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Real Estate Investing and Financial Literacy

March 2, 2020 | 78 views

Taking financial literacy into consideration will assist in forming a clear understanding of personal finance, how to plan for the future, and to achieve one’s financial goals. While such knowledge could be conveyed in high school, or earlier, it seldom is. For those who wish to invest in real estate, being financially literate is crucial in being a successful investor. This often results in leaving people who lack the necasarry knowledge with the belief that they are incapable of qualifying for a home loan. The key is gaining an education in real estate. A homebuyer or investor who skips doing their homework can end up facing a costly situation that can result in further financial hardship. However, real estate is an industry that’s regulated by an extensive set of laws and ordinances so it’s better to start small and focus on a particular niche in order to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

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Iowa Association of REALTORS

The Iowa Association of REALTORS® seeks to serve members to enhance professionalism while protecting real property rights through the following services: professional development, legislative advocacy, legal services, MLS services, technology services, and member board management. A real estate agent is a REALTOR® when he or she is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, The Voice for Real Estate® -- the world's largest professional association. The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

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REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY

Why there is Rising Demand for Green Properties?

Article | August 11, 2021

The belief that green properties bring multiple benefits for both residents and developers is becoming universal. The real estate buyers are realizing the integral role played by the green buildings in minimizing carbon emissions and contributing toward one of the biggest global agendas – Climate Change. Across the UAE, some landlords are evaluating the cost and the benefits of making their portfolios greener to meet the expectations of the property buyers as well as the tenants who are becoming more environment-friendly. Rising international focus on climate change, Conference of the Parties (COP26) summit and UAE’s net-zero initiative to minimize emissions and pledging to invest almost $165 billion in clean energy by 2050 are the other major reasons for the landlords to construct green buildings. Covid-19 has created an urge for employee safety to ensure they feel comfortable coming to the office. To take employee safety to the next level, corporations are choosing green properties to prioritize employees’ well-being and adapt to their occupational strategies and achieve their sustainability goals. What is a Green Building? The World Green Building Council (WGBC) defines a green building as – “a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment.” Some of the features suggested by WGBC which make a building green include – Efficient use of energy, water, and other resources Use of renewable energy, such as – solar energy, pollution, and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of re-use and recycling Good indoor environmental air quality Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical, and sustainable Consideration of the environment in the design Construction, and operation Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design Construction, and operation Design that enables adaptation to a changing environment Exponential Rise in the Demand for Greener Properties There has been a huge rise in the demand for greener and energy-efficient properties not only in the UAE but across the Middle East. As per the Knight Frank – 2021 survey – proximity to green space and good air quality topped the list of location features and are more important to home buyers in the Middle East than their global counterparts. Half of the respondents cited the energy efficiency of their next home as being a ‘very important‘ issue, compared to 42% of global buyers. There has been a rising demand for green and energy-efficient properties in the UAE. The region is at the pinnacle in the Middle East in the national concentration of sustainable buildings and stands at the 14th spot in the world with 869 green-rated buildings, according to the 2nd edition of Knight Frank’s (Y)our Space report – 2021 which surveyed almost 400 businesses worldwide on their workplace strategies and real estate needs. This sends a strong signal to the developers and planners to embrace building green properties to attract eco-friendly homebuyers in the UAE. Reasons for Rising Demand for Green Properties Here are the top 7 reasons for the rising demand for Green Properties in the UAE 1. Increasing Awareness The last decade has witnessed a colossal rise in the awareness among the UAE real estate developers and homebuyers about sustainable construction practices and the adverse effects of climate change, rising energy consumption, and carbon emission on their health and life which has significantly increased the demand for greener properties. The rising awareness about the advantages of green buildings is very evident from the leading studies conducted recently. The research conducted by EcoMENA in 2021 titled – ‘Green Building Trends in the Middle East’ reveals that in the last decade, green building design has become a top priority of real estate developers across the Middle East. The number of LEED-registered buildings has increased rapidly across the region, from 623 in 2010 to more than 2500 in 2020. UAE is ranked among the top 10 countries that hold LEED certifications in the world with Dubai ranked 3rd in the list of cities having the highest number of LEED-certified buildings. UAE has more than 600 LEED-certified projects. 2. Supportive Government Policies UAE has launched the ‘Net-Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative’ to reduce carbon emissions and will invest over AED 600 billion in renewable energy to minimize carbon emissions and move the nation towards cleaner energy. Other initiatives launched by the UAE to reduce carbon emissions which will increase the sales of green properties include – UAE Vision 2021, the UAE Centennial 2071, and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which sets a 50% target for clean energy in the country, among others. The UAE government has already established several sustainable development goals which serve as a guiding principle for most upcoming real estate projects in the region. 3. Lower Construction & Operational Cost Research conducted by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) reveals that the cost of installing green building features and technologies is significantly overestimated. Many developers perceive that the upfront cost of a green building is, on average, 17% higher than the original cost of a similar traditional building, however, that’s not true. The research by the U.S. Green building Council (USGBC) reveals the initial cost of a green building is only 2%-3% higher than its non-green counterpart. Moreover, green buildings consume 25%-35% less energy than non-green buildings and have 14% less operation and maintenance costs than their traditional counterparts. Modern property owners also prioritize renting or leasing green buildings or apartments due to their cost benefits. Green buildings also allow developers to save 20% of the initial construction cost annually by reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, green buildings allow developers to complete large-scale green projects at a much larger scale resulting in more revenues and business expansion. Using incentive technology such as Virtual Power Plants (VPP) combined with an onsite solar asset will further allow real estate developers to reduce the operational cost and utility cost and explore new models of maximizing income outside of increasing rent and making their properties more attractive for eco-friendly homes buyers. 4. Lower Rents & Service Charges Green properties are a win-win situation for every stakeholder. Due to their lower construction cost and energy consumption, green buildings have minimal operational costs. This is indeed good news for the homeowners and tenants as lower operational cost of the building leads to a reduction in their energy bills, service charges, and rents. The lower service charges and rents often result in higher resident satisfaction and occupancy rate for the landlords and developers. 5. The rise in Environment-friendly Buyers Rising awareness about the adverse impact of emissions on the health of humans as well as on the environment has attracted a number of homebuyers toward green properties. This is encouraging real estate developers to construct more green properties to foster quick sales. Two years ago we had to convince property developers to go green and think about efficient energy. The majority didn’t know what ‘green’ meant and assumed there was an extra cost attached. Now developers want to go green and some are achieving Leadership of Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, an internationally recognized green building rating system. Many large developers are creating their own green design guidelines to be followed by smaller developers building on their plot of land.” Khalid Bushnaq, CEO of Energy Management Services (EMS) There has been an exponential surge in buyers prioritizing green properties as they support a cleaner environment for future generations. 6. Investors Prioritizing Greener Properties for Letting & Sales There has been a rise in the investors and businesses prioritizing the green credentials of a property while making their purchase decision. This will indeed spur their saleability and rentability in the coming days. To cater to the demand of modern and environment-friendly buyers, real estate developers are coming up with greener properties and are evaluating the cost and the benefits of greenifying their portfolios. 7. Rising Sustainability Concerns There have been rising concerns about sustainability among both residential & commercial clients. Corporates across the globe are showing great interest in going sustainable and prioritizing sustainable buildings for their offices. According to the 2nd edition of Knight Frank’s (Y)our Space report, “40% of firms have set a net-zero carbon target and, of those, 77% are aiming to achieve this by 2030. 87% of firms surveyed had less than half of their current global real estate portfolios either ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’. Rising sustainability concerns among the buyers will accelerate the sales and rents of the green properties and will play a crucial role in minimizing the emission rate of the UAE. Summary Here is the summary of the article – There has been a rise in the attractiveness of greener properties among buyers across the UAE to reduce carbon emissions and move towards a healthy lifestyle. Climate change, COP 26, and UAEs investment in clean energy by 2050 have been the major drivers in raising awareness of green properties Along with the residential, the commercial sector is also prioritizing moving their offices to green properties to prioritize employee’s safety and adapt to their occupational strategies A Green building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment. The Knight Frank – 2021 survey on Middle East buyers reveals that proximity to green space and good air quality topped the list of location features. Half of the respondents considered the energy efficiency of their next home to be a ‘very important’ issue, compared to 42% of global buyers. UAE is ranked 14th in the world with 869 green-rated buildings The top reasons for the rising demand for green properties are as follows Increasing awareness Supportive government policies Lower construction & operational cost Lower rents & service charges Increase in environment-friendly buyers Investors Prioritizing Greener Properties for Letting & Sales Rising sustainability concerns among the buyers

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BUYING/SELLING

Why the Growing Number of Homes for Sale Is Good for Your Move Up

Article | August 18, 2021

Are you thinking about selling your current home? If so, the biggest question on your mind may be: if I sell now, where will I go? If this resonates with you, there’s something you should know. The number of homes coming onto the market is increasing and that could make it easier for you to move up this summer. While this news has clear benefits for buyers who are craving more options for their home search, what does that mean for current homeowners like you? It gives you two distinct opportunities in today’s housing market. Opportunity 1: Take Advantage of More Options for Your Move Up If your current house no longer meets your needs or lacks the space and features you want, this gives you even more opportunity to sell and move up into the home of your dreams. As more options come to market, you’ll have more to choose from when you search for your next home. Partnering with a local real estate professional can help make sure you see these listings as soon as they come onto the market. And when you do find the one, that professional can advise you on how to write a winning offer to seal the deal. Opportunity 2: Sell Before You Have More Competition Just know that, in order to make sure your house shines above the rest, it may make sense to put your home up for sale before your neighbors do the same, creating more competition in your area. The increase in the number of homes being listed for sale is expected to continue, and a recent study from realtor.com says two-thirds of homeowners looking to sell say they’ll do so by August. A real estate professional can advise you on what you need to tackle to get your house ready to list so they can put that for sale sign up in your yard sooner rather than later. That’s because the process of getting a home ready to sell isn’t taking as long as you may think. As a result, you can capitalize on today’s sellers’ market and get ahead of the competition. Bottom Line If you’re a current homeowner looking to sell, let’s connect to begin the process. You have a unique opportunity to benefit from the additional homes being listed today and sell before your house has more competition.

