Real Estate, Updates, News & Tips - Tirath Chima - iPro Real Estate

U.S. foreclosures hit a 12-year low in 2017

Filings were submitted on 676,535 U.S. properties — a 27 percent year-over-year dropAttom Data Solutions today released its Year-End Foreclosure Market Report, which revealed that foreclosure filings were submitted on 676,535 U.S. properties — a 27 percent year-over-year decline and the lowest level since 2005.The filings, which included default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions, accounted for 0.51 percent of all housing unit

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Builders Reveal Top 10 Biggest Concerns

Homebuilding is still falling short in many markets in alleviating the shrinking inventories of homes for sale. But builders are blaming the construction shortfall on several factors.Builders revealed the following top 10 “significant” problems they expect to face in 2018, according to the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo Housing Market Index: Cost/availability of labor: 84% Building material prices: 84% Cost/availability

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Loan Demand Jumps Over Fears?

Mortgage applications for refinancings and home purchases surged 4.1 percent last week on a seasonally adjusted basis, even as interest rates rose, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Wednesday. Volume is now up 5.6 percent over a year ago.More consumers are growing concerned that the long run of record low rates may be coming to an end. As such, they’re rushing to lock in rates before any more upticks.Applications to purchase a home incr

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The Most Affordable Beach Towns in the U.S.

Homes along the beach tend to command a premium. But for buyers who dream of living near the water, they may still be able to find a beach-town bargain.Gulfport, Miss., was named the most affordable beach town in America for the third consecutive year, according to a new analysis by SmartAsset, a personal finance website. Buyers can snag a home along the beach for $116,200 in Gulfport.SmartAsset ranked the most affordable beach towns by looking a

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Welcome to the Team Sheron Martin Dealing the DFW Area

iPro currently deals throughout the states of California, Texas, Florida and New York. We continue to strive and broaden opportunities for real estate professionals and consumers. Visit www.iprore.com for the latest information and links.Click here for information on becoming a salesperson.

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Starved for Inventory, Some Cities Eye ‘Granny Flats’

“Granny flats” or in-law units are surging in popularity in some housing-starved areas. Some lawmakers are leading the charge by changing laws to allow accessory dwellings units in backyards, converted basements, or garages of existing homes.In the San Francisco Bay Area, the number of people applying to build these units has grown by more than 1,000 percent over the past year, due to a change in laws that now allow for these small dwellings.

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REALTORS: Work With the Deaf Without Sign Language

As you build your sphere of influence, you may connect with the deaf or hard of hearing. If you don't know how to communicate with them, you may strain the relationship through etiquette blunders or even just inefficiency. Always ask them how they prefer to communicate, but start with these guidelines from Lifehacker.com and you'll quickly pick up the rest.To get their attention, a few options include moving into their field of vision, gently tap

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The Fastest Growing Cities May See Housing Boom

The population of the U.S. is growing, rising by 2.2 million people in 2016, according to the latest Census data. But the population growth is not even across the country. For instance, the South and West saw their populations rise by 1.1 percent in 2016, while the Northeast and Midwest saw just a 0.1 percent uptick.Eight states saw populations grow by more than 1.6 percent in 2016. Many of the fastest-growing states tend to be affordable, midsiz

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VA Program Sparks ‘Loan Churning’ Concerns

Ginnie Mae officials recently testified to lawmakers that “loan churning” within the VA program is putting veteran borrowers at risk with serial refinancings.Michael R. Bright, Ginnie Mae’s executive vice president, was one of four mortgage industry experts who testified to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs last week about the constant pressuring to get vets to refinance their loans. Bright testified that loan churning within the VA p

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Owners Get Real About Home Values

The gap between homeowners’ and appraisers’ perceptions on the value of properties is continuing to close. Homeowners, in general, still tend to slightly overestimate the price of their home, but not by nearly as much as they did a year ago.Home appraisals were, on average, 0.5 percent lower than what owners expected in December, according to the latest National Quicken Loans Home Price Perception Index. The gap is closing; a year ago, homeow

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