Housing News
A Challenge to Support the Lublin Family and Fight Cancer
UPDATE 8/7/08 8:30ET: It’s time show off now… don’t stop at $1500. Any additional funds beyond $1500 will go directly to the Sheila L. Lublin Memorial Fund, c/o Lupus Foundation of America-Phila. Tri-State Chapter, 25 Washington Lane, Suite 39-1, Wyncote PA 19095. (Sheila suffered from Lupus herself) If you don’t remember how to write checks and feel strongly called to use your credit card, you are welcome to continue contributing to the American Cancer Society in Sheila’s name, as the Lublin family has always felt strongly about giving generously to ACS.
The response from the AgentGenius community has been so overwhelming to support Bill Lublin and his family at this terrible time. Bill lost his wife yesterday and today the support plans began with a simple goal to raise a few hundred dollars to be bale to supply food to the family over the next several days. Over $500 was raised in a few short hours.
We now set our sights to raise money for Bill’s favorite charity: the American Cancer Society
I just got off the phone with Benn and Lani and they have issued a challenge to raise $1500 by Monday to support Bill and donate to ACS in his wife Sheila’s name. Benn said, “We will blow away the $1500 goal.”
Please donate at https://bradnix.chipin.com/support-bill-lublin
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Average age of houses on the rise, so is it now better or worse to buy new?
With aging housing in America, are first-time buyers better off buying new or existing homes? The average age of a home is rising, as is the price of new housing, so a shift could be upon us.
The average home age is higher than ever
(REALUOSO.COM) – In a survey from the Department of Housing and Urban Development American Housing Survey (AHS), the median age of homes in the United States was 35 years old. In Texas, homes are a bit younger with the median age between 19 – 29 years. The northeast has the oldest homes, with the median age between 50 – 61 years. In 1985, the median age of a home was only 23 years.
With more houses around 40 years old, the National Association of Realtors asserts that homeowners will have to undertake remodeling and renovation projects before selling unless the home is sold as-is, in which case the buyer will be responsible to update their new residence. Even homeowners who aren’t selling will need to consider remodeling for structural and aesthetic reasons.
Prices of new homes on the rise
Newer homes cost more than they used to. The price differential between new homes and older homes has increased from 10 percent traditionally to around 37 percent in 2014. This is due to rising construction costs, scarcity of lots, and a low inventory of new homes that doesn’t meet the demand.
Click here to continue reading this story…
Housing News
Are Realtors the real loser in the fight between Zillow Group and Move, Inc.?
The last year has been one of dramatic and rapid change in the real estate tech sector, but Realtors are vulnerable, and we’re worried.
Why Realtors are vulnerable to these rapid changes
(REALUOSO.COM) – Corporate warfare demands headlines in every industry, but in the real estate tech sector, a storm has been brewing for years, which in the last year has come to a head. Zillow Group and Move, Inc. (which is owned by News Corp. and operates ListHub, Realtor.com, TopProducer, and other brands) have been competing for a decade now, and the race has appeared to be an aggressive yet polite boxing match. Last year, the gloves came off, and now, they’ve drawn swords and appear to want blood.
Note: We’ll let you decide which company plays which role in the image above.
So how then, does any of this make Realtors the victims of this sword fight? Let’s get everyone up to speed, and then we’ll discuss.
1. Zillow poaches top talent, Move/NAR sues
It all started last year when the gloves came off – Move’s Chief Strategy Officer (who was also Realtor.com’s President), Errol Samuelson jumped ship and joined Zillow on the same day he phoned in his resignation without notice. He left under questionable circumstances, which has led to a lengthy legal battle (wherein Move and NAR have sued Zillow and Samuelson over allegations of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and misappropriation of trade secrets), with the most recent motion being for contempt, which a judge granted to Move/NAR after the mysterious “Samuelson Memo” surfaced.
Salt was added to the wound when Move awarded Samuelson’s job to Move veteran, Curt Beardsley, who days after Samuelson left, also defected to Zillow. This too led to a lawsuit, with allegations including breach of contract, violation of corporations code, illegal dumping of stocks, and Move has sought restitution. These charges are extremely serious, but demanded slightly less attention than the ongoing lawsuit against Samuelson.
2. Two major media brands emerge
Last fall, the News Corp. acquisition of Move, Inc. was given the green light by the feds, and this month, Zillow finalized their acquisition of Trulia.
…Click here to continue reading this story…
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Daniel Rothamel
August 6, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I’m in for $100. The only reason I mention that is that I hope someone will up the ante.
Bill and Sheila are not only worth it, but they deserve it. I can’t hug the man from 300 miles away, but I hope this helps.
Missy Caulk
August 6, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Ok Daniel, I’ll match your 100.00. I just heard this on twitter. I’m am so sad, what a lovely person. Bill you are in my thoughts and prayers.
ines
August 6, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Count me in as well – I had given $50, but I think the challenge is something we all should take. Nothing like supporting a family member and feeling you are helping in some minute way eventhough the distance is so big. Here’s a (((((virtual hug)))))) for Bill and family.
Jay Thompson
August 6, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I think it’s great that folks are stepping up, and matching donations.
But I also think it’s important to note that ANY contribution is important. Think what would happen if everyone that read this post or any of the other posts out there gave just $1 each… one lousy buck. That’s a candy bar. It’s a quart of gasoline. If you work a minimum wage job, that’s 10 minutes of your time….
Eric Blackwell
August 7, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I dropped some in the kitty as well. I (we-Jen and I and EricOnSearch) could not help but match the generosity of good people doing the right thing. I have never had the pleasure of meeting Bill or Sheila, but my heart goes out to him at this time of extreme sadness and loss.
Nick Bostic
August 7, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Times are tough for many of us, but I was able to scrape together $100, especially since any overflow goes to what took my dad.
Brad Nix
August 7, 2008 at 6:50 pm
@Nick My mom is also a cancer survivor. I was happy to donate for Bill and for mom. But let’s not stop at $1500. Anything beyond $1500 will go to the Lupus Foundation in Sheila’s name. https://bradnix.chipin.com/support-bill-lublin
Jeff in Hawaii
August 7, 2008 at 7:28 pm
You can count me in for $100 ! My prayers go out to Bill and his family during these trying times.
Holly White
August 8, 2008 at 8:37 am
Thanks for putting this together Brad. My heart goes out to Bill and his family. I chipped in and hope it helps.