Cara Ameer

The real estate industry is embarking on significant practice changes that will affect the way the consumer interacts with real estate agents by August 17th. One of the biggest impacts will be on buyers with respect to representation. Here are 12 critical things buyers need to consider when deciding to seek representation or go it alone in my latest column for

12 practical pivot points for buyer prospects Buyers and sellers need their own agents as buffers to work through the challenges that every transaction presents. 

Ye's Malibu "shell" continues to lag on the market for $39M. What price will it take to get this property sold? I'm explaining for Realtor.com and

https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/how-can-kanye-west-expect-39m-for-his-malibu-california-mansion/

How Can Kanye West Expect Millions for the Malibu Mansion He Trashed? Kanye West is still seeking a buyer for his ravaged Malibu abode. The listing landed on the market months ago, with no buyer in sight.

What does $210M get you in Malibu and what does this record breaking sale mean for Southern California luxury real estate? I'm weighing in for .com

https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/record-setting-210m-mansion-malibu-california-insights/

What Does a Record-Setting $210M Mansion Sale Mean for the Malibu Real Estate Market? A $210 million real estate deal in Malibu, CA, has shattered the record for the most expensive home sale in the coveted coastal town.

It's the multimillion dollar question in real estate and can be complicated, depending on the property. I had firsthand experience with a luxury property that lagged on market, working with it for 3 years. I continually changed up the strategy from painting, staging, meeting with contractors to develop a renovation plan, featuring the front door in a local book and having the home showcased as a lifestyle segment on the local news, complete with poker game and the sports anchor coming up with a song about the house on the fly, with the sellers and I singing along. Eventually this ecclectic concoction worked! All that didn't make the story here, but I'm explaining for Realtor.com

https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/red-hot-real-estate-markets-why-do-certain-homes-just-not-sell/ #:~:text=The%20most%20common%20reasons%20for,versus%20desirability%2C%E2%80%9D%20Jones%20says.

In Red-Hot Real Estate Markets, Why Do Certain Homes Just Not Sell? When a listing in a hot market sits for months, buyers might presume something is wrong with it. But does this common thinking hold water?

Rain in the "Sunshine State" is inevitable and can sometimes mean flooding. If you own a home or are on the hunt for one, here's my advice for Realtor.com

https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/florida-declares-state-of-emergency-flash-flooding/

Florida Declares State of Emergency After Flash Flooding: Here's What Homeowners Need To Know Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a flash flood warning on Wednesday, following a deluge of rain in the southern part of the state.

If you bought a home prior to 2020, are you laughing all the way to the bank? There are pluses with that scenario but also challenges if you want to cash out and move. I'm diving in for

Bought a Home Pre-Pandemic? Here's How Much It's Worth Now (Break Out the Champagne) Here's where home prices have risen the most in the past five years—and why some sellers might not want to cash out.

Do you know a buyer for this compound? Hard to believe it was just a year ago that I weighed in on the J-Lo-Affleck home purchase in the 90210. Now, it looks like it's quietly coming back on the market for $5M over the original purchase price around $65M. Will they get it and how long will it take to sell this nearly 40,000 sq. ft. crib? I'm weighting in for .com #90210
https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/jennifer-lopez-and-ben-affleck-where-will-they-call-home/

If Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Split, Where Will They Each Call Home? Where would Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck land if they go their separate ways?Suffice it to say they have some fairly opulent options.

Interest rates, inventory and insurance. If you are feeling the pinch in the current housing market, you are in good company. Price per sq.ft. has jumped exponentially since 2019. What are the top ten markets with the biggest increases and is this the only metric that matters when valuing real estate? The answers may surprise you. I'm weighing in for Realtordotcom

Brace Yourself: The Price Per Square Foot of an Average U.S. Home Has Jumped More Than 50% Since 2019 The average price per square foot of a typical home has soared over 50% since 2019. Here are the metros that saw the most growth.

How did Graceland face what now appears to be a fraudulent foreclosure and could something like this happen to any private property owner? I'm explaining for .com

https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/elvis-beloved-graceland-faces-foreclosure-auction-as-granddaughter-riley-keough-fights-sale/

Elvis' Beloved Graceland Foreclosure Auction Stopped as Granddaughter Riley Keough Fights Sale Graceland, one of America's most beloved and famous homes, is set to be sold at a foreclosure sale on Thursday.

Bargain hunting? Where are the top markets you can score a deal? I'm sharing some towns you might not know about for and .com
DM for more information on any of these markets!

https://nypost.com/2024/06/04/real-estate/americas-top-10-buyers-marketswhere-you-can-still-land-a-bargain-below-the-asking-price/

America’s top 10 buyer’s markets—where you can still land a bargain below the asking price Buyers face a tough housing market these days: With listing prices hovering at $430,000 and mortgage interest rates near 7%, the cards seem to be stacked against them.

The famous Home Alone house is for sale once again! Besides being featured in this iconic movie, what makes it so special? I'm explaining for Realtor.com

https://www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/home-alone-house-lists-after-serious-renovation/

'Home Alone' House Is Listed for $5.25M After a Serious Renovation—but Is It an Improvement? A dozen years after it was last on the market, the famous "Home Alone" house is up for sale, listed at $5.25 million.

What are the 10 hottest seller's markets in the U.S.? I'm weighing in for Realtor.com

https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/top-strongest-sellers-markets-april-2024/

The 10 Strongest Seller's Markets in the U.S.—Where Homes Still Attract Bidding Wars Galore Across America, these are the top 10 seller's markets where multiple offers, bids over the asking price, and quick sales are the new normal.

Have a great interest rate on a property you own but want to move on to another property? Here's how to leverage that property to pay for itself and the next one you buy. I'm explaining for Realtor.com

https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/reasons-to-rent-out-old-home-rather-than-selling-high-mortgage-rates/

'I Couldn't Give Up My 2.65% Mortgage': Why This Couple Decided To Rent Out Rather Than Sell Their Old Home If you have a low mortgage rate, it might be wise to rent out your current home when buying another. Learn the pros and cons here.

Anything Taylor Swift does is always trending, including lending her swanky Tribeca compound to Sophie Turner while she shakes off her divorce from Joe Jonas. What makes this space an ideal divorce retreat? I'm breaking it down for Realtor.com

https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/taylor-swift-gave-sophie-turner-home-during-divorce-joe-jonas/

See the 'Safe Space' Taylor Swift Provided Sophie Turner During Her Divorce From Joe Jonas It's nice to have famous friends! Here's the skinny on the fab pad where the English actress stayed during her divorce.

Trending: "Cowgirl core"...is it a new twist on western inspired design both inside and out? I'm explaining for Realtor.com

https://www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/cowgirl-core-homes-for-sale/

Rustic Romance: 6 Homes for Sale That Channel the Red-Hot 'Cowgirl Core' Look All things cowgirl (and boy) are having a moment right now. Check out these homes that evoke the feel of life in the American West.

Buying a beach house sounds idyllic, but owning one may come with some unexpected surprises. I'm breaking down some things to consider for Realtor.com .

https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/surprising-downsides-of-living-in-a-beach-house/

'It Wasn't Paradise': The Surprising Downsides of Living in a Beach House Although countless people pay dearly for the privilege of living on the beach, these properties come with an array of pitfalls.

Is buying a condo on a cruise ship the next trend in maintenance free, luxury living? Instead of downsizing to travel, what if you could do both in one purchase? I'm breaking down what you need to know for Realtor.com

'We Bought a Home on a Cruise Ship': A Wonderful, Novel Way To Retire Where You Can Vote on Where To Set Sail John and Melody Hennessee have put a $10,000 deposit down on a one-bedroom apartment aboard Storylines’ MV Narrative—and they'll be able to vote on where to set sail.

Celebrities are always on the move and what may seem like a dream home is a dream home in the moment. Bought for $13,450,000 in 2018, Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott have tried selling their Beverly Hills crib since 2022 for $21,900,000 and then $19,999,000 in 2023.
With a new price of $17,995,000 will this 9,171 sq ft estate sell this time around? I'm sharing my perspective for Realtor.com

https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/why-cant-kylie-and-travis-sell-their-home-in-beverly-hills-california/

Why Can’t Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott Sell Their Beverly Hills Home? Reality TV star Kylie Jenner and rapper Travis Scott are still looking to part ways with their Beverly Hills, CA, megamanse.

In the celebratory spirit of the Oscar's, the film American Dreamer hits the big screen on Friday with a down and out professor wanting to buy in an area he can't afford. Sound familiar? But, wait, there may be a way. What if you could buy a property at a below market price and let the owner stay for as long as they live? Can this really be done? What are the risks? I'm explaining for Realtor.com


https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/american-dreamer-life-estate-sale-hugh-hefner/

When You Have To Wait for the Home Seller To Die: The Reality Behind the New Film ‘American Dreamer’ "American Dreamer," starring Peter Dinklage, taps into the reality of a life estate sale—and whether the bargain is too good to be true.

