Foreign buyers set to enjoy savings due to weaker U.S. dollar According to international property consultancy Knight Frank, the shift to lower interest rates is expected to boost activity, with prime housing markets across the U.S. poised to benefit ahead of the broader housing market recovery. Although cash buyers are more prevalent, high borrowing costs have dampened activity in luxury markets as well....

eXp Realty continues to add agents and teams at a fast clip. The company announced the addition of the Maine-based Realty ONE Group, a 36-agent team that has closed 338 transactions totaling $128 million in sales volume so far this year. The team is led by Steven Brackett, who has been part of Realty One Group for six years. According to eXp, the group specializes in residential real estate,...

Guaranteed Rate Affinity announced a promotion on Tuesday as the joint venture company named 22-year industry veteran Mark Rawls as vice president of mortgage lending. Rawls is the latest addition to a leadership team of seven executives at the developing company. Guaranteed Rate Affinity was formed in 2017 through a partnership between Rate, formerly branded as Guaranteed Rate, and Anywhere Real...

Reverse mortgage educators Dan Hultquist and Jim McMinn brought their “Rules of the Game” presentation back to the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) Annual Meeting and Expo this year in San Diego. After getting some of the preliminaries out of the way regarding the importance of focused information, they drilled deeper into certain topics related to reverse mortgage product...

The third-quarter financials for Pennymac Financial Services illustrate the double-edged sword of declining interest rates for mortgage companies. It can improve loan production and acquisitions but hurt their servicing portfolios. When factoring both impacts on its earnings, the California-based lender delivered a profit of $69.4 million from July to September. That was less than its $98 million profit...

A new study from Morningstar focused on U.S. retirement readiness illustrates that while there has been some improvement over time, general retirement preparedness is lacking. Using data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, Morningstar researchers analyzed data from 3,442 households before projecting 1,000 possible “life paths” for each of them. The company used savings rates,...

Whether you opt for real pumpkins or faux gourds, these decor ideas will give your space the perfect autumn upgrade. Kim Cornelison Pumpkins are a surefire way to set a fall scene, but they're not just limited to your front porch! There’s no wrong way to decorate with pumpkins—and you can do so indoors or out. Give your porch a festive grouping of pumpkins, or line your fall mantel with a...

This no-brainer technique will help you stay organized and save money. Learn how to use it in your everyday life with these tips. Anthony Masterson Photography If your household could benefit from a little more structure, the FIFO method of organizing just might be the answer. The strategy has long been used in the corporate world—particularly in inventory management and food service—but as a...

These easy-to-grow types of bulbs to plant in fall will fill your garden with colorful spring flowers. Bob Stefko Spring-blooming bulbs ready for planting may not look like much, but after you tuck them in the ground in fall, these bulbs will burst into dazzling bloom in spring. Thanks to the diverse nature of this huge plant group, there is a bulb for nearly every need. Looking for something that...

These autumn aromas will turn your home into a sanctuary. Walmart Perhaps the best part of fall is the enticing scents, whether you prefer the aroma of fall leaves, crisp apples, or everything pumpkin-scented (and flavored). The Better Homes & Gardens collection of fragrances at Walmart has home accents that will enhance your fall decor through Thanksgiving, including an appropriately spooky...