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Employer-Assisted Housing Resource Guide

Throughout Minnesota, businesses are growing and looking for people to fill jobs. Perhaps your business is one of them. If so, you may have already experienced an all-toofamiliar problem: it’s hard to find or keep workers when they cannot find nearby places to live. Without more affordable housing, many businesses in Greater Minnesota cannot.

Spotlight

BMD Group

BMD is a national group of companies engaged in engineering design, construction and land development for clients and partners in the urban development, transport infrastructure and resources and energy sectors.

OTHER ARTICLES
Real Estate Technology, Asset Management

Should Your Real Estate Client Sign An Appraisal Waiver?

Article | May 30, 2023

Real estate professionals sometimes have to answer a buyer’s questions about appraisal waivers. What are they? What do they mean? Is it a good or bad idea for the home loan applicant to sign one? If your client is applying for a home loan, signing an appraisal waiver does not mean that the home won’t be appraised. The lender will insist on an appraisal, to ensure that they’re not lending more money than they can expect to recover if they foreclose on the mortgage. An appraisal waiver is a document loan applicants sign to tell the lender that they’re waving their right to receive the appraisal report at least three days before the loan is consummated. In rare cases, a real estate professional might have to draft an appraisal waiver letter. In that case, the letter should include the name of the applicant, the address of the property, and, if applicable, the number of the loan application. It should state that the applicant knows about the right to receive the appraisal report at least three business days before the loan is consummated and that the applicant waives that right. At no time does the applicant waive the right to receive an appraisal report.

Read More
Real Estate Technology

3 Proptech Trends That Are Making Waves in the Real Estate Industry

Article | July 25, 2022

Proptech, or property technology, comprises digital solutions that help facilitate buying, selling and leasing of commercial real estate. It is also called CREtech or REtech for commercial real estate technology, respectively. It usually refers to the digital tools and software used in real estate. With digitalization growing at an exponential rate across the real estate sector, proptech is evolving, here are three topmost trends in proptech that real estate solution providers must keenly follow. 1 3D House Tours Both prospective buyers and real estate agents love this technology. 3D house tours simulate a real house tour and can be viewed either on virtual reality (VR) headsets or one’s computer screen. They simplify initial interactions by enabling users to confirm their interest in a property, saving both time and visits for buyers and agents. They also allow agents to better market their properties and schedule multiple visits from the comfort of their offices. The ensuing process ensures that agents are able to provide realistic walkthroughs of their properties and eliminate friction from the get-go, making the showing as painless as possible. 2 Automated Service Desks Exceptional customer service is the name of the game in real estate and agents are expected to provide their clients with white glove service wherever possible. Conversational AI is one way that many real estate solution providers are achieving this. With round-the-clock contact channels to assist clients with the information they need, agents and brokers are better equipped to deal with queries and reduce their response time. The automation of menial tasks also ensures that they don’t have to be everywhere all the time. 3 Digital Transaction Management Real estate comes with its share of sky-high paperwork. With digital transaction management, agents can now reduce the significant amount of legwork that goes into managing paperwork. It also helps in signing documents digitally, which means physical presence isn’t needed to execute agreements and registration processes, making the process smoother and faster. Real estate clients with multiple properties will no longer need to be inundated with massive amounts of paperwork and travel. For the Record Digitalization is transforming industries at lightning speed and real estate is a frontrunner in adopting new technologies. The impact that proptech has on RE is visibly vital. The above trends are revolutionizing the real estate technology landscape. Keep an eye out to see how these trends change the way people buy and sell property.

