Starbucks Holiday Cups Mean to You
Starbucks has a new seasonal cup out, and that means something major for you. It’s time to plan and execute your winning winter marketing strategy. Need some fresh ideas? We have compiled a list of fun and effective ways to reach your clients and make your name one they will remember all the way to…
Giving Thanks: An Optimistic Overview of Market Conditions
By Alexandra Swan (NMLS 117371), Willow Bend Mortgage, and member of CCAR’s Realtor/Lender Committee Give thanks! Here in DFW, we in the real estate community (and all related industries) have a lot to celebrate this Thanksgiving season. And while a cooling market and rising interest rates may seem to some like the beginning of the apocalypse,…
Phased Inspections: A Crucial Step in the Purchase of a New Home Build
By Lee Warren, Prospect Inspectors, Inc. (License #8411), and member of CCAR’s Affiliate Committee It has become obvious in the last few years that the DFW Metroplex is growing in vast numbers. With this substantial growth, there is also the inevitable demand for new houses. Many people have the perception that new homes have no deficiencies. Many…
Know Your Financing Options/Outcomes for Taking Cash Out of an Existing Property
By Tracy Walden (NMLS 1048123), Great Western Home Loans, and Member, CCAR’s REALTOR®/Lender Committee There are so many reasons for getting a cash-out refinance and many different types of loans. Reasons to get a cash-out might include: Adding a pool or doing some home improvements. Fixing up a home prior to selling it and taking…