Now may be the time to get your 1031 exchange completed. A recent proposal in Congress may make it more difficult to complete in the future. 1031 Exchange Proposal Capital gains taxes can cut into profits for many modern businesses. Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code allows companies and consumers to defer… Read more »
A Dubuque, Iowa, Realtor® has found herself at the center of a serious real estate hacking incident that has threatened her reputation and caused issues for other real estate agents. A blog published by the National Association of Realtors® details the email scam implemented by hackers using the name of Realtor® Sue Dietz. Real Estate Hacking Targets… Read more »
In years past, the typical homebuyer displayed a marked preference for move-in-ready properties instead of fixer-uppers — but that may be changing. A recent article on Realtor.com examines the phenomenon of the home improvement project “that never ends,” with buyers increasingly choosing to tweak, personalize and perfect every inch of their new residence over a… Read more »
The job of the realtor encompasses a wide range of duties — and with the housing market slowly but steadily recovering from the 2008 financial crisis, it’s a more critical one than ever. In a recet Inman.com interview, Rand Realty general counsel and managing partner Joe Rand took to the airwaves to speak on the… Read more »
A proposed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) ruling that would give consumers greater power to sue banks, credit companies, and other financial organizations has drawn heavy criticism from the lending sector. The ruling, projected to go into effect early next year after approval and comments, would bar financial organizations from including clauses that block signing… Read more »
Earning a steady stream of positive online reviews is an effective way to build a successful brand as a real estate professional. Despite countless reports detailing the importance of developing and maintaining a strong online reputation, far too many agents still have yet to embrace the necessity of managing reviews. Today’s real estate professionals are… Read more »
There is a growing fear that student loans are dragging down the housing market. Even some of the nation’s most influential economic minds, including Joe Stiglitz and Larry Summers, have made the connection between student debt and the decreasing homeownership rates among young people. Concern has led some to propose an easing of loan burdens… Read more »
There is a growing divide between the American cities that are growing and remaining affordable and those that are unable to grow and, thus, are becoming increasingly expensive. On the whole, U.S. metropolitan areas are growing rapidly, a trend that has remained constant over the past 60 years. According to research conducted by BuildZoom, from… Read more »
In March, U.S. new home construction experienced its biggest drop since October 2015. Declines were measured throughout most regions of the nation, with the notable exception of the Northeast. The construction of new homes fell more than eight percent, which was the third drop in building rates out of the past four months. Regional construction… Read more »