The Best Use of Time (and Money) When It Comes to Renovations

The Best Use of Time (and Money) When It Comes to Renovations

In the current sellers’ market, many homeowners wonder what, if anything, needs to be remodeled before they list their house. That’s where a trusted real estate professional comes in. They can help you think through today’s market conditions and how they impact what you should – and shouldn’t – renovate before selling.

Read more on some considerations a professional will guide you through.

What You Can Do Right Now To Prepare for Homeownership

What You Can Do Right Now To Prepare for Homeownership

As rent prices continue to soar, many renters want to know what they can do to get ready to buy their first home. According to recent data from ApartmentList.com:

“The first half of 2021 has seen the fastest growth in rent prices since the start of our estimates in 2017. Our national rent index has increased by 11.4 percent since January . . . .”

Those rising rental costs may make it seem impossible to prepare for homeownership if you’re a renter. But the truth is, there are ways you can – and should – prepare to purchase your first home. Here’s some expert advice on what to do if you’re ready to learn more about how to escape rising rents.

Become a Guru at Conversing with Clients

Become a Guru at Conversing with Clients

Here's this week's roundup of news and resources, just for you.

Quick takeaways:

  • Choosing the right words can make all the difference when communicating with clients.

  • Socially distanced homes are becoming more desirable to Americans.

  • Employment has increased in residential construction.

  • Electric car charging stations are becoming a new trend in home garages.

  • Could Gen Z change the homeownership market?

Read on for our coverage.

Buyers Will Fall for These Seasonal Design Tips

Buyers Will Fall for These Seasonal Design Tips

Here's this week's roundup of news and resources, just for you.

Quick takeaways:

  • Autumn decorating tips buyers will fall for.

  • How the pocket listing ban could be problematic.

  • Improve your real estate business ̶ check out these three podcasts!

  • A list of real estate markets expected to grow next year.

  • Biden administration announces steps to loosen tight housing supply.

Read on for our coverage.

Polish Your Negotiating Skills

Polish Your Negotiating Skills

Here's this week's roundup of news and resources, just for you.

Quick takeaways:

  • Practice makes perfect when it comes to mastering negotiating skills.

  • Fannie Mae is changing its mortgage approval process to allow the inclusion of rent information.

  • Emotional intelligence is vital to a successful real estate business.

  • Asking prices are taking a dip with the housing market slowing down.

Read on for our coverage.

Give Your End of Summer Sales a Boost!

Give Your End of Summer Sales a Boost!

Here's this week's roundup of news and resources, just for you.

Quick takeaways:

  • Beat the end of summer blues and bring in new leads.

  • Virtual staging is the wave of the future in home buying.

  • Builders are limiting sales due to booming demand for new homes.

  • Cryptocurrency is going to become the norm in the industry.

  • Rebranding can do a lot of good for your real estate business.

Read on for our coverage.

Real Estate Agent Safety Considerations

Real Estate Agent Safety Considerations

Here's this week's roundup of news and resources, just for you.

Quick takeaways:

  • Safety Considerations for Real Estate agents.

  • Discover the influence continuous education can have on your business.

  • High-end housing sales are skyrocketing.

  • See how you can get more customers with a Google My Business page.

  • On the rise: Baby Boomer parents gifting homes to Millennial children.

Read on for our coverage.

Prior Lake Neighbors Magazine - Meet the Oak Group!

Prior Lake Neighbors Magazine - Meet the Oak Group!

What makes the difference between buying a home and successfully financing it?

Choosing the right mortgage company and professionals to guide you through the process.

The Oak Group at Kevnik Mortgage has over 35 years' experience in this industry and an infinite amount of expertise and encouragement to share. This, combined with the solid history of Kevnik Mortgage, adds up to over 100 years.

Baby Boomers Rake It in by Controlling the Seller's Market

Baby Boomers Rake It in by Controlling the Seller's Market

Here's this week's roundup of news and resources, just for you.

Quick takeaways:

  • Space race could cause real estate prices to take off.

