Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate today announced the addition of the Boise, Idaho-based brokerage 43° North Real Estate to its franchise network. Founded by broker and owner Jeff Martel, the company will now do business as Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate 43° North and will continue servicing the ...

The current trend in real estate has been quite positive. For an extended period of time, we have seen pretty consistent growth in sales and home prices. After years of dealing with poor market conditions, we are all breathing a sigh of relief. Nevertheless, the industry must be vigilant in ensuring that nothing is done to impede or reverse the housing recovery, particularly by Congress and the regulators in Washington. Despite the improved sales numbers, however, mortgage credit remains tight. Nowhere is this more evident than in the consistently high percentage of cash purchasers in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) monthly existing home

NAR PULSE—NAR’s Member Guide website and mobile apps have been reorganized and redesigned to better serve you and your agents. Log in today to view benefits and events from your local, state and national associations,

Regional Spotlight—Results from the recent RE/MAX of New England April Monthly Housing Report suggest that we are currently in a seller’s market. This is evident by the fact that both median price and number of homes sold across New England has increased from the same time last year. ...

CENTURY 21® New Millennium, a brokerage of Century 21 Real Estate LLC, recently announced that they will take their Smarter. Bolder. Faster.® campaign to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. CENTURY 21 has teamed up with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR) and is the primary sponsor for IZOD IndyCar Series driver Josef ...

If current legislation that creates a path to legalization for 11 million undocumented immigrants is passed, the nation’s Hispanic real estate leaders estimate that it would create a new pool of 3 million homeowners and pump more than $500 billion in sales, income and spending into the U.S. housing economy. According to an info graphic released by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), the chain reaction triggered by home purchases would drive demand for more than $500 billion in real estate transactions and an additional $233 billion in origination fees, real estate commissions and consumer spending associated with homeownership.

Changes are coming to the critically important National Flood Insurance Program that could impact real estate transactions and property owners across the country. That's according to experts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency,

Realty ONE Group continues its march up and down California with its foray into San Diego, recently announcing Tina King as regional manager. According to the company, she will be responsible for rapidly expanding the company’s footprint in San Diego and will oversee local operations to ensure that Realty ONE ...

As the real estate market continues to show signs of improvement and consumers grow more optimistic, a young class of REALTORS® is ready to embark on a new era of real estate. This year’s REALTOR®Magazine “30 Under 30” honorees have not been deterred by a challenging and competitive market. Instead ...

The Appraisal Institute recently advised homeowners to properly maintain their landscaping, which can significantly affect property values. “If a landscaping change is positive, it can often enhance price and reduce a home’s time on the market,” says Appraisal Institute President Richard L. Borges II, MAI, SRA. “But if the change is negative, it can lower the price and lengthen the time a home remains for sale.” Curb appeal is essential when selling a home, Borges says, noting it’s the homeowner’s opportunity to make a great first impression. A home with lackluster landscaping or an exterior in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint will likely be unappealing

Realtor.com®, a leader in online real estate, operated by Move, Inc., has announced the launch of the realtor.com® rentals app for iOS and Android smartphones. According to the company, with this new tool,

Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC recently announced that Mott and Chace Sotheby's International Realty in Charlestown, R.I., is the newest member of its luxury real estate network. ...

Pillar To Post, one of North America’s largest home inspection franchises, added five new franchisees in April, the company has announced. Growth has been strong, with 10 new territories added in the first quarter of the year and another 10 anticipated in the coming weeks. The company is on track ...

Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have implemented policies to expedite the short sales process, including new resources to help determine property values, according to panelists at a property valuation forum during the REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. Short sales continue to represent a significant portion of the real estate market. According to the National Association of REALTORS® short sales accounted for 9 percent of transactions during the first quarter of 2013. The short sale process can be frustrating for home buyers, sellers and REALTORS® given that approvals are often complex,

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau today announced the following new residential construction statistics for April 2013: