fl

Apache is functioning normally

Foreclosure filings increased 8 percent in January from December, representing a 57 percent increase from January 2007, RealtyTrac said today.

The Irvine, CA-based foreclosure data company said foreclosure filings were reported on 233,001 properties during the month, with about 25 percent on homes in California, the highest share of any state.

“January’s foreclosure numbers demonstrate that foreclosure activity is continuing on its upward trend, substantially increasing from a year ago in many states,” said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac, in a release.

“However, the 8 percent monthly increase in January is not as precipitous as the 19 percent spike we saw in January of 2007, and several key states actually experienced decreasing foreclosure activity from the previous month.”

In fact, Nevada, the state with the highest foreclosure rate, experienced a 45 percent decrease in foreclosure filings from December to January, though its filings on 6,087 properties is still up 95 percent from a year ago.

“It could be that some of the efforts on the part of lenders and the government — both at the state and federal level — are beginning to take effect,” Saccacio said.

“The big question is whether those efforts are truly helping homeowners avoid foreclosure in the long term or if they are just temporarily forestalling the inevitable for many beleaguered borrowers.”

There’s also the question as to whether homeowners are simply turning in the keys before the foreclosure process begins, skewing the numbers further.

Other states with foreclosure rates among the top 10 included Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts, Georgia, Connecticut, Ohio and Michigan.

California led the nation in filing totals with 57,158, up 7 percent from December, followed by Florida with 30,178, a 3 percent decrease from a month earlier, and Texas with 14,698, a near-20 percent increase from the previous month.

And as expected, metro areas in Florida and California accounted for the highest foreclosure rates, with Cape Coral-Ft. Myers, FL claiming the top spot, followed by Modesto, CA and Riverside-San Bernardino at number three.

(top photo: netefekt)

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

Apache is functioning normally

Despite dipping four percent from a month earlier, foreclosure activity was up nearly 60 percent in February compared to the same period in 2007, according to RealtyTrac.

“The 4 percent monthly decrease this February was similar to the 6 percent monthly decrease we saw in February 2007,” said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac, in a statement.

“However, the year-over-year increase of 60 percent this February was significantly higher than the 19 percent year-over-year increase in February 2007, indicating we have still not reached the peak of foreclosure activity in this cycle.”

During the month, foreclosure filings were reported on 223,651 properties nationwide, or one in every 557 U.S. households.

Once again, Nevada led the nation with the highest foreclosure rate at a clip of one in every 165 households, with foreclosure filings reported on 6,167 households, a one percent increase from January and 68 percent increase from February 2007.

California came in a distant second with one filing for every 242 households, followed by Florida with one in every 254 households.

Foreclosure activity in Arizona surged 210 percent from the same period a year ago, and six percent from one month earlier.

California led the nation in total foreclosure filings with 53,629 properties affected, down six percent from January but up 131 percent from February 2007.

Florida followed with foreclosure filings on 32,447 properties, a seven percent increase from a month earlier and 69 percent increase from a year ago.

In fact, nine of the top 10 metro foreclosure rates in February were contained in these two states alone, with Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL and Stockton, CA taking the top two slots, respectively.

Interestingly, Texas was third in the nation in total filings with action on 12,261 properties, but the state saw a 17 percent decrease from a month earlier and a one percent decrease from a year ago.

However, 4,876 REOs were reported in Texas during the month, the second largest amount behind the 11,139 in California.

(photo: s2art)

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

Apache is functioning normally

Mmmmm donuts. Homer Simpson was onto something, for sure.

Whether it’s glazed, sprinkles or jelly-filled, donuts are one of the most iconic breakfast treats in the country.

Best cities for donuts

Our rankings go beyond favorite shops around the U.S. We looked at the 150 most populated cities in the country. Then, to create our top 10, we looked at the proportion of donut businesses in a city, donut businesses per capita and donut businesses per density.

Take a look at our top 10 best cities for donut lovers — you won’t be able to walk away without your favorite donut hole.

10. McKinney, TX

Historic downtown McKinney will capture your heart with its charm. Visit one of the many stores on Main Street, followed by a bit of barbecue and a concert at the McKinney Performing Arts Center.

The quiet town is only 45 miles from Dallas with about 15 donut shops per 100,000 residents, so you’ll have your pick. Get in line for one of The Donut Kitchen‘s apple cinnamon donuts that tastes just like fall.

9. Philadelphia, PA

We’ll never know if our forefathers enjoyed a good donut, but Philadelphia, indeed, has many options when you look both at density and per capita rank. You’ll get a unanimous “Beiler’s Doughnuts” on where to go first if you ask anyone in the city. The Amish bakery serves Pennsylvania Dutch doughnuts like an apple fritter, chocolate glazed cake and famous peanut butter and jelly.

For the vegan inclined, Dottie’s Donuts offers lemon lavender, vegan maple bacon, cinnamon sugar and even a vegan Boston Creme.

8. Orlando, FL

Orlando is currently a hub for some of the best donut shops in the country — Portland’s Voodoo Doughnut at Universal and the Salty Donut hailing from Miami with delicious cake donuts.

Or, Seattle’s Dochi Japanese Mochi Donuts serving donuts made with rice flour that are chewy inside and crispy outside. But it also has some delicious local options like DG Doughnuts‘ fluffy yeast donuts or Valkyrie Doughnuts‘ cronuts and vegan offerings.

Orlando has one of the highest per capita numbers in our top 10 list, with about 23 stores per 100,000 residents.

7. Boston, MA

Boston enjoys a high city walk score of 89, making it easy to hop from donut shop to donut shop in the mornings with a bit of cardio in between. The city has 11 stores per 100,000 residents and a high density of donut shops at 1.6.

Union Square Donuts takes the cake for most original with brioche-style dough that resembles more pastry than a donut but is equally good.

If you’re just looking for a cup of joe and a traditional donut, try Demet’s Donuts.

6. Newark, NJ

Newark isn’t just an airport layover stop — it’s also home to more than 25 Dunkin’ locations just minutes from each other. The density of Dunkin’ in Newark and how many hot and fresh donuts they’re making each morning pushes Newark to No. 6 on our list.

If you want something more unique, stop by Suissa. This small Portuguese bakery makes a deep-fried sonho, a sugar-topped donut you’ll love.

5. Buffalo, NY

In Buffalo, Paula’s Donuts reign supreme. Among the favorites? Paula’s peanut sticks, a cake donut stick coated in peanut. The menu also includes classic sprinkles, Bavarian-style donuts, glazed and jelly donuts. In a recent Buffalo News survey, one reader said that they would drive 1,800 miles for one.

You’ll have choices beyond Paula’s as Buffalo has 18 donut stores per 100 residents.

4. Providence, RI

Despite having a population of fewer than 200,000 residents, Providence has an impressive density of donut shops. For gourmet donuts, visit PVDonuts, a local favorite that serves brioche-style donuts along with seasonal offerings. Similarly, Knead Doughnuts makes fresh donuts every day via pre-order like maple sea salt, butternut squash fritter and spiced sour cream.

3. Jersey City, NJ

Sure, you could go to Krispy Kreme, but Jersey City has so many more donuts to offer. Taking the No. 3 spot on our list, Jersey City has both coffee shops and donut shops to choose from. The Grind Shop carries donuts from New York’s Doughnut Plant with flavors like matcha green tea, red velvet, PB&J and more.

Or, head to The LoDG, where very creative flavors rotate monthly. Don’t miss the Lil’ Chickies (chicken and waffles cake donut), What’s the Flan and Reverse O-S’moresis.

2. Rochester, NY

Family-owned and secret recipes are the name of the donut game in Rochester. Since 1958, Donuts Delite has baked their famous cannoli donuts. The donut is filled with fresh cannoli cream and chocolate chips. Ridge Donut Cafe, operating since 1977, boasts over 30 varieties, including the classic glazed, coconut and powdered blueberry.

