Miami Is On Edge With Doomsday-Proof Homes

Whether it’s single-family homes or residential towers, this vulnerable city is building with disaster in mind.

via Miami Is On Edge With Doomsday-Proof Homes

Boston Red Sox Owner John Henry Lists Boca Raton Mansion For $25M

Billionaire John Henry, the owner of the Boston Red Sox, listed his Boca Raton estate for $25 million after owning it for more than two decades.

via Boston Red Sox Owner John Henry Lists Boca Raton Mansion For $25M

A Luxe Shipping Container Might Be The Guest House Of Your Dreams. For A Price

Thinking of turning your backyard into an income source? Shipping containers are a sturdy, secure, versatile encapsulated structure -- somewhere between a tiny house and a trailer. And, they're made of recycled product. Specialist Matt White gives the pros and cons of putting one on your property.

via A Luxe Shipping Container Might Be The Guest House Of Your Dreams. For A Price

Spectacular $45 Million Garden Oasis Estate Blooms Over Lombard Street In San Francisco

Check out the latest Lombard Street attraction that's turning heads in the Russian Hill district.

via Spectacular $45 Million Garden Oasis Estate Blooms Over Lombard Street In San Francisco

Spectacular $45 Million Garden Oasis Estate Blooms Over Lombard Street In San Francisco

Check out the latest Lombard Street attraction that's turning heads in the Russian Hill district.

via Spectacular $45 Million Garden Oasis Estate Blooms Over Lombard Street In San Francisco

Spectacular $45 Million Garden Oasis Estate Blooms Over Lombard Street In San Francisco

Check out the latest Lombard Street attraction that's turning heads in the Russian Hill district.

via Spectacular $45 Million Garden Oasis Estate Blooms Over Lombard Street In San Francisco

Renovated life science building in Sorrento Mesa sold for $43M

In a recent sale, the owner of an 82,000 square-foot life science building at 10222 Barnes Canyon, in the heart of Sorrento Mesa, got more than triple what it paid for the property just two years prior.

La Jolla-based commercial real estate company Bollert LeBeau sold the building — a fully leased,...

via Renovated life science building in Sorrento Mesa sold for $43M

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: Smarter Home

The New York Times and Wirecutter bring you this indispensable guide to the best gifts to make your holiday home smarter this season.

via 2018 Holiday Gift Guide: Smarter Home

10 Essential Real Estate Team Members (& How BiggerPockets Takes the Pain Out of Finding Them)

I want to use this article as a reminder of how BiggerPockets has grown into a resource with multiple ways to help you create your successful 10-member team.

View the full article: 10 Essential Real Estate Team Members (& How BiggerPockets Takes the Pain Out of Finding Them) on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

via 10 Essential Real Estate Team Members (& How BiggerPockets Takes the Pain Out of Finding Them)

Racial Gap: Homes in Black Neighborhoods Are Worth This Much Less Than in White Ones

Acqualina's New $38 Million Penthouse Includes Rolls Royce & Lamborghini

Here’s the first sneak peak at Palazzo del Cielo, Acqualina’s penthouse “palace in the sky.”

via Acqualina's New $38 Million Penthouse Includes Rolls Royce & Lamborghini

Acqualina's New $38 Million Penthouse Includes Rolls Royce & Lamborghini

Here’s the first sneak peak at Palazzo del Cielo, Acqualina’s penthouse “palace in the sky.”

via Acqualina's New $38 Million Penthouse Includes Rolls Royce & Lamborghini

Acqualina's New $38 Million Penthouse Includes Rolls Royce & Lamborghini

Here’s the first sneak peak at Palazzo del Cielo, Acqualina’s penthouse “palace in the sky.”

via Acqualina's New $38 Million Penthouse Includes Rolls Royce & Lamborghini

Hibernate Luxuriously in This 5,572-Square-Foot Cave Mansion

When most people envision their dream home, they describe large kitchens, beautiful hardwood floors and clawfoot tubs. But not John Hay.

In the mid-1980s, Hay - founder of the Celestial Seasonings Tea Company and great-great grandson of U.S. Secretary of State John Milton Hay - purchased the Beckham Creek Cave in Parthenon, Arkansas. He had plans to transform it into a 10,000-square-foot bomb shelter, consisting of cinder-block walls, plywood flooring, 11 coats of clear epoxy on the natural formations of the cave, and an internal freshwater spring.

He stocked it with enough freeze-dried food to keep 50 people fed for up to two years, and he twice had his religious group sit out bomb scares in the cave. By 1987, Hay realized the end of the world wasn't coming quite so soon. Various records indicate the property was sold to a man known simply as "Mr. Richardson," who had a different dream in mind when he came into possession of the property.

Soon after turning the space into a $6 million clubbing venue, Mr. Richardson held a grand unveiling that welcomed over 250 esteemed guests, including Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross and many other Hollywood elite.

It's no wonder that in 1994, John Hay repurchased his now illustrious cave.

In the decades following, several new owners have taken hold of the 257-acre property, each one undoubtedly in awe of the great room’s 40-foot rock ceilings and 2,300 square feet. Stalactites descend from overhead throughout the 5,572-square-foot home, and raw rock has been used wherever possible to maintain the unique character of the space.

Though it's been renovated several times, the sprawling cave has kept its surprisingly cozy charm intact. Part of the reason the cave's natural features have been preserved is surely thanks to Hay, who reverently told People magazine in 1988 that the home's "original architect was God."

More impressive than almost any other feature, however, is the spring that leads to a waterfall in the living room. The waterfall flows down, below the floor of the house, and continues out beside the front, where it becomes a pool. Finally, it spills out into the spring-fed pond 1,000 feet below, right beside the helipad.

The bad news - every dream home comes with its own downfalls, after all - is that a few of the stalactites drip. However, the whole property is climate-controlled thanks to geothermal units throughout.

The 4-bed, 4-bath cave home will run its next owners somewhere around $2.75 million. And while it doesn't have those coveted hardwood floors or the clawfoot tub that fantasies are made of, we still consider this incredibly cool residence to be a real gem.

Related:

• This Home Looks Like a Barn (But Has Enough Room to Be a Small Castle)
• This Remarkable Home Is Anything but Square
• Sleep Under the Stars in This Tiny Cabin Near a National Park

via Hibernate Luxuriously in This 5,572-Square-Foot Cave Mansion

How Much is Your Time Worth? Here’s How to Calculate it (& Up Your Value!)

More than anything else, your time is valuable. So how do you know if tasks are worthy of your most precious asset? Find out how to calculate it here!

View the full article: How Much is Your Time Worth? Here’s How to Calculate it (& Up Your Value!) on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

via How Much is Your Time Worth? Here’s How to Calculate it (& Up Your Value!)

Cozy Chelsea Condo With Treasured Christmas History Listed On NYC Market

The apartment is nestled in an 1830s building on land once used as an apple orchard by Clement Clarke Moore, author of the famed holiday poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”

via Cozy Chelsea Condo With Treasured Christmas History Listed On NYC Market

Jill Kargman Collaborates With Society6 On A Line Of Humorous Hostess Gifts

Cheeses Christ! Jill Kargman talks about her collaboration with Soceity6, signature style and why she judges people who blot their pizza.

via Jill Kargman Collaborates With Society6 On A Line Of Humorous Hostess Gifts

Notable Numbers From November 2018

5.8%

That’s where 30-year fixed mortgage rates are headed in 2019, based on our 2019 predictions. And guess what that will mean for affordability?

---

386,000

Number of existing homes in U.S. coastal areas likely to be at risk of permanent inundation or chronic flooding by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions climb unchecked.

---

2.5 million

That same estimate for the year 2100. And if emissions are cut roughly in line with the Paris agreement on climate? About 348,000 homes by 2050 and 1.3 million homes by 2100.

---

$11,500

Home value difference between areas where women with newborns move from and where they move to. That finding comes from a follow-up to our initial research that found birth rates dropped the most in counties where home values grew the most.

---

52.3%

Share of homes for sale that a family with the household income and student debt could afford. Without student debt, that same family could afford 66.4 percent of homes. Guess what share of renters looking to buy a home has student debt?

---

1.4 percentage points

Boost in annual rent appreciation that people living in the New York area can expect from the “Amazon effect” of adding 25,000 high-paid jobs — beyond what’s already anticipated.

---

19

Number of markets out of the 35 most populous where there’s a double-digit percentage point gap between home-value recovery rates for ZIP codes where there were high versus low foreclosures during the housing crisis. The recovery has been uneven, even within markets.

The post Notable Numbers From November 2018 appeared first on Zillow Research.

via Notable Numbers From November 2018

Jill Kargman Collaborates With Society6 On A Line Of Humorous Hostess Gifts

Cheeses Christ! Jill Kargman talks about her collaboration with Soceity6, signature style and why she judges people who blot their pizza.

via Jill Kargman Collaborates With Society6 On A Line Of Humorous Hostess Gifts

Jill Kargman Collaborates With Society6 On A Line Of Humorous Hostess Gifts

Cheeses Christ! Jill Kargman talks about her collaboration with Soceity6, signature style and why she judges people who blot their pizza.

via Jill Kargman Collaborates With Society6 On A Line Of Humorous Hostess Gifts

Is Opendoor legit? An Atlanta Pro’s Honest Review

Have you noticed all the recent publicity around Opendoor? If you haven’t, then your about to! Chances are, if you’ve gotten this far they will know, and you’ll soon start seeing Opendoor ads all around! Opendoor recently raised approximately $400,000,000 in order to grow their brand, so you can bet a good chunk of that … Continued The post Is Opendoor legit? An Atlanta Pro’s Honest Review appeared first on Barrington Acquisitions.
Source: Is Opendoor legit? An Atlanta Pro’s Honest Review

We Buy Houses Atlanta: How do they (really) make money?

Have you ever wanted to know how these “We Buy Houses” companies make money? Does your mailbox fill up with their postcards or letters? Do you see those ugly yellow signs on the side of the road and wonder what the big deal is? Lately, in this hot market we’ve been experiencing over the past … Continued The post We Buy Houses Atlanta: How do they (really) make money? appeared first on Barrington Acquisitions.
Source: We Buy Houses Atlanta: How do they (really) make money?

Atlanta investors are buying in these neighborhoods [MAP]

Read our notes about the hottest Atlanta neighborhoods where we are actively buying. Find your Zip code and town on the map & in the notes below… “We Buy Houses” Atlanta: Where are Investors buying? Here we share our very own notes on where we are seeing buying from other investors (and our own purchase … Continued The post Atlanta investors are buying in these neighborhoods [MAP] appeared first on Barrington Acquisitions.
Source: Atlanta investors are buying in these neighborhoods [MAP]

A Sculptor's Legacy Inspires Artists Of Today

50 years after Manship’s death, his house, barn- turned-studio, and 15-plus acres of natural splendor begin a new life as an artists’ residence and retreat in Lanesville, a scenic seaside village of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

via A Sculptor's Legacy Inspires Artists Of Today

A Sculptor's Legacy Inspires Artists Of Today

50 years after Manship’s death, his house, barn- turned-studio, and 15-plus acres of natural splendor begin a new life as an artists’ residence and retreat in Lanesville, a scenic seaside village of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

via A Sculptor's Legacy Inspires Artists Of Today

Miami Multifamily Catering To Every Interest Under South Florida Sun

Developers of Miami's new luxury condominiums and rental properties are targeting their developments at the specific interests, of prospective residents, from nature to high-tech to and artistic endeavors.

via Miami Multifamily Catering To Every Interest Under South Florida Sun

First SuperPrime Residences Open For Sale As Barcelona Recovers From Unstable Property Market

Barcelona property values took a dive after the Catalonia independence vote, now that prices have started to stabilize the city's first SuperPrime residential building opened up for sales.

via First SuperPrime Residences Open For Sale As Barcelona Recovers From Unstable Property Market

New Robert A.M. Stern Condo on Park Avenue Sells for Nearly $74 Million

A duplex at 520 Park Avenue was the top sale in November. Other notable sales include apartments owned by the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and the A-ha guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy.

via New Robert A.M. Stern Condo on Park Avenue Sells for Nearly $74 Million

Miami Multifamily Catering To Every Interest Under South Florida Sun

Developers of Miami's new luxury condominiums and rental properties are targeting their developments at the specific interests, of prospective residents, from nature to high-tech to and artistic endeavors.

via Miami Multifamily Catering To Every Interest Under South Florida Sun

First SuperPrime Residences Open For Sale As Barcelona Recovers From Unstable Property Market

Barcelona property values took a dive after the Catalonia independence vote, now that prices have started to stabilize the city's first SuperPrime residential building opened up for sales.

via First SuperPrime Residences Open For Sale As Barcelona Recovers From Unstable Property Market

Property Management 101: The One Thing All Landlords Should Do

Managing rental properties can be challenging, but there are steps every landlord can take to keep things running smoothly. Members of Forbes Real Estate Council offer tips for keeping properties in good shape and maintaining low vacancy rates.

via Property Management 101: The One Thing All Landlords Should Do

4 Home Improvement Jobs You Should ALWAYS Hire Out

While you may be a DIY expert, some remodeling tasks should be left to the professionals. Learn 4 jobs you'll regret trying your hand at.

View the full article: 4 Home Improvement Jobs You Should ALWAYS Hire Out on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

via 4 Home Improvement Jobs You Should ALWAYS Hire Out

Vanguard Real Estate ETF: Diversification Or Diworsification?

As I began assessing the performance of our my most popular REIT Index, we refer to as 'DAVOS', I could not help to notice the performance of these ‘flight to quality’ names.

via Vanguard Real Estate ETF: Diversification Or Diworsification?

Living The Dream: How This Woman Transformed A California Wine Country Town

The story of an entrepreneur who left the corporate world and transformed her life.

via Living The Dream: How This Woman Transformed A California Wine Country Town

Here's 2018's Most Expensive ZIP Codes To Dream About

PropertyShark.com’s most expensive 2018 ZIP Codes may surprise you.

via Here's 2018's Most Expensive ZIP Codes To Dream About

Cool Colorado Time Capsule Rockets to Top of This Week’s Most Popular Homes

Living The Dream: How This Woman Transformed A California Wine Country Town

The story of an entrepreneur who left the corporate world and transformed her life.

via Living The Dream: How This Woman Transformed A California Wine Country Town

Here's 2018's Most Expensive ZIP Codes To Dream About

PropertyShark.com’s most expensive 2018 ZIP Codes may surprise you.

via Here's 2018's Most Expensive ZIP Codes To Dream About

Climate Change Insurance: Buy Land Somewhere Else

In case global warming makes their homes uninhabitable, some millennials have a Plan B: investing in places like the Catskills, Oregon and Vermont.

via Climate Change Insurance: Buy Land Somewhere Else

Airbnb will start testing prototype homes next year, report says

The new project, called Backyard, will assess how novel manufacturing techniques, connected devices and feedback from Airbnb customers can be used to design new types of buildings that adapt to flexible living arrangements.

via Airbnb will start testing prototype homes next year, report says

San Diego home sales down for 5th straight month

Home sales fell for the fifth month in a row in San Diego County in October and prices were also down, real estate tracker CoreLogic reported Thursday.