Read More
Real Estate Technology, Asset Management

4 Facts to Help First-Time Homebuyers Overcome Common Fears

Article | June 15, 2023

For first-time homebuyers, making the transition from renter to homeowner can be exciting, overwhelming, and scary all at once. Yet as Gary Keller and Jay Papasan write in the second edition of Your First Home, “Those who live the most fulfilling lives base their decisions on facts, not fears.” Below, we’ve outlined four powerful facts from Your First Home to help move anxious homeowners toward the fulfillment and abundance Keller and Papasan nod to. Delivered with empathy, care, and your expertise – these facts can help ease fears and move clients closer to experiencing all the bounties homeownership brings. Fear 1: “I can’t afford to buy a home now.” Fact: Until you do the math, you don’t know what you can or can’t afford. If you are currently paying rent, generally you can afford to buy. From a financial point of view, in the United States, the tax savings on mortgage interest alone usually make up most of the difference between your rent and mortgage payments – the tax write-offs you get at the end of year will generally help you save a lot of money. Additionally, depending on your credit score, you can end up affording more than you realize. Note: The credit scores used for mortgage lending tend to take on a much larger picture of your overall credit score. Finally, although there may be a higher initial cost to buying a house, if you’re planning on staying in one place for a few years, the equity you build can end up being a financial boon. Fear 2: “I should wait until the real estate market gets better.” Fact: There is never a wrong time to buy the right home. Whether “right” means the right price or the right property for you, waiting for the perfect market timing seldom works to your advantage. If you don’t believe us, look back to the Great Recession when the bubble around the housing market burst, GDP declined 4.5% and unemployment rose to around 9.5%. Everyone still feels the impact of this incredible financial event. But, like those who endured the Great Depression, the people who lived through the Great Recession made it through, and benefited from an era of financial growth. In fact immediately following the Great Recession, the United States entered the longest period of rising prices and general prosperity since World War II. The fact of the matter is, even the biggest economic downturns are, well, normal. Even when there were some events that threatened to dampen the economy, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing market still continued to thrive. In the end, there are two ways to make money in real estate: timing and time. That is you happen upon the right moment to purchase your home before the price appreciates, or you hold it for a long enough time so that appreciation makes your purchase investment right. If you miss the first, you can most certainly count on the second. Fear 3: “I don’t have the money for a down payment.” Fact: There are a variety of down-payment options available to you. While many people believe that making a home purchase requires a substantial down payment, as as much as 20%,, this is seldom true. Options are always available to you that require much less than this number, as low as 5%, some even less. Moreover, most states have down-payment assistance programs that can help you afford to buy. House-hacking can also be a great way to make homeownership a more affordable option. House-hacking is when you purchase a piece of real estate and lease out one of the bedrooms or units. This rental income can then be applied toward your mortgage. Or, you can participate in home rental programs like Vrbo or Airbnb. While it may not be ideal all of the time, you could always make your month’s mortgage payment by renting your place while you’re on vacation. Fear 4: “I can’t buy a home because my credit score isn’t good.” Fact: A less-than-perfect credit score won’t necessarily prevent you from buying a home. Although it’s valuable to have a good credit score, a poor one shouldn’t necessarily prevent you from talking to lenders to explore your options. You can expect that a good loan officer (or mortgage specialist) will be able to help you resolve your credit challenges, often simply by showing you how to move or consolidate your debts, or by referring you to a credit counselor who will put you on a plan. If you’re facing the challenge of having no credit history because you are new to the workforce or have not made regular purchases on credit, there are still possible solutions that you may want to explore. One is to secure financing with the help of a cosigner, such as parents or a close relative, who is willing to stand by your ability to make the payments. Another can be finding a lender who is willing to use alternative forms of history such as student loans, rent, and utilities. Looking For More Homeownership Resources? Head over to the Your First Home webpage for freebies, including information on how to build out your real estate dream team and for your clients, a resource on how to determine their homeownership criteria.

Read More
Real Estate Investment

3 Ways to Simplify Leasing Out Your Commercial Property

Article | July 14, 2022

You have a commercial property and you need to lease it as soon as possible. In an ideal world, you would find a client as soon as your property is vacant. But we do not live in an ideal world. As a property owner or manager, you need to list your property, get the right contacts, and find a buyer who is ready to occupy immediately at a price that's efficient to you. It can be a tedious journey. That’s where a broker comes in. Filling your vacant properties is essential but navigating a labyrinth of procedures shouldn't keep you occupied, which is whyleveraging a brokernetwork is so important. Here are three ways you can connect with brokers to make the most of their services. Updating Your Inventory List If you've tried handing a PDF of your current available listings, you might want to reconsider your approach for better chances of success. Brokers must be aware of the properties you have available if you want them to consider yours. The issue with online CRE listings is that many of them are outdated. This may cause a broker to think they’ve found an ideal property for their client, only to discover it’s already leased out. This doesn’t make a good impression. In addition, static listings are not search-friendly. To cut to the chase, deploy a search-ready, updated portfolio. Simplifying things for brokers will keep them coming back and contribute towards building a positive association with them. Sharing an Inventory List Right to Their Inbox Simplifying property search isn’t all. What are you doing to make a broker’s life much easier? You don’t need to spend a ton on proptech to reach out to brokers on time. Set up a commercial real estate email list that directly emails your updated listings to the brokers, providing them with timely alerts on when a new property is on the market or reminding them that an existing listing is still available. Providing Easy Access to the Property Information Regular emails about your updated property portfolio is bound to keep brokers engaged and informed. Going a step further, you can create a mobile-friendly property information page for each of your CRE properties to ensure that brokers have all the information they need at their fingertips. This avoids any bottlenecks caused by having the wrong information or no information at all about the specifications of your properties. A Final Word of Advice One of the most effective things commercial property owners can do to guarantee their properties are continuously leased is to engage with brokers, keep them updated, and simplify ways for them to interact with your property.

Read More
Real Estate Technology, Asset Management

Top 5 Trends in Digital Real Estate Asset Management of 2023

Article | May 30, 2023

Real estate professionals sometimes have to answer a buyer’s questions about appraisal waivers. What are they? What do they mean? Is it a good or bad idea for the home loan applicant to sign one? If your client is applying for a home loan, signing an appraisal waiver does not mean that the home won’t be appraised. The lender will insist on an appraisal, to ensure that they’re not lending more money than they can expect to recover if they foreclose on the mortgage. An appraisal waiver is a document loan applicants sign to tell the lender that they’re waving their right to receive the appraisal report at least three days before the loan is consummated. In rare cases, a real estate professional might have to draft an appraisal waiver letter. In that case, the letter should include the name of the applicant, the address of the property, and, if applicable, the number of the loan application. It should state that the applicant knows about the right to receive the appraisal report at least three business days before the loan is consummated and that the applicant waives that right. At no time does the applicant waive the right to receive an appraisal report.

Read More
Real Estate Technology

Investing in real estate CRM? Top 8 features to improve customer experience

Article | July 25, 2022

Proptech, or property technology, comprises digital solutions that help facilitate buying, selling and leasing of commercial real estate. It is also called CREtech or REtech for commercial real estate technology, respectively. It usually refers to the digital tools and software used in real estate. With digitalization growing at an exponential rate across the real estate sector, proptech is evolving, here are three topmost trends in proptech that real estate solution providers must keenly follow. 1 3D House Tours Both prospective buyers and real estate agents love this technology. 3D house tours simulate a real house tour and can be viewed either on virtual reality (VR) headsets or one’s computer screen. They simplify initial interactions by enabling users to confirm their interest in a property, saving both time and visits for buyers and agents. They also allow agents to better market their properties and schedule multiple visits from the comfort of their offices. The ensuing process ensures that agents are able to provide realistic walkthroughs of their properties and eliminate friction from the get-go, making the showing as painless as possible. 2 Automated Service Desks Exceptional customer service is the name of the game in real estate and agents are expected to provide their clients with white glove service wherever possible. Conversational AI is one way that many real estate solution providers are achieving this. With round-the-clock contact channels to assist clients with the information they need, agents and brokers are better equipped to deal with queries and reduce their response time. The automation of menial tasks also ensures that they don’t have to be everywhere all the time. 3 Digital Transaction Management Real estate comes with its share of sky-high paperwork. With digital transaction management, agents can now reduce the significant amount of legwork that goes into managing paperwork. It also helps in signing documents digitally, which means physical presence isn’t needed to execute agreements and registration processes, making the process smoother and faster. Real estate clients with multiple properties will no longer need to be inundated with massive amounts of paperwork and travel. For the Record Digitalization is transforming industries at lightning speed and real estate is a frontrunner in adopting new technologies. The impact that proptech has on RE is visibly vital. The above trends are revolutionizing the real estate technology landscape. Keep an eye out to see how these trends change the way people buy and sell property.

