Virtual Home Buying Tools Every Buyer Should Know About

Buying a home has always been a tricky and complicated process, especially if you have never done it before. Home buying has only gotten harder in recent months as the world deals with the coronavirus pandemic. Getting a good look at a new house can be pretty tricky when you are not supposed to leave your home. Luckily, realtors are starting to use technology to their advantage. These are the four virtual tools you can use to help aid the home buying process.

A Potential Suburban Shift in Real Estate

Many larger corporations, as well as mid-sized companies, are choosing to extend their current working-from-home policies, in the wake of COVID-19, until at least autumn. As such, those that predict real estate trends feel that the time is right for another suburban boom. This country has not seen an actual suburban increase since the years following World War II.

Real Estate 101: Moving During a Pandemic

The coronavirus has put a definite strain on moving during the pandemic because of how social distancing makes everything more complicated. In many cases, moves can’t wait. How does someone move during a pandemic? First, people might be wondering if they can even find moving services.

Real Estate 101: How to Complete a Successful Real Estate Transaction

Purchasing property can be a massive headache when going in without an agent or lacking an understanding of the process. One missed step or unsigned document can result in a detrimental loss of both time and money. Here is what to expect during a real estate transaction and how to complete one successfully.

Real Estate and Recessions

COVID-19 has caused big changes to the economy in a very short time span. It’s likely that many small businesses won’t survive this pandemic. Some have already folded. Even larger organizations are feeling the impact of this situation. Millions of people have been laid off or furloughed. Airlines are seeking bailouts from governments. There are record unemployment filings. What might all of this economic change mean for the real estate market going forward?

Why do Housing Market Bubbles Pop?

Most people think of investment in real estate as a sound investment where they don’t have to worry that their home value could decrease, but it does happen in cases where a housing bubble bursts. When this happens, home values fall out of the sky.

Real Estate 101: When to Sell Your Home

While we’re seeing a seller’s market right now and that can make it easier for you to get a good price for your home, there are other factors to consider as well. While the market may be ideal, selling when you’re not quite ready can have adverse effects on your financial situation. Below, there are a few factors that can help you determine if you’re in the right position to sell.

What is Virtual Volunteering

What better time to consider virtual volunteering than now? Many people are isolated in their homes as they wait out COVID-19. While some are working from home, others have nothing productive to do. However, there are still many who need help. So what can be done? It turns out this is an excellent time to reach out to those who are suffering.

Sustainable Construction in the 21st Century

Amid concerns about climate change, consumers and companies alike have begun to look for ways to be more environmentally friendly. Enter eco-friendly construction.

The Advantages of LEED Certification

LEED certification is one of the most talked about designations for buildings in the US. However, not many people know what it’s all about. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This program was set up by the U.S. Green Building Council during the 1990s. Basically, LEED is a rating system designed to tell people how efficient and sustainable buildings are. It measures criteria like energy usage, air quality, type of materials used and proximity to public transit.

Real Estate 101: How to Find the Right Real Estate Agent

Whether you’re buying or selling a house, the quality of the real estate agent with whom you work will affect your experience. While knowing how to hire the right agent may seem daunting, there are a few things you can do to help you choose the better professional. A few suggestions are listed below.

3 Ways Philanthropy is Changing in the New Millennia

At one time, philanthropy was generally a practice only available to the uber-wealthy. Philanthropy generally involved the building of arts or medical buildings or the creation of parks or other public spaces. Today, however, philanthropy is happening more at all income levels and in a new range of ways. Modern-day philanthropists also demand far more for their dollars. Here are three ways philanthropy has evolved in the last few decades and where it is headed.

How to Host a Successful Charity Event

In order to create a successful charitable event, you need to focus on two separate goals. The first goal is making sure that your guests show up. The second goal is maximizing your profits. Here are a few tips to ensure that you reach both goals so your event is an overwhelming success:

How to Talk to Donors About Where Their Money Goes

There are lots of different philosophies about fundraising. One of the most common centers on transparency. In recent years, many donors have become more savvy about asking where their money goes. With the rise of tools like Charity Navigator, they’re ever more able to see where donations to an organization go. Of course, there’s nothing quite like a personal touch. It’s a good idea for charities to be ready to explain the breakdown of program expenses and how they compare to the charitable work that’s getting done.

