Housing Chatter delivers the news you need to know about current events in the housing market in simple terms. We have no political or institutional affiliations so you can be confident that our content and commentary is unbiased. Housing Chatter is brought to you by your professional Realtor®.

The Single Most Common Sales Mistake That Can Kill Any Deal

One of the biggest mistakes people make in sales is that they oversell. If you do this, your buyer will think that there is something wrong with your product or that you are desperate to make the sale; caveat emptor. Once you think that the buyer wants the product then stop talking. ... Read More »

Why won’t homebuilders better serve Millennials?

Millennials are slow to enter the housing market, and there’s an extreme shortage of inventory in the housing market, anyway. So which problem gets solved first? ... Read More »

Want Your Security Deposit Back? Ask These 6 Questions

When you've just landed a new apartment, a security deposit is kind of like the pile of work on your desk at 5 p.m. on a Friday. You could push it aside for now, but you'll still have to deal with it on Monday (or when it's time to move out). But until that time comes, it's easy to be distracted with decorating, meeting the neighbors, and celebrating your ne ... Read More »

A social media guide for LOs and real estate agents to be successful

In today’s social marketplace, businesses can no longer rely on traditional marketing to capture the attention of Millennial homebuyers. Millennials are digital natives, having entered their buying years during the evolution of a “participatory” economy, in which we engage in relationship with brands and professionals online with the expectation of two-way c ... Read More »

The Costly Mistakes Home Sellers Make

After negotiating thousands of real estate transactions over 35 years, I've seen every mistake in the book. Many are avoidable missteps that lead to seller frustration and lower sale prices. ... Read More »

7 Ways To Get Ahead This Monday Morning - Even If Youve Lost An Hour Of Sleep

Did you wake up this morning extra groggy for work? No doubt it's because you've had to wake up an hour earlier to accommodate our practice of Daylight Savings Time (do we even know why we do it anymore?). I appreciate the extra sunlight but I also appreciate my extra hour of sleep. ... Read More »

Here are the 10 hottest neighborhoods for home flipping

Last year was the strongest year yet for home flippers, with gains on flips in 2015 hitting $102,400 per flip on average, up from $98,500 in 2014 and significantly higher than the peak of $90,900 during the last housing boom, according to a report from real estate brokerage Redfin. ... Read More »

Curb Appeal: What It Really Is, and Why It Matters

Let’s face it, first impressions matter. We care about how we dress for a job interview, and we spent extra time in front of the mirror before that first date. When it comes to selling a home, first impressions matter, too. The term “curb appeal” derives from real estate sales and home design. For years, buyers have formed their first impressions of homes w ... Read More »

The best time of year to list your home for sale is coming up fast

In early May, homes sell fastest and for more money, according to the newest data. This is the new magic listing window for the country's 25 biggest metro areas. Weather and housing market dynamics affect the exact best window to sell in different areas, and this year, a low supply of homes on the market has pushed the window later in the spring. ... Read More »

New home purchases surge again thanks to low rates, mild weather

New home purchases surged 24% in February, kicking off the spring buying season, the February Mortgage Bankers Association Builder Application Survey said. MBA’s Builder Application Survey tracks application volume from mortgage subsidiaries of homebuilders across the country. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns. ... Read More »