The latest numbers show continued signs of a slowdown in the real estate market — across the nation, not just locally — but analysts cautioned...

via San Diego home sales down for 5th straight month

Manafort Sells Florida Mansion To His Wife For The Price Of Two Lattes

Paul Manafort, President Trump’s former campaign chairman, signed a deed on Oct. 25 from his Virginia prison that transferred his five-bedroom mansion in Florida’s Palm Beach Gardens to his wife for $10.

via Manafort Sells Florida Mansion To His Wife For The Price Of Two Lattes

Interview: Todd Smith on Earning $27M Over 23 Years & His Book Little Things Matter

I had the fortune of interviewing a good friend recently on my podcast. Todd Smith from Sarasota, Florida has been an entrepreneur for over 35 years and has enjoyed extraordinary personal and professional success.

View the full article: Interview: Todd Smith on Earning $27M Over 23 Years & His Book <em>Little Things Matter</em> on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

via Interview: Todd Smith on Earning $27M Over 23 Years & His Book Little Things Matter

‘Dramatic’ $36M Penthouse in NYC Is This Week’s Most Expensive New Listing

Aretha Franklin's House Is For Sale

The world lost one of its great talents when Aretha Franklin died in August. Now, her suburban home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan has been listed for sale.

via Aretha Franklin's House Is For Sale

Aretha Franklin's House Is For Sale

The world lost one of its great talents when Aretha Franklin died in August. Now, her suburban home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan has been listed for sale.

via Aretha Franklin's House Is For Sale

Aretha Franklin's House Is For Sale

The world lost one of its great talents when Aretha Franklin died in August. Now, her suburban home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan has been listed for sale.

via Aretha Franklin's House Is For Sale

How to Move Cross-Country: See How These Renters Made It Work

When former New Yorkers Erica Warren and Cici Harrison drove across the country and settled in the Pacific Northwest, they had a list of criteria for their new rental.

They’d need a parking space, a home office so Erica could work remotely and, of course, a yard so they could adopt a dog. And this rental couldn’t be too splashy, because a cross-country move is expensive enough.

All of this complicated their search in Portland’s tough rental market. Luckily the couple were able to stay locally with friends until they found the right rental. And their new home ticks all the boxes - while requiring some minor compromises to make it all work.

We chatted with Warren to hear how she and her wife navigated a cross-country move, including finding a home in a new city and making their new rental feel like home.

Where is your home, and how long have you lived there?
We're in the Southeast, specifically the Richmond neighborhood. We moved there in March of 2017, and we've been there a year and a half.

How did you find your rental?
When we got here, we were staying with Marty and Tera, our friends who live here locally. The day after we arrived, there was the biggest snowstorm Portland had ever had in 30 years. That put a damper on our apartment searching, because we couldn't drive our car or get anywhere. This place was actually the first one we saw, because it was in walking distance from Marty and Tera's house.

We heard about it because Tera had sent an email around at her job asking if anyone had a lead on a rental. Someone else who worked with her had recently purchased a duplex and was looking for renters for the other side.

We walked over and saw it, and it was a very nice place. But it was the first place we looked at. We had no context for if it was a good deal or not. Of course, it seemed like a good deal to us, coming from New York. I was like, "It has a washer and dryer, it has a yard - I'll pay any amount of money for that!"

So we didn't say yes right away, and then we probably spent the next two or three weeks looking at places. We looked at about a dozen places all over the city. We saw all the different variations.

At some point we were almost ready to sign a lease on a 1 bedroom in a new apartment complex. It was, on paper, everything we were looking for. And Cici, out of nowhere, goes, "Why didn't we want that first place that we looked at?" The one we were going to sign a lease for was 1 bedroom, and this was 2 bedrooms, and it was bigger, and the monthly rent was less. And we were like, "Oh, that was a much better place!" So we emailed the landlords to see if it was still available, and it was.

What price range were you looking for, and what did you end up paying?
We were looking in the $1,500-$1,700 per month range. This place ended up being right in the middle. It was $1,600 when we started the first year we were here, and it's now $1,685. It seems like a pretty reasonable price for the neighborhood we're in, because the rental market in Portland seems to be growing so fast.

What was the application and approval process like?
It was really straightforward. Our landlords live on the other side of the duplex, and they're really nice people. I think they were looking for good neighbors as much as they were looking for good tenants. So I think that also helped with the relationship.

Were there any surprise fees?
We paid first month's rent and a security deposit. The only extra fee when we moved in - we had just adopted Billie, and they had a $25 monthly dog rent. Which they told us about beforehand, because we were very particular about wanting a building that would allow us to adopt a dog. We got her a month after we moved in.

What was your cost of moving across the country?
We paid about $5,000 total for a full-service moving company, which is a lot of money. It was our biggest moving expense, but all we had to do was box up our things. They sent a whole team of people, packed our stuff into a storage cube, stored the cube for us, and then when we found a place, shipped it across the country. We didn't have to do any of the logistics, and we didn't have to do any of the carrying of things - we just had to pack a few boxes and unpack the boxes when we got here.

New York is notorious for small apartments. Is your Portland space bigger or smaller?
It's slightly bigger, and I feel like it's most noticeable in the kitchen. The kitchen that we have here is two or three times bigger than what we had in New York. I didn't know how much I wanted a really nice kitchen, but now that I have one, I'm like yes, this is exactly where we needed the extra space!

We also have outdoor space, which makes a huge difference. It's not huge - it's more like a patio than a yard. We have a little grill, and we can sit out there on a nice day. Plus, it's got a fence, so we can let our dog out.

Did you have any challenges making the place functional?
Nothing major. It was built in the ’60s or ’70s, but the landlords had renovated our unit before we moved in, so the kitchen, bathroom and flooring were all brand new - you know, everything works and is nicely designed, so that helped.

I did a little bit of work in the yard, just because it was a little muddy, and it's Portland, so it's wet in the winter, and Billie likes to dig. I got some pebble stones to fill in some of the muddy areas. We got into some light container gardening, because we never had outdoor space in Brooklyn. So we have a little blueberry bush, some star jasmine and some other little things I'm trying not to kill.

What else have you done to make your rental feel like home?
We painted a couple accent walls, which our landlords were totally fine with. We have this wide picture window in the living room that faces the road, but because of that you can see right into our house. So we got a custom shade that you can pull up from the bottom or pull down from the top, just so that we can have privacy but also sunlight if we want.

How long do you think you'll stay?
I don't know specifically. When we moved in, we talked about how we'd love to stay here until we're in a position to buy a house. One day I'd like to own a house - a dining room would be nice at some point in my life. But where we’re at right now, this is the right amount of space, and it’s a really great neighborhood.

What do you want from your next place, other than a dining room?
A big fenced-in yard for Billie! Cici’s mom sent us an article about how the thing that's finally getting millennials to buy houses is their dogs.

I'd also like a little bit more guest space so we could have people visit more frequently, because all of our family is on the East Coast.

And this is 100 percent because Cici has already claimed it - whatever house we buy has to have a basement so that she can play drums there. Number one is a yard for Billie, and number two is a basement for a drum kit and band practice.

Erica's tips for finding a rental in a new city

1. Look around to get a sense of the market

Look at as many places as possible. Because even if you don't want that unit, it gives you a sense of the market. So when you do find a good deal, you know that you have a good deal.

2. Know where you're willing to compromise

If you have enough money that you don't have to make sacrifices in renting, you probably don't need to be renting. So everything’s a trade-off. There's not a perfect rental out there. So it’s like, “This place has 2 bedrooms, but it's more expensive, or this place has a bigger yard, but it's farther out.”

3. Get a little help from your friends

We were so lucky to stay with Marty and Tera in their guest room until we found our own place. And Tera emailed co-workers to see if they knew of any rentals, which is how we ended up finding this place.