Rochester has a pretty high density of shops, so these two will get you started on a delicious tour.

1. Worcester, MA

And our No. 1 best city for donut lovers is Worcester, with an impressive density of shops that offer hot donuts. Worcester also has a whopping 22 stores per 100,000 residents — that’s a lot of donuts near each other. Glazy Susan, a newer specialty shop in the city, slings flavors like cannoli, pumpkin cheesecake, maple French toast cake and, of course, chocolate sprinkle. Get there early, as the shop tends to sell out.

The 50 best cities for donut lovers

Your city didn’t make the list? D’oh! Don’t worry, check out the 50 best cities for donut enthusiasts below and find the nearest spot to you.

The top 10 worst cities for donut lovers

A lower density of donut shops leads to long lines, sold-out inventory and you missing out on a Saturday morning treat. Here are the top 10 worst cities.

Methodology

To find the best cities for donuts, we looked at the 150 most populated cities in the U.S. according to the Census Bureau’s population estimates. We then used a database of more than 8 million business listings to determine the count of donut shops in any given city.

Then, we calculated the proportion of donuts (donut shops compared to all businesses), donuts per density (donut shops per square mile) and donuts per capita (donut shops per population) in each area. We weighted these factors, and the cities with the best overall score were determined to be the best cities for donuts in America.

Business listings may not reflect recent openings or closures.

Muriel Vega is an Atlanta-based journalist who writes about technology and its intersection with arts and culture. She’s worked on content for startups like Mailchimp, Patreon, Punchlist, Skillshare, Rent. and others. Muriel has also contributed to The Washington Post, Eater, DWELL, Outside Magazine, Atlanta Magazine, AIGA Eye on Design, Bitter Southerner and more.

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

There’s a certain level of luxury that most of us can hardly fathom.

And I’m not talking about ultra-luxurious 10-bedroom mansions, hobnobbing with some of the world’s biggest celebrities, or million-dollar private yachts, but rather the combination of the three.

A Jupiter, Florida property combines all of these elements — a killer waterfront location (with golf legend Tiger Woods living across the waterway), a newly renovated 9-bedroom house with all the bells and whistles, and a yacht dock — promising a lifestyle that’s more glamorous than that of a Real Housewife.

Photo credit: Pelican Pix courtesy of Waterfront Properties

The price tag that lifestyle comes with?

$15,400,000 — at least that’s how much a buyer just paid to take the Jupiter house off the market. Rob Thomson, Managing Partner of Waterfront Properties helped seal the deal.

The house’s ties to Tiger Woods go deeper than the proximity to the iconic golfer’s property.

The $15.4 million waterfront estate was formerly owned by PGA star Jesper Parnevik and is the place where, according to our sources, Tiger’s ex-wife Elin Nordegren, lived (in the guest house, as a nanny) before Jesper introduced Elin to Tiger.

Photo credit: Pelican Pix courtesy of Waterfront Properties

The perfect blend of luxury and privacy, the house was originally built in 2002 but recently underwent an extensive two-year renovation that perfected its interiors.

With plenty of room to accommodate a large family and guests, the Jupiter, FL house offers over 15,000 square feet of interior space, and has 9 bedrooms — 5 in the main house and an additional 4 in the guest house, which has its own private courtyard entrance.

The home is the perfect blend of luxury and privacy, and even has a 5th floor observation deck with views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Related: This is the Florida house Dan Bilzerian grew up in

Boasting sleek and clean lines, wood floors, and floor-to-ceiling picture glass windows with unobstructed Intracoastal views, the $15.4 million estate has a fully equipped kitchen with a pizza oven, custom cabinets, and countertops, tons of natural light, and extra generous water views.

Photo credit: Pelican Pix courtesy of Waterfront Properties
Photo credit: Pelican Pix courtesy of Waterfront Properties
Photo credit: Pelican Pix courtesy of Waterfront Properties

The lavish owner’s retreat (which is basically a fancy way to call a primary bedroom when it comes with extra rooms and amenities) includes a stylish sitting room, TV lounge, custom closet, office, luxurious bath with dual sinks, and much more. It also overlooks the length of the intracoastal and Atlantic Ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows.

But the biggest draw is the property’s perfectly appointed entertainment level.

Featuring upscale amenities like a Trackman Golf Simulator, movie theater, exercise room with sauna and massage areas, full wet bar, and more, the entertainment level is a perfect cure for boredom, and it even has a fully equipped summer kitchen right outside its sliding doors.

Photo credit: Pelican Pix courtesy of Waterfront Properties

The Jupiter, Florida house doesn’t disappoint when it comes to outdoor amenities either.

Outside, we find a private pool, spa, synthetic turf putting green, summer kitchen, and private beach, all benefitting from wide water views of the Intracoastal.

There’s even dockage for a large yacht plus a lift for other watercraft.

Photo credit: Pelican Pix courtesy of Waterfront Properties
Photo credit: Pelican Pix courtesy of Waterfront Properties
Photo credit: Pelican Pix courtesy of Waterfront Properties

More stories

Small but mighty: A 672 sq. ft. cottage in Seaside, Florida sets new local record with $2.9M sale

Home of the Week: This $10.4M estate set in a South Florida celebrity enclave is pure house goals

MLB All-Star Mark Melancon relists $11M waterfront home in Florida

Source: fancypantshomes.com

Apache is functioning normally

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way that we work. In-office attendance in some U.S. markets dropped 70-90 percent in 2020, according to The McKinsey Global Institute. The same research notes that in-office hours were 30 percent below pre-pandemic levels in 2022, with U.S. workers reporting to the office an average of 3.5 days.

The 2022 Renter Preferences Survey Report supports these findings. The largest group of renters surveyed (39 percent) were hybrid employees who worked from home a few times a week. Another 31 percent worked from home on a full-time basis. Remote work and hybrid work appear to be here to stay.

This shift away from the office hasn’t just changed the way people work in the United States. It’s changed where they live, too.

What hybrid workers want

The top cities for hybrid work are located all over the country. They include major urban hubs and small cities.

To find the best cities for hybrid workers, Rent ranked cities based on the coworking spaces per thousand work-from-home employees. This survey ranks the percentage of the population that works from home and measures the cost of living index. All features were weighted equally to come up with a score.

Affordable properties

Commute length isn’t as important when workers aren’t going into the office so often (or at all), so a key benefit of apartments in the often expensive city centers disappeared almost overnight. Yet rent prices rose 4.77 percent across the country between December 2021 and December 2022, followed by another marginal uptick between the end of last year and October of 2023.

Saving money became a key concern for many renters. Many remote or hybrid workers moved away from properties in the city center and relocated to more affordable metros, cities, suburbs and neighborhoods.

A lower cost of living

Relocating to a city with a lower cost of living index can save even more money. In addition to housing prices, the cost of living index also measures the price of food, utilities, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services.

The average cost of living in the U.S. is reflected with a value of 100. So a score of less than 100 means a city is more affordable than the national average. A score over 100 means that city is more expensive than average.

Coworking spaces

Coworking spaces are a plus for the hybrid workforce. They provide practical resources and technical support, as well as an opportunity to connect with other remote workers.

Many rental properties have expanded amenities designed to attract and retain remote workers. They include reliable, high-speed internet; expanded work and meeting spaces and extras like complimentary coffee and tea or social spaces to relax after hours.

The 10 best cities for hybrid work

Half of the 10 best cities for hybrid work are located in the South. Another three are found in the Midwest. The Northeast and West also claimed one community each.

Tampa, FL

Tampa is the tenth-best city for hybrid work in the United States. The cost of living in this culturally rich and diverse community on Florida’s Gulf Coast is almost exactly the same as the national average – 99.8.

The city has a robust hybrid workforce. A quarter (25.2 percent) of Tampa’s residents work from home in some capacity. That’s easy to do when there are 56 coworking spaces in the city, roughly one for every two remote workers.

