November 19, 2016
Wishing you warm gatherings, beautiful memories and the love of family & friends on this holiday!    
In observance of the holiday, the EBCBOR office will be closed  
Thursday, Nov. 24th & Friday, Nov. 25th

LOCAL & STATE NEWS
Teaneck Hunting Down 'Zombie' Houses

A part-time code enforcement officer will patrol township streets to identify abandoned properties. Bank-owned houses that are poorly maintained can be found dotting neighborhoods throughout town, causing headaches for neighbors who complain the houses are eyesores dragging down property values. It's an issue across Northern New Jersey.


Millennials Boost Numbers of First-time Home-buyers in New Jersey
 
A growing number of first-time buyers venturing into the housing market, as the more than 75 million members of the millennial generation - the most populous in U.S. history -start families and find brighter job prospects. East Brunswick appraiser Jeffrey Otteau, who tracks the housing market statewide, has estimated that 325,000 millennial buyers - those born starting in the early 1980s - will enter New Jersey's housing market over the next decade.

INDUSTRY NEWS
'Relatively Soon' Rise for Interest Rates as Mortgage Rates Shoot Up Post Election

A rise in the key interest rate could come "relatively soon," Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen reiterated on Thursday, heightening the probability the Fed will forge ahead with a hike in December, despite initial doubts in the wake of Donald Trump's presidential victory.


Second Century Ventures Invests in Trust Stamp and Keeping Realtors Safe
 
The National Association of Realtors®' venture capital fund Second Century Ventures has become a strategic investor in Trust Stamp, an identity authentication company that leverages artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies. The company uses patented artificial intelligence software to analyze hundreds of public records and social data to quickly provide reliable identification verification for real estate professionals meeting new clients or unknown individuals.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH 
2016 Fall Broker Reception

The Broker Council hosted their Fall Broker Reception at the Stony Hill Inn in Hackensack.  EBCBOR Counsel, Steve Ross, Esq. gave our members a legal and regulatory update on topics such as Maintaining Your Agents Independent Contractor Status, DOL Overtime Compliance, and credit reporting. We would like to thank the Broker Council and our affiliate partners for making this such a successful event. CLICK HERE to view more.  
 

EBCBOR Members Volunteer for CFA's Turkey Drive


EBCBOR members joined CFA this past Thursday and Friday at the First Presbyterian Church in Englewood, NJ for their annual Turkey Drive. Our members helped pack thanksgiving meals that will be given to over 3,000 local families in the Bergen County area for the holiday. CLICK HERE to view more.  
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

State-by-State International Business Reports
 
International transactions are of increasing importance. With the expansion of international trade, the flow of people across borders has also increased rapidly, and, therefore, the demand for real estate in both residential and commercial sectors in conjunction with international transactions has been on the rise. Here are NAR's state-by-state reports on international transactions. 



Trump Presidency Unlikely to Thwart Fo reign Investment in U.S. Real Estate

As the implications of Donald Trump's presidency are being assessed, foreign investors will likely take a wait-and-see attitude in the near future, but will continue to cast a vote of confidence in U.S. real estate properties in the long run, experts say. U.S. residential properties, as an asset class, has been favored among the world's richest, thanks largely to the country's relatively healthy economic fundamentals and business environment.


LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Major Trade Groups Urge Congress to Renew Two Major Homeowner Tax Provisions

This year two of the biggest tax provisions at the top of Congress' pile to renew impact housing and homeowners, especially first-time home-buyers. 


3 Issues That Could Expand Fair Housing Law

Shifting societal values and the ever-changing world of technology are creating new legal challenges that the federal Fair Housing Act must address. Emerging issues, such as the rights of immigrants and transgender people, could mean the law will be constantly remolded for years to come.

NEWS YOU COULD USE
The top 7 Pre-game Rituals for Throwing an Open House

What is open house protocol? Peter Lorimer of PLG Estates discusses the open house best practices that will wow your potential buyers and your sellers. Here are the top techniques we should all use to make our open houses look the best.



6 IRS Audit Triggers and How to Avoid Them

The end of the calendar year is approaching, with another tax season around the corner. For real estate agents, this can be a time fraught with worry. Your tax return is probably more complex than your neighbors' returns. Maybe you haven't done such a great job of keeping track of your business expenses - or separating them from your personal expenses.


TECH TIPS
How to Backlink Your Real Estate Website for Better Google Rankings

It's estimated that Google changes its algorithms 500-600 times each year, though most of the changes are minor. A backlink is a vote of trust or confidence from one website to another website, which is the foundation of Google's rankings, and thus, crucial to SEO.


AFFILIATE PARTNERS













Eastern Bergen County Board of REALTORS | 201.288.5000 | communications@bergenboard.com
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