How did the "Gucci Goddess" swindle $108 million from the US government and go on a real estate buying spree of 31 properties across the country? I'm weighing in for Realtordotcom

Tour ‘Gucci Goddess’ Con Artist Janet Yamanaka Mello’s Massive Property Portfolio Janet Yamanaka Mello has pleaded guilty to fraud. Here's a look at many of the properties she is accused of buying with ill-gotten gains.

Honored to have my piece "18 Ways to Show Buyers You're Worth Every Dollar" as the lead cover story for the March edition of Florida Realtors Magazine. As a practicing agent, I don't just write about real estate, but share insight, advice and perspective from the trenches. I look forward to continuing to inform, educate and empower both consumers and agents to foster a better understanding of the industry and all that is involved with the buying and selling process..

Florida Realtor March 2024 Page 16 COVER STORY / REALTOR® VALUE 18 Ways to Show Buyers You’re Worth Every Dollar POWER 16 FLORIDA REALTOR / March 2024 YOU’RE THE

What's behind the most expensive home on the market in the United States and will it sell? I'm diving in for Realtor.com

https://www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/can-the-most-expensive-home-in-the-nation-really-fetch-its-295m-asking-price/

Can the Nation's Most Expensive Home Actually Fetch Its $295M Asking Price? The pricey property captured attention on the web, where it landed atop the list of most expensive homes of the week.

Troy Palmquist of eXp talks with bi-coastal broker and Inman contributor Cara Ameer about the lessons she's learned and what she'd share with agents now

Little things, not the big things, upend transactions Troy Palmquist of eXp talks with bi-coastal broker and Inman contributor Cara Ameer about the lessons she's learned and what she'd share with agents now.

Who is the architect to the stars and what makes his work so intriguing and worth the cost? I'm diving in for Realtor.com.

https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/who-is-tadao-ando/

Who Is Tadao Ando? The Pritzker Architect Attracting Celebrities (Such as Beyonce and Kanye) and Controversy You might not recognize the work of architect Tadao Ando, but his designs have drawn the attention of A-list celebs.

Starting off 2024 as a guest on The Real View for Ohio Realtors talking about all things insurance from the real estate agent perspective. I'm breaking down flood zones, fire zones, why 12 year old roofs matter, CLUE reports (no, it doesn't involve the board game), buyer and seller rap sheets and how not to let insurance issues derail the deal. Thanks for having me!

https://share.transistor.fm/s/bd7a93d9

The 2023 real estate market has been full of curveballs, twists and turns. Every market is different and brings its own unique set of challenges. Along with the business of transacting real estate, the ability to share insight, perspective and advice at such a crucial time matters with both consumers as well as the industry. Out of thousands of columns published, I'm honored for my work to make the top ten for for 2023.

The top 10 real estate advice articles of 2023 Ranked by highest readership, here are the top how-tos, helpful hints and insightful listicles from Inman contributors this year.

✴️Trending: Buyer Representation✴️✴️

I'm excited my piece was trending no. 1 for Inman News this week

Now more than ever, buyer representation is becoming critically important. Sellers sign listing agreements that outline what to expect and buyers should understand what representation agreements mean and how that benefits them. I'm breaking down 9 reasons why here:

9 ways to get a buyer to sign a buyer agreement Don't be a shrinking violet when it comes to your compensation. Find out how to ask for what you're worth and have that tough buyer commission talk.

Not much California love for Dr. Dre's Malibu $20M crib. Why is it sitting and what will it take to get it sold? I'm breaking it down for Realtordotcom

Still D.R.E.'s Place: Why Hasn't Dr. Dre's $20M Malibu Home Sold After a Year on the Market? Despite the celebrity cachet of Dr. Dre's Malibu home, it's still on the market. Why no "California Love" for this beach retreat?

Great being a guest on The Neighborhood Realtor podcast hosted by Matt Muscat. Thanks for having me! You can check out Matt's podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon & more!

A Secret Weapon for ANY Market — Cara Ameer, CA & FL - The Neighborhood Realtor This week the Neighborhood Realtor Podcast welcomes Bi-Coastal Realtor and industry thought leader Cara Ameer. Over her 20 year career in real estate Cara has developed niches in both Southern California and Florida. She uniquely plays her sk...

Figuring out a mortgage can seem confusing and overwhelming in today's landscape, but it doesn't have to be. Determining the right loan with the right concessions can help make the payment more affordable. I'm breaking down common buyer myths for

10 Things Most Homebuyers Get Wrong About Getting a Mortgage Today Most homebuyers make mistakes when trying to secure a mortgage, particularly if it's their first time. Here are some common blunders and how to avoid them.