Google owner Alphabet Inc. is dipping its toe into the real estate industry in order to help its employees deal with escalating housing costs in Silicon Valley. The tech giant purchased 300 apartment units from a modular-home startup known as Factory OS. The apartment units are expected to serve as short-term housing for Google employees, The Wall Street Journal reports.The cost of the deal is reported to be between $25 million and $30 millio
A major tax advantage for the commercial real estate industry may be one of the casualties in a sweeping federal tax reform expected this year, The Wall Street Journal reports.Some lawmakers are eyeing the 1031 exchange provision to get the tax-rate cut they seek. The provision allows sellers of real estate and other assets to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting any profit in “like-kind” properties. The 1031 exchange applies to a range
A home's price is based on many factors that can’t be changed, such as location, square footage, and age. While these fixed factors may seem like an end-all-be-all, you can present your client’s home in other ways that may add perceived value for buyers. A full overhaul or shiny new kitchen are not the only options — choosing the right home decor can go a long way in bringing buyers.Here's a look at some top accessories and decor choices
The No. 1 challenge? Polarization and political uncertaintyKey Takeaways Political uncertainty affects trade, consumer prices, home prices and mortgage interest rates. Big baby boomer and millennial populations (who want different things in their homes) are causing generational disruption and housing mismatch. The proliferation of real estate technology is also going to have a big impact on consumers, agents and brokers.DENVER — Every year, the
Help buyers find their dream home using a little imaginationKey Takeaways Selling a fixer-upper isn’t magic -- it just takes good pricing, charming descriptions and an agent’s vision.As a real estate agent, you know that not every house is perfect. Each has its own quirks that make it ideal for the right homebuyers.However, homes that may require some TLC (at the expense of the future homebuyer) can appear quite daunting. Regardless, fixer-up
iPro currently deals throughout the states of California and Texas with new offices in New York and Florida. We continue to strive to broaden opportunities for real estate professionals and consumers. Visit www.iprore.com for the latest information and links.Click here for information on how to become a salesperson.
The original "Stars and Stripes" version of the U.S. flag, designed by Betsy Ross, was adopted by Congress on June 14, 1777. Tomorrow marks the flag's 240th birthday—Flag Day—a day when homeowners across America will display the flag proudly outside their doorsteps. But before the flag is raised, pass on these tips to your sphere from the Veterans of Foreign Wars on proper flag etiquette. Never let the flag touch the ground. When flown on the
Night people vs. day people: There may be a perfect city for you.After all, some cities may be more in tune to the routines of early risers, while others may be better suited for those who prefer to stay up to the wee hours of the night. Realtor.com®’s research team scoured city data for average bedtimes, the percentage of home buyers using realtor.com after 10 p.m. (for night owls) and before 9 a.m. (for early risers), the number of restauran
While home flipping has long been considered an activity conducted by high-powered institutional investors who are looking to score big in real estate, the data show a different story. More than two-thirds—69 percent—of the 44,000 single-family homes and condos flipped in the first quarter of this year were by investors of the mom-and-pop variety who completed just one flip during the quarter, according to an analysis from ATTOM Data Solution
Home shoppers may need to plan for more time than they realize when they're starting the process of obtaining a mortgage.“Today’s mortgage process is very involved, particularly with regard to the documentation required, third-party verifications, and the independent appraisal process,” says Whitney Fite, president of Angel Oak Home Loans in Atlanta. “All of these moving parts can cause a delay in processing if an issue arises.”The enti
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