Back to the Housing Future
We are all dreamers. But just how well do we predict what’s going to happen five, 10 or 20 years down the road? We rarely look back to find out.
Lew Sichelman
Special to Banker & Tradesman
Customer Service Now a Focus for Loan Servicers
Servicers have now figured out that it costs them a lot less money to reach out to their customers rather than wait for calls to come in.
Let’s Stop the Demolition Derby
What if builders stripped out the good stuff – cabinetry, doors, windows, bathroom fixtures, hardwood floors – before bulldozing old dwellings? Then those materials could be used in remodeling jobs, incorporated into new construction, or sold.
Low Rates Stymie Some Sellers
The lowest mortgage rates in 11 years have brought wannabe homebuyers off the bench and onto the playing field in droves. But low-cost mortgages don’t always help the market.
Found a House but the Timing’s Wrong? Think Sublet
You have 240 days to go on your lease, and the place is certain to be sold by then. So, what can you do?
Trump Moves to ‘Gut’ Fair Housing
The Trump administration’s moves to change – some say “gut” – the nation’s fair housing policies may have awakened a sleeping giant.
Better Put Off that Home Purchase, Kid
It may never be too early to become a homeowner. But for some, it may be better to wait until they mature a tad.
A Little Schooling Goes A Long Way for Homebuyers
Obtaining an affordable mortgage is an art, not a science – especially for first-time buyers – and is just as important as finding an affordable house.
Don’t Bite Off Too Much House
Only a lender can tell a homebuyer how much they can spend on a house. But you don’t have to spend that much, and probably shouldn’t.
Watchdog: Nation’s Real Estate Disclosure Laws Fall Short
Nowadays, disclosures are required in all 50 states. But many forms are so long, so full of legalese and so poorly presented that consumers will not read them.
The Listing Site You’ve Never Heard Of
You may never have heard of Homesnap, but it is now the No. 1-rated agent mobile app and desktop site, with traffic up 40 percent in the last year
Online Reviews Aren’t Always Trustworthy
Many people rely on online reviews to decide what to buy. Indeed, research from Nielsen Global Media shows that opinions posted online are second only to personal recommendations in influencing purchase decisions.
Odd Lots: Dodge a Catch 22 After Natural Disasters
Homeowners who lose their homes to wildfire, flood, tornado or another national disaster often lose the records needed to prove their losses – for tax purposes, obtaining federal assistance or reimbursement from their insurance companies.
Odd Lots: Don’t Let Clients Go Radio Silent
An offer can easily disappear if a seller isn’t around to accept or counter it. If you are totally out-of-pocket for days at a time, your wannabe buyer might just move on.
Fewer Appraisals Are Mandated, But They’re Still a Good Idea
Some homebuyers are about to catch a break, courtesy of the Federal Reserve Board and other banking regulators.
Not Ready to Commit? Don’t!
Potential buyers and their real estate agents often engage in a complicated courtship dance. A top-flight real estate coach offers ways the best agents overcome prospective clients’ common objections.
Odd Lots: Refis, DTIs and More
Nothing is more devastating to a homebuyer than to search for months and finally find the place they want, only to be rejected by their lender. But it happens. According to LendingTree, 1 in 10 would-be borrowers are turned down.
Disaster Coverage is a Disaster for Most
Many – if not most – homeowners aren’t prepared for a flood, tornado or other natural disaster. And neither, apparently, are their insurance companies.
Parents Can Hurt More than Help Young Homebuyers
Parents can take a number of steps to help their offspring purchase their first homes. But beware, lest Mom and Dad steamroll their kids’ real opinions, needs and desires.
Accessory Units Gain Traction Nationwide
Today, proponents of accessory units believe they will help ease housing shortages by expanding the options for people of all ages. Now, many communities throughout the country have been relaxing their restrictions against ADUs, or outright encouraging them.
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