In this Real Estate Now, we share articles about the cost of renting vs owning a home in every state, how to get off the ground with drones in real estate, 7 fun ideas for stylish staging and more!
Don’t forget; there’s something for everyone to read, so make sure to share what articles resonated with you the most with your friends and your thoughts in the comments at the Champions School of Real Estate Facebook and Twitter pages!
1. NAR Study Takes Pulse of Real Estate Firms
“Brokers will find a great deal of valuable information about the state of the industry from the National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR’s) 2016 Profile of Real Estate Firms. For instance, the vast majority of real estate firms have an optimistic outlook for the future of the industry’s profitability and growth, and 43 percent of real estate firms expect competition to increase in the next year from non-traditional firms, down from 45 percent in 2015.”
2. The Cost of Renting vs. Owning a Home in Every State
“Housing is the biggest expense for many Americans, accounting for more than 30 percent of a household’s yearly expenditures, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But housing costs can vary greatly, depending on where you live — and whether you’re a renter or owner.”
3. Real Estate Investing for Retirement
“Whether you want to retire early or simply want a retirement plan for the future, you have made it to the right place. Real estate investing will definitely guarantee you a secure and convenient retirement — if you put the effort in.”
4. How to get off the ground with drones in real estate
“If you aren’t using video and drones in real estate yet, you should start. While video should be used to market any business, the real estate industry has so much to gain because of its visual product. Renee Stoll with Big Red Media, an expert on this topic, is a former TV reporter, writer, producer and videographer. Now, she works in the real estate industry and is combining all of her skills to modernize the way agents market themselves, their expertise and their business.”
5. If You Need a Mortgage to Buy a House, You Also Need an Appraisal
“There is a shortage of appraisers in Oregon, as well as in several other states, and this is indeed outside the control of lenders. Of course, it is also outside the control of borrowers. When a lock expires for reasons outside the control of both borrower and lender, my advice is for them to split the incremental cost down the middle. When lenders react to an appraiser shortage by refusing to lock until after an appraisal has been received, which is a logical reaction, my advice to borrowers is to make sure they can easily monitor their price day by day as the market changes. They can do that on my site as well as on others.”
6. 7 Ideas to Try for a Stylish Entry
“Is your entry an afterthought? It’s understandable that it can get overlooked with so many other spaces to consider throughout your home. But, as the first space your guests see when they arrive (and the last when they leave), your entry is crying out for a little attention. Style it right and it could be one of the most impactful spaces in your house. “The best entry halls make a strong statement and set the style for what’s to come,” said Elle Décor. Not sure where to start? Consider these seven ideas.”
There’s something for everyone to read, so make sure to share your thoughts with is over at the Champions School of Real Estate 
and 
pages!
Enjoy your read — see you next week! Do you have a response or is there a relevant article I should have included? Send me an email with all questions, opinions, and suggestions to Karla@ChampionsSchool.com!
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