CARES Act – Independent Contractors FAQ

We’ve compiled an FAQ of what this means for independent contractors, specifically those in real estate.

https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/cares-act-faq-independent-contractors/

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Virtual Open House Tips

Virtual tours and virtual open houses on social media are great options to supplement the traditional open house. Additionally, virtual open houses offer a safe way for home buyers to virtually participate in a home search.

https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/virtual-open-house-tips/

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How Real Estate Agents Can Connect with Clients from Afar

SHARE Four ways to communicate with your sphere and cultivate your client relationships Technology has improved the way real estate agents manage their business and stay connected with their sphere, now more than ever.

https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/how-real-estate-agents-can-connect-with-clients-from-afar/

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As Inslee relaxes coronavirus order to ease home sales, brokers mix skepticism and celebration

It came as a surprise to some Seattle-area real estate brokers when Gov. Jay Inslee on Saturday modified his statewide stay-at-home order to allow most real estate activity to continue unhindered — even in-person showings, provided proper social distance is maintained.

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/as-inslee-relaxes-coronavirus-order-to-ease-home-sales-brokers-mix-skepticism-and-celebration/

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Tax Day now July 15: Treasury, IRS extend filing deadline and federal tax payments regardless of amount owed

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced today that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-day-now-july-15-treasury-irs-extend-filing-deadline-and-federal-tax-payments-regardless-of-amount-owed

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King County Property Tax Payment Changes due to COVID-19

Individual residential and commercial taxpayers who pay property taxes themselves, rather than through their mortgage lender, can delay payment until June 1, 2020 without late charges,

https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/finance-business-operations/treasury/property-tax.aspx

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Real estate brokers switch to virtual open houses amid coronavirus outbreak

As the outbreak continues to impact daily life for many Americans, businesses are bracing for a difficult number of weeks (if not months). While many of the affected businesses seem obvious (restaurants, bars, movie theaters), even real estate agents are struggling.

https://www.foxnews.com/real-estate/real-estate-brokers-virtual-open-houses-coronavirus

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How to Engage in Virtual Open Houses

Virtual tours and virtual open houses on social media are quickly becoming a popular option for buyers in place of the traditional open house – and offer an incredible opportunity that benefits the consumer.

https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/how-to-engage-in-virtual-open-houses/

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A Must For Millions, Zoom Has A Dark Side — And An FBI Warning

Dennis Johnson fell victim last week to a new form of harassment known as "Zoombombing," in which intruders hijack video calls and post hate speech and offensive images such as pornography. It's a phenomenon so alarming that the FBI has issued a warning about using Zoom.

https://www.npr.org/2020/04/03/826129520/a-must-for-millions-zoom-has-a-dark-side-and-an-fbi-warning

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Coldwell Banker Releases “The Report,” A Comprehensive Guide to 2020 Luxury Real Estate

“The Report” Profiles Market Shifts in Luxury Real Estate and Spotlights Emerging Trends from Wellness to Eco-Friendly Design

https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/2020-cbgl-the-report/

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The U.S. Orders A Break On Mortgage Payments. What Does That Mean?

If you lose income due to the coronavirus crisis, lenders can allow you to make partial — or no — payments for up to a year. Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria explains.

https://www.npr.org/2020/03/22/819725417/the-u-s-orders-a-break-on-mortgage-payments-what-does-that-mean?fbclid=IwAR38vszBQ6nPh606ABB41MM_3Wl2IfUQukI8Svi9fSkp6kHIs-dXA32GpiM

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Coronavirus Risks Rife for Housing: What Does Spring Market Hold?

