The number of For Sale  by Owner transactions fell to a record low of 7 percent of all home sales in 2018, down from 8 percent last year, according to the 2018 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers produced by the National Association of REALTORS.  FSBOs-homeowners who try to sell their properties themselves without a real estate agent-have decreased … [Read more...]

What will Missouri's vote last week to legalize medical marijuana mean for real estate?  What should you be aware of as you work with buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants?  A new report from NAR will give you some insights into what is happening in other markets where either medical or recreational use. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!! … [Read more...]

Thanks to a new pilot program from a leading credit scoring company, some 4 million consumers could potentially see an increase of 20 points or more in their FICO score.  The new program called UltraFico score, would consider how prospective borrowers manage their cash.  The program aims to help people who have dings on their credit histories to … [Read more...]

The hope of a nationwide association health plan for the real estate industry got a boost in June when the U.S. Department of Labor released a rule expanding the definition of "employer" to include "working owners.:  The change meant independent contractors and sole practitioners could participate in AHPs that often offer more health care options … [Read more...]

Many buyers may be potentially leaving money on the table by failing to contact more than one lender when shopping for a mortgage.  Two-thirds, or 65 percent, of 1,00 buyers recently surveyed said they didn't shop around for a mortgage, despite it being the biggest purchase they'll ever make.  The study, conducted by PenFed Credit Union, also found … [Read more...]

A housing market defined by rapidly rising home prices, bidding wars, a lack of inventory, and sellers with the upper hand in negotiations may be changing. “The signs are pointing to a market that’s shifting toward buyers,” says Danielle Hale, realtor.com®’s chief economist. “But in most places, we’re still a long way from a full … [Read more...]

New mortgages are being approved with lower credit scores, and FHA loans appear to be leading the shift, according to studies by credit developer FICO and other entities.  New loans for borrowers with FICO scores reaching as low as the 400s jumped from 21.9 percent in 2009 to 29.7 percent last year according to the study.  From January to March of … [Read more...]