Real Estate, Updates, News & Tips - Willy Olsen - iPro Real Estate

MUSIC: Listen to this Song "Con Te Partiro" by Andrea Bocelli

"Con te partirò" (Italian: [kon ˈte ppartiˈrɔ]; "I will leave with you") is an Italian song written by Francesco Sartori (music) and Lucio Quarantotto (lyrics). It was first performed by Andrea Bocelli at the 1995 Sanremo Festival and recorded on his album of the same year, Bocelli. The single was first released as an A-side single with "Vivere" in 1995, topping the charts, first in France, where it became one of the best selling singles of

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Rates will rise and inventory remain stretched, say economic experts

Four economists outlined what they think the housing market will do in 2017Key Takeaways Homes are getting snapped up almost as quickly as they're being put on the market. Mortgage rates are expected to continue to rise, which could "lock in" some sellers and incentivize them to stay put. Equity is rising, but inventory remains a problem in many markets.DENVER — Lawrence Yun, the chief economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), ha

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7 homebuilding trends shaping 2017’s housing market

Buyers are absorbing the increased costs of new construction lotsDENVER — The home price surge happening across markets right now feels uncomfortably familiar. 2006, anyone?Indeed, prices are back to levels that they hit at the peak of the bubble.But this time different forces are at play, said HomeAdvisor Chief Economist Brad Hunter in a presentation this morning at the National Association of Real Estate Editors conference. Rising home prices

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Zero-Down Loans Making a Comeback

Your buyers may soon be able to bring less to closing. They were blamed for precipitating the housing crisis years ago, but major lenders are giving no- and low-down payment loans another shot.Several major lenders are reportedly offering loans with just 1 percent down. Navy Federal, the nation’s largest credit union, offers its members zero-down mortgages in amounts up to $1 million. NASA Federal Credit Union markets zero-down mortgages as wel

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Owners, Appraisers Disagree on Home Values

Homeowners feel like their homes are worth more than what appraisers say they are, and the gap between the two estimated values has grown for the sixth consecutive month, according to Quicken Loans’ National Home Price Perception Index.Appraised values were, on average, 1.93 percent lower than what homeowners expected, according to the index. Appraisals are drifting farther from owner estimates, even though their assessments continue to rise

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Fed Votes to Raise Key Interest Rate Again

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve took a largely expected move to raise its key interest rate one-quarter percentage point. This marks the second of three hikes that is expected to occur this year.“The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting some further strengthening in labor market conditions and a sustained return to 2 percent inflation,” according to the Fed’s statement.While mortgage rates aren’t directly

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Google Enters the Multifamily Market

Google owner Alphabet Inc. is dipping its toe into the real estate industry in order to help its employees deal with escalating housing costs in Silicon Valley. The tech giant purchased 300 apartment units from a modular-home startup known as Factory OS. The apartment units are expected to serve as short-term housing for Google employees, The Wall Street Journal reports.The cost of the deal is reported to be between $25 million and $30 millio

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1031 Exchanges Under Threat?

A major tax advantage for the commercial real estate industry may be one of the casualties in a sweeping federal tax reform expected this year, The Wall Street Journal reports.Some lawmakers are eyeing the 1031 exchange provision to get the tax-rate cut they seek. The provision allows sellers of real estate and other assets to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting any profit in “like-kind” properties. The 1031 exchange applies to a range

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Decor that Adds Value to Homes

A home's price is based on many factors that can’t be changed, such as location, square footage, and age. While these fixed factors may seem like an end-all-be-all, you can present your client’s home in other ways that may add perceived value for buyers. A full overhaul or shiny new kitchen are not the only options — choosing the right home decor can go a long way in bringing buyers.Here's a look at some top accessories and decor choices

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The top 10 issues facing the real estate industry in 2017

The No. 1 challenge? Polarization and political uncertaintyKey Takeaways Political uncertainty affects trade, consumer prices, home prices and mortgage interest rates. Big baby boomer and millennial populations (who want different things in their homes) are causing generational disruption and housing mismatch. The proliferation of real estate technology is also going to have a big impact on consumers, agents and brokers.DENVER — Every year, the

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