Real Estate Articles (2017)

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

While Realtors are concerned about the tax reform bill, National Association of Realtors president Elizabeth Mendenhall said the final tax reform bill, while far from perfect, is greatly improved for homeowners over previous versions because it makes several changes Realtors sought, including keeping, though limiting, the state and local tax deduction and other changes.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

While inventory constraints resulted in sharp increases in home prices, making it difficult for buyers to enter the market in 2017, the 2018 National Housing Forecast released by realtor.com predicts next year will see the nation's inventory shortage ease due to continued market improvements, with more manageable increases in home prices and a modest acceleration of home sales.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

California home sales dipped slightly in November from a year ago, while the median sales price recorded its highest year-over-year gain since January 2016. The Bay Area had the strongest price appreciation among all regions with a 12.5 percent regional annual price increase. Realtor officials predict the lackluster sales performance and high price appreciation will continue if inventory remains at a low level.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Despite the strong demand for purchasing homes sparked by steady job gains, record low mortgage rates and higher rents, the severe housing shortage in much of the country over the past year has accelerated price growth and kept many first-time buyers out of the market. According to the National Association of Realtors' 2017 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the internet and real estate agents were the top source of information for buyers, but at the end of the day, most buyers and sellers looked to the real estate agent for help with their real estate transaction.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

The holiday season is a time for celebration and giving gifts to family and friends, but it is also a time when safety can sometimes take a back seat due to the rush and excitement of the season. People become careless and vulnerable to theft and holiday scams.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Ryan Nunnally, a Realtor with Keller Williams Bay Area Estates, was installed last week as 2018 chair of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors Los Gatos-Saratoga District. More than 90 members of the local trade association and their guests attended the district's annual holiday reception and Installation held at La Rinconada Golf & Country Club in Los Gatos. The evening also gave local real estate professionals an opportunity to celebrate the year's achievements and welcome the holiday season.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Realtors hailed the Federal Housing Finance Agency's decision to increase the maximum conforming loan limits for mortgages acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2018 to $453,100 on one-unit properties and a cap of $679,650 in high-cost areas. The previous loan limits were $424,100 and $636,150, respectively. This is the second straight year and the second time that the FHFA has raised the conforming loan limits since 2006.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Before the Thanksgiving holiday, California Assemblymember Marc Berman joined members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at their meeting in Los Altos and provided them a legislative wrap-up of 2017. Berman also offered insight on his priorities and big issues for 2018.