Blogs

Nearly Half of Sellers' Agents Said Staging a Home Reduced Its Time on Market, NAR Report Finds

By Kelli Moss posted 2 days ago
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Nearly half of seller's agents (48%) reported that staging a home decreased its time on market, according to a new report by the National Association of Realtors®. For both buyers' and sellers' agents, one in five (20%) said home staging increased the offer price by between 1% and 5% compared to similar homes on the market that weren't staged. NAR's 2023   Profile of Home Staging   reveals the role home staging plays in the real estate transaction, including the perspectives of buyers' and sellers' agents, the impact of television shows and buyer expectations. "As days on market has lengthened for home sellers, it is not a surprise to see the return of ...
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The Alliance Ohio Presents: Make an Impact with Freddie Mac Affordable Housing Solutions

By Kelli Moss posted 3 days ago
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The Alliance Ohio Presents: Make an Impact with Freddie Mac Affordable Housing Solutions As housing prices continue to rise and entry-level inventory remains at historically low levels, discover solutions that fit unique borrower needs and help achieve the dream of homeownership. Learn how you can use Freddie Mac's affordable housing solutions to strengthen your communities and foster your business growth. Register here:  https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkceugpjssGdIhE52nXSid-Ebu0_COiJTl #ACARNews   #FeaturedPosts
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Ohio Realtist Association State Conference -- Early Bird Registration EXTENDED

By Kelli Moss posted 5 days ago
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Be sure to get your registration in before the end of the early bird deadline.  The deadline has been extended to April 2nd, 2023. This year's state conference will be held in Cleveland, June 8th thru June 10th. Click the link HERE to register. #ACARNews #FeaturedPosts
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Housing Market Statistics - February 2023

By Kelli Moss posted 12 days ago
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ACAR's Monthly Housing STATS are here.  Click below for this month's updates for Cuyahoga, Summit and Portage counties.  Click Here   to download the pdf of all three counties. #ACARNews   #HousingStats   #STATS   #FeaturedPosts
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ACAR Affiliate of the Month | March 2023

By Kelli Moss posted 25 days ago
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Congratulations to ACAR's March Affiliate of the Month: Mike Bernhart of Armor Mortgage Connect with Mike directly right here: Mike Bernhart Armor Mortgage mike.bernhart@armormortgage.com 330-760-9609 #ACARNews   #AffiliateNews #AffiliateoftheMonth #Consumer Information #FeaturedPosts
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Office Liaison Recognition - March 2023

By Kelli Moss posted 03-01-2023
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ACAR continues its recognition program for our Office Liaisons! We feature ACAR Office Liaisons throughout each month to thank them for their hard work and dedication to our industry. Congratulations to March's featured liaison Sharon Friedman of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty - Moreland Hills.   Sharon  is an invaluable member of the Realtor® team - thanks for all you do!   #ACARNews   #FeaturedPosts
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NAR Joins Coalition Letter Urging Premium Reduction and Ending Life Loan Requirement

By Jamie McMillen posted 02-27-2023
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From the National Association of REALTORS (NAR):  This week, NAR joined a coalition letter encouraging the National Economic Council to support the reduction of the annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP) for borrowers with Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured loans.  The letter comes after Vice President Kamala Harris and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge announced a 30 basis point reduction in the MIP. The decision to reduce the MIP comes after a strong financial performance in FHA’s capital reserve ratio, which currently stands at 11% - 9% above what is statutorily required. NAR has continuously advocated for responsibly ...
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Placemaking Grants

By Jamie McMillen posted 02-27-2023
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Throughout the year, the Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS may accept Placemaking Grant applications from municipalities and non-profits in Cuyahoga County, Portage County, or Summit County. What is a Placemaking Grant? Placemaking Grants fund projects that create new, outdoor public spaces and destinations in a community on unused or underused sites. The goal of the program is to enable REALTORS® to strengthen ties with their community, to develop relationships with public officials, and to spur economic growth and development through the creation of new public gathering places. New in 2023!  Placemaking Grants now allow funding ...
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eMBARK 23 is Coming June 7th - Save the Date

By Kelli Moss posted 02-24-2023
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#ACAR in the News #ACARNews #FeaturedPosts
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Housing Market Statistics - January 2023

By Kelli Moss posted 02-15-2023
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ACAR's Monthly Housing STATS are here.  Click below for this month's updates for Cuyahoga, Summit and Portage counties.  Click Here  to download the pdf of all three counties. #ACARNews   #Featured Posts #CuyahogaCounty #PortageCounty #SummitCounty #STATS #HousingStats #FeaturedPosts
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REALTOR ALERT: Latest Scam Targeting Ohio REALTORS

By Kelli Moss posted 02-14-2023
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Latest scam targeting Ohio REALTORS Please be aware of the latest scam targeting Ohio REALTORS members. An email has been sent encouraging members to leave a review for Ohio REALTORS in exchange for an Amazon gift card. Here are the following subject line and copy: ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Jennifer Rickman <">research@eventimail.com> Date: Mon, Feb 13, 2023 at 9:51 AM Subject: Did you enjoy Ohio REALTORS 2023? Tell us and get a $10 Amazon Gift Card.  When the email is opened, it looks like this: This is not something Ohio REALTORS produced, and seems to be a marketing or contact-gathering ...
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Question: Who do I share concerns with regarding real estate wholesaling?