Pittsburgh

Next up is Pittsburgh, the only Northeastern city on the list of the 10 best cities for hybrid work, Pittsburgh thrived as a Gilded Age industrial and cultural hub. It’s expanded to include 90 unique neighborhoods joined by hundreds of bridges.

The cost of living in Pittsburgh is comparable to the national average (100.4). But it’s much more affordable than many of the other major metropolitan areas in the Northeast, one of the most expensive regions in the country.

A substantial portion of Pittsburgh’s 300,431 citizens (30.3 percent) are hybrid workers. A respectable 42 co-working spaces rest within the city limits.

Everett, WA

Bicycle-friendly Everett is the only Western city you’ll see here. Find this creative coastal city just off Puget Sound, 25 miles north of Seattle.

A cost of living index of 111.8 makes Everett the most expensive metro listed here. But it’s still more affordable than many other West Coast communities, which regularly top lists of the most expensive metropolitan areas in the country.

Everett is a small, approachable city (population 110,812), but it still supports remote work employees, who make up 15.6 percent of the city’s population. There are 17 co-working spaces in Everett.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is Minnesota’s artistic and cultural center. Located along the Mississippi River, it also offers acres of parks, green space and lakes for residents to enjoy.

It’s a good bet for remote workers too. There are 50 coworking spaces in Minneapolis. This support system has helped attract 147,591.6 (and counting!) hybrid workers to Minneapolis already. They comprise just over a third (34.7 percent) of the city’s population.

A cost of living score of 98.99 means it’s slightly cheaper to live in Minneapolis than the national average. Some of these savings came in the form of rent reduction; the Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington metro saw the largest year-over-year rent decrease in the country between December 2021 and December 2022.

Savannah, GA

The genteel southern city of Savannah takes the No. 6 spot on this list. The coastal Georgia city oozes charm and historic ambiance, from its cobblestone squares to the shady parks and stately oak trees draped with Spanish moss.

The cost of living index in this community is lower than the national average at 90.1. A total of 13,237.92 Savannah residents currently work from home in some capacity.

Savannah supports 13 co-working spaces. That’s a relatively high number (nearly one co-working space for every thousand workers), considering that hybrid workers currently make up 9 percent of the city’s workforce.

Greenville, SC

Remote workers move to Greenville for a quaint Main Street, a robust art scene and easy access to lakes, hills and trails in Paris Mountain State Park and beyond. A low cost of living (90.6) is another benefit for residents.

With a population of just 72,095, Greenville is the smallest city in the top 10. But despite its modest size, it’s still attracted and supported 13,337 hybrid workers.

These hybrid work employees make up 18.5 percent of the city’s population. You can find them working from home and at 10 coworking spaces throughout the community.

Rapid City, SD

With a population of 76,184, Rapid City is the second smallest city here. But it’s the largest community in the Black Hills, a region of jagged peaks, lush forests and almost impossibly scenic byways and hiking trails in western South Dakota.

A cost of living index of 93 means it’s more affordable to live in Rapid City than the national average. South Dakota stayed affordable throughout the pandemic as well. It was one of only two states where rent prices didn’t increase in the early months of the pandemic.

Rapid City is well-equipped to handle remote work, as the city currently houses eight coworking spaces. That means you’ll find 1.1 coworking spots for every remote worker, one of the strongest showings on our list. These hybrid employees make up 9.3 percent of the city’s population.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a commercial and cultural hub and a historical powerhouse that was central to both Civil War and Civil Rights history. With a population of 496,461, Atlanta is both the largest city in Georgia and the most populous city on our list of hybrid work hot spots.

It’s also home to the largest hybrid workforce in the top 10 — 38.7 percent of Atlanta residents work from home at least part of the time, beating the famous Atlanta traffic a couple of days per week. They’re supported by 92 coworking spaces.

The cost of living index is 101.6. That means it’s slightly more expensive to live in Atlanta than the national average.

Orlando, FL

Orlando is famous for Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. But the sunshine and comfortable climate that draw tourists to central Florida also attract remote workers ready for a change of scenery.

Hybrid workers currently make up 19.1 percent of Orlando’s population of 309,154. Find them at one of the city’s plentiful coworking spaces. You’ll find 68 coworking spaces in Orlando, just over 1.2 for every thousand remote workers. That’s tied for the most on this list.

The cost of living in Orlando is 104.8. That’s more than the national average.

Green Bay, WI

The best city for hybrid work is Green Bay, Wisconsin. This laid-back, bayside city is perhaps best known for its professional football team, The Green Bay Packers. But Green Bay’s outdoor recreation opportunities and home-grown shops, restaurants and breweries appeal to all ages.

A household budget goes further here. With a cost of living index of 89.9, Green Bay is the most affordable city in our top 10 spots for hybrid working.

Green Bay is one of the smaller metros on this list, with 107,015 residents. But it does a good job of supporting the 12 percent of the population that works remotely. Currently, Green Bay houses 15 coworking centers. That’s 1.2 coworking spaces for every thousand workers – the highest on this list.

The takeaway for hybrid workers

The pandemic changed how — and where — people work in the U.S. The best cities for hybrid work support the remote workforce with coworking spaces, affordability and a sense of community outside of a traditional office.

Looking for the best of both worlds, where you can work in your apartment one day and collaborate in person the next? Find your next rental home or apartment here. Type in one of the cities mentioned above and browse through all your options.

Rent prices are based on an average from Rent.’s available rental property inventory as of November 2023. The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

The Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) today released its annual A-List which honors 162 individual real estate agents and 83 teams for outstanding production in 2022, along with 36 mortgage professionals. The A-List honorees, all AREAA members, generated more $15.4 billion in sales volume from 20,472 transaction sides in 2022. A-List honorees will be recognized at AREAA’s National Convention on October 12-14 in Chicago. 

The list of real estate agents and teams on the A-List was produced again by leading-industry observer RealTrends in partnership with Bank of America. AREAA honored 167 individual agents and teams a year ago. 

Shirley Gary of Ansley Christie’s Real Estate generated 263 transaction sides in 2022 to lead all individual sales professionals on the A-List. She was listed 22nd in the nation on RealTrends’ “The Thousand.” Danielle Moy (204 sides) with @Properties in Orland Park, Ill., Eric Delgado (201) with Keller Williams Encino Sherman Oaks in Encino, Calif., Meghan Clarkson (140) with Long & Foster Real Estate in Chincoteague Island, Va., and Stephanie Vitacco (137.5) with Equity Union in Encino, Calif. followed on the sides list. 

Tracy Allen of Coldwell Banker Realty in Honolulu, Hawaii, generated $200.92 million in 2022 volume to lead the A-List. She was 77th in RealTrends’ “The Thousand.”, Gary ($191.42 million) was second followed by Vitacco ($180.47 million), Delgado ($147.64 million), and Zar Zanganeh with The Agency Las Vegas ($112.28 million). 

Long Doan’s Realty Group in Minneapolis, Minn., repeated as the top team on the A-List team transaction sides list with 4,412 in 2022. The Advanced Super Team (2,893 sides) led by Calvin Gong in Arcadia, Calif., was second followed by Kenny Truong’s Fast Real Estate (977) with eXp in Oakland, Calif., Kyle Yeatman’s Yeatman Group (919.23) with Long & Foster Real Estate in Midlothian, Va., and Momentum Realty (482), led by Michael Ramos, in San Jose, Calif.  

The Advanced Super Team earned top honors in sales volume, generating $2.69 billion in 2022, followed by the Realty Group with $1.5 billion. The next three highest-earners in sales volume were Fast Real Estate ($755.9 million), Andy Tse’s Intero Real Estate Services in Saratoga, Calif. ($712.3 million), and the Yeatman Group ($413.1 million). 

For the second straight year, Shashank Shekhar, the founder and CEO of InstaMortgage in San Jose, Calif., was the top loan originator by mortgage units with 400 closed mortgages in 2022. Leading the A-List in mortgage volume was Joanna Yu of US Bank in Los Altos Hills, Calif., with 244.3 million in volume, marking her second straight year leading in her respective category. 