4. Conserve your energy and hire a full-service moving and storage company (if you can)

There’s enough stress in moving at all, amplified by moving cross-country. We probably could have gotten a U-Haul, packed it up, driven it cross-country and put our stuff into a storage unit here. But the logistics, let alone the physical labor, were not extra pieces of stress we needed. And even though it was really expensive, it was worth every penny.

Apartment photos by Erica Warren.

Related:

• How to Make the Most of 500 Square Feet: See How This City Renter Did It
• 3 Design Tricks That Will Make Your Small Space Feel Big
• How to Perform a Landlord Background Check

via How to Move Cross-Country: See How These Renters Made It Work

Amid New Development Frenzy, Historic Buildings Retain More Value In NYC

Historic structures like The Dakota and the San Remo are more likely to stay in the Big Apple's most expensive sales bracket, according to a report from StreetEasy.

via Amid New Development Frenzy, Historic Buildings Retain More Value In NYC

Amid New Development Frenzy, Historic Buildings Retain More Value NYC

Historic structures like The Dakota and the San Remo are more likely to stay in the Big Apple's most expensive sales bracket, according to a report from StreetEasy.

via Amid New Development Frenzy, Historic Buildings Retain More Value NYC

More trouble for malls: A new wave of closures from Gap, Victoria's Secret and others

Now, a slew of specialty retailers like Gap and L Brands are getting serious about trimming their real estate footprints.

via More trouble for malls: A new wave of closures from Gap, Victoria's Secret and others

Why I Walked Away from This 118-Unit Apartment Complex Deal [Video!]

As much as we wanted to move forward with the deal, the numbers told us to pass. It was hard, but the best deals oftentimes are the ones you walk away from.

View the full article: Why I Walked Away from This 118-Unit Apartment Complex Deal [Video!] on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

via Why I Walked Away from This 118-Unit Apartment Complex Deal [Video!]

Southern California home sales decline, hitting lowest level in seven years

Southern California home sales tumbled 7.5% in October from a year earlier, extending a broad slowdown in the housing market, according to a report released Thursday by CoreLogic.

Last month was the third straight month of declines and the 20,752 homes that sold were the lowest for an October since...

via Southern California home sales decline, hitting lowest level in seven years

Should These Racy, Tacky Real Estate Pics Be Banned? Take a Look If You Dare

Your Home Is Not An Investment

Home ownership is assumed to be

via Your Home Is Not An Investment

Your Home Is Not An Investment

Home ownership is assumed to be

via Your Home Is Not An Investment

Eva Longoria's Husband, Jose Bastón, Lists $10M Miami Oceanfront Condo With Private Elevator

Eva Longoria's Husband, Jose Bastón, Lists $10M Miami Oceanfront Condo

via Eva Longoria's Husband, Jose Bastón, Lists $10M Miami Oceanfront Condo With Private Elevator

Influencers And Entrepreneurs Share How To Establish A Spiritual Space In Your Home

High design takes on new meaning in spiritual spaces.

via Influencers And Entrepreneurs Share How To Establish A Spiritual Space In Your Home

The Top 25 Most Exclusive Golf And Country Clubs In The World Honored With Platinum Status

International private clubs selected in the top 25 include The R&A (Scotland), Royal Melbourne (Australia), Muirfield (Scotland), Morfontaine (France), Sunningdale (England), Shanqin Bay (China) and Les Bordes (France).

via The Top 25 Most Exclusive Golf And Country Clubs In The World Honored With Platinum Status

How Much Housing Does Your Dollar Buy?

Not nearly as much as it used to, if you live in a major American city.

via How Much Housing Does Your Dollar Buy?

Pending home sales fall 2.6% in October as more buyers are priced out

Expectations for a stronger housing market in October fell short. Pending homes sales, a measure of signed contracts to buy existing homes, fell 2.6 percent compared with September, according to the National Association of Realtors. 

via Pending home sales fall 2.6% in October as more buyers are priced out

The 4 biggest mistakes first-time homebuyers make

Real estate expert and Shark Tank star, Barbara Corcoran, knows the 4 most common mistakes that first-time homebuyers make.

via The 4 biggest mistakes first-time homebuyers make

Three Ways AI Can Create Healthier Real Estate Solutions

In time, AI could provide us with a safe haven with technology inside and outside of the home.

via Three Ways AI Can Create Healthier Real Estate Solutions

Ensuring Work Areas Work Hard For Upscale Renters

As more and more Americans spend at least part of their work days working away from the office, luxury multifamily developers are beginning to give business centers higher priority. They no longer tuck them away, but instead place them out front where they are showcased on tours.

via Ensuring Work Areas Work Hard For Upscale Renters

Long A Lunchtime Wasteland, This Historic Food Market Has Finally Grown Up

Philadelphia’s most convenient dining spot for visitors to the Liberty Bell has, at long last, transformed itself from food court to food hall.

via Long A Lunchtime Wasteland, This Historic Food Market Has Finally Grown Up

Homes for Sale in Brooklyn and Manhattan

This week’s properties are in Hell’s Kitchen, Midtown South and Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

via Homes for Sale in Brooklyn and Manhattan

On the Market in New York City

This week’s properties are in Hell’s Kitchen, Midtown South and Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

via On the Market in New York City

Mortgage Bankers Association expects more millennials to buy houses

Bob Broeksmit, Mortgage Bankers Association CEO, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the Mortgage Bankers Association housing forecast.

via Mortgage Bankers Association expects more millennials to buy houses

Realtor.com's 2019 Housing Forecast Is Pretty Interesting

As we approach the New Year, get ready for a market that looks different from the past few years.

via Realtor.com's 2019 Housing Forecast Is Pretty Interesting

UK's largest housebuilder calls on lawmakers to move forward with Brexit and stop the uncertainty

Brexit uncertainty is "unhelpful" for those seeking to buy a home, the CEO of the U.K.'s largest housebuilder by volume told CNBC Thursday.

via UK's largest housebuilder calls on lawmakers to move forward with Brexit and stop the uncertainty

SoftBank-backed US home insurance start-up Lemonade looks to Europe for its first expansion abroad

Lemonade CEO Daniel Schreiber said the long-term aim would be take the home and renters insurance start-up global "one bit at a time."

via SoftBank-backed US home insurance start-up Lemonade looks to Europe for its first expansion abroad

Midcentury Makeover! Anatomy of an Eichler Renovation in San Jose

Homes for Sale in New York and New Jersey

This week’s properties include a seven-bedroom in East Brunswick, N.J., and a four-bedroom in Yorktown Heights, N.Y.

via Homes for Sale in New York and New Jersey

On the Market in the New York Region

This week’s properties include a seven-bedroom in East Brunswick, N.J., and a four-bedroom in Yorktown Heights, N.Y.

via On the Market in the New York Region

Finding That ‘Historic Feel’ in Jackson Heights

Tired of pouring money into rent, they traded the charmless modernity of a Brooklyn high-rise for the allure of a prewar co-op in Queens.

via Finding That ‘Historic Feel’ in Jackson Heights

The Smart Cloud Advantage

Keller Cloud – it’s the only real estate-specific smart cloud, and it’s poised to redefine the homebuying and selling experience, for agents and consumers alike. For the past few years, Keller Williams has been busy building the Keller Cloud, a powerful collection of real estate technology tools, from the ground up. The Cloud contains KW’s massive collection of agent, transaction and – giving the company an edge among competitors. It’s an innovation engine that allows agents to work smarter and more efficiently, a must in today’s fast-moving digital world.

via The Smart Cloud Advantage

BiggerPockets Podcast 306: How to Go From a Few Units to Over 1,000 with Monick Halm

On today’s show, we interview Monick Halm. Monick’s story will blow you away as she shares how she went from house hacking a duplex in L.A. to owning over one thousand units!