By Jamie McMillen posted 02-14-2023
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Last month, the Ohio REALTORS (OR) Winter Conference included a session with representatives from the Ohio Division of Real Estate (ODRE). The topic was real estate wholesaling. While Ohio REALTORS is taking up the issue, the ODRE is also looking into the matter as concerns have been raised about the impact on consumers.  During the informational session, REALTORS were asked to forward correspondence to the ODRE Enforcement Chief, Shannon Drawns. Shannon’s email is shannon.drawns@com.ohio.gov . For more information on wholesaling, the ODRE has a video on the topic available here , and to view the session from the OR Winter Conference, click here (login ...
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From NAR: GSEs Release New Radon Standards

By Jamie McMillen posted 02-14-2023
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The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently announced changes to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s (the Enterprises) multifamily radon standards. NAR commented on this proposal in 2021 to express concerns about the cost and regulatory burden of these requirements. The new standards will go into effect for loan applications received after June 30, 2023:   Requiring radon testing at multifamily Enterprise-backed properties, regardless of property location, subject to some exemptions and deferrals.​ Increasing required testing from 10 percent of ground floor units to 25 percent of ground floor units. Continuing to allow an environmental ...
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NAR Asks FHA to Collaborate with Regulators on ROV Proposal

By Jamie McMillen posted 02-14-2023
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NAR joined a group of industry and consumer groups in a response(link is external) to the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) request for comment on its proposed revision to a mortgagee letter on reconsideration of value (ROV). This response is in addition to NAR's individual response(link is external) to the FHA.   The coalition requests in the letter: A pause in the FHA's revision until they engage with other regulators to create a uniform policy; Efforts to Improve education with consumers about the ROV process; Clear guidance for all parties on the new rule; and Compliance with current law where the FHA would monitor ...
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FROM NAR: REALTORs Comment on Appraisal Bias Hearing

By Jamie McMillen posted 02-14-2023
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The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) submitted comments to the Appraisal Subcommittee in response to its hearing on appraisal bias that took place on January 25th, 2023. The letter lays out NAR's commitment to fair housing and efforts to confront racial bias and discrimination in real estate. It discusses NAR's work to recruit diversity into the appraisal profession, to improve the reconsideration of the value process, to require fair housing education among appraisers, NAR's own code of ethics specific to appraiser-members, and NAR's support of legislation that would provide funding for more impactful enforcement and testing activity. ...
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From NAR: Nearly 9 in 10 Metro Areas Posted Home Price Gains in the Fourth Quarter of 2022

By Kelli Moss posted 02-09-2023
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Key Highlights Single-family existing-home sales prices climbed in almost 90% of measured metro areas – 166 of 186 – in the fourth quarter. The national median single-family existing-home price increased 4.0% from one year ago to $378,700. The monthly mortgage payment on a typical existing single-family home with a 20% down payment was $1,969 – up 58% year-over-year. Less than a fifth of metro markets (18%) posted double-digit annual price appreciation (46% in the previous quarter). Read the entire article from NAR at the link here: https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/nearly-nine-in-10-metro-areas-posted-home-price-gains-in-the-fourth-quarter-of-2022 ...
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ACAR Affiliate of the Month | February 2023

By Kelli Moss posted 02-08-2023
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Congratulations to ACAR's February Affiliate of the Month: Emil Kokolari of Cross Country Mortgage. Connect with Emil directly right here: Emil Kokolari Cross Country Mortgage emil.kokolari@ccm.com 216-390-3123 #ACARNews #AffiliateNews #AffiliateoftheMonth #FeaturedPosts ​​​​
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ACAR Advocacy Outlook Drops First Episode

By Kelli Moss posted 02-06-2023
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Premier - ACAR Advocacy Outlook with ACAR Vice President of Government Affairs, Jamie McMillen! Take a look and see what's going on this time!
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Office Liaison Recognition - February 2023

By Kelli Moss posted 01-31-2023
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ACAR continues its recognition program for our Office Liaisons! We feature ACAR Office Liaisons throughout each month to thank them for their hard work and dedication to our industry. Congratulations to January's featured liaison  Ahren Booher of Keller Williams Elevate.   Ahren  is an invaluable member of the Realtor® team - thanks for all you do!   #ACARNews #Featured Posts ​​​ #FeaturedPosts
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NAR Statement on White House Tenant-Centered Action Plan

By Kelli Moss posted 01-27-2023
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National Association of Realtors® President Kenny Parcell issued the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s tenant-centered action plan: “Rents are rising, driven by inflation and exacerbated by the housing supply shortage. We encourage the Administration to look more deeply at how it can address the root causes of rental affordability—namely, affordable housing supply. “To immediately address the lack of housing affordability, NAR encourages the Administration and Congress to examine providing rental assistance through a range of channels, including grants, state and local fiscal recovery funding, and a variety of HUD programs that ...
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