Survey: Buyers, Sellers Optimistic About Housing |
 Nearly 70 percent of buyers and sellers say they believe the housing market and property values will recover in the next year or two, according to a new survey by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services Inc.
What's more, 86 percent of the more than 1,000 buyers and sellers surveyed believe real estate is still a good investment despite the souring market conditions in many areas the past few years.
Those surveyed said they also are ready to buy: Six in 10 respondents say they are more interested in buying real estate and 59 percent say they are optimistic about buying now with recent momentum from the economic recovery. They also believe they can get a better deal now because of lower prices.
Source: "Americans Confident in Recovery of Real Estate Market," RISMedia (March 14, 2011) |
HARP Program Extended through June 2012 |
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will continue to refinance qualifying borrowers who have lost equity in their home without requiring additional mortgage insurance for another year under the Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP.
HARP, which was scheduled to expire June 30, will stay open for business for another year, and Freddie Mac will exempt the refinancings from recently announced price increases, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said in announcing the one-year extension.
Read the full story from Inman News Headlines >> |
"Like" Heartland MLS on Facebook |
 Are you a Facebook user? Did you know that Heartland MLS now has
a Facebook page? Find the page at www.kcrar.com/HeartlandMLS and click the "Like" button to read system enhancement announcements, ask questions and provide feedback to the Heartland MLS team.
While you're there, go here and be sure to "Like" KCRAR too! |
Many Buyers Lack Credit Score Knowledge |
 Some consumers lack the knowledge about credit scores, and most importantly, how you can boost it to get better deals on home loans or other type of loans. A survey of 1,000 consumers conducted by Opinion Research asked consumers 22 questions about credit scores. On average, consumers got 60 percent of the questions right, revealing several gaps in credit score knowledge.
"They did not understand the financial cost of a low score," says Stephen Brobeck, executive director of the Consumer Federation of America, an association of nonprofit consumer organizations. (Go here to read the full story from REALTOR® Magazine.)
KCRAR has prepared an informative flier you can use when talking with clients about credit and lending - go here to print copies. For templates of other helpful documents, look under the Education tab on www.kcrar.com for Sales & Presentation Tools. There you'll find listing and buyer presentation documents you can customize as well as documents to help you with prospecting and business organization. |
Education is on the road in April |
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Disaster in Japan: How to Help |
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has identified four funds that the Association believes are well equipped to provide disaster-relief services to the people of Japan following a devastating earthquake, resulting tsunami and nuclear crisis that is still unfolding. NAR urges members who want to make a donation to consider one of these four organizations.
"REALTORS® build communities here in the U.S., but we also have a role to play in the global community, as well. With that in mind, we want to express our heartfelt concern and support for the people of Japan during these trying times," says NAR President Ron Phipps. More > |
5 Free Articles for Your Listing Presentation |
Build a better listing presentation book by branding and adding five great articles from NAR's REALTOR® Content Resource. Start with the no-pressure story "How to Use Comparable Sales to Price Your Home" to help sellers set the perfect price. More > |
Move Toward Financial Stability With an IRA |
 Whether just starting your career or already in retirement, the decisions you make today will shape your tomorrow. REALTORS® Federal Credit Union offers a variety of Individual Retirement Accounts products - including traditional IRAs, Roths, and Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) savings and certificate accounts - to help REALTORS® plan for the future. More >
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We're taking education on the road
