Less is more when it comes to interior designs that sell Many home buyers will be attracted to properties with a minimalist design trend, characterized by monochromatic color schemes, clean lines and simplicity, according to online property portal Share to Buy. The Scandinavian aesthetic is also a popular decor trend with neutral colors, modern furniture and soft lighting. Full Story: The Sun (London) (7/7)
Real Estate Trends
Where the housing market is stabilizing Alaska, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, North Dakota and West Virginia are the only states in which housing prices have been identified as sustainable, Shanea Patterson writes. Many real estate professionals expect mortgage rates to level off at around 6% and the increase in home prices to stabilize. Full Story: Realty Biz News (7/7)
Tech tools that help get the job done Real estate professionals have a wide range of technology to add to their belts, from blockchain that supports smart contracts to QR codes on lawn signs, flyers, mail and business cards, Ben Shepardson writes. Customer relationship management apps like Wise Agent help manage communications with clients and leads, while cloud services allow collaboration on digital documents. Full Story: Realty Biz News (7/7)
Baltimore program a path to affordable homeownership The University of Maryland School of Social Work will provide social services to Baltimore residents transitioning from homelessness to homeownership as part of a program from the nonprofit Heart's Place Services. The nonprofit will break ground on a community of 13 houses that will be sold for $25,000 to residents who must complete financial literacy and budgeting courses. Full Story: Baltimore Fishbowl (7/6)
Overassessment driving out homeowners of color in Detroit The Coalition for Property Tax Justice is working to address overassessments in Detroit, which contributed to one in four homes going into foreclosure between 2011 and 2015 when owners were unable to pay their property taxes, according to a 2018 study. "Detroit is just ground zero for a national problem. We see these inflated property taxes. It's a national racial justice issue that our country has yet ... to tackle," property law scholar Bernadette Atuahene said. Full Story: ABC News (7/7)
Legislation & Regulation
Virginia real estate pros get more health insurance options Real estate professionals and brokerage employees in Virginia will be able to form an association health plan, according to legislation that Gov. Glenn Youngkin has signed into law. "This legislation gives thousands of Virginians the opportunity to purchase affordable, comprehensive health insurance and continue to cut down on the cost of living," Youngkin said. Full Story: The Gloucester-Mathews Gazette-Journal (Va.) (7/6)
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The National Association of REALTORS® is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. REALTOR® Magazine is the official magazine of NAR, bringing expert insight to real estate trends, tools, and business strategies.
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