Qualified mortgage standards are back in the news, with the FHFA announcing that it is on track to adopt the standards’ “ability to repay” provisions. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) has announced that beginning Jan. 10, 2014, Fannie

This the first part in a 12-part series. One of the most important qualities for someone looking to achieve a successful career in home sales is the ability to overcome sales reluctances. In order to overcome such fears though,

First-time homebuyers represent a hugely important swath of the homebuying public, and a new study has pinpointed some of their key characteristics. First-time homebuyers serve an integral role in the U.S. housing market. Along with comprising between 30 and

The marketing world is becoming more tech-savvy and mobile-ready by the day, but you should not completely count out direct mail. Real estate is an industry in a constant state of flux, but there is one trend that analysts

Earlier this year, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released an extensive white paper that analyzed every aspect of the home appraisal process. Concluding with recommendations for reform, the NAHB described the current appraisal system as a “dysfunctional”

Getting an appraisal done can be compared to a blind date. First, there is the phone call from someone you’ve never met; the one thing you have in common is a listing under contract. The call concludes with a

Though we’d like to think that everyone is real estate is wonderful, there are undeniably some bad apples out there; here’s how you can deal with them. Real estate is a buzzing, active industry with a wonderfully diverse group

Home remodeling projects have a certain romanticism to them, and though some are worth the time and effort, others do not recoup their expenses. Who doesn’t love home remodeling? After all, remodeling is one of the defining reasons for

M-commerce, or commerce via mobile devices, is the future of business in America, and a new eMarketer survey hammers home that fact. M-commerce, short hand for shopping via mobile devices, used to be a fledgling component of the American

Social media faux pas happen, but it’s important that you understand the rules of the game and respond to any mistakes in a thoughtful manner. You’re sharing a cool link on Twitter, but the link is incorrect; you’re posting

With syndication sites and IDX feeds now a permanent fixture on the real estate landscape, well-written listing copy is a necessity. Once upon a time, real estate listings were a closely-held secret, with the information and facets of all

Cleanliness and organization are certainly important factors when showing a home, but effective use of lighting can be equally valuable. When agents go through their check-lists before showing a property, they often focus on the most immediate needs of

In one fell swoop, CoreLogic has added the most reputable name in home-price analytics to its roster of real estate data tools – but only its name. Real estate analytics firm CoreLogic has acquired the “Case-Shiller” brand name from

Difficult clients are one of the necessary evils of working in real estate, though there are methods and strategies you can employ to deal with them. We’re sure the above image is one many of you can relate to

Which came first – the real estate career or the ADD? I recently attended an open house that was hosted by an agent with less capacity for focus than a cat in a room with a laser pointer. Between

The benefits of good communication are obvious, but how can you ensure that your message is being communicated effectively? Effective communication is among the most important qualities for a successful career in real estate. From initial consultations, to listing presentations,