REALTORS® took their concerns over tax reform proposals to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, with Iona Harrison, chair of the National Association of REALTORS®’ Federal Taxation Committee, warning the Senate Finance Committee that they limit or nullify the tax incentives for homeownership. Harrison said the proposals would actually raise taxes on millions of middle-class homeowners and reminded senators that a drop in home values following tax refor
If you’re ready to move forward with flooring but are uncertain about which direction you should go, these simple facts about the differences between solid hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood will have you landing on solid ground.1. Installation TimeIf time is of the essence, your clients may want to consider engineered hardwood. This option comes prefinished in the color of choice, and the planks easily click into place. No need to hire
Which states offer retirees the most bang for their buck? SeniorAdvice.com developed a special scoring system to identify and measure livability for seniors based on financial factors, like tax rates, cost of living expenses, average income, and senior living costs.The following five states landed at the top of SeniorAdvice.com’s rankings as the most senior-friendly for retirement finances:1. Wyoming2. Virginia3. South Dakota4. Alabama5. Louisi
Houston’s catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Harvey doesn’t appear to be a deterrent for the area’s housing demand.The brokerage firm Redfin says that its agents already have 45 home buyers ready to purchase homes where the storm hit. They said that only eight buyers backed out because of the storm. Showing requests rebounded just a week after the storm, the firm says.But the impact of the flooding likely will have an effect on home price
Your toughest critics may very well be the children of your clients. Their children’s input on a home carries a lot of weight. Nearly two-thirds of all home buyers say their children have input on what type of home they plan to buy, according to newly released data from Bank of America’s Homebuyer Insights Report, based on nearly 5,000 adults surveyed.First-time home buyers are more likely to say their children have influence than other buyer
Appraisals continue to lag homeowners’ price expectations, according to the latest Quicken Loans’ National Home Price Perception Index, which compares homeowners’ initial estimates and appraiser’s opinions of home values. Appraised values were 1.35 percent lower than homeowners’ expectations in August. That has narrowed from a 1.55 percent difference in July.Many homeowners are still not understanding their home’s current value, accor
A home in Sunnyvale, Calif., recently sold for a whopping $782,000 above its list price. The four-bed, two-bath home that is less than 2,000 square feet was listed for nearly $1.69 million. But the home attracted more than 20 bids and ended up selling for $2.47 million.“I think it’s the most anything has ever gone for over asking in Sunnyvale—a record for Sunnyvale,” Dave Clark, the Keller Williams real estate professional who represented
About BennyI am a licensed Texas Realtor that specializes in assisting clients with buying and selling homes throughout Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex! If you are a buyer or seller who lives near the DFW Area, or if you are looking to relocate to our area, I would love to assist you! Real estate is one of the largest and most exciting investments one can make. I'm here to make sure that your process is a fun and rewarding one! I will dedicate the ti
The industry is mourning the loss of Crystal McDowell, a 37-year-old sales associate who worked for Virginia Malone & Associates in Baytown, Texas. The Houston-area real estate agent had disappeared just hours before Hurricane Harvey made landfall.Chambers County Sheriff announced that McDowell’s body was discovered in a wooded area. Police have arrested and charged McDowell’s ex-husband, Steven McDowell, in connection with her death. He
Home buyers and homeowners are taking advantage of some of the lowest interest rates in a year. Mortgage applications for refinancings and home purchases jumped 9.9 percent higher last week on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Wednesday. Still, the MBA reports the weekly index remains about 19 percent lower the same week a year ago, which is mostly attributed to a decrease in refinancing applications.The 30-ye
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