  • Baby Boomers' control over the seller's market is duly noted.

  • When it comes to lawn signs, think outside the box to get noticed.

  • What needs renovating? Sellers need your help!

  • Want to increase web traffic and improve SEO? Here's how.

Read on for our coverage.

2021 Must-Read Books in Real Estate Marketing

2021 Must-Read Books in Real Estate Marketing

Here's this week's roundup of news and resources, just for you.

Quick takeaways:

  • Snag more leads with four innovative tactics.

  • Catch up on this year's hottest real estate marketing books.

  • See why TikTok should be part of your marketing strategy.

  • Home buyers with cash offers are dominating available inventory.

  • By using captivating descriptions, you can sell high-end listings fast.

Read on for our coverage.

Rookie Mistakes to Avoid Upsetting Seasoned Agents

Rookie Mistakes to Avoid Upsetting Seasoned Agents

Here's this week's roundup of news and resources, just for you.

Quick takeaways:

  • Homebuyers are turning to more affordable locations in search of their dream home.

  • Creating a walk-through video can help agents gather more leads and sell more homes.

  • Certain behaviors of new listing agents can seriously frustrate veteran real estate agents.

  • Buyer demand hits new records in 2020, with millennials playing a big role.

  • Experts weigh in with design hacks to spruce up homes for the summer.

Read on for our coverage.

The Profound Effect the Pandemic Had on Women in the Real Estate Industry

The Profound Effect the Pandemic Had on Women in the Real Estate Industry

Here's this week's roundup of news and resources, just for you.

Quick takeaways:

  • The pandemic had a strong impact on women in the real estate industry.

  • The Black Homeownership Collaborative announced a new plan to greatly increase Black homeownership.

  • Artificial intelligence is being rolled out to help real estate agents close more deals.

  • Surging home prices are causing market inflation, according to Fannie Mae.

  • Skyrocketing housing prices are helping many borrowers avoid foreclosure.

Read on for our coverage.

Digital Verification Approved for Mortgage Servicers

Digital Verification Approved for Mortgage Servicers

Here's this week's roundup of news and resources, just for you.

Quick takeaways:

  • The housing supply shortage in the U.S. is affecting Americans and the economy.

  • Mortgage interest rates are the lowest they have been in a month, while refinancing increases.

  • Pinterest: How the powerful platform is helping real estate agents build their businesses.

  • U.S. household wealth has reached historic growth in 2021.

  • Fannie Mae has approved servicers using digital verification for mortgage assistance applications.

Read on for our coverage.

Unprecedented Challenges for Business Owners and Mortgage Financing

Unprecedented Challenges for Business Owners and Mortgage Financing

COVID-19 has dominated headlines and impacted almost every facet of daily life around the world. While all of us have endured lockdowns and restrictions, business owners are facing unprecedented financial challenges.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans have been a lifesaver for some businesses, but when will the impacts to businesses end? More importantly, why are more and more self-employed borrowers denied mortgage financing?

Read on for more.

More Americans Relocating Due to Pandemic

More Americans Relocating Due to Pandemic

Quick takeaways:

  • COVID has had a real effect on where Americans want to live.

  • Extreme weather is a driving force behind where homeowners choose to buy.

  • A construction boom is unlikely to happen ─ just like the previous economic expansion.

  • The recent paint shortage is putting a halt on home improvement projects.

  • Listing photos are of the utmost importance, with a majority of people using the internet in their home search.

Read on for our coverage.

5G Service Now a Central Selling Point

5G Service Now a Central Selling Point

Here's this month's roundup of news and resources, just for you.

REACH YOUR GOALS

5G Service Now a Central Selling Point

87% of consumers prefer a home with access to lightning-fast new 5G networks, according to a recent survey by Verizon. With speeds up to 100 times faster than the previous generation, 5G is becoming a central selling point for home buyers. Additionally, 69% of real estate professionals say their clients have been asking more about broadband, perhaps in response to the rise of working from home. 1