Could Crowdfunding Be the New Thing in Real Estate?

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Crowdfunding is gaining momentum in real estate, with the amount of money raised, the size of deals and how fast they occur steadily increasing.

Crowdfunding is a way of raising money, usually through the internet, by getting small amounts from many people.

Nav Athwal, founder and chief executive of RealtyShares in San Francisco, says, “We are very eager to one day be able to open our platform to anybody that wants to put $1,000 or a couple hundred bucks into real estate, because let’s face it, real estate is one of the best ways to build wealth and you shouldn’t have to have a certain net worth to invest in real estate.”

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How to Spot a Scary Real Estate Listing

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Halloween is just around the corner, and that means spooky sightings are abundant – but you don’t want to see anything nightmarish in a home you’re about to buy.

Keep an eye out for listings without interior photos. Could they be hiding something? You should also be on the lookout for listings without a description or with a very short description.

Avoid the fixer-uppers. A small project is doable, but a huge remodeling overhaul is probably not something you want to invest in.

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How To Make Your Credit Score Better

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Want to boost your credit score? There are a few simple things you can do to get the number where you need it to be.

Keep track of your utilization ratio. This shows how much of your available credit you’re using. Aim to keep that ratio under 30 percent.

The most important thing you can do for your credit score is to make payments on time. Go automatic to avoid any late payments or set up alerts to remind yourself when it’s time.

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New Report Shows Housing Market is on the Upswing

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After some not-so-good years, the housing market is finally starting get a boost.

The market, however, has had a few changes since the recession. For one, home buyers are getting older, with the average age of a homebuyer now 43, up from 35 in 1985.

“We consistently tell that story of people delaying homeownership,” says Skylar Olsen, senior economist at Zillow. “People are delaying things that pre-date homeownership — like getting married later and having children later.”

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Is Your Credit Prepared for Holiday Shopping?

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Holiday shopping is just around the corner, and if you’re not properly prepared, your credit score could take a hit.

Start by checking your credit score now. It may be a good idea to sign up for a new credit card before the season begins, but not if you have a high number of credit inquiries.

Your spending is going to spike during the holiday season, but don’t spend more than you can afford. If necessary, increase your credit limit to counteract your increase in spending.

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Real Estate Tech Startups Get Both Good and Bad News

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At an event hosted by Rubicon Venture, technology startups got some good and bad news.

According to data from CB Insights, more than $1.4 billion is expected to be invested in real estate tech startups this year.

But Dave Eisenberg, chief executive of Floored, offered a warning for entrepreneurs: it may be challenging to convince customers that they need new technology.

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What to Know About Online Real Estate Listings

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The home buying process has been made much more convenient with the onset of the Internet, but these sites still have their flaws.

The information you find online may not always be correct. Make sure you ask the important questions when you’re house hunting. Don’t rely on the information you find.

Also, while photo slideshows can help you immensely when looking at houses, there’s really nothing better than looking at a home in person. Photos can be misleading, so make sure you make your final decision after seeing a home in person.

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New Auto Group to Help Prevent Cyberattacks

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A new group has been formed by The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and Association of Global Automakers to help prevent cyberattacks on cars and trucks.

Alliance President CEO Mitch Bainwol said, “Network security must be incorporated from design to roadway, and our auto companies are exploring the best ways to enhance cyber resiliency while continuing to be nimble and responsive to new developments.”

The new group is currently in the early stages and may not complete its findings until next year.

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Interest in Charter Schools Growing Among Real Estate Investors

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As state and local governments in crease spending on charter schools, more and more real estate investors are becoming interested.

Charter schools, while often operated by nonprofit organizations, often rent and buy buildings from private real estate companies.

Many real estate firms are now investing in charter schools because of the growth of the charter school movement. According to the National Alliance for Charter Schools, 500 new public charter schools opened in the 2014-2015 school year.

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