Great Real Estate Blogs To Check Out In 2020

The real estate market is complex and constantly evolving. Whether you are actively working in the industry or just looking to buy a home, it is key to stay up on the latest real estate news. A great way to do this is by checking out a few blogs. This saves you from doing exhaustive research while also letting learn from the premier experts in the industry. These are the four best real estate blogs to check out in 2020.

BiggerPockets

This is the ideal blog for anyone interested in attempting to use the real estate market as an investment opportunity. BiggerPockets provides resources and tips to everyone looking to enter the industry. A few blog posts on different topics are posted every day. In addition to the wonderful blog, BiggerPockets also has a dedicated social network that allows you to connect with other real estate investors in the area.

Keller Williams

If you are currently working as a real estate agent, then you absolutely need to read the blog offered by Keller Williams on a regular basis. Keller Williams is the largest real estate firm in the world, and they share their secrets to success on the blog. A lot of the posts focus on improving your branding and marketing to grow as a realtor. They also provide free training materials to enhance your skills.

Housing Wire

Housing Wire is the real estate blog you must read in order to learn all of the latest news in the industry. The esteemed writers at Housing Wire also give their expert analysis of every important news story. This makes it easy to fully understand what is happening in the real estate world without being an expert. If you want to impress someone with your real estate knowledge, then Housing Wire should be your go-to source.

Redfin

While most real estate blogs are focused on helping people working in the industry, Redfin is catered to help the consumer. Anyone looking to buy, sell or improve their home will find valuable information on the Redfin blog every day. Redfin handles everything from expert data-driven analysis of industry trends to local lifestyle tips. In addition to the informative blog, Redfin also has millions of active home listings on their website.

 

This article was originally published on JasonCohenPittsburgh.org

The Best Real Estate Apps For 2020

The real estate industry has rapidly changed over the past few years. The days of relying exclusively on realtors and other experts are officially over. Everyone can now learn just about anything they want to know about the real estate market by using a smartphone. There is an informative app covering every aspect of the real estate industry. These are the four best real estate apps of 2020.

Realtor.com

If you are in the process of buying or selling a house, then the Realtor.com app can be very useful. This is the only real estate app out right now that is partnered with the National Association of Realtors. This allows the app to have more active home listings than any other real estate app currently available. The home listings are also immediately updated every time a house is sold or put up for sale.

Xome

Whether you are looking for an investment opportunity or an affordable home for your family, house auctions are a great way to get an excellent deal on a piece of property. When it comes to home auctions, Xome is easily the best real estate app out there right now. The auction section on Xome has foreclosed, bank-owned, and short-sale houses that cannot be found on any other real estate app. Since they are not widely advertised, these houses generally sell for a lot less than market value.

LoopNet

If you are interested in buying a piece of commercial property, then the LoopNet app needs to be your primary source. You will be able to find thousands of large commercial office buildings and multi-unit properties for sale on LoopNet. The intuitive search function allows you to find these properties in any city in the United States. If you do not find a good investment in your local area, then you can easily shop in another market.

Houzz

Remodeling is a huge part of the real estate industry, but it often gets overlooked. The Houzz app is perfect for anyone looking to remodel a home. The app will offer a wide range of design ideas to help update any space. You can even hire contractors in the area to perform the remodel directly through the app.

 

This article was originally published on JasonCohenPittsburgh.org

How To Decide On A Neighborhood When Moving

Moving to a completely new neighborhood can be an exciting and scary time in your life. It is always good to start a new chapter in your life, but the idea of moving somewhere unknown can be quite daunting. The only way to qualm your fears and find the perfect spot for your family is by doing a little extra research. Here are four tips to help you choose the correct neighborhood when moving.

Research the Schools

The quickest way to determine the credibility of a neighborhood is by checking the local school ratings. There is a direct correlation between good neighborhoods and good schools. These quality schools will make it easier for your kids to have a successful career later in life. If you do not plan on having kids, then the excellent school district will help keep property values in the area high.

Check the Crime Rates

You should never move to a new area without checking the local crime stats. Worrying about your safety is the last thing you want to happen after buying a new home. Crime reports are public record, so it should not be too hard to find them online. If you are unable to find detailed statistics regarding your new potential neighborhood, then you can always call the local police department.

Drive Through the Neighborhood

The best way to truly get a sense of a new neighborhood is by seeing it for yourself. Take a long drive down all of the major streets in the area. Keep an eye out for broken glass, graffiti, and unkempt yards. These are major signs that the local citizens are not proactive in maintaining the neighborhood, so it is probably not going to be a good fit for your family.

Find Local Amenities

While you are driving around the neighborhood, you should take some time to check out the local amenities. Note their proximity to your potential new house. If you love spending time in the park and walking to restaurants, then you need to find a neighborhood that allows you to maintain these hobbies. Finding an area that matches your personality and offers your desired amenities is the only way you will truly be happy after the move.

This article was originally published on JasonCohenPittsburgh.net

Understanding Zoning Laws In Real Estate

Zoning laws might not get as much attention as other real estate factors, but they play a big role in a property’s function and value. Understanding how they work can help real estate investors make smart choices when considering properties.

How Zoning Works

Zoning laws are essentially laws saying certain pieces of property can only be used for specific applications. Zoning makes it easy to provide the right public infrastructure and mitigates conflicts between adjoining properties who want incompatible land uses, such as a noisy bar right by a quiet residential home. In newer cities, zoning was considered from the start, so the city usually had a comprehensive plan that laid out exactly how the founders wanted everything arranged. In older cities created before zoning became popular, zoning tends to be less strict, with very small zones of land mixed together seemingly at random. This happens because older buildings may be “grandfathered in” and not have to comply with newer zoning regulations.

How to Change Zoning

So what should a person do if they do not agree with the current plans for zoning an area? Most cities have a process in place for changing the zoning. Typically, a person just needs to submit a rezoning application. The relevant city board will then look at the application and consider whether the changes would benefit the community and comply with the comprehensive zoning plan. Even if the city is not willing to permanently rezone the property, they may grant a variance or conditional use. This lets the landowner be released from having to strictly comply with zoning regulations.

Types of Zones

Zoning laws get very complex, so there are all sorts of very specific zoning terms. However, most zones can be divided into four categories:

• Residential: This is land meant for homes. In many cities, it is further divided into single-family and multi-family zones.
• Commercial: This is the broadest zoning category, containing a variety of shops, restaurants, bars, and retail stores.
• Agricultural: This is land set aside for farming and food production.
• Industrial: Industrial zoning is used for a variety of factories and manufacturing areas.

This article was originally published on JasonCohenPittsburgh.org