Read More
Real Estate Technology, Asset Management

Enhance Asset Management Efficiencies with Data-driven Real Estate

Article | June 15, 2023

For first-time homebuyers, making the transition from renter to homeowner can be exciting, overwhelming, and scary all at once. Yet as Gary Keller and Jay Papasan write in the second edition of Your First Home, “Those who live the most fulfilling lives base their decisions on facts, not fears.” Below, we’ve outlined four powerful facts from Your First Home to help move anxious homeowners toward the fulfillment and abundance Keller and Papasan nod to. Delivered with empathy, care, and your expertise – these facts can help ease fears and move clients closer to experiencing all the bounties homeownership brings. Fear 1: “I can’t afford to buy a home now.” Fact: Until you do the math, you don’t know what you can or can’t afford. If you are currently paying rent, generally you can afford to buy. From a financial point of view, in the United States, the tax savings on mortgage interest alone usually make up most of the difference between your rent and mortgage payments – the tax write-offs you get at the end of year will generally help you save a lot of money. Additionally, depending on your credit score, you can end up affording more than you realize. Note: The credit scores used for mortgage lending tend to take on a much larger picture of your overall credit score. Finally, although there may be a higher initial cost to buying a house, if you’re planning on staying in one place for a few years, the equity you build can end up being a financial boon. Fear 2: “I should wait until the real estate market gets better.” Fact: There is never a wrong time to buy the right home. Whether “right” means the right price or the right property for you, waiting for the perfect market timing seldom works to your advantage. If you don’t believe us, look back to the Great Recession when the bubble around the housing market burst, GDP declined 4.5% and unemployment rose to around 9.5%. Everyone still feels the impact of this incredible financial event. But, like those who endured the Great Depression, the people who lived through the Great Recession made it through, and benefited from an era of financial growth. In fact immediately following the Great Recession, the United States entered the longest period of rising prices and general prosperity since World War II. The fact of the matter is, even the biggest economic downturns are, well, normal. Even when there were some events that threatened to dampen the economy, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing market still continued to thrive. In the end, there are two ways to make money in real estate: timing and time. That is you happen upon the right moment to purchase your home before the price appreciates, or you hold it for a long enough time so that appreciation makes your purchase investment right. If you miss the first, you can most certainly count on the second. Fear 3: “I don’t have the money for a down payment.” Fact: There are a variety of down-payment options available to you. While many people believe that making a home purchase requires a substantial down payment, as as much as 20%,, this is seldom true. Options are always available to you that require much less than this number, as low as 5%, some even less. Moreover, most states have down-payment assistance programs that can help you afford to buy. House-hacking can also be a great way to make homeownership a more affordable option. House-hacking is when you purchase a piece of real estate and lease out one of the bedrooms or units. This rental income can then be applied toward your mortgage. Or, you can participate in home rental programs like Vrbo or Airbnb. While it may not be ideal all of the time, you could always make your month’s mortgage payment by renting your place while you’re on vacation. Fear 4: “I can’t buy a home because my credit score isn’t good.” Fact: A less-than-perfect credit score won’t necessarily prevent you from buying a home. Although it’s valuable to have a good credit score, a poor one shouldn’t necessarily prevent you from talking to lenders to explore your options. You can expect that a good loan officer (or mortgage specialist) will be able to help you resolve your credit challenges, often simply by showing you how to move or consolidate your debts, or by referring you to a credit counselor who will put you on a plan. If you’re facing the challenge of having no credit history because you are new to the workforce or have not made regular purchases on credit, there are still possible solutions that you may want to explore. One is to secure financing with the help of a cosigner, such as parents or a close relative, who is willing to stand by your ability to make the payments. Another can be finding a lender who is willing to use alternative forms of history such as student loans, rent, and utilities. Looking For More Homeownership Resources? Head over to the Your First Home webpage for freebies, including information on how to build out your real estate dream team and for your clients, a resource on how to determine their homeownership criteria.