How to Build a Real Estate Portfolio

Successful investors in any investment field know the importance of building a portfolio. Having diversified investments ensures that the failure of one particular area of the economy doesn’t wipe out everything you’ve worked so hard to build as well as building your resume and establishing your personal record of success as an investor. That becomes exponentially more important as you begin to wade into bigger investment deals that may require you to convince others to work alongside you. Here are some tips on building a successful real estate investment portfolio.

How do Smart Home Technologies Impact Real Estate

Smart home technology is constantly delivering new, better, easier ways to manage different parts of single family and multi-family living. Whether it’s managing thermostats for a home or handling access to lobbies and common areas, the Internet of Things (IoT) has no shortage of tools to make life easier. For real estate investors and managers, this means better amenities for robust portfolios.

Real Estate Trends to Watch in 2020

Being successful in real estate is all about knowing the trends. Whether you’re a real estate investor, looking to sell your home, or planning on buying a home this year, coming out on the good end of the deal hinges on finding a way to be ahead of the trends. Here’s a look at some of the trends that are expected to dominate the real estate market in 2020.

Millennials & The Housing Market in 2020

In 2020 the housing market is likely to receive a huge boost from Millennials purchasing their first homes. This real estate boom is likely to be propelled by a decrease in interest rates and the stability of home prices. However, this growth in the number of new homeowners may be thwarted by the lack of starter homes currently available on the market.

Real Estate 101: 3 Ways to Finance Your Home Renovation

A home renovation can do everything from updating the look of your home, increase the usable space in your home or even increase the value of your home. That being said, home renovations can be costly, running anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars depending on how extensive the renovations will be. Here are three ways to finance your home remodel.

Top Fundraising Trends in 2020

Fundraising trends have been rising over the past few years. At the top of 2020, the industry has found itself experiencing important changes, which will continue to develop as the year continues. Because the development and resource advancement field is forever changing, fundraising trends serve as essential staples that will affect the success of nonprofit organizations.

Real Estate Trends That Will Shape the Market Going into 2020

There are many opportunities to invest in real estate this year and that trend is expected to continue in 2020. Although there have been discussions about a looming recession, the vast majority of economists anticipate that the real estate trends detailed below will continue to progress.

How Can Non Profits Use Social Media

The goal of every not for profit organization is to raise funds for a specific cause with as little overhead costs as possible. Although this may be an oversimplification, the premise is accurate. Nonprofits typically work toward a single common goal and want to be diligent in their approach to spending. 

The challenge is that each non-profit fundraising effort require an amount of marketing and advertising in order to be successful. Some printing companies and media outlets will offer reduced prices for non-profit agencies, which helps defray costs associated with raising awareness. Social media platforms offer unique ways for nonprofits to maximize their public exposure.

Technology and the Impact on the Future of Commercial Real Estate

The current landscape of commercial real estate is defined by a handful of key technologies. The first of these is the cloud, the second is mobility, and the third is digitalization. As the use of technology by real estate agents and firms continues to evolve, the need for experienced developers, companies, and investors in the field will only intensify. Here are 4 ways technology will impact the future of commercial real estate:

How Flex Spaces are Changing Commercial Real Estate

There are always stories about how businesses get started in someone’s garage, basement or apartment, but you don’t always hear about the length of time or the specifics of what it took for them to rent their first office space. For a long time, this process usually took a huge financial commitment on the part of a business owner from having to agree to rent out space for years, and in many cases needing a large immediate investment. But things have started to change now with co-working and flex office spaces taking over the landscape, especially in large cities. Why is this?

