30 Jul 2019
By noelkelman

The Community Reinvestment Act Explained In Simple Terms

Real Estate, ,
The federal government adopted the Housing and Community Development Act in 1977, and the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) portion was designed to prompt lending institutions to provide mortgages for low- and moderate-income Americans. The underlying reasoning for the CRA was to discourage discriminatory lending practices that inhibited low-income communities and neighborhoods. Over the years, its regulations have been revised to improve effectiveness. During the early 1990s, upwards of five changes were made and more following the 2007 financial crisis. With the country currently in the midst of an economic comeback, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced that…
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25 Jul 2019
By noelkelman

The Monopoly Technique – How To Build Value By Acquiring Adjacent Properties

Real Estate, ,
Have you ever played the classic board game called Monopoly? The object of the game is to collect all the properties until one winner bankrupts all the other players. The other part of the game is that accumulating properties adjacent to each other increases the value of the individual properties. When a player acquires all the properties of the same color (two or three), then the rents go up and property development can begin. The Monopoly Game In Real Life The same basic principles sometimes work in real life. Owning a property and then buying the one next door creates…
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16 Jul 2019
By noelkelman

How To Find Hot Real Estate Markets

Real Estate, ,
A hot market in real estate is identified by a few things, which include higher prices, lower amounts of unsold inventory, and desirable neighborhoods. Neighborhoods can increase in value because of having an excellent location, high-paying jobs, quality schools, and a variety of attractive amenities. Hot Markets Are After The Fact Properties in a hot market may sell faster, for higher prices, and without needing to be in perfect condition or staged for sale. Real estate investors do not necessarily benefit from learning about a hot market unless they already own property in that market area. It is nice to…
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10 Jul 2019
By noelkelman

3D Printing Used For Home Renovations And Construction

Real Estate, ,
3D printing technology is a game-changer in the home construction business. Not only is the technology capable of printing a home, but it can also be used to print one at a much lower cost when compared to traditional home construction. All3DP reports on homes printed using 3D technology that costs as little as $4,000 to $10,000. Some are ready for occupancy within 24 hours. The $4,000 Home A company in Texas, called ICON, is working with NewStoryCharity.org to create 3D-printed homes at an extremely low cost. New Story Charity builds simple homes in other countries, like Haiti and El…
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10 Jul 2019
By noelkelman

3D Printing Used For Home Renovations And Construction

Real Estate, ,
3D printing technology is a game-changer in the home construction business. Not only is the technology capable of printing a home, but it can also be used to print one at a much lower cost when compared to traditional home construction. All3DP reports on homes printed using 3D technology that costs as little as $4,000 to $10,000. Some are ready for occupancy within 24 hours. The $4,000 Home A company in Texas, called ICON, is working with NewStoryCharity.org to create 3D-printed homes at an extremely low cost. New Story Charity builds simple homes in other countries, like Haiti and El…
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27 Jun 2019
By noelkelman

Case-Shiller: Annual Home Price Growth Slows for 13th Consecutive Month

Market Outlook, ,
Case-Shiller's 20-City Home Price Index for April showed further declines in home price growth with 2.50 percent year-over-year home price growth as compared to March home price growth of 2.60 percent. New York City home prices held steady month-to-month and Seattle, Washington's home prices were unchanged year-over-year after posting 13 percent home price growth in 2018. The top three cities with the highest rates of year-over-year home price growth were Las Vegas, Nevada with 7.10 percent growth; Phoenix, Arizona followed with 6.0 percent growth and Tampa, Florida reported 5.60 percent home price growth. All three cities were hard-hit during the…
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25 Jun 2019
By noelkelman

Fed Holds Key Rate Steady As It Watches Economic Trends

Market Outlook, ,
Federal Reserve policymakers held the federal funds rate at its current range of 2.25 to 2.50 percent. Analysts speculated that the Fed may lower its key rate based on signs of slowing economic growth and the President's encouragement to lower the Fed rate. Federal Open Market Committee members cited "uncertainties" in support of their decision not to change the Fed's key lending rate. A stiff month-to-month drop in jobs growth and worries over trade problems associated with recent tariffs assessed against China contributed to the Committee's decision to hold rates steady and closely watch domestic and global economic trends. Signs…
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20 Jun 2019
By noelkelman

NAHB: Builder Confidence Slips in June

Market Outlook, ,
Homebuilder confidence dropped two points in June according to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index. June's index reading was 64, which indicates strong sentiment among home builders for current housing market conditions. NAHB component readings also dropped in June with builder confidence in current home sales one point lower at an index reading of 71. Home builder confidence in home sales conditions over the next six months dropped two points to 70 and builder confidence in buyer traffic was one point lower at 48. Buyer traffic readings seldom exceed the NAHB benchmark reading of 50. Index readings…
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