So, how will the U.S. housing market fare during the spring selling season — March through June — when the lowest mortgage rates on record are colliding with the prospect of a coronavirus outbreak-induced economic downturn?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-risks-rife-housing-does-120812988.html

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Why the Stock Market Correction Probably Won’t Impact Home Values

With the housing crash of 2006-2008 still visible in the rear-view mirror, many are concerned the current correction in the stock market is a sign that home values are also about to tumble. What’s taking place today, however, is nothing like what happened the last time.

https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2020/03/24/why-the-stock-market-correction-probably-wont-impact-home-values/

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How coronavirus is affecting the housing market

Millions of Americans can’t pay their rent or mortgages. We’re tracking the impacts on tenants, landlords, and homeowners

https://www.curbed.com/2020/4/2/21204664/coronavirus-rent-mortgage-housing-market

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How to Get Help With Your Mortgage During the Coronavirus Pandemic

In late March the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed into law. Among other provisions providing economic relief from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the measure may help if you are struggling to pay your mortgage.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/help-mortgage-during-coronavirus-pandemic-142230246.html

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HUD ISSUES NEW CARES ACT MORTGAGE PAYMENT RELIEF FOR FHA SINGLE FAMILY HOMEOWNERS

he U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced a tailored set of mortgage payment relief options for single family homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 National Emergency. Also included is an extension period for seniors with Home Equity Conversion Mortgages. Read today's Mortgagee Letter.

https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_048

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It’s Time for Home Buyers to Drive a Hard Bargain

Uncertainty has opened a window for investors and end-users alike to cut a deal that would have been difficult or impossible only two months ago

https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/its-time-for-home-buyers-to-drive-a-hard-bargain-213695

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How Do Lower Mortgage Rates Affect Your Buying Power?

Low interest rates should bolster home sales, but other factors can get in the way, the coronavirus among them.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/realestate/how-do-lower-mortgage-rates-affect-your-buying-power.html

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Homeowner Alert: Mortgage Rates Are Near a Record Low Again

Mortgage rates have taken a tumble this week and are back at historically low levels, offering homeowners fresh opportunities to slash their monthly expenses as they cope with the economic turmoil caused by the coronavirus.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/homeowner-alert-mortgage-rates-near-211655003.html

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Real estate deals tap technology for virtual tours, closings | Photos

Just because you’re holed up at home under a shelter-in-place order doesn’t mean you can’t search for, tour and close on the home of your dreams — all from the comfort of your living room.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/real-estate/prime-property/fl-bz-prime-property-virtual-tours-20200402-v6zusk3brbhzjit4a4fxgiwwje-story.html

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Puget Sound housing market was among nation’s strongest at the start of 2020. Then coronavirus came.

The Puget Sound residential market started white-hot in 2020, new data show, posting stronger home price gains than nearly any other major city in the country and topping the national average for the second month in a row.

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/puget-sound-housing-market-was-among-nations-strongest-at-the-start-of-2020-then-coronavirus-came/

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Rainier Title is now accepting mobile earnest money deposits through Zoccam

Deposit earnest money remotely

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQe1r25L6Dk&feature=youtu.be

 

 

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Market Hotness Index

Metro Hotness - Zip Code and County Hotness

https://www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/

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HOUSING STATISTICS

Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.

http://www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311

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Economic Indicators

U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators

https://www.census.gov/economic-indicators/

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CoreLogic Home Price Insights

The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.

http://www.corelogic.com/about-us/researchtrends/corelogic-home-price-insights.aspx?WT.mc_id=crlg_151103_aHqc0&elq=d6379903117d41bcbe7b9f6a82f2189a&elqCampaignId=2692&elqaid=7659&elqat=1&elqTrackId=097f671c98fc48249757d8ddbd229326#.Vj1WlvnnuUl

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Bureau of Economic Analysis

U.S. Economy at a Glance

http://www.bea.gov/index.htm

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U.S. Housing Market Tracker

The U.S. housing market has struggled to find equilibrium after the bubble of the past decade. Here’s a look at where various gauges of supply and demand stand today.

http://graphics.wsj.com/us-housing-market/

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Mortgage Market Survey Archive

Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015

http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html

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Housing Economics

NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.

https://www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx