Real Estate Articles (2020)

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Often during the holiday season safety takes a back seat because people are rushing to get their shopping done. This year, the pandemic also is likely distracting consumers from other safety measures.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

The pandemic has changed consumer housing preferences. With remote working becoming the norm, buyer housing demand is slowly evolving. Results from the California Association of Realtors 2020 Annual Housing Market Survey show since the coronavirus outbreak, Realtors saw changes in homebuying behavior and consumers' reasons for buying. Multiple offers continued this year even amid the constraints of the pandemic. This year continues to be a good year for sellers, especially for those who have owned their home for at least five years or longer.

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Poor air circulation in your home can endanger your health and that of your family. With COVID-19 cases rising across the country and families having to stay indoors for longer periods of time during the winter months, experts encourage maintaining a steady flow of fresh air in your home to help slow the transmission of coronavirus.

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, REALTORS® across the country have increased their philanthropic and volunteer efforts. According to the National Association of REALTORS® Community Aid and Real Estate (CARE) Report, the median annual value of REALTOR® association donations to communities doubled from $5,000 in 2018 to $10,000 in 2020. REALTORS® have responded to the pandemic by donating money or nonperishables to food banks, volunteering at such organizations, donating masks and protective gear, donating school meals to children, and providing stable and secure housing to those in need.

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has announced it is raising the maximum conforming loan limits for mortgages acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2021 to $548,250 on one-unit properties, an increase from $510,400 in 2020. The increase is effective in January 2021.

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic and Santa Clara County's housing market continues to show strength and stability. In fact, at no time during the pandemic has Santa Clara County's median price been less than the previous year's median price, according to data from MLSListings. In October, the county's median sales price hit a high of $1,450,000.

Thursday, November 19, 2020

The National Association of Realtors Board of Directors on Friday strengthened Realtors' commitment to upholding fair housing ideals by approving a series of recommendations from NAR's Professional Standards Committee making it a violation for Realtors to use harassing or hate speech and conduct toward any of the protected classes under Article 10 of the Realtor Code of Ethics. These recommendations come as the national Realtor group works to reaffirm its commitment to fair housing and fight against discrimination and inequality.

Thursday, November 19, 2020

The California Association of Realtors reports double-digit home price increases pushed California's third quarter housing affordability to its lowest level in nearly two years, as the state continues to grapple with a serious shortage of homes for sale. The third-quarter 2020 affordability findings are the lowest since the fourth quarter of 2018.