Members of the Silver City Regional Association of REALTORS, Inc. will write periodic columns under this heading to inform the public about real estate matters.

The opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Grant County Beat.

While Technology is Key, Buying a House is So Much More Than Online

You can order groceries online. Get insurance online. Even buy a car online. And you might even think you can essentially buy a house online.

But not really. While 96% of buyers begin their home search online, real estate agents continue to be the most used resource to guide buyers through this infrequent, complex transaction. And for most the single largest purchase most people will make in their lifetime.

And there are good reasons why people need the help.

The internet is a great resource, but it also has its limitations. There are tons of opinions and data and sources about buying a home. But what's reliable? How do you make sense of seemingly infinite information? With so many options, how do you make choices?

Read more ...

How to Avoid Real Estate Cyber Scams

Phishing, hacking, wire fraud - these are all ways people attempt to steal from others online. As real estate searches and transactions move more and more online, the chances of being caught up in a cyber scam have become even greater. 

"By now most people have heard of the Nigerian prince scams or phishing emails asking for social security or banking information, but many people don't know that they need to watch out for possible scams when buying or selling their home," Cassie Carver, President, Silver City Regional Association of Realtors. "Cybercrimes have become increasingly sophisticated over the years and the people perpetrating them focus on situations where a lot of money is changing hands, making real estate transactions an ideal target."

Read more ...

Economic Impact of Real Estate Activity in New Mexico

Please see NAR’s latest reports on the Economic Impact of Real Estate Activity in New Mexico and in the U.S. overall. The reports highlight how the housing market is affecting the national economy as well as the local economies in all 50 states. These reports outline the total economic impact of real estate related industries on the state economy, as well as the expenditures that result from a single home sale, including aspects like home construction costs, real estate brokerage, mortgage lending and title insurance.

New Mexico: https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2022-state-economic-impact-report-nm-04-28-2022.pdf 

National: https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2022-state-economic-impact-report-us-04-28-2022.pdf 

Analysis and Maps: https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/economists-outlook/how-do-home-sales-affect-the-economy-and-the-job-market-in-your-state

Read more ...

Homeownership Month 2022

Each year during the month of June, the Silver City Regional Association of REALTORS® takes the opportunity to celebrate homeownership by showcasing individual homeowners, government officials, and various programs that protect and promote the American Dream of homeownership.

Homeownership Month was created both to encourage current and future homeowners to be advocates for homeownership and to ensure current and prospective homeowners have their voices heard at local, state, and national levels of government.

To many, the very nature of owning a home offers people a sense of pride and security. It also represents a testament to one's hard work and sacrifices. As an organization, the Silver City Regional Association of REALTORS® believes it is vital to take time out to observe and promote homeownership not only for the personal benefits it provides, but also because of its proven ability to strengthen American communities, offer long-term, generational building opportunities, and for the institutions ability to stabilize and solidify America's broader economy.

Read more ...

The Multiple Listing Service is the Smartest Way to Sell or Buy a Home.

What is an MLS? Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) are independent databases that enable real estate professionals to learn about and share local property listings and data for the benefit of their clients and customers.

"REALTORS® have access to a cost-effective and efficient marketplace for sharing real estate data as well as a mechanism to offer compensation to other participants by facilitating cooperative transactions." , states, Pat Fell, 2022 President of the Silver City Regional Multiple Listing Service.

Read more ...

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