Current California law requires the listing of the company name AND responsible broker’s license number on all team advertising materials, which was not the intent of legislators when they originally Read more...
Current California law requires the listing of the company name AND responsible broker’s license number on all team advertising materials, which was not the intent of legislators when they originally wrote the law. If you are thinking about taking real estate classes in Los Angeles and joining a real estate team continue reading.
Enter Senate Bill 710, which changes the requirement from both the “name under which the responsible broker is currently licensed by the bureau” AND the associated license identification number, to the name of the broker OR that name and the license identification number.
Those wishing to refrain from listing the broker’s identification number on advertising materials may now do so but must still include the name of the broker at a minimum. Again, this law is effective immediately.
Even still, it is important that real estate professionals follow the law and make all necessary disclosures. For any further information, the text of the legislation can be found here, or contact the author of this piece at cody@adhischools.com for any questions or clarifications.
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Your intuition can probably tell you that married couples are the largest home-buying demographic. It makes sense: between family and financial goals and the purchasing power of two people, married couples Read more...
Your intuition can probably tell you that married couples are the largest home-buying demographic. It makes sense: between family and financial goals and the purchasing power of two people, married couples have both the incentive and the means to purchase real estate. But married couples aren’t the only buyers. Single women make up the second largest buying demographic, ahead of single men and unmarried couples.
According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2016 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends report, 15% of recent buyers were single women. This number may not appear to be that large to some readers, but considering 67% of buyers were married couples and the next largest buyer demographic—single males—only accounted for 9% of buyers, it is quite evident that single women make up a huge part of the home buying population.
The highest percentage of single female buyers falls in the 51-60 year-old age range, where they actually make up 20% of buyers. 19% of buyers aged 61 to 69 are single females. Thus this single female buyer demographic is on average a bit older than the typical buyer. This is not to suggest, however, that younger single women are not also buying homes—they make up 13% of buyers in both the under-35 and 36-50 age groups.
There are a few other statistics to keep in mind to contextualize what we know now:
First time home buyers made up 32% of buyers
The typical buyer was 44 years old—younger than the average single female buyer
77% of sellers were married couples—singles and unmarried couples thus account for the other 23% of sellers
So what’s the takeaway for real estate professionals? How does this impact your business? We encourage you to keep an open mind as you take our real estate classes and forget any preconceived notions about who the average buyer is. Married couples might make up the majority of buyers, but there are other demographics—most notably single women—that are also active.
Think about ways to expand your network to better utilize this knowledge. You know your niche, ask yourself how to better utilize it. Share this information and find those people willing to dive into real estate.
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For those of you taking our Los Angeles real estate school, you might already know that the iconic Playboy Mansion has recently been sold for a staggering $100 million, half the original asking price, Read more...
For those of you taking our Los Angeles real estate school, you might already know that the iconic Playboy Mansion has recently been sold for a staggering $100 million, half the original asking price, to Daren Metropoulos—son of billionaire investor C. Dean Metropoulos. But Hugh Hefner won’t leave just yet—the 90-year-old will pay $1 million per year to continue residing at the estate and has the right to do so until he passes away.
We’ve all seen photos and heard stories of the property, but what else should we know? The iconic Gothic Tudor was built in 1927, considered one of the greatest works of famed architect Arthur R. Kelly. The house is approximately 20,000 square feet with twelve bedrooms (including the two-floor master suite), chef’s and catering kitchens, and a screening room with a built-in pipe organ. The grounds also house a gym, a tennis court, an orchard, a four-bedroom guest house, and the famous—or infamous—pool and grotto. All together the estate is five acres of prime west Los Angeles real estate.
So what are Metropoulos’ plans for the property? Well, he already lives next door and his long term plans are to merge the two estates into one larger property. He views it as his “private residence for years to come”. Metropoulos has described the Playboy Mansion as a “one-of-a-kind piece of history and art” that he intends to renovate and restore.
The deal itself? Mauricio Umansky of The Agency, many of our students work there already - with Gary Gold and Drew Fenton of Hilton & Hyland were the agents to hold the listing. Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage represented Metropoulos. Is this type of success enough motivation to work harder as a real estate agent and get your real estate license in California? We think so! =)
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Earlier this morning the California Association of Realtors sent out a “red alert” regarding Assembly Bill 1381. The frenzy was caused by a last minute change that would exempt some outdoor advertising Read more...