View the full article: BiggerPockets Podcast 306: How to Go From a Few Units to Over 1,000 with Monick Halm on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

via BiggerPockets Podcast 306: How to Go From a Few Units to Over 1,000 with Monick Halm

Trade war's impact on real estate investment is unclear: Knight Frank

Liam Bailey of Knight Frank says the U.S. housing market is "relatively well placed" compared to other parts of the world. Any impact from the trade war will come through a hit to sentiment, which may slow down demand for real estate, he adds.

via Trade war's impact on real estate investment is unclear: Knight Frank

L.L. Bean Produces Award-Winning Restoration Of Founder's Home

The Freeport-based retailer aces the historic restoration of its founder's residence.

via L.L. Bean Produces Award-Winning Restoration Of Founder's Home

L.L. Bean Produces Award-Winning Restoration Of Founder's Home

The Freeport-based retailer aces the historic restoration of its founder's residence.

via L.L. Bean Produces Award-Winning Restoration Of Founder's Home

Saudi Adviser Ken Moelis Buys $62M Penthouse On Billionaires' Row In Manhattan

Billionaire Ken Moelis, adviser to Saudi Arabia’s public offering of its national oil company, bought a $62 million penthouse at 520 Park Avenue in Manhattan. The unit has six bedrooms and about 300 square feet of balconies.

via Saudi Adviser Ken Moelis Buys $62M Penthouse On Billionaires' Row In Manhattan

Saudi Adviser Ken Moelis Buys $62M Penthouse On Billionaires' Row In Manhattan

Billionaire Ken Moelis, adviser to Saudi Arabia’s public offering of its national oil company, bought a $62 million penthouse at 520 Park Avenue in Manhattan. The unit has six bedrooms and about 300 square feet of balconies.

via Saudi Adviser Ken Moelis Buys $62M Penthouse On Billionaires' Row In Manhattan

Can Sears save these 4 San Diego stores?

Bankrupt Sears Holding Company wants a white knight to swoop in and save the brand by purchasing 505 owned and leased Sears and Kmart locations, including four in San Diego County.

The company said last week in a bankruptcy filing that it hopes to keep the following local stores alive: The 150,380...

via Can Sears save these 4 San Diego stores?

You Wouldn’t Think This City Had the Tiniest Apartments in America

KW Innovators Offer Advice That Will Drive You Forward

In our ever-evolving digital world, it’s no secret that technology is reshaping the real estate industry. To keep up, agents must be innovative, creative, and nimble to offer clients services and experiences they can’t get elsewhere.

So, how are Keller Williams agents doing it?

“The starting point of all innovation is being a lifetime student,” says Amy Youngren of the North Group, whose business won Inman’s Most Innovative Team this year after three years of nominations. Youngren’s marketing and video strategies have helped her team capture market share in multiple cities across Canada.

via KW Innovators Offer Advice That Will Drive You Forward

How to Finally Break Out of Financial Mediocrity Using the Virtuous Cycle

Have you been struggling with your real estate investing and not sure what the next step is for you to move forward? You're not alone. Learn the secret successful investor use to make progress and build upon their past victories on their way to financial freedom!

View the full article: How to Finally Break Out of Financial Mediocrity Using the Virtuous Cycle on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

via How to Finally Break Out of Financial Mediocrity Using the Virtuous Cycle

Tiffany struggles due to lower spending from Chinese tourists in the US and Hong Kong

Nomura Instinet's Simeon Siegel and Jan Kniffen, CEO of J Rogers Kniffen World Wide, discuss the latest news in the luxury retail landscape.

via Tiffany struggles due to lower spending from Chinese tourists in the US and Hong Kong

Highest number of unsold new homes on market since 2009: Report

CNBC's Diana Olick reports on falling US new home sales and a 7.4 month supply of new, unsold homes on the market. Sales tumbled 8.9% in October.

via Highest number of unsold new homes on market since 2009: Report

Master Architect Daniel Libeskind Unveils Creative Secrets In New Book

Edge Of Order tome highlights legendary designer’s techniques and influences for inspiration.

via Master Architect Daniel Libeskind Unveils Creative Secrets In New Book

Master Architect Daniel Libeskind Unveils Creative Secrets In New Book

Edge Of Order tome highlights legendary designer’s techniques and influences for inspiration.

via Master Architect Daniel Libeskind Unveils Creative Secrets In New Book

Fifteen Acres of Wine Country in Argentina

This five-bedroom house, which anchors a 15-acre wine estate in the malbec haven of Mendoza, Argentina, is on the market for $2.5 million.

via Fifteen Acres of Wine Country in Argentina

Digital Retailers Tap Into Physical Footprints

A seamless customer experience is a key element to brand success. That means digital and physical must be combined to give consumers the option to shop when, where and how they want. For digitally native retailers who have mastered the online experience, this means the next step is brick-and-mortar.

via Digital Retailers Tap Into Physical Footprints

Digital Retailers Tap Into Physical Footprints

A seamless customer experience is a key element to brand success. That means digital and physical must be combined to give consumers the option to shop when, where and how they want. For digitally native retailers who have mastered the online experience, this means the next step is brick-and-mortar.

via Digital Retailers Tap Into Physical Footprints

Home improvement looks stronger than home construction, analyst says

Mike Dahl, RBC Capital Markets, discusses the state of the real estate market and the home renovations rebound.

via Home improvement looks stronger than home construction, analyst says

The Remote Landlord: How I Live Overseas & Still Manage My U.S. Rentals

Who says you have to buy and manage rental properties only in your home town? Here's how I manage my U.S. rental properties while living overseas.

View the full article: The Remote Landlord: How I Live Overseas & Still Manage My U.S. Rentals on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

via The Remote Landlord: How I Live Overseas & Still Manage My U.S. Rentals

Never Compromise On These 4 Crucial Factors When House Hunting

Every house hunt requires some compromise, but these are four areas where it's okay to stand firm.

via Never Compromise On These 4 Crucial Factors When House Hunting

New home sales down 8.9 percent for the month

CNBC's Diana Olick reports on home sales dramatically falling short of expectations this month.

via New home sales down 8.9 percent for the month

Sales of new homes in U.S. fall, missing projections

Sales of new U.S. homes fell in October to the weakest pace since March 2016 as rising borrowing costs and elevated prices keep buyers out of the market.

Single-family home sales fell 8.9% from the prior month to a 544,000 annualized pace, according to government data released Wednesday. That was...

via Sales of new homes in U.S. fall, missing projections

Carlsbad's Park Hyatt Aviara sells for $170 million more than a year after being taken over by its lender

The upscale Park Hyatt Aviara resort, which was taken over by its lender more than a year ago following missed payments, is now under new ownership.

Xenia Hotels & Resorts, a Florida-based real estate investment trust that owns 41 hotels across 17 states, including the Andaz in downtown San Diego,...

via Carlsbad's Park Hyatt Aviara sells for $170 million more than a year after being taken over by its lender

October New Home Sales: The 2018 Slide Continues

• October new home sales fell 8.9 percent from September and 12 percent form a year ago, to 544,000 sales (SAAR), according to the Census Bureau.
• Inventory of new homes for sale rose 4.3 percent from September, the largest monthly gain since September 2013. October new home sales were up 17.5 percent from a year ago.
• Sales from the prior three months were revised upward by more than 53,000 units, with the majority of that upward revision coming to September’s initially very disappointing results.