“AREAA’s A-List is eagerly anticipated each year,” said AREAA President Kurt Nishimura. “This list not only gives us insight into the growth and success of our members, but it also shows the full impact that AANHPI real estate professionals have on the industry. This professionalism within our AREAA membership is widely known within the real estate industry. This group is a major reason why. Their production is awe-inspiring.”

The A-List was developed using these criteria:

  • RealTrends identified honorees by cross-tabulating AREAA membership with those on its RealTrends + Tom Ferry America’s Best Real Estate Professionals list. 
  • AREAA allowed for individual submissions allowing individual agents who generated at least 15 transaction sides or $6 million in sales volume in 2022 to be recognized. 
  • Teams needed at least 25 transaction sides and $9 million in sales volume. The team lead must be an AREAA member.
  • The list of loan officers was generated through self-submissions directly to AREAA.

The top 50 in each real estate category and top 30 in the mortgage categories follow. Click here for the full list of the 2023 A-List:

Individual Real Estate Agents Sides 

Rank Name Company City, State Sides
1 Shirley Gary Ansley Christie’s Real Estate Atlanta, GA 263
2 Danielle Moy @properties Orland Park , IL 204
3 Eric Delgado Keller Williams Encino Sherman Oaks Encino, CA 201
4 Meghan O Clarkson Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Chincoteague Island, VA 140
5 Stephanie Vitacco Equity Union Encino, CA 137.5
6 Soomin Kim eXp Realty Liberty Hill, TX 114
7 Anthony Domathoti EXIT Realty Premium Bronx, NY 88
8 Oscar Garcia Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolina Premier Properties Wilmington, NC 83
9 Sairavi Suribhotla Real People Realty Bolingbrook, IL 81
10 Karen Sorenson RE/MAX Newport Elite Racine, WI 79
11 Randy Hatada XPand Realty & Property Management Las Vegas, NV 78
12 Christine Do Keller Williams Realty Easton Easton, MA 76.8
13 Ruth Manzano Javier Five Star Realty, Inc. Ewa Beach, HI 72.9
14 Peter Luu eXp Realty Orlando, FL 68.5
15 Dane Gates Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties The Woodlands, TX 62
T16 Zar Zanganeh The Agency Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV 61
T16 Blair Myers Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers Mcdonough, GA 61
18 Leslie Webb Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Winchester, VA 60.9
T19 Kat Massetti RLAH @properties Clifton, VA 60
T19 Magda Esola DRB Homes Charlotte , NC 60
21 Julie Gritton Coldwell Banker Premier Lewes, DE 58.2
22 Trang Dunlap Intero Real Estate Services Fremont, CA 57.5
23 Cynthia Li Keller Williams Allen Allen, TX 56.3
24 Fion Yau Coldwell Banker Realty San Francisco, CA 54.5
25 Sacha Blanchet Coldwell Banker Realty Phoenix, AZ 52.1
T26 Randy Char Las Vegas Sotheby’s International Realty Las Vegas, NV 52
T26 Soo Yu Eastern Realty Inc Fort Lee, NJ 52
T26 Susan Kliesen RE/MAX Center Duluth, GA 52
T29 Samantha Huang Corcoran Icon Properties San Francisco, CA 51
T29 Kyle Guinto Redfin Cleveland, OH 51
31 Laura Miller Keller Williams Realty Sacramento Metro Sacramento, CA 49
32 Stephanie Young Coldwell Banker Realty Newport Beach, CA 48
33 LuAnn Shikasho eXp Realty Elk Grove, CA 47
T34 Ellie Yung Coldwell Banker Realty Irvine, CA 43
T34 Lina Shah Coldwell Banker Realty Oakbrook Terr, IL 43
36 Lilian Jorgenson Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Mclean, VA 42
T37 Jen Gong Keller Williams Realty Irvine, CA 41
T37 Christie Xie Nuage Real Estate Group Newton, MA 41
T37 Lina Lee @properties Chicago, IL 41
T37 Raquel Lavender Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners Stockbridge, GA 41
T37 Anita Vining Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Jacksonville, FL 41
T42 Rebecca Chen Realty Executives Scottsdale, AZ 40
T42 Job Hammond Dash Realty Austin, TX 40
T42 Michael Jones Coldwell Banker Realty Columbus, OH 40
45 Alexander Phan Keller Williams Realty Professionals Portland, OR 39.5
46 Erin Stumpf Coldwell Banker Realty Sacramento, CA 39.2
47 Gregory Tran Keller Williams Realty Southwest Market Center Austin, TX 39
48 Tracy Allen Coldwell Banker Realty Honolulu, HI 38.1
49 Bonnie Lai RE/MAX Unlimited Brookline, MA 38
50 Judy Cuong Portfolio Real Estate Elk Grove, CA 37.5

Individual Real Estate Agents Volume 

Rank Full Name Company City, State Volume
1 Tracy Allen Coldwell Banker Realty Honolulu, HI $200,915,000
2 Shirley Gary Ansley Christie’s Real Estate Atlanta, GA $191,421,755
3 Stephanie Vitacco Equity Union Encino, CA $180,470,891
4 Eric Delgado Keller Williams Encino Sherman Oaks Encino, CA $147,640,279
5 Zar Zanganeh The Agency Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV $112,277,811
6 Trang Dunlap Intero Real Estate Services Fremont, CA $87,627,477
7 Soomin Kim eXp Realty Liberty Hill, TX $86,260,453
8 Dano Sayles Coldwell Banker Island Properties Wailea, HI $78,372,030
9 Samantha Huang Corcoran Icon Properties San Francisco, CA $75,895,586
10 Jen Gong Keller Williams Realty Irvine, CA $72,447,525
11 Randy Char Las Vegas Sotheby’s International Realty Las Vegas, NV $64,100,900
12 Ellie Yung Coldwell Banker Realty Irvine, CA $63,543,878
13 Danielle Moy @properties Orland Park , IL $60,219,349
14 Herman Chan Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty Berkeley, CA $59,777,024
15 Ruth Manzano Javier Five Star Realty, Inc. Ewa Beach, HI $57,401,605
16 Roxann Taylor Engel & Völkers Dallas Southlake Southlake, TX $57,272,004
17 Stephanie Young Coldwell Banker Realty Newport Beach, CA $55,972,176
18 Lilian Jorgenson Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Mclean, VA $52,549,152
19 Janice Lee Coldwell Banker Realty San Francisco, CA $51,452,900
20 Peter Luu eXp Realty Orlando, FL $51,337,904
21 Christine Do Keller Williams Realty Easton Easton, MA $51,298,499
22 Fion Yau Coldwell Banker Realty San Francisco, CA $48,735,750
23 Lina Shah Coldwell Banker Realty Oakbrook Terr, IL $46,633,500
24 Henry Liu Coldwell Banker Dynasty Arcadia, CA $45,288,800
25 Beth Chang Coldwell Banker Realty Honolulu, HI $41,380,250
26 Carlos Alleyne RE/MAX Select Group Delray Beach, FL $40,664,665
27 Amanda Lee The Avenue Home Collective San Diego, CA $38,781,800
28 Meghan O Clarkson Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Chincoteague Island, VA $38,322,224
29 Linda Lee Keller Williams Realty San Diego, CA $38,305,020
30 Anita Vining Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Jacksonville, FL $38,234,500
31 Sairavi Suribhotla Real People Realty Bolingbrook, IL $36,444,648
32 Jenny Law Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty Austin, TX $36,171,749
33 Kat Massetti RLAH @properties Clifton, VA $35,370,639
34 Laura Miller Keller Williams Realty Sacramento Metro Sacramento, CA $35,319,340
35 Adam Rodell RE/MAX Select One Huntington Beach, CA $34,758,500
36 Reid Sanborn Engel & Völkers Sun Valley Ketchum, ID $31,457,759
37 Dane Gates Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties The Woodlands, TX $31,283,375
38 Rachel Turner Coldwell Banker Realty Yorba Linda, CA $31,228,213
39 Magda Esola DRB Homes Charlotte, NC $30,965,899
40 LuAnn Shikasho eXp Realty Elk Grove, CA $30,704,228
41 Randy Hatada XPand Realty & Property Management Las Vegas, NV $30,680,559
42 Joseph Chow Redfin Irvine, CA $30,210,717
43 Thomas Tran Advance Estate Realty Westminster, CA $29,602,806
44 Gregory Tran Keller Williams Realty Southwest Market Center Austin, TX $29,143,935
45 Julie Gritton Coldwell Banker Premier Lewes, DE $28,395,910
46 Sacha Blanchet Coldwell Banker Realty Phoenix, AZ $28,141,469
47 Jennifer Ouk eXp Realty Alameda, CA $27,703,831
48 Eric Yamamoto Refined Real Estate Hawaii LLC Ewa Beach, HI $27,435,409
49 John Messina Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty Cold Spring Harbor, NY $27,333,250
50 Theresa Valencic Long & Foster Real Estate McLean, VA $26,497,093