Earlier this morning the California Association of Realtors sent out a “red alert” regarding Assembly Bill 1381. The frenzy was caused by a last minute change that would exempt some outdoor advertising companies from needing a real estate license. This could harm many Realtor’s businesses as this is an area of specialization for some.
If this bill were to pass, two problems are created:
First, while real estate licensees have a fiduciary duty toward their client, it isn’t immediately clear whether or not these outdoor advertising companies would have the same duty to the landowner or advertiser.
Another potential pitfall is this bill could have the effect of reducing a revenue stream for Realtors by allowing those negotiating outdoor advertising space to act in that capacity without a license.
The California Association of Realtors and ADHI Schools, LLC are opposed to this or any legislation that would allow companies or individuals to act in a real estate license capacity without a license.
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Homelessness is a serious problem. Despite efforts to curb it—from government housing programs to charitable organizations and shelters—it persists. A recent federal House bill (with bipartisan cosponsorship) Read more...
Homelessness is a serious problem. Despite efforts to curb it—from government housing programs to charitable organizations and shelters—it persists. A recent federal House bill (with bipartisan cosponsorship) has been written that aims to help homeless and formerly homeless students and student veterans attain housing.
H.R. 5290 would amend the Internal Revenue Code to “qualify low-income building units that provide housing for homeless students and veterans who are full-time students for the low-income housing tax credit.” The full-time student must have been a homeless child or youth during any portion of the seven years prior to occupation of the housing unit in order to be eligible. Veterans are eligible if they have been homeless at any point in the previous five years and are full-time students.
So what is the low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) and how would this bill impact affordable housing? The LIHTC frees up funding for the development costs of low-income housing. Investors receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit that directly lowers owed income tax. These investors propose a project to the state housing finance agency. A certain percentage of units in the development are committed to being both rent restricted and occupied by individuals under a certain income threshold compared to the median gross income in the area.
This commitment includes a number of years (typically 30) that the rent restrictions and availability will exist, meaning that landlords cannot take advantage of a tax credit, then remove rent restrictions. The specific scenarios are outlined here. These projects can be new construction or acquisition and/or rehabilitation of existing housing developments. Once the state housing finance agency approves the project, the credits are claimed over a ten year period.
To summarize: a landlord-investor set aside a certain number of units that have lowered rent to be made available to renters with low income. H.R. 5290 would automatically qualify students that were homeless children or youths within the last seven years and veterans that have been homeless within the last five years as eligible tenants for the rent-restricted units.
If H.R. 5290 is passed and signed into law there would be more incentive for landlords and developers to subsidize housing for formerly homeless veterans and youths while they are in college. This makes it easier for those who have escaped homelessness to stay out—a very real problem, especially in more expensive areas of the country. It is difficult to succeed in higher education while earning enough money to support oneself. It also provides a pathway out for those currently homeless. If they can become a full-time student, they can gain access to cheaper housing.
Will it pass? No way to tell yet, but bipartisan cosponsorship is always a good sign. In an increasingly divided legislature and an election year, cooperation is not something we hear about too often. Because this bill has Democratic and Republican support it may have a better chance of being passed. But the Senate is not currently in session, so any movement by the House will not be matched in the Senate until at least September. We will be certain to keep our readers updated as this legislation progresses or falters.
For questions about the legislation, programs described, or other real estate topics feel free to reach out to the author at cody@adhischools.com. If you feel strongly one way or another about this proposed legislation, we encourage you to contact your elected representatives. Anyone looking to obtain their real estate license needs to keep an eye on these important legislative updates.
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Sellers marketing their homes are often concerned about what goes on inside their house when they’re not there. This has led to the installation of surveillance equipment in many homes for sale. Maybe Read more...
Sellers marketing their homes are often concerned about what goes on inside their house when they’re not there. This has led to the installation of surveillance equipment in many homes for sale. Maybe the seller has a security concern: who is coming into my home and what are they doing? Are they stealing? Or maybe their interests are purely professional. What are potential buyers saying about my new floors? Is my agent working hard for me? Regardless of the motive, this is something real estate professionals must be aware of, particularly when the seller is not present.