Read More
REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY

4 Facts to Help First-Time Homebuyers Overcome Common Fears

Article | June 9, 2022

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.

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REAL ESTATE ADVICE

Why You Need an Expert To Determine the Right Price for Your House

Article | June 6, 2022

If your lifestyle has changed recently and you’re ready to make a move, taking advantage of today’s sellers’ market might be just the answer for your summer plans. With homes continuing to get multiple offers, this could be your moment to get the contract you’re looking for on your house if you’re ready to sell. And here’s the thing – you need an expert on your side to ensure you make all the right moves when you do, especially when it comes to pricing your house. Even in this competitive market, you can’t stick just any price tag on your home and get the deal you want. A key piece of the puzzle is setting the right asking price so you can help buyers notice your home (and get excited about it) from the very first time they view the listing. That’s where a real estate professional comes in. Why Pricing Your House Right Is Important The price you set for your house sends a message to potential buyers. Price it too low and you might raise questions about your home’s condition or lead buyers to assume something is wrong with the property. Not to mention, if you undervalue your house, you could leave money on the table which decreases your future buying power. On the other hand, price it too high, and you run the risk of deterring buyers. When that happens, you may have to do a price drop to try to re-ignite interest in your house when it sits on the market for a while. But be aware that a price drop can be seen as a red flag for some buyers who will wonder why the price was reduced and what that means about the home. In other words, think of pricing your home as a target. Your goal is to aim directly for the center – not too high, not too low, but right at market value. Pricing your house fairly based on market conditions increases the chance you’ll have more buyers who are interested in purchasing it. That makes it more likely you’ll see multiple offers, too. And if a bidding war happens, you’ll likely get an even higher final sale price. Plus, when homes are priced right, they tend to sell quickly. Lean on a Professional’s Expertise There are several factors that go into pricing your house, and balancing them is the key. That’s why it’s important to lean on an expert real estate advisor when you’re ready to move. A local real estate advisor is knowledgeable about: The value of homes in your neighborhood The current demand for houses in today’s market The condition of your house and how it affects the value A real estate professional will balance these factors to make sure the price of your house makes the best first impression and gives you the greatest return on your investment in the end. Bottom Line If you’re thinking about selling, pricing your house appropriately is key. Let’s connect to make sure your house is priced right for the local market, for your home’s condition, and to stand out from the competition.

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REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY

Should Your Real Estate Client Sign An Appraisal Waiver?

Article | August 11, 2021

The belief that green properties bring multiple benefits for both residents and developers is becoming universal. The real estate buyers are realizing the integral role played by the green buildings in minimizing carbon emissions and contributing toward one of the biggest global agendas – Climate Change. Across the UAE, some landlords are evaluating the cost and the benefits of making their portfolios greener to meet the expectations of the property buyers as well as the tenants who are becoming more environment-friendly. Rising international focus on climate change, Conference of the Parties (COP26) summit and UAE’s net-zero initiative to minimize emissions and pledging to invest almost $165 billion in clean energy by 2050 are the other major reasons for the landlords to construct green buildings. Covid-19 has created an urge for employee safety to ensure they feel comfortable coming to the office. To take employee safety to the next level, corporations are choosing green properties to prioritize employees’ well-being and adapt to their occupational strategies and achieve their sustainability goals. What is a Green Building? The World Green Building Council (WGBC) defines a green building as – “a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment.” Some of the features suggested by WGBC which make a building green include – Efficient use of energy, water, and other resources Use of renewable energy, such as – solar energy, pollution, and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of re-use and recycling Good indoor environmental air quality Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical, and sustainable Consideration of the environment in the design Construction, and operation Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design Construction, and operation Design that enables adaptation to a changing environment Exponential Rise in the Demand for Greener Properties There has been a huge rise in the demand for greener and energy-efficient properties not only in the UAE but across the Middle East. As per the Knight Frank – 2021 survey – proximity to green space and good air quality topped the list of location features and are more important to home buyers in the Middle East than their global counterparts. Half of the respondents cited the energy efficiency of their next home as being a ‘very important‘ issue, compared to 42% of global buyers. There has been a rising demand for green and energy-efficient properties in the UAE. The region is at the pinnacle in the Middle East in the national concentration of sustainable buildings and stands at the 14th spot in the world with 869 green-rated buildings, according to the 2nd edition of Knight Frank’s (Y)our Space report – 2021 which surveyed almost 400 businesses worldwide on their workplace strategies and real estate needs. This sends a strong signal to the developers and planners to embrace building green properties to attract eco-friendly homebuyers in the UAE. Reasons for Rising Demand for Green Properties Here are the top 7 reasons for the rising demand for Green Properties in the UAE 1. Increasing Awareness The last decade has witnessed a colossal rise in the awareness among the UAE real estate developers and homebuyers about sustainable construction practices and the adverse effects of climate change, rising energy consumption, and carbon emission on their health and life which has significantly increased the demand for greener properties. The rising awareness about the advantages of green buildings is very evident from the leading studies conducted recently. The research conducted by EcoMENA in 2021 titled – ‘Green Building Trends in the Middle East’ reveals that in the last decade, green building design has become a top priority of real estate developers across the Middle East. The number of LEED-registered buildings has increased rapidly across the region, from 623 in 2010 to more than 2500 in 2020. UAE is ranked among the top 10 countries that hold LEED certifications in the world with Dubai ranked 3rd in the list of cities having the highest number of LEED-certified buildings. UAE has more than 600 LEED-certified projects. 2. Supportive Government Policies UAE has launched the ‘Net-Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative’ to reduce carbon emissions and will invest over AED 600 billion in renewable energy to minimize carbon emissions and move the nation towards cleaner energy. Other initiatives launched by the UAE to reduce carbon emissions which will increase the sales of green properties include – UAE Vision 2021, the UAE Centennial 2071, and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which sets a 50% target for clean energy in the country, among others. The UAE government has already established several sustainable development goals which serve as a guiding principle for most upcoming real estate projects in the region. 3. Lower Construction & Operational Cost Research conducted by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) reveals that the cost of installing green building features and technologies is significantly overestimated. Many developers perceive that the upfront cost of a green building is, on average, 17% higher than the original cost of a similar traditional building, however, that’s not true. The research by the U.S. Green building Council (USGBC) reveals the initial cost of a green building is only 2%-3% higher than its non-green counterpart. Moreover, green buildings consume 25%-35% less energy than non-green buildings and have 14% less operation and maintenance costs than their traditional counterparts. Modern property owners also prioritize renting or leasing green buildings or apartments due to their cost benefits. Green buildings also allow developers to save 20% of the initial construction cost annually by reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, green buildings allow developers to complete large-scale green projects at a much larger scale resulting in more revenues and business expansion. Using incentive technology such as Virtual Power Plants (VPP) combined with an onsite solar asset will further allow real estate developers to reduce the operational cost and utility cost and explore new models of maximizing income outside of increasing rent and making their properties more attractive for eco-friendly homes buyers. 4. Lower Rents & Service Charges Green properties are a win-win situation for every stakeholder. Due to their lower construction cost and energy consumption, green buildings have minimal operational costs. This is indeed good news for the homeowners and tenants as lower operational cost of the building leads to a reduction in their energy bills, service charges, and rents. The lower service charges and rents often result in higher resident satisfaction and occupancy rate for the landlords and developers. 5. The rise in Environment-friendly Buyers Rising awareness about the adverse impact of emissions on the health of humans as well as on the environment has attracted a number of homebuyers toward green properties. This is encouraging real estate developers to construct more green properties to foster quick sales. Two years ago we had to convince property developers to go green and think about efficient energy. The majority didn’t know what ‘green’ meant and assumed there was an extra cost attached. Now developers want to go green and some are achieving Leadership of Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, an internationally recognized green building rating system. Many large developers are creating their own green design guidelines to be followed by smaller developers building on their plot of land.” Khalid Bushnaq, CEO of Energy Management Services (EMS) There has been an exponential surge in buyers prioritizing green properties as they support a cleaner environment for future generations. 6. Investors Prioritizing Greener Properties for Letting & Sales There has been a rise in the investors and businesses prioritizing the green credentials of a property while making their purchase decision. This will indeed spur their saleability and rentability in the coming days. To cater to the demand of modern and environment-friendly buyers, real estate developers are coming up with greener properties and are evaluating the cost and the benefits of greenifying their portfolios. 7. Rising Sustainability Concerns There have been rising concerns about sustainability among both residential & commercial clients. Corporates across the globe are showing great interest in going sustainable and prioritizing sustainable buildings for their offices. According to the 2nd edition of Knight Frank’s (Y)our Space report, “40% of firms have set a net-zero carbon target and, of those, 77% are aiming to achieve this by 2030. 87% of firms surveyed had less than half of their current global real estate portfolios either ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’. Rising sustainability concerns among the buyers will accelerate the sales and rents of the green properties and will play a crucial role in minimizing the emission rate of the UAE. Summary Here is the summary of the article – There has been a rise in the attractiveness of greener properties among buyers across the UAE to reduce carbon emissions and move towards a healthy lifestyle. Climate change, COP 26, and UAEs investment in clean energy by 2050 have been the major drivers in raising awareness of green properties Along with the residential, the commercial sector is also prioritizing moving their offices to green properties to prioritize employee’s safety and adapt to their occupational strategies A Green building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment. The Knight Frank – 2021 survey on Middle East buyers reveals that proximity to green space and good air quality topped the list of location features. Half of the respondents considered the energy efficiency of their next home to be a ‘very important’ issue, compared to 42% of global buyers. UAE is ranked 14th in the world with 869 green-rated buildings The top reasons for the rising demand for green properties are as follows Increasing awareness Supportive government policies Lower construction & operational cost Lower rents & service charges Increase in environment-friendly buyers Investors Prioritizing Greener Properties for Letting & Sales Rising sustainability concerns among the buyers

Read More
BUYING/SELLING

Lockdowns To Push Back Spring Selling Season

Article | August 18, 2021

Are you thinking about selling your current home? If so, the biggest question on your mind may be: if I sell now, where will I go? If this resonates with you, there’s something you should know. The number of homes coming onto the market is increasing and that could make it easier for you to move up this summer. While this news has clear benefits for buyers who are craving more options for their home search, what does that mean for current homeowners like you? It gives you two distinct opportunities in today’s housing market. Opportunity 1: Take Advantage of More Options for Your Move Up If your current house no longer meets your needs or lacks the space and features you want, this gives you even more opportunity to sell and move up into the home of your dreams. As more options come to market, you’ll have more to choose from when you search for your next home. Partnering with a local real estate professional can help make sure you see these listings as soon as they come onto the market. And when you do find the one, that professional can advise you on how to write a winning offer to seal the deal. Opportunity 2: Sell Before You Have More Competition Just know that, in order to make sure your house shines above the rest, it may make sense to put your home up for sale before your neighbors do the same, creating more competition in your area. The increase in the number of homes being listed for sale is expected to continue, and a recent study from realtor.com says two-thirds of homeowners looking to sell say they’ll do so by August. A real estate professional can advise you on what you need to tackle to get your house ready to list so they can put that for sale sign up in your yard sooner rather than later. That’s because the process of getting a home ready to sell isn’t taking as long as you may think. As a result, you can capitalize on today’s sellers’ market and get ahead of the competition. Bottom Line If you’re a current homeowner looking to sell, let’s connect to begin the process. You have a unique opportunity to benefit from the additional homes being listed today and sell before your house has more competition.

Read More
REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY

Why there is Rising Demand for Green Properties?

Article | June 9, 2022

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.

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REAL ESTATE ADVICE

Why You Need an Expert To Determine the Right Price for Your House

Article | June 6, 2022

If your lifestyle has changed recently and you’re ready to make a move, taking advantage of today’s sellers’ market might be just the answer for your summer plans. With homes continuing to get multiple offers, this could be your moment to get the contract you’re looking for on your house if you’re ready to sell. And here’s the thing – you need an expert on your side to ensure you make all the right moves when you do, especially when it comes to pricing your house. Even in this competitive market, you can’t stick just any price tag on your home and get the deal you want. A key piece of the puzzle is setting the right asking price so you can help buyers notice your home (and get excited about it) from the very first time they view the listing. That’s where a real estate professional comes in. Why Pricing Your House Right Is Important The price you set for your house sends a message to potential buyers. Price it too low and you might raise questions about your home’s condition or lead buyers to assume something is wrong with the property. Not to mention, if you undervalue your house, you could leave money on the table which decreases your future buying power. On the other hand, price it too high, and you run the risk of deterring buyers. When that happens, you may have to do a price drop to try to re-ignite interest in your house when it sits on the market for a while. But be aware that a price drop can be seen as a red flag for some buyers who will wonder why the price was reduced and what that means about the home. In other words, think of pricing your home as a target. Your goal is to aim directly for the center – not too high, not too low, but right at market value. Pricing your house fairly based on market conditions increases the chance you’ll have more buyers who are interested in purchasing it. That makes it more likely you’ll see multiple offers, too. And if a bidding war happens, you’ll likely get an even higher final sale price. Plus, when homes are priced right, they tend to sell quickly. Lean on a Professional’s Expertise There are several factors that go into pricing your house, and balancing them is the key. That’s why it’s important to lean on an expert real estate advisor when you’re ready to move. A local real estate advisor is knowledgeable about: The value of homes in your neighborhood The current demand for houses in today’s market The condition of your house and how it affects the value A real estate professional will balance these factors to make sure the price of your house makes the best first impression and gives you the greatest return on your investment in the end. Bottom Line If you’re thinking about selling, pricing your house appropriately is key. Let’s connect to make sure your house is priced right for the local market, for your home’s condition, and to stand out from the competition.

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Spotlight

Iowa Association of REALTORS

The Iowa Association of REALTORS® seeks to serve members to enhance professionalism while protecting real property rights through the following services: professional development, legislative advocacy, legal services, MLS services, technology services, and member board management. A real estate agent is a REALTOR® when he or she is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, The Voice for Real Estate® -- the world's largest professional association. The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

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REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

Evernest Merges with Dodson Property Management and Enters Virginia Market

Evernest | July 01, 2022

Evernest, a national, full-service real estate and property management firm, announced a merger with three divisions of Virginia-based Dodson Property Management. The merger will bring Dodson's divisions overseeing single-family property management, small multi-family buildings, and association management into the Evernest portfolio. The merger includes Dodson's entire single-family portfolio of 2,450 units; 1,100 units under its Portfolio Management division of smaller multi-family buildings; and all Association Management operations, encompassing 170 associations and 15,000 units. The names of the divisions will change to Evernest. The merger is Evernest's largest to date, and adds roughly 3,550 single-family homes and small multi-family units to Evernest's portfolio. The deal boosts Evernest's overall portfolio to more than 11,000 single-family homes and apartments under management nationwide and positions Evernest as one of the largest single-family and small multi-family real estate and property management firms in America. Additionally, the deal moves Evernest into the management of homeowners and condominium associations in Virginia and Florida. This merger is really the culmination of two companies that have a similar culture, a similar tech platform, and similar teams that have built legacies in large-scale, single-family property management. A combined company will add value to Dodson and Evernest clients through shared resources, shared values, and shared systems." Matthew Whitaker, Evernest Founder and CEO The merger with Dodson places Evernest's property management and brokerage services into four new single-family markets: Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Williamsburg, Va., as well as Northern Virginia. Dodson has association management operations in Richmond, Northern Virginia, Williamsburg, and Sarasota, Fla. These markets add to the 18 national regions already served by Evernest's elite team of property managers and real estate brokers. Like Dodson, Evernest has focused in recent years on acquiring and merging operations to grow and better support owners and residents. The Dodson merger comes on the heels of 21 previous deals, either mergers or outright acquisitions, made by Evernest. Dodson is one of five deals Evernest has made in the second quarter of 2022 alone. "We have a vision for our own company's growth, and felt scale was necessary to build the best leadership team in the industry and to provide our residents and clients with all of the resources possible to ensure that they have a quality experience," said Duke Dodson, President and CEO of Dodson Companies. "We're extremely close with Matthew and the team at Evernest and have worked together over the years to build our businesses from the ground up, share best practices, and help one another grow, so we felt very comfortable in taking this big step to come together as one." Dodson's existing leadership, operations, and property/association management teams will remain in place in the markets the company serves. Both property owners and residents will experience a seamless transition, maintain the same team members they know, and see continually improving processes and systems. Publicly, Dodson signage will change to Evernest. Dodson's Commercial, Development and short-term rental divisions remain independent and are not included in the Evernest merger. Adds Whitaker: "As we expand into Virginia, and join forces with the Dodson team, we're excited to help residents, owners, and investors achieve their real estate goals and show them what a great property and association management company can be." About Evernest Based in Birmingham, Ala., Evernest operates in 25 real estate markets across the country. It is one of the nation's largest single-family and small multi-family investment broker and property management provider. The firm manages more than 11,000 homes for over 4,100 owners, brokers more than 1,000 investment deals annually, and has made the Inc5000 list five of the last six years. About the Dodson Companies Dodson was founded in 2007 as a property management and real estate company dedicated to the needs of investor owners and tenants. Today, Dodson operates a commercial property management and brokerage division, Dodson Commercial; a real estate development group, Dodson Development; and a short-term rental management division.

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BUYING/SELLING

Walker & Dunlop Completes the Sale of Richwood, Texas Apartments

Walker & Dunlop | June 30, 2022

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced that it facilitated the sale of East Bank at Richwood Village, a 200-unit luxury apartment complex located in Richwood, Texas. The property represented a rare opportunity to invest in a high-quality asset within the greater Lake Jackson submarket, a fast-growing area with limited multifamily stock. Ryan Epstein and Jennifer Ray led the Walker & Dunlop team in facilitating the disposition from the seller, Pensam Capital, LLC to the buyer's representative, BR Premier Properties. The team assisted the client throughout the entire transaction, ensuring a favorable sale price. Demographic and employment trends within the Lake Jackson area have been extremely positive over the past several months. Occupancy and rent growth in the immediate area have both been increasing significantly, making East Bank an excellent investment opportunity." Ryan Epstein,Managing Director With premium garden-style multifamily residences, East Bank at Richwood Village caters to the Alvin, Angleton, and Lake Jackson submarkets. The community's amenities include a cybercafé, fitness center, clubhouse, outdoor firepit, and dog park. In addition, Dow Chemical, the largest employer in the Lake Jackson area with nearly 4,000 employees, is located less than five miles west of East Bank at Richwood Village. The broader Brazoria County area also offers employment in many different industries, with oil, gas, and chemical companies at the top of the list of employers. Walker & Dunlop is a leader in multifamily property sales, having completed $19.3 billion in property sales volume in 2021 alone, up 214% from 2020. Visit our website for information about multifamily properties available for sale via Walker & Dunlop's property sales platform. About Walker & Dunlop Walker & Dunlop is one of the largest providers of capital to the commercial real estate industry, enabling real estate owners and operators to bring their visions of communities — where Americans live, work, shop and play — to life. The power of our people, premier brand, and industry-leading technology makes us more insightful and valuable to our clients, providing an unmatched experience every step of the way. With more than 1,400 employees across every major U.S. market, Walker & Dunlop has consistently been named one of Fortune's Great Places to Work® and is committed to making the commercial real estate industry more inclusive and diverse while creating meaningful social, environmental, and economic change in our communities.

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REAL ESTATE ADVICE

Sklar Kirsh Expands Real Estate Team with Amit S. Patel

Sklar Kirsh | June 29, 2022

Los Angeles-based law boutique Sklar Kirsh LLP announced that it has bolstered its real estate practice with the addition of Amit S. Patel, who joins the firm as a Partner. Patel represents owners, developers, and investors in the acquisition, sale, lease, development, and financing of retail, office, commercial, industrial and residential real estate. His recent work includes oversight over the fifth largest multifamily sale in the history of U.S. real estate, worth approximately $1.85 billion and consisting of 13,243 apartments at 36 properties, 21 loan defeasances and 11 loan assumptions. An expert in portfolio transactions on behalf of industrial owners, he recently handled approximately $850 million over two sales of 26 properties. Joining the highly successful practice chaired by firm Co-Founder Andrew T. Kirsh, Patel brings the total number of attorneys working under the firm's real estate arm to 18. We've been expanding steadily as a firm, but our goal hasn't been to add attorneys for the sake of it - we're cultivating talent that will add value to our clients for years to come. Between Amit's thriving practice and his tireless dedication to his practice, we couldn't be happier to add him to the team." Andrew T. Kirsh,Co-Founder Patel additionally counsels clients in operating and tenants-in-common agreements, restructuring and buy/sell agreements and property management agreements. Patel praised the quality and versatility of Sklar Kirsh's real estate team, which he attributed as a primary motivator for joining the team. "I've always taken a comprehensive approach to representation, guiding clients from start to finish while looking out for them from every angle," said Patel. "It's refreshing to be practicing with a team of professionals who shares and complements that mindset." AboutSklar Kirsh Sklar Kirsh LLP is a boutique law firm that provides sophisticated and expert advice in the areas of corporate, real estate, bankruptcy, and entertainment law as well as commercial, real estate and entertainment litigation.

Read More

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

Evernest Merges with Dodson Property Management and Enters Virginia Market

Evernest | July 01, 2022

Evernest, a national, full-service real estate and property management firm, announced a merger with three divisions of Virginia-based Dodson Property Management. The merger will bring Dodson's divisions overseeing single-family property management, small multi-family buildings, and association management into the Evernest portfolio. The merger includes Dodson's entire single-family portfolio of 2,450 units; 1,100 units under its Portfolio Management division of smaller multi-family buildings; and all Association Management operations, encompassing 170 associations and 15,000 units. The names of the divisions will change to Evernest. The merger is Evernest's largest to date, and adds roughly 3,550 single-family homes and small multi-family units to Evernest's portfolio. The deal boosts Evernest's overall portfolio to more than 11,000 single-family homes and apartments under management nationwide and positions Evernest as one of the largest single-family and small multi-family real estate and property management firms in America. Additionally, the deal moves Evernest into the management of homeowners and condominium associations in Virginia and Florida. This merger is really the culmination of two companies that have a similar culture, a similar tech platform, and similar teams that have built legacies in large-scale, single-family property management. A combined company will add value to Dodson and Evernest clients through shared resources, shared values, and shared systems." Matthew Whitaker, Evernest Founder and CEO The merger with Dodson places Evernest's property management and brokerage services into four new single-family markets: Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Williamsburg, Va., as well as Northern Virginia. Dodson has association management operations in Richmond, Northern Virginia, Williamsburg, and Sarasota, Fla. These markets add to the 18 national regions already served by Evernest's elite team of property managers and real estate brokers. Like Dodson, Evernest has focused in recent years on acquiring and merging operations to grow and better support owners and residents. The Dodson merger comes on the heels of 21 previous deals, either mergers or outright acquisitions, made by Evernest. Dodson is one of five deals Evernest has made in the second quarter of 2022 alone. "We have a vision for our own company's growth, and felt scale was necessary to build the best leadership team in the industry and to provide our residents and clients with all of the resources possible to ensure that they have a quality experience," said Duke Dodson, President and CEO of Dodson Companies. "We're extremely close with Matthew and the team at Evernest and have worked together over the years to build our businesses from the ground up, share best practices, and help one another grow, so we felt very comfortable in taking this big step to come together as one." Dodson's existing leadership, operations, and property/association management teams will remain in place in the markets the company serves. Both property owners and residents will experience a seamless transition, maintain the same team members they know, and see continually improving processes and systems. Publicly, Dodson signage will change to Evernest. Dodson's Commercial, Development and short-term rental divisions remain independent and are not included in the Evernest merger. Adds Whitaker: "As we expand into Virginia, and join forces with the Dodson team, we're excited to help residents, owners, and investors achieve their real estate goals and show them what a great property and association management company can be." About Evernest Based in Birmingham, Ala., Evernest operates in 25 real estate markets across the country. It is one of the nation's largest single-family and small multi-family investment broker and property management provider. The firm manages more than 11,000 homes for over 4,100 owners, brokers more than 1,000 investment deals annually, and has made the Inc5000 list five of the last six years. About the Dodson Companies Dodson was founded in 2007 as a property management and real estate company dedicated to the needs of investor owners and tenants. Today, Dodson operates a commercial property management and brokerage division, Dodson Commercial; a real estate development group, Dodson Development; and a short-term rental management division.

Read More

BUYING/SELLING

Walker & Dunlop Completes the Sale of Richwood, Texas Apartments

Walker & Dunlop | June 30, 2022

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced that it facilitated the sale of East Bank at Richwood Village, a 200-unit luxury apartment complex located in Richwood, Texas. The property represented a rare opportunity to invest in a high-quality asset within the greater Lake Jackson submarket, a fast-growing area with limited multifamily stock. Ryan Epstein and Jennifer Ray led the Walker & Dunlop team in facilitating the disposition from the seller, Pensam Capital, LLC to the buyer's representative, BR Premier Properties. The team assisted the client throughout the entire transaction, ensuring a favorable sale price. Demographic and employment trends within the Lake Jackson area have been extremely positive over the past several months. Occupancy and rent growth in the immediate area have both been increasing significantly, making East Bank an excellent investment opportunity." Ryan Epstein,Managing Director With premium garden-style multifamily residences, East Bank at Richwood Village caters to the Alvin, Angleton, and Lake Jackson submarkets. The community's amenities include a cybercafé, fitness center, clubhouse, outdoor firepit, and dog park. In addition, Dow Chemical, the largest employer in the Lake Jackson area with nearly 4,000 employees, is located less than five miles west of East Bank at Richwood Village. The broader Brazoria County area also offers employment in many different industries, with oil, gas, and chemical companies at the top of the list of employers. Walker & Dunlop is a leader in multifamily property sales, having completed $19.3 billion in property sales volume in 2021 alone, up 214% from 2020. Visit our website for information about multifamily properties available for sale via Walker & Dunlop's property sales platform. About Walker & Dunlop Walker & Dunlop is one of the largest providers of capital to the commercial real estate industry, enabling real estate owners and operators to bring their visions of communities — where Americans live, work, shop and play — to life. The power of our people, premier brand, and industry-leading technology makes us more insightful and valuable to our clients, providing an unmatched experience every step of the way. With more than 1,400 employees across every major U.S. market, Walker & Dunlop has consistently been named one of Fortune's Great Places to Work® and is committed to making the commercial real estate industry more inclusive and diverse while creating meaningful social, environmental, and economic change in our communities.

Read More

REAL ESTATE ADVICE

Sklar Kirsh Expands Real Estate Team with Amit S. Patel

Sklar Kirsh | June 29, 2022

Los Angeles-based law boutique Sklar Kirsh LLP announced that it has bolstered its real estate practice with the addition of Amit S. Patel, who joins the firm as a Partner. Patel represents owners, developers, and investors in the acquisition, sale, lease, development, and financing of retail, office, commercial, industrial and residential real estate. His recent work includes oversight over the fifth largest multifamily sale in the history of U.S. real estate, worth approximately $1.85 billion and consisting of 13,243 apartments at 36 properties, 21 loan defeasances and 11 loan assumptions. An expert in portfolio transactions on behalf of industrial owners, he recently handled approximately $850 million over two sales of 26 properties. Joining the highly successful practice chaired by firm Co-Founder Andrew T. Kirsh, Patel brings the total number of attorneys working under the firm's real estate arm to 18. We've been expanding steadily as a firm, but our goal hasn't been to add attorneys for the sake of it - we're cultivating talent that will add value to our clients for years to come. Between Amit's thriving practice and his tireless dedication to his practice, we couldn't be happier to add him to the team." Andrew T. Kirsh,Co-Founder Patel additionally counsels clients in operating and tenants-in-common agreements, restructuring and buy/sell agreements and property management agreements. Patel praised the quality and versatility of Sklar Kirsh's real estate team, which he attributed as a primary motivator for joining the team. "I've always taken a comprehensive approach to representation, guiding clients from start to finish while looking out for them from every angle," said Patel. "It's refreshing to be practicing with a team of professionals who shares and complements that mindset." AboutSklar Kirsh Sklar Kirsh LLP is a boutique law firm that provides sophisticated and expert advice in the areas of corporate, real estate, bankruptcy, and entertainment law as well as commercial, real estate and entertainment litigation.

Read More

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