Real Estate Team Sides 

Rank Team Lead(s) Company City, State Sides
1 Long Doan Realty Group LLC Minneapolis, MN 4412
2 Calvin Gong Advanced Super Team Arcadia, CA 2893
3 Kenny Truong Fast Real Estate – eXp Oakland, CA 977
4 Kyle Yeatman The Yeatman Group, Long & Foster Real Estate Midlothian, VA 919.23
5 Michael Ramos Momentum Realty – SIDE San Jose, CA 482
6 Johnny Rojas The Rojas Team Group – Century 21 Garfield, NJ 425
7 Kevin Cruz Kinetic Real Estate – SIDE Daly City, CA 353.7
8 Samantha Tov Portfolio Real Estate – SIDE Elk Grove, CA 350
9 Andy Tse Intero Real Estate Services Saratoga, CA 296
10 Anna Chi Yan Huang THE SUPERIOR REALTY GROUP – eXp Elk Grove, CA 294
11 Melissa Sofia The Avenue Home Collective – SIDE San Diego, CA 218
12 Mindy Luong HPT REALTY & FINANCE Westminster, CA 184
13 Nancy Li Li Team – Keller Williams Henderson/Las Vegas, NV 170
14 Dave & Liz Goodchild The Goodchild Team – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Realty Palatine, IL 167
15 Tommy Choi & Josh Weinberg Weinberg Choi – Keller Williams Chicago, IL 163.9
16 Darlene Streit Darlene Streit – Sotheby’s International Realty Santa Fe, NM 142
17 Tim Hur/Helen Nguyen Point Honors and Associates, Realtors® Atlanta, GA 141
18 Andrew Peters The Peters Team – Keller Williams Peachtree Corners, GA 128
19 Phat Nguyen/Julie Phan Team Affinity Orlando, FL 125
20 Mei Ling 8 Blocks Real Estate – SIDE Santa Clara, CA 117
21 Michael Saladino The Saladino Sells Team – Keller Williams Chicago, IL 105
22 Marcus Lee The Condo Advisory – Compass San Francisco, CA 97
23 Charan Bajwa Team Charan Bajwa – RE/MAX Monmouth Junction, NJ 94
24 Steven Huang Ascend Real Estate – SIDE San Francisco, CA 93
25 Connie Van Connie Van Real Estate Group – Keller Williams Elk Grove, CA 91.5
26 Janet Moore Tampa Lux Group – Premier Sotheby’s International Realty Tampa, FL 89
27 Clay Byrne Byrne Real Estate Group – Keller Williams Austin, TX 87.7
T28 Andrew Chong Esther Chong Realty Group – Keller Williams Duluth, GA 86
T28 Michelle Kauffman Kauffman and Co.Team – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties Lubbock, TX 86
30 Meshell Perry/Elaine Samaan Dogwood Realty – SIDE Jacksonville, FL 84
31 Laura Soride The Laura Soride Team – RE/MAX Coralville, IA 83
32 Hoang “Alex” Dong Texas Ace Team – eXp Garland, TX 82
33 Jamie Younger Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Richmond, VA 74.8
34 Lisa Nguyen The International Group at RE/MAX Professionals – Lakewood, CO 74
35 Tere Foster/Moya Skillman Team Foster Skillman – Compass Seattle, WA 69
T36 Phil Chen Sybarite Realty – LeadingRE Burlingame, CA 67
T36 Crystal Florida Crystal Florida and Associates – Compass Oakland, CA 67
38 Lisa Larkin, Esq. The Valley Team – RE/MAX Tucson, AZ 65
39 Amy Duong Kim Duong Kim Global – Compass Chicago, IL 64
40 Smitha Ramchandani SR Real Estate Group – LeadingRE Summit, NJ 62
41 Amin Delawalla The Delawalla Group – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Beach Properties of Florida Watersound, FL 61
42 Scottee Downing Downing + Ivicic Group – Compass Austin, TX 60.2
43 Peter Au/Alice Schroeder Avant Team – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Irvine, CA 60
44 Tiffany Curry Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Tiffany Curry & Co., REALTORS® Houston, TX 59
45 Shirley Qing QQ Realty – Keller Williams Houston, TX 57
T46 Kenneth Er The Er Group – Compass Oakland, CA 55
T46 Ivona Kutermankiewicz IKGroup – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago Chicago, IL 55
T46 Sujatha Bhaskara SB Group – Keller Williams Morganville, NJ 55
49 Brandy Nelson Windermere Desert Properties Palm Desert, CA 53.7
50 Amy Kong Trust Real Estate – SIDE San Bruno, CA 52