These days it’s easy for a homeowner to keep their home under surveillance and find out what’s happening in their absence. From openly visible security cameras to so-called “nanny cams” (hidden cameras designed to innocuously keep an eye on caretakers that are often adopted for other purposes), there are lots of ways to keep watch.
You may be asking, is this legal? The answer is yes, for video recording - more on audio in a moment. Unless a person being recorded is somewhere they can reasonably expect privacy (e.g. a bathroom, changing room, etc.), video surveillance is legal. Considering a real estate agent is inside of someone else’s home, it is unlikely that court proceedings would determine that they could have reasonably expected privacy in the event they are recorded.
If you are listing agent and see cameras, you need to get on the same page as the seller if at all possible. Ask if the cameras are on when you are showing the home and what the purpose is. You will probably be asked about the cameras by potential buyers and agents and you should be prepared for that question.
It’s also possible that you may not know about the presence of cameras in your listings, particularly if they are hidden. If you feel comfortable asking the question, you could simply ask your seller if any recording equipment is in the property. These days, it’s probably safest to assume that cameras exist inside the home. While this should not affect what you do on the property (as you should already have been following all legal and ethical requirements that coincide with holding a real estate license), a mindful outlook on the situation may prevent professional issues with your clients.
Audio recordings are another legal issue. Depending on the state it is illegal to record a conversation without the consent of all recorded parties. In California, the legal standard is that “confidential communication” cannot be recorded without two-party consent. “Confidential communication” is defined as any communication in circumstances as may “reasonably indicate that any party to the communication desires it to be confined to the parties thereto”, as long as the communication is not made in a “public gathering”, “in any legislative, judicial, executive or administrative proceeding open to the public”, or “in any other circumstance in which the parties to the communication may reasonably expect that the communication may be overheard or recorded”. This leaves a significant loophole. How do you define a reasonable expectation to be overheard?
According to the law offices of Stimmel, Stimmel, & Smith, answering this question will be left to the proceedings of each trial (and thus either the jury or judges). It is quite possible that a recording in someone’s home would not be considered a violation of privacy because the recorded persons are on someone else’s property, but there is not a guarantee. Real estate agents are invited into a home for business purposes and conversations are part of that standard business practice. It is entirely possible that a judge and jury would rule that privacy should not be expected.
Does all of this sound paranoid? Consider a few cases where that surveillance revealed some unpleasant facts. In 2013 an agent was caught stealing underwear from his female client. In 2014 two real estate agents were caught having sex on secret cameras in the home one of them was listing. And just last year a real estate agent was caught stealing prescription pain medication from a house she was showing. Obviously these happenings are rare, but it does prove that some homeowners had good reason to be suspicious.
So for our students preparing for the California real estate exam, know that obtaining a license is not an endorsement of character. Some sellers will be skeptical or nervous about the prospect of letting strangers into their home and real estate professionals should be prepared for how those clients try to protect themselves.
Do you have any experiences with recording equipment in a listed property? Comment below! As always, feel free to reach out to the writer, cody@adhischools.com , if you have any questions.
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With much of the Western United States experiencing extended droughts, some homeowners are turning to alternative landscaping methods to save resources.
Recently REALTOR® Magazine1 (pg 34-35) wrote Read more...
With much of the Western United States experiencing extended droughts, some homeowners are turning to alternative landscaping methods to save resources.
Recently REALTOR® Magazine1 (pg 34-35) wrote about owners who are “rethinking the traditional American landscape” by moving toward yards that require less water and maintenance. The “desert landscaping” method, popular in much of the Southwest, is probably what comes to mind when picturing drought-resistant landscaping, but depending upon your locale there are other options to save water without compromising the aesthetics of a property.
Besides aesthetics, cost can be a deterrent when re-landscaping. It takes money to tear out a lawn, buy new plants, or truck in gravel. While these upfront costs are cause for legitimate concern, a move towards drought-resistant landscaping has the potential to save a homeowner money over time. The overall savings will depend on water prices in a given area, but expert estimates claim up to 75% less water is needed and maintenance bills could be lowered by 50% in Southern California when desert landscaping is implemented.
It would be wise to investigate rebate opportunities from your city or county water authority in your area to help offset the upfront cost. There are opportunities throughout the western United States for rebates for everything from removing grass lawns and installing more efficient watering and irrigation systems to more general rebates for conversion to a drought-tolerant landscape. With hundreds of dollars in rebates oftentimes available, the investment can be manageable.
Houses with great curb appeal are easier to sell and it is never too soon to plan ahead. While the traditional, perfectly green yard will likely never go out of style, trends in design can impact prices. Landscape economist John Harris states that good landscaping can add up to 28% to home value. A Clemson University study says that taking landscaping from good to excellent “in terms of design, condition, and placement” can add 6-7% to a home’s value.
These statistics show that execution and design are important. If you choose to move away from a more traditional landscape design, but do it poorly, you may miss out on the opportunity for increased value or worse – even see your property value lowered. Choose the right layout, plants, and accessories, from gravel to a suitable gate to the backyard or courtyard. Seek professional landscaping help or gather the opinions of those you trust about what works. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also publishes information on “hardiness zones” that help people understand which plants can survive in which conditions. Remember, if your landscaping is already good, making it “excellent” could add 6-7% in value.
Some owners resist the thought of a drought resistant yard because they fear that their children won’t be able to play as much. One option is to maintain a lawn in the backyard for room to play, while the landscaping for the rest of the property reflects alternative design. Some choose to pursue this goal with artificial turf in the place of a genuine grass. The distance to a good, safe park can also be a factor here. A nearby park can reduce the amount of green space you personally need and many newer developments are built with parks in the neighborhood.
So if you’re a homeowner, consider a more efficient yard. It might just improve your curb appeal and the value of your home while saving you money on water and maintenance. Whether you’re taking real estate classes in Los Angeles or preparing for the real estate exam in California, make sure you know how to talk to your clients about landscaping. It may not be your job to convince them that alternative landscaping design is right for them, but it is your job to make sure they understand the reasons behind these designs and the community resources that may make up for lost green space.
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As we predicted on July 20th, H.R. 3700/ S. 3083, the bipartisan housing legislation that passed through Congress without receiving a single “no” vote, was signed into law by President Obama on Friday, Read more...
As we predicted on July 20th, H.R. 3700/ S. 3083, the bipartisan housing legislation that passed through Congress without receiving a single “no” vote, was signed into law by President Obama on Friday, July 29th.
The new law will reform HUD’s Section 8 housing voucher program (and any other family rental assistance programs) by requiring public housing agencies (PHAs) to develop new systems to properly review the incomes of families receiving assistance, to cease assisting families with assets exceeding $100,000, and a cap on project-based vouchers (those vouchers tied to the unit, not the tenant).
The FHA mortgage insurance eligibility requirements have also been changed. The FHA has now been instructed to make recertification of eligible condominiums less burdensome and to lower the required percentage of units occupied by owners in a development from 50% to 35% in order to qualify.
Loan approval authority for the USDA Rural Housing Service’s single family housing guaranteed loan program will now be made available to preferred lenders, streamlining this program.
As noted earlier, we predicted that this legislation would pass due to its broad bipartisan support and common sense reforms to important government policies and programs. We supported the legislation, as did the National Association of REALTORS®, California Association of REALTORS®, California Association of Mortgage Professionals, and other professional organizations. The reforms to FHA condominium approval processes are particularly promising and have the opportunity to open up more affordable housing opportunities for Americans while incentivizing the development of more housing, something we desperately need.
The full text (with summary) of the law can be found here. Or view our previous article summarizing some of the key impacts. For any questions or comments, reply below or reach out to the writer at cody@adhischools.com
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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, owner-occupied households fell to 62.9% of total households in the second quarter of 2016, the lowest rate of homeownership in the U.S. since 1965. This statistic raises Read more...
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, owner-occupied households fell to 62.9% of total households in the second quarter of 2016, the lowest rate of homeownership in the U.S. since 1965. This statistic raises concerns about the future of home ownership and housing affordability in the United States.
Before potential causes of this decline are assessed, the numbers must be put in historical context. Census Bureau statistics show that after a low point in 1965, the homeownership rate climbed (fairly consistently, but with many small dips) to a peak from 1979 through 1981, fluctuating between 65.5 and 65.8%. A dip followed and the 1980s and first quarter of the 1990s consistently had lower homeownership rates than the 1970s. A brief climb occurred before a dip to 63.8% homeownership in the first two quarters of 1994 (a very low point over the last 50 years). Yet from that low point there was a near continuous climb to the peak: 2004, when Q2 and Q4 hit 69.2% owner-occupied households. The next few years displayed rates near the peak, before the drop in 2007. Since 2007 there has been near continuous decline, with only a handful of tiny upward movements as the last nine years mirrored the upward climb of the 90s and 2000s.
The under-35 years old and 35-44 years old demographics are the two that are below the national homeownership rate, pulling the rate down. As of the second quarter of 2016, only 34.1% of under 35 households are owner-occupied, the lowest that number has been since 1994 (the most recent historically bad year). Only 58.3% of 35-44 households are owner-occupied. 45-54 years old is at 69.1%, 55-64 years old is at 74.7%, and 65+ is at 77.9%, proving that older, more established adults are much more likely to own their housing.
The high cost of housing has led to more renting. When a Housing Affordability Index is examined the home ownership rate makes a little bit more sense. According to the California Association of REALTORS®, through the first quarter of 2016 only 60% of U.S. households can afford to purchase the median priced home in the state, a number that shows that our owner-occupied rate could feasibly be even lower. Some states, like California, have significantly lower ratings (in California only 34% of households could afford a single family home and only 41% could afford a condo or townhouse).
Meanwhile, the rental market is very strong. Renter-occupied housing units jumped 967,000 units from same period last year. The Wall Street Journal states that “moving into a rental unit has been entirely responsible for rising household formation since the recession began”. While home ownership is down, renting is up and is the sector where more new households are represented. Ralph McLaughlin, chief economist at Trulia, agrees with this assertion and adds that the decline in home ownership is more likely “due to a large increase in the number of renter households than any real decline in the number of homeowner households”.
That means that in this last quarter we didn't see a drop in the gross number of owner-occupied housing units, we saw an increase in rental housing. That is a very significant fact that should calm those that fear this is currently a crisis. Housing affordability is a very real concern and there are arguments to be made that these issues will permanently suppress the percentage of those owning homes. Bottom line: the number of new households that are renting is outpacing the number of new households that are buying—decreasing homeownership rates.
Why is housing so unaffordable? The answer is complicated, but it boils down to supply and demand. Demand is high for the available supply, which is great for property values and long-term investment in property. But it has consequences with affordability and when people cannot afford to make a downpayment and buy a property, they rent or find another arrangement (living at home with parents, for example.)
As the rental market becomes more competitive, prices increase (a logical end of supply and demand). This incentivizes homeownership, in theory alleviating some of the pressure and providing equilibrium in the market. But if rental prices are high enough that saving for a downpayment becomes difficult, renters find themselves stuck renting. This is not just a hypothetical either—a quick glance at a list of homeownership rates by country shows that many well-developed nations have similar or worse rates—Switzerland, Germany, Austria, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan all had lower homeownership rates as of 2014. This is a long-term phenomenon that can occur.
The supply of new construction is a contributing factor in some places. In California alone 70,000-110,000 more units of housing would have been required per year from 1980 to 2010 to maintain affordability pacing with the rest of the country. Instead, California has some of the most expensive housing in the country and housing affordability index scores to prove it. In March of this year Business Insider published an article highlighting supply issues in the overall U.S. housing market that suggested that the market has “been under built following the crisis and is ill prepared to handle the coming wave of millennial households that will be formed over the next several decades.” The impacts of not building enough housing have the potential to be felt for a long, long time as prices rise. We are seeing impacts now in the homeownership rate.
Some things to consider for the future: are we comfortable with permanently lower home ownership rates? what are we going to do about housing supply? what will happen to this rate if we have another recession and see foreclosure rates increase again?
Hopefully some pending legislation, like H.R. 3700/ S. 3083 that passed through Congress and will likely be signed into law by President Obama, will help. That bill would ease FHA loan eligibility restrictions and make recertification easier for condominium developments, which could incentivize more homeownership. But the issue of housing supply is much greater than a single piece of legislation and without more construction is unlikely to be eased.
