Viewing Real Estate Through the Eyes of Your Phone or Tablet.

 

Photo Credit: RISMedia.com

A recent survey conducted determined that many Realtors use FaceTime, an iPhone video app, to help overseas or out-of-state Buyers view homes virtually. Personally, I’ve used Google Hangouts, or even Skype to conduct such viewings. These outlets have also proven reliable when a Buyer cannot make it to the final walk-through and have chosen to close via mail-away.

Such applications as FaceTime, Google Hangouts, and Skype are all capable of sending video and sound using your smart phone or tablet. The user can also switch views between the front and back camera as needed to talk to a client and showcase a a home during the walk-through or tour. The Realtor can get up close and answer any questions on the home on the spot for the client.

Considering how hot the market is right now, homes can be under contract in one day. This method allows the Realtor to discuss all pertinent items with the Buyer in Real Time and the visual aspect offers added comfort for making quick decisions. If the client is unavailable at the time of the property viewing, I video record the property and outline all features and challenges of the home. The video is then shared with the client via Dropbox or Youtube, depending on file size.

In today’s market, having a Tech-Savvy Realtor is a plus. The Tampa Bay market is volatile and values are increasing daily. Buyer’s offers need immediate presentation to the sellers to increase chances for success. As I have listed many homes in the first quarter of the year, I see the first hand competition among eager buyers ready to secure a home and cease their long home search.

Looking to purchase or sell real estate in the Tampa Bay area? Your Favorite Realtor is here ready to assist. Feel free to call me at 813-419-7009 or email me at info@gloriawalters.com. Follow me at @GloriaSellsTPA or Facebook.com/GloriaSellsTPA.

New home construction moves 6.3% higher in September

Construction firms broke ground on more apartment complexes in September, pushing up the pace of U.S. homebuilding.

• Housing construction start ups rose 6.3%, according to Commerce Department. These gains are made up largely from apartment construction- a volatile market.
• The economy has recovered slowly and wages have increased equally so, which leaves many Americans renting, rather than owning homes. This results in the high apartment construction percentages.
• Single family houses rose 1.1% in September, adding to an 11% gain during the past year.
• Applications for building permits are a sign of good future activity, which increased 1.5%. These numbers are also reflected in apartment complex construction. Multi family buildings (apartments) rose 7% in September.
• American Institute of Architects' billing index in August was 58.1. This index is weighed heavily to multi family housing, and any rating 50+ signals growth.
• Real Estate sales have dwindled. Price growth is slowing. Home values are increasing, which makes affordability a challenge for many home owning Americans.
• Prices rose 6.4% in August. This is a slowdown from last year, which was up 12%.
• Prices are increasing more than wages, which only just exceeds inflation. This makes it difficult for Americans to save money and make a down payment and qualify for mortgages. This influences more Americans to rent. This influences the driving force behind increased apartment construction rates.
• These figures influence increasingly few buyers to search for homes, which makes homebuilders less confident to build.Though new homes represent only a fraction of the housing market, they have an outsized impact on the economy. Each home built creates an average of three jobs for a year and generates about $90,000 in tax revenue, according to data from the Home Builders. This is another well written article that effectively showcases the reasons how and why the economy is effected by various industries, and vice versa. The cause and effect of the housing market is nicely illustrated.

Foreclosed Owners Gets A Second Chance Sooner

Those who lost their home due to financial hardships may get another shot at being homeowners again soon. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) recently announced that it would shorten the waiting period for qualified borrowers who’ve had a bankruptcy, foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure or short sale if they wish to buy a home again.

Under FHA’s Back-to-Work Program, homeowners must show that they have their finances in order, and they must receive counseling from a HUD-approved agency.

Those who meet the requirements can apply to buy a property in as little as a year. “The Back to Work Program is a great opportunity for us to help those impacted by the recent housing crisis,” Heather Shanahan, a representative with a HUD-approved housing counseling agency called Springboard, told HousingWire. “Our goal in our counseling sessions is to enable the borrower to better understand their loan options and the obligations.”

Counselors provide borrowers with a customized action plan that reflects household budgets and shows borrowers how they can meet their financial obligations to prevent default again in the future.

Source: “Springboard helps formerly distressed borrowers get back on track,” HousingWire (Nov. 19, 2013)
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