Read More
Real Estate Investment

3 Ways to Simplify Leasing Out Your Commercial Property

Article | July 14, 2022

You have a commercial property and you need to lease it as soon as possible. In an ideal world, you would find a client as soon as your property is vacant. But we do not live in an ideal world. As a property owner or manager, you need to list your property, get the right contacts, and find a buyer who is ready to occupy immediately at a price that's efficient to you. It can be a tedious journey. That’s where a broker comes in. Filling your vacant properties is essential but navigating a labyrinth of procedures shouldn't keep you occupied, which is whyleveraging a brokernetwork is so important. Here are three ways you can connect with brokers to make the most of their services. Updating Your Inventory List If you've tried handing a PDF of your current available listings, you might want to reconsider your approach for better chances of success. Brokers must be aware of the properties you have available if you want them to consider yours. The issue with online CRE listings is that many of them are outdated. This may cause a broker to think they’ve found an ideal property for their client, only to discover it’s already leased out. This doesn’t make a good impression. In addition, static listings are not search-friendly. To cut to the chase, deploy a search-ready, updated portfolio. Simplifying things for brokers will keep them coming back and contribute towards building a positive association with them. Sharing an Inventory List Right to Their Inbox Simplifying property search isn’t all. What are you doing to make a broker’s life much easier? You don’t need to spend a ton on proptech to reach out to brokers on time. Set up a commercial real estate email list that directly emails your updated listings to the brokers, providing them with timely alerts on when a new property is on the market or reminding them that an existing listing is still available. Providing Easy Access to the Property Information Regular emails about your updated property portfolio is bound to keep brokers engaged and informed. Going a step further, you can create a mobile-friendly property information page for each of your CRE properties to ensure that brokers have all the information they need at their fingertips. This avoids any bottlenecks caused by having the wrong information or no information at all about the specifications of your properties. A Final Word of Advice One of the most effective things commercial property owners can do to guarantee their properties are continuously leased is to engage with brokers, keep them updated, and simplify ways for them to interact with your property.

Read More
MORE ARTICLES

Spotlight

BMD Group

BMD is a national group of companies engaged in engineering design, construction and land development for clients and partners in the urban development, transport infrastructure and resources and energy sectors.

Related News

Real Estate Investment

Shopoff Realty Investments Sells Fully Entitled Moss Street Townhome Development in Chula Vista

PR Newswire | October 05, 2023

Shopoff Realty Investments ("Shopoff"), a national manager of opportunistic and value-add real estate investments, announced today that the company has successfully sold its 141-unit Moss Street Townhome project to Shea Homes. "This townhome development will be a wonderful addition to this evolving neighborhood of Chula Vista that will also soon be home to the $1 billion Chula Vista Bayfront Redevelopment Project, located less than one mile away," explained Shopoff Realty Investments President and CEO William Shopoff. The 6.94-acre property is located in Chula Vista, California, at the intersection of Moss Street and Industrial Blvd. Formerly approved for light industrial uses, Shopoff worked diligently with the City of Chula Vista to secure project entitlements. The entitlements allow the property to be developed into a gated housing community featuring 141 three-story attached townhomes. "Future residents will be able to enjoy the area's robust amenities for years to come, and we are proud to see this property move forward towards development, bringing some much-needed housing to the area," Shopoff added. About Shopoff Realty Investments Shopoff Realty Investments is an Irvine, California-based real estate firm with a 31-year history of value-add and opportunistic investing across the United States. The company primarily focuses on proactively generating appreciation through the repositioning of commercial income-producing properties, the entitlement of land assets and development projects. The 31-year history includes operating as Asset Recovery Fund, Eastbridge Partners and Shopoff Realty Investments (formerly known as The Shopoff Group). Performance has varied in this time frame, with certain offerings generating losses.

Read More

Real Estate Technology, Home and Design

Curbio Expands into Tucson, AZ with the Ultimate Fix Now, Pay Later Home Improvement Solution

PR Newswire | August 23, 2023

Curbio, Inc., the leading pre-sale contractor solution for Realtors and their listing clients, today announces its expansion into Tucson, AZ. With this expansion, Curbio will begin helping Tucson-area real estate agents and their clients get all their listings ready for market reliably and sold for top dollar amid an increasingly competitive housing market. Curbio is an innovative PropTech company that partners exclusively with real estate agents to complete pre-listing home improvements. Curbio works with agents to determine what updates will generate the highest ROI for home sellers, and then acts as the licensed and insured contractor on all projects. In utilizing their innovative project management platform and world-class customer success team, Curbio provides its clients with an elevated home improvement experience and enables agents to win listings and sell them for top dollar. "We are so excited to begin partnering with Tucson-area Realtors, providing them with a pay-at-closing concierge solution that they can use to get all of their listings ready for market reliably and efficiently," said Olivia Mariani, Chief Marketing Officer at Curbio. "Buyers in Tucson want move-in-ready homes, and Curbio allows real estate agents and homeowners to meet this demand without paying any cash up front. We are setting the new standard in pre-listing home improvement and couldn't be more thrilled to be expanding our footprint in Arizona." Curbio provides fix now, pay-at-closing terms for pre-listing home improvement projects of all sizes. With no project minimums or maximums, Curbio is a Realtor's go-to contractor partner for all of their home improvement needs. Examples of projects that Curbio completes include staging, kitchen and bathroom remodels, landscaping, deep cleaning and decluttering, painting, flooring installation and more. This is the fourth major market expansion for Curbio in 2023, following their launches in St. Louis, Jacksonville and Kansas City. Curbio now serves more than 60 markets across the United States. About Curbio Curbio is the leading pay-at-closing contractor working with real estate agents to get homes ready for sale reliably and without hassle. Curbio has modernized home improvement with an easy-to-use mobile app and five-star project management team that streamlines project work and communication, while eliminating the delays and uncertainties that have made home improvement so frustrating, especially for agents and home sellers. Our turnkey approach and pay-when-you-sell model has made Curbio the most trusted contractor for real estate agents and brokerages nationwide, including eXp Realty, RE/MAX, HomeServices of America, Long & foster, and many more. Curbio operates in more than 60 real estate markets across the US.

Read More

Brokerage, Real Estate Investment

Rental Beast and Southwest MLS Join Forces to Ignite Albuquerque's Rental Market Revolution

Businesswire | July 20, 2023

Rental Beast, a leading real estate technology firm, is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking platform integration with Southwest MLS today. Ranked 10th nationwide as a hotspot for sellers, the Albuquerque housing market continues to boom despite a shortage in housing supply. As home values remain high, prospective homebuyers are shifting their focus to the rental market. In fact, each rental property in Albuquerque receives an average of eight tenant applicants, creating a market that's ready for REALTORS® to showcase their expertise. Recognizing the demand for innovative solutions, the MLS is revolutionizing the rental market in Albuquerque through an exciting platform integration with Rental Beast. By providing its members with a comprehensive suite of tools, SWMLS empowers them to succeed in this fiercely competitive landscape. "The launch of Rental Beast and NMHomeRentals.com is an exciting development for consumers, REALTORS®, and landlords in Greater Albuquerque," said Tego Venturi, President of SWMLS, "This new platform creates a reliable marketplace for rental properties, increasing transparency in the rental process and helping protect renters from scams. SWMLS has long been the premier marketplace for the Albuquerque home sales market and this new platform will become the central source of truth for the rental market in the same way." The platform integration includes an array of features, including a rental-centric Add/Edit tool, access to valuable leads, third-party syndication to premier websites, an online application and tenant screening tool, powerful client management tools, and comprehensive training and support for SWMLS members to become experts in the rental market. "We are giving members the tools they need to thrive in this space," said Ishay Grinberg, CEO of Rental Beast. "Our integration equips SWMLS members with the cutting-edge tools and resources needed to navigate the dynamic rental market landscape, deliver exceptional service to their clients, and capitalize on the immense potential that the rental market presents." About Southwest MLS The Southwest MLS Inc, also known as SWMLS, is the top real estate information and data provider in New Mexico, offering services to Central New Mexico and includes coverage in Bernalillo, Valencia, Sandoval, Torrance, and the areas of Socorro and Santa Fe Counties. The Southwest MLS is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM and is committed to equipping its members with valuable products and services, promoting strong ethical and professional stands while also supporting private property rights. About the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® (GAAR) The voice for real estate in the Greater Albuquerque area, the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® (GAAR) represents the growing region of Central New Mexico, which includes Bernalillo, Valencia, Sandoval, Torrance, parts of Socorro, and Santa Fe Counties, and is recognized as the leading provider of real estate information services and data in New Mexico. Chartered in 1921 as the Real Estate Board of Albuquerque, GAAR today is the largest, local professional trade association in Central New Mexico, with 4,300 members pledged to uphold a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. GAAR is an association of professional REALTORS® who work cooperatively to advance the industry and actively support the communities and people they serve. About Rental Beast Rental Beast is a leading real estate technology firm with an end-to-end SaaS platform designed to empower real estate professionals and the nation's most comprehensive database of nearly eleven million rental properties. Sourced directly from property owners, updated in real-time, and offering a fulfillment-grade rental dataset, the Rental Beast database provides real estate professionals with an unparalleled view of all properties and owner types. Utilizing a seamless and secure integration, participating MLSs, and REALTOR® Associations can capture thousands of properties that are normally off-MLS inventory, and leverage essential search, data ingestion, and maintenance systems needed to help member agents and subscribers capture their share of $12 billion in annual leasing commissions. Rental Beast is recognized and supported by Second Century Ventures, the capital and strategic growth arm of the National Association of REALTORS® and is a proud member of the 2022 REACH-Canada program.