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Legislation with a significant impact on the function of Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rental assistance and public housing programs, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requirements Read more...
Legislation with a significant impact on the function of Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rental assistance and public housing programs, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requirements for condominium mortgage insurance, and Department of Agriculture (USDA) single family housing guaranteed loan programs passed the Senate on Friday. H.R. 3700 passed through the House of Representatives on February 2nd, so the legislation will be moving to the President’s desk for approval or veto. It passed both houses with broad bipartisan support—it received zero “No” votes. The legislation has been supported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the California Association of Mortgage Professionals (CAMP), and other professional organizations involved with the real estate industry.
Below we have highlighted the key impacts this legislation will have if the president signs it into law (the full text and summary of the impacts of the bill can be found here).
What Could Change with HUD
As may be expected, HUD’s Section 8 housing voucher program (and any other family rental assistance programs) is subject to change. Public housing agencies (PHAs) that administer the program would have new expectations to develop systems to review the incomes of families receiving assistance. This includes annual review or any time income and deductions are expected to increase by 10%. Tenancy must be terminated or the greater of “fair market rent or the amount of the government subsidy for the unit” in the event a tenant’s income is “greater than 120% of the area median income for two consecutive years”.
PHAs are also prohibited from renting a dwelling to or assisting a family with “net family assets exceeding $100,000 (adjusted for inflation) or an ownership interest in property that is suitable for occupancy”. The exception is “victims of domestic violence, individuals using housing assistance for homeownership opportunities, or family that is offering a property for sale”.
PHAs are also prevented from using more than 20% of their authorized units for project-based vouchers (PBVs; meaning assistance tied to the housing unit not the tenant, like a Section 8 voucher). The exception is an additional 10% for PBVs targeting the homeless, veterans, the elderly, disabled, or for “units in areas where vouchers are difficult to use due to market conditions”.
There are many more changes to the technical functioning of these programs that affect the business of some real estate professionals, but for the sake of brevity we will not summarize the rest of these potential modification here.
What Could Change with FHA
H.R. 3700 would require the FHA to “make recertification substantially less burdensome than original certifications” for condominium mortgage insurance.
The FHA would also have to issue guidance “regarding the percentage of units the must be occupied by the owners…in order for a condominium to be eligible for FHA mortgage insurance”. If the FHA does not issue this guidance within 90 days of the bill being signed into law, the default eligibility requirements would be 35% or more of all family units occupied by the owners or sold to owners who intend to see the occupancy requirements, down from 50%. The FHA would be allowed to adjust afterwards to consider “factors relating to the economy” of the area.
What Could Change with USDA
The Housing Act of 1949 would be amended to permit the USDA to grant preferred lenders its “loan approval authority for the Rural Housing Service’s single family housing guaranteed loan program”. The USDA will be allowed to charge lenders a fee of up to $50 per loan to use the USA’s automated underwriting systems for the program.
Industry Opinions
The legislation was supported by the National Association of REALTORS®, California Association of REALTORS®, California Association of Mortgage Professionals (CAMP), and more. In an email sent on July14th, CAMP states that the legislation “provides significant benefits to taxpayers, homebuyers and the real estate market” through removing a “burdensome and expensive FHA Condo approval process” and reducing “FHA restrictions on the number of condos available to homebuyers.” They also describe the impact on the Rural Housing Loan Service processing as “permanently streamlining”. Tom Salomone, president of NAR, states that “This legislation will put homeownership in reach for more families” and NAR asserts that condominiums “are among the most affordable homeownership potions for first-time homebuyers, as well as lower income borrowers”. This condominium affordability is important, especially when juxtaposed with the assertion of the California Association of REALTORS® that only “10 percent of condominiums nationwide have made it through the burdensome, time-consuming, and expensive FHA-approval process”.
Adhi Schools, LLC Stance
We are dedicated to education and policies that lead to a healthy real estate industry and the general well-being of those seeking housing. This bipartisan bill is a rare chance to make the industry more efficient and open up more housing opportunities to more people. The impacts on the FHA condominium approval process are particularly promising. Broader access to these units incentivizes new housing developments that are necessary to combat the increasingly high cost of housing throughout California and the United States.
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