Real Estate Team Volume

Rank Team Lead(s) Company City, State Volume
1 Calvin Gong Advanced Super Team Arcadia, CA $2,687,975,024
2 Long Doan Realty Group LLC Minneapolis, MN $1,498,998,311
3 Kenny Truong Fast Real Estate – eXp Oakland, CA $755,895,809
4 Andy Tse Intero Real Estate Services Saratoga, CA $712,326,908
5 Kyle Yeatman The Yeatman Group, Long & Foster Real Estate Midlothian, VA $413,051,704
6 Kevin Cruz Kinetic Real Estate – SIDE Daly City, CA $324,703,957
7 Michael Ramos Momentum Realty – SIDE San Jose, CA $315,405,620
8 Tere Foster/Moya Skillman Compass – Compass Seattle, WA $299,653,909
9 Phil Chen Sybarite Realty – LeadingRE Burlingame, CA $232,233,580
10 Samantha Tov Portfolio Real Estate – SIDE Elk Grove, CA $204,611,502
11 Melissa Sofia The Avenue Home Collective – SIDE San Diego, CA $198,657,990
12 Darlene Streit Darlene Streit – Sotheby’s International Realty Santa Fe, NM $198,076,149
13 Mei Ling 8 Blocks Real Estate – SIDE Santa Clara, CA $192,440,560
14 Anna Chi Yan Huang The Superior Realty Group – eXp Elk Grove, CA $172,527,046
15 Mindy Luong HPT Realty & Finance Westminster, CA $162,668,000
16 Marcus Lee The Condo Advisory – Compass San Francisco, CA $158,419,452
17 Johnny Rojas The Rojas Team Group – Century 21 Garfield, NJ $157,196,846
18 Steven Huang Ascend Real Estate – SIDE San Francisco, CA $140,758,571
19 Eddy Chen Vertex Diamond – RE/MAX Alhambra, CA $131,607,042
20 Beth Billington The Beth Billington Team – Coldwell Banker Bellevue, WA $121,869,950
21 Tommy Choi & Josh Weinberg Weinberg Choi – Keller Williams Chicago, IL $94,235,997
22 Andrew Chong Esther Chong Realty Group – Keller Williams Duluth, GA $89,270,462
23 Nancy Li Li Team – Keller Williams Henderson/Las Vegas, NV $86,597,825
24 Amin Delawalla The Delawalla Group – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Beach Properties of Florida Watersound, FL $71,962,318
25 Tadashi Kondo The Kondo Group – Compass Rancho Palos Verdes, CA $63,790,989
26 Peter Au/Alice Schroeder Avant Team – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Irvine, CA $62,433,779
27 Tim Hur/Helen Nguyen Point Honors and Associates, Realtors® Atlanta, GA $62,332,861
28 Clay Byrne Byrne Real Estate Group – Keller Williams Austin, TX $61,542,826
29 Kayla Lee Kayla Lee Team New York, NY $61,008,822
30 Lily Do Lily Cai Do – Compass Contra Costa, CA $60,744,200
31 Kenneth Er The Er Group – Compass Oakland, CA $60,075,330
32 Crystal Florida Crystal Florida and Associates – Compass Oakland, CA $58,906,773
33 Andrew Peters The Peters Team – Keller Williams Peachtree Corners, GA $57,871,883
34 Amy Kong Trust Real Estate – SIDE San Bruno, CA $55,428,400
35 Connie Van Connie Van Real Estate Group – Keller Williams Elk Grove, CA $54,863,093
36 Dave + Amy Chung The Dave + Amy Chung Team – Compass Chicago, IL $54,105,965
37 Phat Nguyen/Julie Phan Team Affinity Orlando, FL $51,309,695
38 Dave & Liz Goodchild The Goodchild Team – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Realty Palatine, IL $51,058,667
39 Wailani O’Herlihy The O’Herlihy Group – Sotheby’s International Realty Malibu, CA $46,935,962
40 Charan Bajwa Team Charan Bajwa – RE/MAX Monmouth Junction, NJ $45,093,166
41 Scottee Downing Downing + Ivicic Group – Compass Austin, TX $44,578,171
42 Ivona Kutermankiewicz IKGroup – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago Chicago, IL $44,548,542
43 Garrick Yan Garrick Yan Group – eXp San Leandro, CA $42,474,639
44 Smitha Ramchandani SR Real Estate Group – LeadingRE Summit, NJ $41,150,687
45 Michael Saladino The Saladino Sells Team – Keller Williams Chicago, IL $41,106,129
46 Amy Duong Kim Duong Kim Global – Compass Chicago, IL $38,797,886
47 Lisa Nguyen The International Group at RE/MAX Professionals – RE/MAX Lakewood, CO $38,592,985
48 Janet Moore Tampa Lux Group – Premier Sotheby’s International Realty Tampa, FL $35,988,627
49 Yassi Jazayeri Yassi & Associates – Keller Williams Bellevue, WA $35,341,644
50 Jamie Younger Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Richmond, VA $34,789,290

Top Loan Originators by Mortgage Units

Rank Full Name Company City, State # Closed Mortgages
1 Shashank Shekhar InstaMortgage Inc San Jose, CA 400
2 Karen Chiu New American Funding San Marino, CA 297
3 James Chen Citizens Bank Roslyn, NY 261
4 Nathan Sibbet loanDepot Sacramento, CA 256
5 Viral Vora PNC Bank Cupertino, CA 211
6 Tyler (Tu Ba) Nguyen Bluegrey Mortgage Tampa, FL 206
7 Judy Sakata Sakata Mortgage dba of 247 Mortgage Loan LLC Houston, TX 198
8 Joanna Yu US bank Los Altos Hills, CA 190
9 Choe Hung US bank Pasadena, CA 188
10 Kevin Oto Green Haven Capital Inc. Sacramento, CA 177
11 Ha Le Dao DHI Mortgage Sacramento, CA 146
12 An Le Lifestyle Home Lending Southlake, TX 141
13 Sunny (Meixu) Duan Citi Rockville, MD 118
14 Jasmine Cheng US bank Union City, CA 110
15 Michelle Kim HSBC Los Angeles, CA 102
16 Caroline Ke Liu US bank San Francisco, CA 101
17 Patrick Ly Union Home Mortgage Leesburg, VA 82
18 Daniel Dai Lemonbrew Lending Edison, NJ 81
19 Nick Chee Seng Leong HSBC Whitestone, NY 79
20 Anne Wiker US bank San Diego, CA 78
21 Jennifer Yang Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Torrance, CA 76
22 Meinoh Kim BluPrint Home Loans Fairfield, CA 75
23 Hai David Le US bank Fairfax, VA 72
24 Greg Louie GFL Capital Mortgage, Inc Henderson, NV 71
25 Sunny Kumar US bank San Diego, CA 70
26 Ray Zeng HSBC New York, NY 69
T27 Gennaro Bizzarro HSBC Yonkers, NY 68
T27 Aileen Hom Wells Fargo Private Bank San Mateo, CA 68
29 Kamal Sohal Chase bank Sacramento, CA 67
30 Bopha Phang loanDepot Stockton, CA 65

Top Loan Originators by Mortgage Volume

Rank Full Name Company City, State Volume Closed Mortgages
1 Joanna Yu US bank Los Altos Hills, CA $244,307,535
2 Viral Vora PNC Bank Cupertino, CA $221,839,038
3 Shashank Shekhar InstaMortgage Inc San Jose, CA $187,048,281
4 James Chen Citizens Bank Roslyn, NY $178,391,673
5 Gennaro Bizzarro HSBC Yonkers, NY $175,517,864
6 Karen Chiu New American Funding San Marino, CA $165,711,007
7 Choe Hung US bank Pasadena, CA $163,943,064
8 Nathan Sibbet loanDepot Sacramento, CA $124,232,591
9 Caroline Ke Liu US bank San Francisco, CA $118,631,590
10 Michelle Kim HSBC Los Angeles, CA $115,654,558
11 Sunny (Meixu) Duan Citi Rockville, MD $106,094,000
12 Jasmine Cheng US bank Union City, CA $101,242,343
13 Aileen Hom Wells Fargo Private Bank San Mateo, CA $96,474,112
14 Kevin Oto Green Haven Capital Inc. Sacramento, CA $82,155,712
15 Tyler (Tu Ba) Nguyen Bluegrey Mortgage Tampa, FL $75,702,929
16 Jennifer Yang Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Torrance, CA $71,624,460
17 Hai David Le US bank Fairfax, VA $70,711,136
18 Ha Le Dao DHI Mortgage Sacramento, CA $70,124,004
19 Sunny Kumar US bank San Diego, CA $66,618,844
20 Ryan Dang Wells Fargo Home Mortgage San Mateo, CA $65,306,558
21 Roger Pei HSBC San Francisco, CA $58,714,459
22 Vanessa Liu HSBC San Francisco, CA $57,556,052
23 An Le Lifestyle Home Lending Southlake, TX $54,609,986
24 Judy Sakata Sakata Mortgage dba of 247 Mortgage Loan LLC Houston, TX $49,708,616
25 Dan Anacker US bank Bonney Lake, WA $49,432,542
26 Leena Sankary US bank Monrovia, CA $49,367,062
27 Ray Zeng HSBC New York, NY $45,997,014
28 Meinoh Kim BluPrint Home Loans Fairfield, CA $43,294,216
29 Bobby Saadieh loanDepot Morgan Hill, CA $43,236,251
30 Nick Chee Seng Leong HSBC Whitestone, NY $40,491,013

ABOUT AREAA

Founded in 2003, the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) is a national nonprofit trade organization with more than 18,000 members dedicated to improving the lives of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community through homeownership. Visit areaa.org for more information.

Find topics in marketing, technology, and social media for realtors, and housing market resources for homeowners. Be sure to subscribe to Digital Age of Real Estate.

Latest posts by RealtyBiz News (see all)

Source: realtybiznews.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

Find lovely beaches, lush parks and peaceful neighborhoods in Cape Coral.