Real Estate 101: Property Values

A property’s value might seem fairly fixed, but the reality is that value for real estate can move around a lot. A home’s value is simply whatever anyone will pay for it, so a home’s price can vary by hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of just a few years. Here are some techniques the experts use to determine the property value of a home.

Home Design Trends That Have Ran Their Course

As the decade comes to a close, certain home decor trends are starting to look dated. Though these trends were very popular for years, overuse means that many people are starting to get tired of them. Homeowners looking to keep their home trendy for as long as possible should avoid heavily investing in these trends.

How is New Urbanism Changing the Real Estate Landscape?

A new vision is emerging for urban planning to create more walkable and people-friendly communities. This concept, known as “New Urbanism,” is spreading across American cities. Here’s a look at how this growing trend is affecting the real estate industry.

The Most Gentrified Cities in the United States

At a time when the economy is booming, real estate markets across the country are seemingly going into overdrive as wealthy investors and developers snap up properties in fashionable cities across America. It may be a golden age for wealthy US residents, but the current boom cycle in American real estate circles has left many minority families out in the cold. Here are just a few cities where gentrification has become a serious issue, and why mass movements out of big cities have become a very real problem for many minority families.

5 Ways to Get Your Business Involved During the Upcoming Holiday Season

The holiday season is often characterized by hosts of activities, among which include holding social and charity events. As a business, it is an important opportunity that you can utilize to help make a difference in the society. Volunteering your efforts and time, as well as making some donations to go towards charity projects, can help touch people’s lives. There are a variety of different ways on how your business can contribute its time and resources this holiday season.

Real Estate 101: Understanding Property Taxes

Property taxes are annual taxes that are assessed by the government based on the value of the property being taxed. Nearly every property on the planet requires the owner to pay a property tax to their respective governmental agencies. In the United States, Louisiana and Hawaii rank as the two greatest states for property taxes, because their property taxes amount to less than .3% of the property’s value. New Jersey and New Hampshire rank as two of the worst property tax states, because their taxes cost nearly 2% of a property’s assessed value. Some states, like Florida, offer discounts to owners who pay their property taxes within a certain time range.

Purchasing Real Estate With Cryptocurrency

Gone are the days of cryptocurrencies being a fringe commodity. Today, the market is full of opportunities for cryptocurrency spending and there’s an ever-growing roster of cryptocurrencies available themselves. Soon, it will even be possible to purchase property with cryptocurrency.

What Influences the Value of a Home?

For many people who are considering selling or purchasing a home, the question of how much a house will likely fetch in a particular market is an important and often confusing issue. Here are just a few key ways that a home’s value is determined, and why these factors matter so much in 2019.

Millennial Homebuyers & Their Effect on the Real Estate Industry

Millennials now make up a majority of the population. Because of this shift, the real estate industry is beginning to feel the effects of millennial home buying habits and trends. As more millennials pay off student debt and grow in their professional fields, more millennials will emerge in the real estate market, looking to rent or buy property. To accommodate for this gradual shift, those in the real estate industry must take a look at how millennials approach the home buying process.

The Impact of E-Commerce on Commercial Real Estate

Commercial real estate is understandably influenced by consumer habits. Because many shoppers today prefer online shopping, brick-and-mortar establishments have been forced to alter their tactics in order to stay in business. Because of e-commerce, commercial real estate is shifting so as to drive traffic and attract customers. However, these efforts are not always successful, and commercial real estate owners must adapt accordingly.

Real Estate 101: The 4 Types of Real Estate

For those looking to invest in real estate or simply learn more about the industry, understanding the four basic classifications will prove to be useful. Each type of real estate serves a function, and while properties can be rezoned to suit different types, there are a number of factors that contribute to the initial classification.

5 Reasons Your Business Should be Involved in Charity

Corporate philanthropy is an increasingly adopted trend among many small and large businesses. Investing in organization-based charity projects gives businesses an opportunity to enjoy numerous benefits. Businesses have a chance to establish their philanthropy or even partner with existing charity foundations to channel aid to a specific cause. In doing so, businesses get to enjoy multiple benefits, ranging from boosting return on investment to gaining more market exposure.

The Importance Of Organization Involvement In A Community

One of the best benefits of owning your own business is being able to be involved in your community. Creating great corporate social responsibility (CSR) allows your organization’s employees to become actively involved in the community. Not only does this get them out of the office and doing different things, but it also helps drive overall employee engagement at your organization.

Real Estate 101: Types Of Investment Properties

Real estate is one of the most popular investments a person can purchase. New investors tend to think there are only a few types of properties they can invest in, but the real estate industry offers investors a variety of properties to sink their money into. While each of these properties has its benefits and disadvantages, you will want to do your research before investing.

Real Estate 101: How To Invest In Real Estate

Real estate is more than just purchasing the house you are going to live in for the next 5 – 10 years. If done correctly, investing in real estate can be very lucrative for some people. While it’s one way to increase your additional income, it can also add diversity to your investment portfolio. Investing in real estate can be a major commitment for some, and it is important to know what types of investments you can get involved in before jumping into the game!

Real Estate Trends 2019

The real estate market is always in flux. In 2018 the market took off quickly but quickly cooled off halfway through the year. Even with the slow market, plenty of individuals bought property last year. But what does that mean for 2019? Will the housing market thrive in the current economic climate? Whether you plan to buy or sell this year, here are some of the current trends shaping the real estate market in 2019.

How is Technology Changing the Real Estate Industry?

There are few industries or sectors that are not being rapidly transformed by technology and real estate is no exception. From smart homes to smart contracts, drastic changes are taking place in real estate. This is making it easier, faster and cheaper to buy and sell properties, which is also putting home ownership and even real estate investment within the grasp of more and more Americans.

3 Ways the Recession Changed the Real Estate Industry

Few adults have forgotten the fiscal horror of the subprime mortgage crisis and the resulting economic recession. While most of the country has rebounded, there are still a few areas that are actually still struggling to regain pre-recession conditions. The recession itself, as well as a number of laws and policies regarding how mortgages are handled have also had a direct impact on the real estate industry.

Real Estate 101: How to Invest in Single Family Real Estate

While there are risks with any type of investing, choosing to invest in residential real estate may offer the lowest risks. As long as you do your research on each property, and on the market in your area, there’s no reason you can’t turn a profit on these types of investments. To get you started, here are a few things you should know about residential real estate.

3 TED Talks for Non Profits

Education is the pinnacle of any successful endeavor. Whether you are a child learning how to run a lemonade stand or an adult looking to learn self-defense, you need to find the best teachers and resources you can to acquire and refine the skills you need to succeed. Ted Talks are incredible 10-30 minute lectures which are designed not only teach you the principles of success but also to share in the stories of how those who have “made it” got there.

What Happens After Gentrification?

In the traditional context of the English language, the word gentry had a very specific definition. It referred to a landowner who did not have to work the land for his income. The word has a connotation of wealth. In urban studies, the gentrification of a neighborhood tends to indicate the influx of wealth into a formerly poor or working-class area.

Trends in Commercial Real Estate

Commercial real estate has been booming for the past several years. In fact, 2018 was a great year for the commercial real estate business. During 2018, a number of interesting trends took off. Many of these are expected to continue through the end of 2019.

Real Estate 101: How to Apply for a Mortgage

Owning a home is still widely considered a major sign of having achieved the American Dream. Those who fell underwater on real estate during the market crash of 2008 and 2009 felt it was more of a nightmare. There have been changes in the mortgage market since the collapse of housing, but it is still possible for many Americans to get a loan for a home.

For Profit vs. Non Profit

When it comes to businesses and organizations, “nonprofit” is a word that gets thrown around a lot. Though people generally use it to describe some sort of charitable institution, few are truly aware of what this phrase means. There are some distinct differences between profit and nonprofit businesses that go far beyond their basic profit goals. These two types of organizations are different in the following ways.

Industrial Real Estate Types

Industrial properties are not as glamorous as other types of real estate investments. With the rise of the digital era, more companies are now shifting their focus to building an online presence. However, this does not spell the end of the industrial space. In fact, many of the most dominant online companies’ still need storage and distribution centers. Here is a quick look at the most common types of industrial properties.

Real Estate 101: How to Refinance Your Mortgage

For many homeowners, refinancing a mortgage can be confusing. There are a number of reasons someone might want to look into a home refinance. First, however, it is important to understand the refinancing process and weigh the pros and cons regardless of what the intention may be.

Real Estate 101: Does a Home Renovation Add Value?

Generally, homes do depreciate with time as a result of market trends and exposure to general environmental forces. Homeowners must undertake home renovation as a constant practice to help boost or at least retain the value of a house. There exist a wide range of opportunities and areas that can be focused on when undertaking such house renovations.

How to Write off Charitable Donations

Charitable giving has weathered more than its fair share of ups and downs over the past several years. Anticipated changes in tax laws continue to hold the attention of the philanthropic world. While the volume and dollar amount of smaller donations has declined slightly, larger donations have increased as many Americans seek to leverage more of their charitable giving into tax write-offs. However, donating to a charity or nonprofit organization does not automatically guarantee a tax deduction.

The 5 Causes of Urban Sprawl

For anyone that is unfamiliar with the term urban sprawl, it refers to the gradual urbanization of otherwise undeveloped or rural land space. Urban sprawl can be any type of urbanization such as low-density residential development, high-density residential development, or commercial development. It can even mean infrastructural development, such as roads, power lines, water processing facilities, and other core urban structures spreading into rural lands. Regardless of the specific type of urban sprawl, the one constant factor is that human civilization has been creating urbanization since the end of hunter-gather societies.

Real Estate 101: How to Invest in Commercial Real Estate

The real estate industry is one of the lucrative investment opportunities for any aspiring entrepreneur. Investing in commercial real estate properties, however, requires sufficient research and due diligence. Despite the lucrative returns in the industry, it is quite easy to fail substantially, given the multiple pitfalls in commercial real estate investment. Gaining as much information and knowledge as possible relating to real estate investments is the first crucial step to take.

Real Estate 101: How to Create a Smart Home

Smart homes are growing in both popularity and feasibility as technology becomes more widespread. Operating through a central hub or Wi-Fi network, smart home features streamline tasks such as controlling lighting, regulating temperature and managing security devices. However, implementing these features can be expensive and exhausting without the right tools. The following five simple steps can help you create a stress-free smart home.

The Top 5 Non-Monetary Donations Accepted by Reputable Charities

There are many people out there that would love to help out a charity but do not possess any disposable income to offer up a donation. Thankfully, many reputable charities around the world accept non-monetary donations that can take on many forms. Some charities prefer people to donate their time, rather than money. Other charities gladly accept donations in the form of canned food products, used clothing, used electronics, and unused toys for needy children. Donating money to a charity is the easiest form of philanthropic activity, however, it is far from being the most preferred charitable donation.

How is Climate Change Affecting the Real Estate Industry

The shifting climate patterns and changes in weather conditions, as brought about by climate change, are largely affecting many aspects of our lives. The real estate industry is expected to feel the rippling effect of various the various impacts of climate change, such as excessive rain.

Real Estate 101: Second Mortgage Tips

Second mortgages are loans that let homeowners borrow money using the equity in their homes. Most lenders offer two types of second mortgages: home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. Each loan has its own benefits and drawbacks, so homeowners must understand how they work before taking on additional debt.

5 Ways to Get Involved in Your Community

In the modern-day society, investing your time to bond with a community is a highly encouraged practice that helps to foster excellent relations. Becoming part of a community inspires social bonding, collective responsibility, and accountability. Depending on the avenue of communal engagement, you can even help make the community better.

Getting Your Kids Involved in Charitable Giving

One of the greatest lessons a child can learn is gratitude. It’s not an innate trait but something that can be developed over time. By teaching kids how they can make a difference, they will build empathy as well as develop other essential skills