Read More

Real Estate Investment

Shopoff Realty Investments Sells Fully Entitled Moss Street Townhome Development in Chula Vista

PR Newswire | October 05, 2023

Shopoff Realty Investments ("Shopoff"), a national manager of opportunistic and value-add real estate investments, announced today that the company has successfully sold its 141-unit Moss Street Townhome project to Shea Homes. "This townhome development will be a wonderful addition to this evolving neighborhood of Chula Vista that will also soon be home to the $1 billion Chula Vista Bayfront Redevelopment Project, located less than one mile away," explained Shopoff Realty Investments President and CEO William Shopoff. The 6.94-acre property is located in Chula Vista, California, at the intersection of Moss Street and Industrial Blvd. Formerly approved for light industrial uses, Shopoff worked diligently with the City of Chula Vista to secure project entitlements. The entitlements allow the property to be developed into a gated housing community featuring 141 three-story attached townhomes. "Future residents will be able to enjoy the area's robust amenities for years to come, and we are proud to see this property move forward towards development, bringing some much-needed housing to the area," Shopoff added. About Shopoff Realty Investments Shopoff Realty Investments is an Irvine, California-based real estate firm with a 31-year history of value-add and opportunistic investing across the United States. The company primarily focuses on proactively generating appreciation through the repositioning of commercial income-producing properties, the entitlement of land assets and development projects. The 31-year history includes operating as Asset Recovery Fund, Eastbridge Partners and Shopoff Realty Investments (formerly known as The Shopoff Group). Performance has varied in this time frame, with certain offerings generating losses.

Read More

Real Estate Technology, Home and Design

Curbio Expands into Tucson, AZ with the Ultimate Fix Now, Pay Later Home Improvement Solution

PR Newswire | August 23, 2023

Curbio, Inc., the leading pre-sale contractor solution for Realtors and their listing clients, today announces its expansion into Tucson, AZ. With this expansion, Curbio will begin helping Tucson-area real estate agents and their clients get all their listings ready for market reliably and sold for top dollar amid an increasingly competitive housing market. Curbio is an innovative PropTech company that partners exclusively with real estate agents to complete pre-listing home improvements. Curbio works with agents to determine what updates will generate the highest ROI for home sellers, and then acts as the licensed and insured contractor on all projects. In utilizing their innovative project management platform and world-class customer success team, Curbio provides its clients with an elevated home improvement experience and enables agents to win listings and sell them for top dollar. "We are so excited to begin partnering with Tucson-area Realtors, providing them with a pay-at-closing concierge solution that they can use to get all of their listings ready for market reliably and efficiently," said Olivia Mariani, Chief Marketing Officer at Curbio. "Buyers in Tucson want move-in-ready homes, and Curbio allows real estate agents and homeowners to meet this demand without paying any cash up front. We are setting the new standard in pre-listing home improvement and couldn't be more thrilled to be expanding our footprint in Arizona." Curbio provides fix now, pay-at-closing terms for pre-listing home improvement projects of all sizes. With no project minimums or maximums, Curbio is a Realtor's go-to contractor partner for all of their home improvement needs. Examples of projects that Curbio completes include staging, kitchen and bathroom remodels, landscaping, deep cleaning and decluttering, painting, flooring installation and more. This is the fourth major market expansion for Curbio in 2023, following their launches in St. Louis, Jacksonville and Kansas City. Curbio now serves more than 60 markets across the United States. About Curbio Curbio is the leading pay-at-closing contractor working with real estate agents to get homes ready for sale reliably and without hassle. Curbio has modernized home improvement with an easy-to-use mobile app and five-star project management team that streamlines project work and communication, while eliminating the delays and uncertainties that have made home improvement so frustrating, especially for agents and home sellers. Our turnkey approach and pay-when-you-sell model has made Curbio the most trusted contractor for real estate agents and brokerages nationwide, including eXp Realty, RE/MAX, HomeServices of America, Long & foster, and many more. Curbio operates in more than 60 real estate markets across the US.