The steep decline in October new home sales was an unpleasant surprise for a market that was expecting at least a modest rebound from an ugly September. But as it turns out, September wasn’t as ugly as initially reported with the benefit of backward revisions, and October was much weaker. As we close in on the end of 2018, it is abundantly clear with the benefit of hindsight that the new home sales market took a turn this year, and not for the better. Since the end of 2017, new home sales volumes have endured their longest slide since 2010, when the market was still very much in the grips of the recession. For a time in 2017, it looked as though the new home sales market was going to bust through the 700,000 annual sales barrier and maybe on toward the million-plus sales level reached during the height of the boom. Instead, new home sales look set to bump around between the 500,000 and 600,000 annual sales volume at which they've been stuck for several years. Nothing on the horizon in 2019 looks likely to shift this calculus: Materials costs for builders have retreated slightly from their early-summer highs — and could retreat further if trade tensions ease next year — but labor costs continue to rise and builders point to pervasive labor shortages. On the demand side, rising mortgage rates will eat into what buyers can afford and existing home inventory is starting to perk up after a long lull, meaning buyers will have more options. While we expect some localized rebound in new construction next year as homeowners rebuild from this year’s record natural disasters in the Southeast and West Coast, it won’t be enough to offset the longer-term weights holding down home building.

The post October New Home Sales: The 2018 Slide Continues appeared first on Zillow Research.

via October New Home Sales: The 2018 Slide Continues

What Do You Do With An Ancient Parking Garage?

In space-constrained Boston, parking garages are being redeveloped to provide new center-city residential, office and retail opportunities. A noteworthy example is Motor Mart Garage, where the facade of the more than 90-year-old structure will be retained as part of the new development.

via What Do You Do With An Ancient Parking Garage?

Investing 101: 10 Essential Tips For New Real Estate Investors

With so many factors and risks involved, the simple act of contemplating where to begin with real estate investing can be overwhelming.

via Investing 101: 10 Essential Tips For New Real Estate Investors

$1 Million Homes in Montana, Maryland and New Mexico

A solar-powered smart home in Martin City, a 1924 Sears Craftsman in Silver Spring and an adobe house in Santa Fe.

via $1 Million Homes in Montana, Maryland and New Mexico

What You Get for $1 Million

A solar-powered smart home in Martin City, Mont.; a 1924 Sears Craftsman in Silver Spring, Md.; and an adobe house in Santa Fe, N.M.

via What You Get for $1 Million

Weekly mortgage applications rise 5.5% as homebuyers edge back in

Buyers are coming back to the market, and driving mortgage demand.

via Weekly mortgage applications rise 5.5% as homebuyers edge back in

Set Up For Success In 2019: 14 Real Estate Investment Moves To Make Before 2018 Ends

With a volatile market and a changing real estate landscape, the end of the year is a good time to assess your real estate investments and prepare for the year ahead. Members of Forbes Real Estate Council offer tips to maximize your real estate portfolio in 2019.

via Set Up For Success In 2019: 14 Real Estate Investment Moves To Make Before 2018 Ends

My 3 Most Expensive Mistakes Over the Last 30 Years as an Investor

In the hopes that I can help you avoid these ill-advised things, here are my most expensive investing mistakes, along with what I learned from them.

View the full article: My 3 Most Expensive Mistakes Over the Last 30 Years as an Investor on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

via My 3 Most Expensive Mistakes Over the Last 30 Years as an Investor

2019 Predictions: Affordability, Commutes, Natural Disaster Losses Worsen

Rising mortgage rates will set the scene for the housing market in 2019. They will affect everyone, driving up costs for home buyers and creating more demand for rentals. Even current homeowners could start to feel locked into their mortgage rates.

Here's a snapshot of what's in our crystal ball:

Mortgage affordability takes a hit

Despite steady climbing for the past two years, mortgage rates remain lower than they were during most of the recession and below average for the type of strong economic growth we've been experiencing. That will change in 2019, as the 30-year, fixed rate mortgage reaches 5.8 percent – territory not seen since the dark days of 2008, when rates were racing downward in response to the housing crisis. In 2019, rising rates will compound the effect of still-climbing home values, making homeownership even less affordable. Already, rising mortgage payments eclipse home-value gains, a phenomenon that can both encourage homeowners to stay put – to hold onto low mortgage rates that are disappearing in the rear-view mirror – and discourage would-be first-time home buyers.

Rent affordability takes a hit, too

Although rising mortgage rates will affect home buyers first, renters will not be far behind. As higher rates limit the number of homes that potential buyers can afford, some would-be buyers will be too financially stretched to buy and will continue renting. As a result, recent (and very slight) drops in rent will reverse and turn positive again. The shift will be muted, however, by continued steady investment in apartment construction, which will prevent rent growth from shooting too far above income growth. In the third quarter 2018, the U.S. median rent cost 28.2 percent of the U.S. median income – considerably higher than the 25.8 percent renters paid historically.

Commutes get worse

Job creation has been concentrated in urban cores, and so has the affordability crisis – a phenomenon that's increasingly pushed people to nest and grow their families in the suburbs. The disconnect between urban jobs and suburban residents will continue in 2019 and contribute to longer, more crowded commutes. This may be especially daunting for people in markets where living within their means already requires lengthy travel times: A home in central Boston, for example, is valued 303 percent more per square foot than a typical outlying home, while the premium for homes in central Washington, D.C., compared to outlying areas is 218 percent per square foot. Politicians in Washington, D.C. and state capitals around the country are talking up new infrastructure investments, but some may be too little too late given rising construction costs and planning delays.

Amazon HQ2 'losers' see a boost

Spurred by the possibility of attracting tens of thousands of jobs from online retail giant Amazon, some areas that lost their headquarters bids to suburban New York and Washington, D.C., nevertheless got in touch with their inner can-do – and that will pay off.

Shortly before Amazon made its big announcement, Chicago debuted its "P33" initiative, aimed at becoming a tech hot spot by the city's bicentennial in 2033. It's been dubbed the "Burnham plan for Chicago's tech future," a reference to Daniel Burnham, whose 1900 attempt to create "Paris on the Prairie" both beautified the city and made it a force in urban planning.

Former Amazon HQ2 contender Atlanta already has seen some action since it was passed over by the Prime vendor: Convoy, a much smaller Seattle-based company, is opening its East Coast office there. Norfolk Southern may relocate its headquarters there from the city for which it is named, Norfolk, Va.

While New York and D.C. weigh what Amazon's arrival means for them, could even Tucson could find a taker for its 21-foot saguaro cactus?

Natural disasters claim a record number of homes

As the frequency and magnitude of natural disasters continues to escalate, builders and developers will focus on preventative and/or protected building materials and designs. The prediction for 2019 is a logical extension of what's already been happening: About 15,000 homes were destroyed by wildfires in California alone in 2018 – including at least one entire town in what used to be the "off" season – and many others by storms along the gulf coast.

While in the past, builders have returned quickly in the aftermath of natural disasters – typically building nicer and more expensive homes than before – that may not be the case going forward. Building costs are on the rise, and insurers are increasingly reluctant to offer policies in danger zones (or are charging higher premiums to do so) – both of which could translate into slower and costlier rebuilding.

Flood losses are growing as well, and projections for homes inundated by rising sea levels and storm surges over the course of a typical 30-year mortgage begun in 2020 are not encouraging.

Home value growth will slow

One mitigating effect to rising mortgage rates will be slower home value growth. In October, home values were up 7.7 percent from a year earlier, to a U.S. median of $221,500. Zillow forecasts growth of 6.4 percent from October 2018 to October 2019; a Zillow survey of housing experts and economists anticipates a 3.79 percent increase for calendar 2019. Both forecasts indicate cooling from red-hot growth of 8 percent in March of this year.

The post 2019 Predictions: Affordability, Commutes, Natural Disaster Losses Worsen appeared first on Zillow Research.

via 2019 Predictions: Affordability, Commutes, Natural Disaster Losses Worsen

The 4 Key Trends Home Buyers and Sellers Should Watch in 2019

Your Rolls Royce Phantom Will Fit In The Car Vault That Comes With London's Latest Luxury Address

Look inside London's luxury flats in Clarges Mayfair, which include a car vault large enough for a Rolls Royce Phantom.

via Your Rolls Royce Phantom Will Fit In The Car Vault That Comes With London's Latest Luxury Address

18 Bills With One Goal: Cracking Down on Predatory Landlords

The City Council legislation aims to close loopholes and address abusive practices used in New York City to force out rent-regulated tenants.

via 18 Bills With One Goal: Cracking Down on Predatory Landlords

Conforming Loan Limits Rise, Reducing the Need for Jumbo Mortgages

• New 2019 conforming loan limits increased by $31,250 (6.9 percent) for most counties.
• More than a million of the nation's priciest homes will no longer require a jumbo mortgage.
• The Boston and Seattle metro areas, as well as Eagle County, Colo., which includes Vail, will see the biggest jumps in conforming loan limits when they go into effect on January 1, 2019.

More than a million of the nation's priciest homes will no longer require a jumbo mortgage as a result of new conforming loan limits announced today by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).

The new baseline limit for a conforming mortgage on a single-family home in most of the country will be $484,350 in 2019. For 199 counties and territories, the limit is higher – and will rise to a new ceiling of $726,525. Both limits are 6.9 percent higher than 2018, similar to the 7.7 percent increase in the Zillow Home Value Index in the past year. As a result, buyers of homes newly in the conforming range because of these changes could benefit from less strict lending standards or even a lower interest rate.

The typical U.S. home's value, $221,500, is less than half the new loan limit, but about 6.7 million homes (about 6 percent of the national total) would still require jumbo loans, assuming a 25 percent down payment. In some of the priciest counties, a majority of homes would still exceed the new conforming loan limits: In San Mateo County, a whopping 86 percent of homes would still require jumbo loans to purchase – the highest share in the country.

The FHFA set higher limits in 199 counties and territories, including high-cost counties as well as all of Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Boston and Seattle metro areas, as well as Eagle County, Colo., which includes Vail, will see the biggest jumps in conforming loan limits when they go into effect on January 1, 2019. The FHFA raised Boston-area limits by $85,100 and raised Seattle-area limits by $59,525. Based on current home values, those increases mean about 26 percent fewer homes would require jumbo loans in Boston and 22 percent fewer in Seattle.

After loans are designated conforming by the FHFA, they can be bought by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, making them a safer bet for lenders to originate. That means lenders may generally apply looser underwriting standards to conforming loans, while they typically require larger down payments and higher credit scores for jumbo loans.

Higher conforming loan limits make it easier for buyers in pricey markets, but also might accelerate price growth by making it easier to borrow in areas where prices have increased very sharply. By permitting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy larger mortgages, higher loan limits also increase their exposure to default risk on those loans.

Mortgage rates for conventional, 30-year fixed rate mortgages have seen considerable growth this year, making monthly housing costs more expensive for buyers. Some home shoppers are willing to increase their down payments in order to push their mortgages beneath the conforming loan limit. Historically, jumbo mortgage rates have been higher than conventional mortgage rates, because they involve additional risks for lenders. However, in recent years, jumbo and conventional mortgage rates have converged due to rising fees associated with conforming loans and the riskier credit profile of conventional borrowers. Today, the typical conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate quoted on Zillow was 4.58 percent, compared to 4.51 percent for the typical jumbo 30-year fixed mortgage. Throughout 2017, jumbo loans typically carried interest rates about 20 basis points higher than conforming loans.

The map below shows the county-level fraction of of homes requiring a jumbo loan under the new conforming loan limits.

The post Conforming Loan Limits Rise, Reducing the Need for Jumbo Mortgages appeared first on Zillow Research.

via Conforming Loan Limits Rise, Reducing the Need for Jumbo Mortgages

Bay Area Buyers And Sellers Face Mixed News

The San Francisco Bay Area is feeling the pinch on home buyer’s purse strings.

via Bay Area Buyers And Sellers Face Mixed News

Bay Area Buyers And Sellers Face Mixed News

The San Francisco Bay Area is feeling the pinch on home buyer’s purse strings.

via Bay Area Buyers And Sellers Face Mixed News

Bay Area Buyers And Sellers Face Mixed News

The San Francisco Bay Area is feeling the pinch on home buyer’s purse strings.

via Bay Area Buyers And Sellers Face Mixed News

How to Use Flexibility to Dramatically Reduce (or Even Eliminate) Your Tax Bill

Time and time again, real estate investors come through our virtual CPA firm's doors requesting help. That means I get to see a lot of tax returns. And while almost everyone can improve, the number one issue I see that significantly limits an investor's ability to reduce their tax bill is lack of flexibility.

View the full article: How to Use Flexibility to Dramatically Reduce (or Even Eliminate) Your Tax Bill on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

via How to Use Flexibility to Dramatically Reduce (or Even Eliminate) Your Tax Bill

On A Rainforest Adventure Trip, A Treehouse Is The Only Way To Stay

Come to the rainforest; stay in a tree. According to bohemian-minded travelers, this is a time-honored way to stay in tropical paradise. Lately, fancified treehouse vacation rentals in rainforest regions cater to the experience seeker who wants a bit more than bare bones -- er, branches.

via On A Rainforest Adventure Trip, A Treehouse Is The Only Way To Stay

September Case-Shiller Results and October Forecast: A Slow Return to the Push-Pull of a Normal Market

• The U.S. National S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index - which tracks home prices - rose 5.5 percent in September from a year earlier, in line with Zillow's forecast last month.
• The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city index climbed 5.1 percent annually in September, down from 5.5 percent in August. The 10-city index rose 4.8 percent, down from 5.2 percent.
• Zillow forecasts an even slower 5.4 percent annual gain for October.

Home prices are tapping on the brakes, with the pace of growth slowing again in September, to 5.5 percent year-over year, according to the Case-Shiller home price index. The gain was in line with Zillow’s forecast and slower than the 5.7 percent annual gain in August. We forecast another slowdown in October, with home prices climbing just 5.4 percent annually.

The slower growth in home prices indicates a national housing market that’s finally finding more balance between buyers and sellers after years of near-total seller control.

There are already signs that the market is starting to swing toward buyers: Inventory is up after almost four years of uninterrupted declines, especially in formerly red-hot and pricey West Coast markets, and price cuts are becoming more frequent.

Additionally, a softening rental market may give some would-be buyers a little extra time to organize their finances and save more without the added pressure of an impending rent hike to force their hands. But while the pendulum is slowly swinging back in favor of buyers, make no mistake that sellers and current homeowners still have an advantage in this game of tug-of-war.

Inventory is up, but from incredibly low levels that will not fully recover for years – and competition for the most affordable homes remains as fierce as ever. Although price cuts are more common, the size of the typical price cut has been steady. The cuts we are seeing are not acts of desperation; they’re just testing how warm the waters are.

Mortgage rates continue to creep higher, and home prices themselves are still very much on the rise – just a bit less quickly than before – both of which are denting affordability. If more renters delay their moves in the face of a softening market, that may eventually push rents back up as vacancy rates fall. Still, it's undoubtedly a good thing to see a return to the more natural push and pull of the market, after years in which it moved in only one direction.

The post September Case-Shiller Results and October Forecast: A Slow Return to the Push-Pull of a Normal Market appeared first on Zillow Research.

via September Case-Shiller Results and October Forecast: A Slow Return to the Push-Pull of a Normal Market

Amazon HQ2 critics are 'misinterpreting' the deal: New York Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen

"A lot of that initial reluctance will burn off and people will realize what a great deal this is for New York City," says Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen.

via Amazon HQ2 critics are 'misinterpreting' the deal: New York Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen

6 Common Mortgage Myths, Debunked

Don't let these common mortgage myths stop you from becoming a homeowner.

via 6 Common Mortgage Myths, Debunked

A 'swing toward buyers'? San Diego resale home prices slow

Existing home prices in September for the San Diego metropolitan area increased 4 percent in a year, the lowest in the West, said the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Indices released Tuesday.

Among the 20 areas covered by the index, San Diego’s increase was the fourth lowest and below the national increase...

via A 'swing toward buyers'? San Diego resale home prices slow

6 Habits From Mark Wahlberg’s Schedule That Can Make You a Success

It’s hard to find someone more successful at his career than Mark Wahlberg. Yes, Marky Mark. It seems like no matter what Mark puts his mind to he accomplishes. How does he do it? Well, I think his daily schedule has something to do with it.

View the full article: 6 Habits From Mark Wahlberg’s Schedule That Can Make You a Success on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

via 6 Habits From Mark Wahlberg’s Schedule That Can Make You a Success

6 Common Mortgage Myths, Debunked

Don't let these common mortgage myths stop you from becoming a homeowner.

via 6 Common Mortgage Myths, Debunked

6 Common Mortgage Myths, Debunked

Don't let these common mortgage myths stop you from becoming a homeowner.

via 6 Common Mortgage Myths, Debunked

A Business With No End

Where does this strange empire start or stop?

via A Business With No End

Queen Of Long Island City Real Estate Chats About Career, Amazon HQ2 News

Arlinda Dine, who has secured $5 billion in sales with the LIC-based firm Modern Spaces, opens up about women in the new development sector, her own path to success and Amazon's affect on the future of Queens.

via Queen Of Long Island City Real Estate Chats About Career, Amazon HQ2 News

Queen Of Long Island City Real Estate Chats About Career, Amazon HQ2 News

Arlinda Dine, who has secured $5 billion in sales with the LIC-based firm Modern Spaces, opens up about women in the new development sector, her own path to success and Amazon's affect on the future of Queens.

via Queen Of Long Island City Real Estate Chats About Career, Amazon HQ2 News

Got $300? A Shocking ‘Fixer Upper’ Bargain Hits Airbnb

Lessons Learned from 72 Profit Share Millionaires

Jay Papasan, vice president and executive editor at KW Publishing, recently studied 72 of Keller Williams’ top profit share earners to understand how all associates could grow their wealth through the tool. Each individual that Papasan studied succeeded in taking home at least $1 million in largely passive income.

Profit share is one way in which Keller Williams exemplifies the principle of success through others. Each month, market centers share roughly half of their profits with the agents who helped them grow and made them profitable.

via Lessons Learned from 72 Profit Share Millionaires

Queen Of Long Island City Real Estate Chats About Career, Amazon HQ2 News

Arlinda Dine, who has secured $5 billion in sales with the LIC-based firm Modern Spaces, opens up about women in the new development sector, her own path to success and Amazon's affect on the future of Queens.

via Queen Of Long Island City Real Estate Chats About Career, Amazon HQ2 News

Home Prices Still Increasing But Not As Fast As Before In Most Cities

U.S. home prices were up a strong 5.5% in September compared to September 2017, however, that was down a bit from the 6.0% increase during the previous 12 months.

via Home Prices Still Increasing But Not As Fast As Before In Most Cities

Home Prices Still Increasing But Not As Fast As Before In Most Cities

U.S. home prices were up a strong 5.5% in September compared to September 2017, however, that was down a bit from the 6.0% increase during the previous 12 months.

via Home Prices Still Increasing But Not As Fast As Before In Most Cities

3 Telltale Signs You’re Definitely NOT Ready to Invest in Real Estate

There’s a group of potential investors out there whose ambition is ready to conquer the world but they’re not ready to invest—yet. So, how do you know if you’re NOT ready to invest yet and what steps you need to take to get ready?

View the full article: 3 Telltale Signs You’re Definitely NOT Ready to Invest in Real Estate on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

via 3 Telltale Signs You’re Definitely NOT Ready to Invest in Real Estate

Home Prices Still Increasing But Not As Fast As Before In Most Cities

U.S. home prices were up a strong 5.5% in September compared to September 2017, however, that was down a bit from the 6.0% increase during the previous 12 months.

via Home Prices Still Increasing But Not As Fast As Before In Most Cities

Cannabis As Real Estate Disrupter? How The Largest Marijuana Retail Space Plans To Revamp A District

The largest cannabis retail space in the US plans to revitalize the entire neighborhood.

via Cannabis As Real Estate Disrupter? How The Largest Marijuana Retail Space Plans To Revamp A District

These TK Offer Mistakes Could Cost You The House

Writing an offer is the most important step you'll take towards buying a home. Make sure to avoid making these five offer mistakes.

via These TK Offer Mistakes Could Cost You The House

Apartments are getting smaller – but renters are paying more

The average size of newly built apartments in the U.S. is shrinking, but rents are still rising. Millennials appear to be more willing to pay for smaller units that are located in urban centers, where rents are highest. 

via Apartments are getting smaller – but renters are paying more

Cannabis As Real Estate Disrupter? How The Largest Marijuana Retail Space Plans To Revamp A District

The largest cannabis retail space in the US plans to revitalize the entire neighborhood.

via Cannabis As Real Estate Disrupter? How The Largest Marijuana Retail Space Plans To Revamp A District

Cannabis As Real Estate Disrupter? How The Largest Marijuana Retail Space Plans To Revamp A District

The largest cannabis retail space in the US plans to revitalize the entire neighborhood.

via Cannabis As Real Estate Disrupter? How The Largest Marijuana Retail Space Plans To Revamp A District

These TK Offer Mistakes Could Cost You The House

Writing an offer is the most important step you'll take towards buying a home. Make sure to avoid making these five offer mistakes.

via These TK Offer Mistakes Could Cost You The House

Cannabis As Real Estate Disrupter? How The Largest Marijuana Retail Space Plans To Revamp A District

The largest cannabis retail space in the US plans to revitalize the entire neighborhood.

via Cannabis As Real Estate Disrupter? How The Largest Marijuana Retail Space Plans To Revamp A District

These TK Offer Mistakes Could Cost You The House

Writing an offer is the most important step you'll take towards buying a home. Make sure to avoid making these five offer mistakes.

via These TK Offer Mistakes Could Cost You The House

How Old Louisville Shares The Holiday Spirit

For more than 40 years, the annual Holiday Home Tour in Old Louisville has delivered gifts of good cheer and inspiration.

via How Old Louisville Shares The Holiday Spirit

Home price gains shrink to the lowest level since January 2017: September S&P Case-Shiller index

The reading comes as the average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage is now a full percentage point higher than it was one year ago, and affordability has fallen to the weakest level in over a decade.

via Home price gains shrink to the lowest level since January 2017: September S&P Case-Shiller index

Repurposing 20th Century Garages For 21st Century Needs

As Americans' relationship with the automobile changes, cities are eyeing large, outdated and underutilized parking garages as prime opportunities for repurposing. Boston's Government Center Garage is a key cog in the city's Bullfinch Crossing redevelopment.

via Repurposing 20th Century Garages For 21st Century Needs

Homebuyers, Make Your Offer Stand Out By Including This Essential Piece

In competitive markets, any steps to make your offer shine are essential.

via Homebuyers, Make Your Offer Stand Out By Including This Essential Piece

What The Yale University Endowment Fund Teaches Investors About Real Estate Investing

Yale’s model points to a more productive way to think about investments and their potential for higher returns.

via What The Yale University Endowment Fund Teaches Investors About Real Estate Investing

What Investors Should Know About Public Transportation's Effect On Manhattan Real Estate Value

It’s no secret that the proximity or remoteness of public transportation influences the value of real estate properties.

via What Investors Should Know About Public Transportation's Effect On Manhattan Real Estate Value

Metro Seattle home prices falling at fastest rate in U.S.

Seattle had led the nation on home price increases for nearly two years and had been among the top two markets in the country for almost three years, but that has changed recently.

via Metro Seattle home prices falling at fastest rate in U.S.