Blog - Month: December 2018
Month: December 2018
Understanding Wire Fraud in Real Estate
It happens more often than you think — a homebuyer sends an entire down payment to a fake escrow account. There is no way to get that money back. In the digital age, it can be difficult to recognize the difference between an authentic communication from an escrow officer or title agency and a fraudulent one. This means that many homebuyers are falling victim to wire fraud initiated via electronic channels like email. As real estate fraud becomes harder to detect, it’s important to understand and recognize the signs to protect your money! How Wire Fraud Starts In real estate transactions, wire fraud often starts with title agencies. Hackers will target title agencies’ databases to find upcoming transactions — the pricier the better. Then, after they’ve identified a target, the fraudster will use a compromised email address, assuming the identity of either a title agency employee or closing agent. With the hijacked email address and in-depth understanding of your transaction, it’s pretty easy for the hackers to pose as a legitimate agent in your transaction and request payments be sent to fake accounts. Recognizing Wire Fraud It’s hard to recognize fraud, and it’s only getting more difficult. Truly, there’s not a secret formula or sure-fire way to recognize a fake email or communication. The best action you can take is knowing who to contact leading up to the final steps in your home purchase. If
The Housing Shortage — What to Expect in 2019 and Beyond
According to a recent report from Freddie Mac, the number of new houses being in the United States this year is about 370,000 homes short of the level required for long-term housing demand. That means there are more homebuyers than houses, which is good and bad. While this may make finding a buyer easier right now, in the long run, this shortage is driving up the cost of homes in a way that may make owning a home more difficult for younger families. While there are some short-term benefits to the shortage for those selling on the market today, here are some long-term impacts and projections that impact how people may buy and sell homes in the future. Home Appreciation to Slow in 2019 There are a lot of factors that drive positive home equity, and housing supply is certainly one of them. If there’s high demand for homes and not too many on the market, your house becomes a valuable commodity. Even with the housing shortage contributing to the increased value of homes, this appreciation is still expected to slow down a bit in 2019. Homes will still gain value, but as new construction tries to adjust to market demands, individual improvements may be a more reliable way to increase home equity next year. Young Families May Rent Longer If there’s no catch-up in the supply of new entry-level houses, younger families will be forced to rent longer. That can mean fewer buyers in the long run, especially if affordable homes aren’t available near the spot
December Events in Lorain County
Winter 2018 has arrived in Lorain County! It’s hard to believe how quickly the year has flown by, but there’s still a lot to do in Lorain County before Christmas and New Year’s. Whether it’s a family outing or just fun with friends, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy. Here are a few great events and activities to check out this December in Lorain, Ohio! Santa Train Lorain County’s cities are home to many of Ohio’s most active railways and stations, and this year, Santa’s leaving his sled in the garage and taking the train! On December 7th and 8th, special holiday-themed train rides will run between 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Friday and 1:00 - 8:00 PM on Saturday, featuring holiday decorated passenger cars, free hot cocoa, and a chance to meet Santa. Head to the LSRA Railway Station to catch your Santa train. Shoreline Treasures Christmas is right around the corner, and there’s nothing better than one-of-a-kind gifts under the tree. Lorain County is full of local businesses and shops that sell all sorts of stocking stuffers from quirky socks to vintage tea sets. To help you find the perfect gifts, Shoreline Treasurers is a self-guided tour that explores all the local stores, antique shops, and small businesses in the area. It’s a great way to connect and invest in the local community right before the holiday. Whet Your Palette: Christmas Events Paper Moon Vineyards has some great outdoor tours du