Read More

Brokerage, Real Estate Investment

Rental Beast and Southwest MLS Join Forces to Ignite Albuquerque's Rental Market Revolution

Businesswire | July 20, 2023

Rental Beast, a leading real estate technology firm, is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking platform integration with Southwest MLS today. Ranked 10th nationwide as a hotspot for sellers, the Albuquerque housing market continues to boom despite a shortage in housing supply. As home values remain high, prospective homebuyers are shifting their focus to the rental market. In fact, each rental property in Albuquerque receives an average of eight tenant applicants, creating a market that's ready for REALTORS® to showcase their expertise. Recognizing the demand for innovative solutions, the MLS is revolutionizing the rental market in Albuquerque through an exciting platform integration with Rental Beast. By providing its members with a comprehensive suite of tools, SWMLS empowers them to succeed in this fiercely competitive landscape. "The launch of Rental Beast and NMHomeRentals.com is an exciting development for consumers, REALTORS®, and landlords in Greater Albuquerque," said Tego Venturi, President of SWMLS, "This new platform creates a reliable marketplace for rental properties, increasing transparency in the rental process and helping protect renters from scams. SWMLS has long been the premier marketplace for the Albuquerque home sales market and this new platform will become the central source of truth for the rental market in the same way." The platform integration includes an array of features, including a rental-centric Add/Edit tool, access to valuable leads, third-party syndication to premier websites, an online application and tenant screening tool, powerful client management tools, and comprehensive training and support for SWMLS members to become experts in the rental market. "We are giving members the tools they need to thrive in this space," said Ishay Grinberg, CEO of Rental Beast. "Our integration equips SWMLS members with the cutting-edge tools and resources needed to navigate the dynamic rental market landscape, deliver exceptional service to their clients, and capitalize on the immense potential that the rental market presents." About Southwest MLS The Southwest MLS Inc, also known as SWMLS, is the top real estate information and data provider in New Mexico, offering services to Central New Mexico and includes coverage in Bernalillo, Valencia, Sandoval, Torrance, and the areas of Socorro and Santa Fe Counties. The Southwest MLS is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM and is committed to equipping its members with valuable products and services, promoting strong ethical and professional stands while also supporting private property rights. About the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® (GAAR) The voice for real estate in the Greater Albuquerque area, the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® (GAAR) represents the growing region of Central New Mexico, which includes Bernalillo, Valencia, Sandoval, Torrance, parts of Socorro, and Santa Fe Counties, and is recognized as the leading provider of real estate information services and data in New Mexico. Chartered in 1921 as the Real Estate Board of Albuquerque, GAAR today is the largest, local professional trade association in Central New Mexico, with 4,300 members pledged to uphold a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. GAAR is an association of professional REALTORS® who work cooperatively to advance the industry and actively support the communities and people they serve. About Rental Beast Rental Beast is a leading real estate technology firm with an end-to-end SaaS platform designed to empower real estate professionals and the nation's most comprehensive database of nearly eleven million rental properties. Sourced directly from property owners, updated in real-time, and offering a fulfillment-grade rental dataset, the Rental Beast database provides real estate professionals with an unparalleled view of all properties and owner types. Utilizing a seamless and secure integration, participating MLSs, and REALTOR® Associations can capture thousands of properties that are normally off-MLS inventory, and leverage essential search, data ingestion, and maintenance systems needed to help member agents and subscribers capture their share of $12 billion in annual leasing commissions. Rental Beast is recognized and supported by Second Century Ventures, the capital and strategic growth arm of the National Association of REALTORS® and is a proud member of the 2022 REACH-Canada program.

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