Is Cape Coral a good place to live? This question has crossed the minds of many prospective residents eyeing the sunny shores of Southwest Florida.

Cape Coral, located near Fort Myers, has a reputation for its lovely beaches, lush parks, and peaceful neighborhoods. In this comprehensive exploration, we dive into the various facets of living in Cape Coral to provide a well-rounded view of what life here truly entails.

Geographical beauty and outdoor fun

Cape Coral is dubbed as the “Waterfront Wonderland” owing to its over 400 miles of navigable waterways. The city’s geographical location by the Caloosahatchee River and Gulf Coast provides numerous avenues for waterfront living.

Residents revel in the close proximity to exotic beaches like Fort Myers Beach and Pine Island. The presence of several parks and natural preserves enhances the appeal for individuals who cherish the great outdoors.

Recreational activities

The city is a hub for a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, boating and hiking. The warm sunny weather, which graces the city year-round, creates a perfect atmosphere for residents to lead an active lifestyle.

The local flora and fauna add to Cape Coral’s charm. The city is known for its burrowing owls, which are not only a sight to behold but also reflect the area’s biodiversity.

Affordability

One of the prominent attractions of living in Cape Coral is its affordability. The city has a cost of living that’s below the national average, making it an enticing location for individuals on a budget.

Real estate

The real estate market in Cape Coral is relatively stable with a variety of housing options ranging from waterfront properties to suburban homes. Home prices are reasonable, providing new residents with a chance to own property in a beautiful city without breaking the bank.

Tax benefits

Florida is known for its friendly tax policies as there is no state income tax, which bodes well for both young adults and senior citizens looking to save on taxes. The lower cost of living extends to utility prices which are also below the national average.

Crime rate and safety

Cape Coral boasts a lower crime rate compared to larger cities in Florida. The lower rates of violent crime and property crime make it a safe community for families and individuals alike.

Economic growth and employment

Cape Coral is experiencing significant growth with a burgeoning economy. The influx of new residents and businesses has led to a robust real estate market and a growing city infrastructure.

The proximity to nearby Fort Myers expands employment opportunities for Cape Coral residents, who can commute for work and still enjoy the peace and tranquility that Cape Coral offers.

Education

Public schools in Cape Coral are part of the Lee County School District, which has a reputation for quality education. Additionally, there are several reputable private schools providing residents with a variety of educational options for their children.

Cultural richness and demographic diversity

Cape Coral hosts various cultural events year-round, providing residents with opportunities to immerse themselves in local and international cultures. The vibrancy of the local arts scene is a testament to the city’s cultural richness.

The city is home to a mix of young adults, families and senior citizens, creating a diverse community. This demographic mix enriches the life in the city and fosters a sense of community among residents.

Cons of Cape Coral life

While there are many benefits to living in Cape Coral, there are drawbacks too. Some residents might find the city to be too quiet, especially when compared to the bustling activity in nearby cities like Miami. The summer months can get exceedingly hot and humid, which might not suit everyone.

Also, the influx of seasonal residents during winter can lead to crowded streets and longer wait times at local establishments.

Living in Cape Coral comes with the reality of facing the hurricane season. The city’s location on the Gulf Coast exposes it to the risk of hurricanes and storm surges, with Hurricane Ian being a notable mention.

Living in Cape Coral

Cape Coral, with its beautiful beaches, affordable living and growing economy, certainly has a lot on offer for prospective residents. While the city has its share of challenges like facing the hurricane season and experiencing seasonal population fluctuations, the positives of living in Cape Coral, FL far outweigh the negatives for the most part.

The city is indeed a great place for individuals and families seeking a serene environment, lower cost of living and a community-centric lifestyle amidst the beauty of Southwest Florida.

Ready to find your Cape Coral rental paradise? Look at apartments for rent here.

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

Welcome to Someone Buy This!, a monthly shopping column featuring the fun, the frivolous, and the practical from a very discerning shopper.

I love my dog Archie, I love having nice stuff in my home, and yet these two things are often at odds with each other. Dog stuff can often be… well, ugly. There’s a lot of garish prints and colors, and not the kind you’re used to seeing in this column. I’ve searched high and low for functional dog products that seamlessly fit into my home decor and I’m happy to report that they exist. Here are my favorite, Archie-approved, dog accessories.

Eating and drinking

Dorai Home Dog Bowl Stone

Sick of wet, dirty floors surrounding unattractive dog bowls? That’s why we created the Dorai Stone Base made with diatomaceous earth that’s designed to instantly remove water, helping to prevent mold.

If your dog is like mine, they like splash water all over the floor when they drink. Then you get the very special honor of stepping on wet floor as you go about your business. I’m sure that you, like me, absolutely love a surprise puddle. If so, this product is not for you because it will drastically reduce and even eliminate drink bowl puddles. This base from Dorai Home is made out of diatomaceous earth, which, according to the company, holds up to 150% of its weight in water. What does this mean? It’s super absorbent and causes moisture to evaporate very, very quickly. It truly changed the puddle situation in my kitchen. When Archie dramatically laps from his bowl, this pad grabs the excess.

Yamazaki Home Rolling Airtight Pet Food Container

This food container is heavy duty! If your kibble bag is too big to toss around, try this rolling, airtight kibble storage solution. Simply roll out of the pantry, pop the lid, and scoop up a serving with our measured cup.

If you’re excited about air-tight food, you’ll love this treat container. It comes in several colors, holds about 4.5 cups of treats, and is way nicer to look at than the bags dog treats are sold in. Just make sure everyone in your household is aware of its contents. The container is so nice it may be confused as something that holds treats for people!

Waggo Treat Jar

The TREAT JAR by Waggo is perfect for making sure you always have cookies on standby for when your beast begins to beg. Available in 4 colors, this minimalist treat jar is a beautiful addition to any home.  7.5″ x 4″ holds 4.5 cups or 36 FL OZ. Glazed ceramic.

The Fritz Bed

This bed is made of 100% recycled PET bottles.

Dog beds are probably the most visible pet product in your home. Beds need to serve your dog’s needs, be easy to wash, and, of course, not be an eyesore. I personally tend to gravitate towards beds with removable covers. I find that they’re easier to wash, meaning I wash them more often. I love this one by Approved By Fritz, which comes in a few colors and patterns, two of which are checker-print. You can’t go wrong with that! This bed has one seam, giving it more of a pillow shape. 

Fable Pets Bed

Our signature dog bed features simple, minimalist lines and looks right at home with any decor.

If your dog prefers something boxy, which makes the edges of the bed a bit more stable, Fable has a great option. This bed comes in multiple sizes and both the cover and insert are machine-washable.

Fable Pets Crate

A cozy anxiety-relieving spot for your pet and a premium piece of furniture for your home? Yes please.  Our signature dog crate/side table is made from premium bent wood.

Crates seem to be a divisive topic amongst dog people. Some people swear by them and others can’t get past the fact that they look like cages. Archie loves his crate and hangs out in it willingly. He has a habit of dramatically leaving the living room and heading to his crate when he’s decided his night is over. I love that he has his own space, but I hate the way the crate looks. That’s where the Fable crate comes in. It’s easily the most visually appealing crate on the market. In some settings, it can even operate as a side table or nightstand. And yes, the aforementioned bed fits perfectly in the crate!

Bath time

Dedcool Pet Shampoo

What are the odds that your dog uses a fancier shampoo than you? Cleanse and condition your pups with our tear-free formula that treats their skin and coat real nice. No sulfates or parabens. Nontoxic + vegan.

Readers of this column know I’m a big fan of Dedcool scents. Their pet shampoo is no exception. It’s fragrant, but not oppressive, and gentle enough for Archie’s somewhat sensitive skin. I apply the K-beauty double cleanse technique to bath time and use a rubber brush to lather up the shampoo. I can’t say Archie enjoys it, but he accepts his fate and will do basically anything for a treat.

