Help, advice and practical how-to-guides for home remodelling, maintenance and construction
New data reveals how technology is reshaping mortgage customer experience while maintaining the importance of personal relationships Mobile technology is revolutionizing mortgage lending satisfaction, but not in the way many might expect, according to new research from J.D. Power. “Mobile interaction drives a better experience across the board,” says Bruce Gehrke, Director of Lending Intelligence ...
The Los Angeles luxury real estate market is facing a growing crisis that has nothing to do with interest rates or property values – skyrocketing insurance costs in fire-prone areas are derailing transactions before they even begin, according to a leading market expert. “Before we even write an offer, we say, talk to some insurance ...
Mortgage industry expert warns of fundamental shift in homebuying journey that could reshape realtor-lender dynamics A dramatic shift in homebuyer behavior could upend traditional real estate relationships, according to Bruce Gehrke, Director of Lending Intelligence at J.D. Power. “Up to 50% of younger borrowers are now talking to lenders before they talk to real estate ...
Facing mounting regulatory requirements and rising interest rates, New York City building boards are developing innovative funding strategies beyond traditional assessments and loans, according to Julie Schechter, Partner at Fox Rothschild. The Financial Squeeze “A lot of buildings were forced to get creative on alternative ways of raising money,” Schechter says, noting that traditional funding ...
A single communication breakdown can lead to significant occupancy drops and financial losses in multifamily properties, according to a senior industry executive who recently witnessed this phenomenon firsthand. The Communication Crisis “I was just at a multifamily conference,” says Teddy Abdelmalek, Senior Vice President of Business Development at HH Red Stone Properties, “and there were ...
The explosion of hospitality technology options has created a “paralyzing” situation for independent hotels trying to build effective digital operations, according to a leading industry expert. Jennifer Barnwell, President of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection, says the complexity of choices is creating unexpected hurdles for boutique properties. The Technology Maze “If you need a property ...
Traditional construction contingency models are proving inadequate in the face of unprecedented market volatility, according to a leading construction attorney who warns that even seemingly conservative risk management approaches are failing to protect projects. “We had a $16 million pot and a $12 million pot of escalation contingency and we blew through that,” says Lisa ...
New copper tariffs effective August 1st are creating an impossible squeeze for electrical subcontractors caught between fixed-price contracts and skyrocketing material costs, according to a leading construction attorney. “Electrical subs who are in the middle of projects are probably going to see an immediate impact,” says Lisa Colon, Partner at Saul Ewing. The 50% tariff ...
A new law intended to protect renters has inadvertently pushed rent-stabilized apartments underground, according to Rachel Fiegler, Co-Founder of Pinpointe Group, who says landlords are increasingly moving listings off public platforms. “Rent stabilized apartments aren’t being advertised online anymore because they can’t bake in the broker fee,” Fiegler says, describing an unintended consequence of New ...
The days of chocolate chip cookies and Sunday-afternoon open houses may be numbered, according to one prominent Texas real estate leader who oversees nearly 3,000 agents across 14 offices. “Sellers do not love Sunday-afternoon open houses with strangers going through their closets and chocolate chip cookies. There is nothing about that that is actually what ...
Keith Cubba, Senior Vice President and National Director of Golf at Colliers International, says his contrarian approach to golf course brokerage, prioritizing local market expertise over pure national reach, has proven key to deal success in the specialized sector. The Local Expert Imperative “What I did that was different than the other firms, where the ...
The luxury real estate market is undergoing a fundamental shift away from traditional mass marketing approaches toward more personalized, relationship-driven services, according to a leading industry expert. “Luxury clients in our area, they’re not just going out there looking to be marketed to with mass media ads. They are wanting to build relationships. They’re looking ...
The rush to automate commercial real estate lending decisions could lead to significant market inefficiencies, according to Philip Bennett, President of Bennett Capital Partners Mortgage Brokers, who warns that over-reliance on technology risks missing crucial deal nuances that only human expertise can evaluate. The Automation Paradox “In commercial real estate lending, there’s no substitute for ...
A veteran Detroit broker says the public often fails to understand the increasingly complex role of real estate professionals, comparing agents to ducks that appear to glide smoothly across water while paddling furiously beneath the surface. “It’s harder than we make it look. We make it look really graceful and smooth. It’s like the little ...
The key to surviving real estate investment challenges isn’t just about the numbers, it’s about proactive communication and relationship building, according to Dr. Jennifer Salisbury, host of My Life as a Landlord podcast and experienced property investor. “When I get into weird situations, I pick up the phone and have the most awkward conversation,” Salisbury ...