Dog hair is everywhere

Staff Lint Roller

The Lint Roller has an acrylic handle adorned with the signature Staff smiley and a golden ring connection for extra shine. The roller component is a sticky rubber that picks up unwanted items with ease.

I try to de-shed Archie as much as I can during bath time, but turn to a lint roller for the hair that will inevitably end up on my clothes. Staff’s beautiful reusable lint roller, complete with a metallic case, is the one I keep by the door for a last pass on my way out.

Large Recycled Wool Pet Blanket

his TBCo Pet Blanket is woven from 70% recycled wool and 30% mixed recycled fibers. On average, each blanket saves three garments from landfill, turning preloved into reloved.

I am guilty of cuddling up with my dog on the couch. While I don’t regret letting him up on the furniture, I do have to wage a constant battle on dog hair. Blankets are key here, since they’re way easier to wash than couch cushions. The problem is so many “dog friendly” blankets are ugly! I don’t want them to be monogrammed or decorated with paw prints! This wool blanket from Tartan Blanket Co is washable (yes, really!) and will blend into your existing decor. Wool is naturally stain-resistant, but not the easiest thing to wash. With this blanket, you get it all! These blankets are an extra tight weave, which is okay to throw in the washing machine if you need to.

We love the products we feature and hope you do, too. If you buy something through a link on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Reading:

Banish the “Big Light” Completely With Some Snazzy Lamps

Source: dwell.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

Today we’ll check out “Lennar Mortgage,” which is the financing division of parent company Lennar Corp.

If you weren’t aware, Lennar is one of the nation’s largest home builders, and is also nearly 70-years old.

Like many large builders, they have an in-house mortgage company that facilitates their new home sales.

Instead of outsourcing home loan lending to a third-party company, they’re able to provide the customer with a streamlined process from end to end.

Read on to learn more about their history and what types of loan offerings they have available, including special incentives you won’t find elsewhere.

Lennar Mortgage Fast Facts

  • The home loan division of parent company Lennar Corp.
  • Lennar is the nation’s second largest home builder, founded in 1954
  • Formerly known as Eagle Home Mortgage before a name change in 2020
  • Headquartered in Miami, FL, founded in 1981
  • Currently have building operations in 26 states nationally
  • Primarily utilized by home buyers who purchase a Lennar property
  • Funded over $14 billion in home loans in 2022
  • Known for offering big mortgage rate buydowns

As noted, Lennar Mortgage is the financing unit of its parent company, Lennar Corp.

While the parent company is nearly 70 years old, Lennar Mortgage is a lot younger.

In fact, they were acquired by Lennar back in 1999, at the time known as “Eagle Home Mortgage.” That company had been around since 1981.

As of December 5th, 2020, they were renamed Lennar Mortgage to make it clearer to customers that the company was part of the Lennar family.

At the moment, they have building operations in 26 states, meaning Lennar Mortgage is essentially available to customers in roughly half the country.

They primarily operate in the states of California, Florida, and Texas, along with the Mountain West and Mid-Atlantic states.

Last year, the company funded over $14 billion in home loans, with about 75% being conventional loans, 15% FHA loans, and 12% VA loans, per HMDA data.

While their website indicates that they offer refinance loans, they primarily serve their own home buyer customers with purchase loans.

Aside from operating a mortgage unit, Lennar also has Lennar Title and Lennar Insurance Agency, which allows them to streamline the home buying process.

They have physical branches throughout the country (where new home communities exist) and roughly 1,200 lending associates.

How to Apply with Lennar Mortgage

To get started, you can visit their website and get pre-qualified for a mortgage, or simply coordinate with your home buying rep after visiting a new home community.

They’ve got local loan officers throughout the country and physical branches in the states where they build homes.

Their new home communities may also have sales offices with lending representatives present.

Like other mortgage lenders, Lennar Mortgage offers a digital home loan experience that is mostly paperless.

It appears to be backed by ICE Mortgage Technology, one of the leading fintech companies in the mortgage space.

Customers can apply from any device and auto-save their loan application to pick up where they left off.

And automatically connect bank statements, tax returns, and income documentation within minutes, with bank-level encryption to provide peace of mind.

On-demand digital mortgage support is also available for those who need help along the way, though most tasks can be completed without the need for human interaction if that’s a preference.

All in all, it appears they offer a good combination of human support, if needed, along with the latest technology for convenience.

Loan Options Available at Lennar Mortgage

  • Home purchase loans (and mortgage refinances)
  • Conforming and jumbo loans
  • FHA/VA/USDA loan options
  • Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans available
  • They lend on single-family homes and townhomes

As noted, most Lennar Mortgage customers will use the company for a home purchase mortgage.

While they do offer refinance loans, their primary objective is getting their parent company’s home buyers a mortgage.

The good news is they offer all the major home loan types a home buyer would need, whether it’s a conforming loan or a jumbo loan.

Or a fixed-rate mortgage or adjustable-rate mortgage, including the popular 7/1 ARM.

They also offer the complete suite of government-back loans, including FHA, VA, and USDA loans.

Down payments can be as low as zero on the government loan options, or just 3% for the conventional loan options.

They offer financing on primary residences, second homes, and investment properties.

Lennar Mortgage Rates

Once huge advantage to using Lennar Mortgage is their mortgage rate buydowns, which are pretty hard to beat.

Since mortgage rates surged higher, from around 3% in early 2022 to nearly 8%, companies like Lennar Mortgage have been offering large rate buydowns to their own customers.

So those who use the company to purchase a Lennar home can take advantage of big interest rate reductions they likely won’t find elsewhere.

For example, you might see an advertised mortgage rate special of 4.99%, despite the 30-year fixed currently averaging 7.50% or higher.

Or a big dollar amount in incentives, which can be used like a lender credit to cover closing costs or apply toward a rate buydown.

This is their big advantage as a home builder’s captive financing unit. They’re able to offer special deals that can boost affordability, even if market rates are high.

In terms of advertising their rates, you won’t find a page dedicated to mortgage rates on their website.

And these rate specials will vary from community to community nationwide, depending on supply and demand of newly-built homes.

Is Lennar Mortgage Legit?

Yes, they are the official financing division of Lennar, one of the largest home builders in the United States.

In fact, Lennar Corp. was reportedly the second largest home builder in the nation as of 2023, trailing only D.R. Horton.

The company is also publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: LEN) and is valued at over $34 billion at last glance.

They are a Fortune 500 company as well and date back to the 1950s, which is older than most mortgage companies in existence today.

Lennar Mortgage also has a 4.89/5 star rating on Zillow from over 2,100 customer reviews and holds an ‘A+’ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to use Lennar Mortgage just because you’re purchasing a Lennar home.

It’s perfectly acceptable to use a third-party lender, though it may be difficult for them to match the pricing incentives offered.

At the end of the day, Lennar Mortgage will likely have a huge leg up compared to other lenders thanks to their ability to structure pricing and rates in-house to boost affordability.

And because they offer a wide range of loan options and a digital mortgage experience, it’ll likely be a challenge for outside lenders to compete.

That being said, always take the time to gather other mortgage quotes and be sure to negotiate with the company.

Simply letting them know you are looking into other financing alternatives could result in more leverage and/or a better deal.

But when it comes time to refinance your loan, they likely won’t be nearly as competitive on pricing. At that stage, you’d probably be better off finding a new mortgage company to work with.

Lennar Mortgage Pros and Cons

The Good

  • Can apply for a home loan online or at a physical branch
  • Offer a paperless digital mortgage experience
  • Integrated title and homeowners insurance companies
  • Lots of loan options including fixed rates and ARMs
  • Offer big incentive to home buyers including rate buydown and lender credits
  • Free credit guidance to those who need to boost their FICO scores
  • Access to mortgage calculators and learning center online
  • Excellent reviews from past customers

The Maybe Not

  • Do not advertise their daily mortgage rates online
  • Not available in all states
  • Primarily offer home purchase loans
  • No home equity or second mortgage options

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com