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Linkhome Cash Offer has once again earned recognition, this time being spotlighted in Forbes.
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Forbes magazine is seen on a board at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2017 (SPIEF 2017) in St. Petersburg, Russia, June 1, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin/File Photo
Linkhome Cash Offer: A Game-Changer in a Competitive Real Estate Market
In today’s red-hot housing market, sellers overwhelmingly prefer all-cash offers. Compared to traditional offers, all-cash offers significantly reduce the risk of transaction failure, providing stability and assurance for sellers.
In a Forbes article discussing all-cash home purchases, it was highlighted that one-third of all real estate transactions in early 2021 were completed with all-cash offers, up from 25.3% in 2020.
The article also praised Linkhome as an industry pioneer in providing All Cash Offers. Unlike competitors, Linkhome doesn’t charge extra fees for using its Cash Offer program or impose excessive loan requirements.
“As a buyer, you pay the same fees as you would with a traditional agent, yet you gain all the competitive advantages of Linkhome Cash Offer at no additional cost, significantly boosting your chances of success in a highly competitive market.”
“In today’s intense real estate environment, Linkhome is committed to leveling the playing field for everyday homebuyers, empowering them to compete with institutional investors through its cost-effective Cash Offer program.”
This mission is at the heart of Linkhome’s founding principle: to make the homebuying process faster, simpler, and more affordable.
How Does Linkhome Cash Offer Work?
Linkhome Cash Offer is a financial tool designed to quickly transform buyers into all-cash buyers.
Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Linkhome helps buyers become all-cash buyers. Once buyers find their dream home, Linkhome uses a short-term loan (typically 10–14 days) to provide cash for the purchase.
2️⃣ Guarantee Addendum for extra security. Offers include Linkhome’s Guarantee Addendum, assuring sellers that if any issues arise during the transaction, Linkhome will buy the home directly. This further enhances the stability and competitiveness of the offer.
3️⃣ Quick closing. After the seller accepts the offer, the home is transferred to the buyer’s name in as little as 10 business days, allowing the buyer to move in.
4️⃣ Refinancing. Post-move-in, buyers have up to 90 days to refinance into a conventional mortgage, completing the homebuying process.
Why Choose Linkhome Cash Offer?
Unlike individual cash buyers, Linkhome Cash Offer stands out because it is backed by the company’s guarantees. Sellers are reassured that they won’t lose time due to buyer withdrawals or funding issues, which significantly increases the offer’s stability.
Key Advantages of Linkhome Cash Offer:
Increased competitiveness: Stand out in a crowded market with a strong all-cash offer.
Fast closings: Close on your dream home in just 10 business days.
Enhanced stability: Linkhome guarantees the offer, giving sellers peace of mind.
No extra cost: Buyers enjoy these benefits without additional fees.
Compared to traditional and individual all-cash buyers, Linkhome Cash Offer provides a distinct edge.
If you’d like to learn more about Linkhome Cash Offer or have any questions, scan the QR code below to get in touch with us!
Linkhome—making your homebuying journey smoother, faster, and more successful.
The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted the red-hot U.S. housing market, where loan buyers often struggle to compete against all-cash buyers.
In competitive bidding situations, Linkhome Cash Offer, powered by Linkhome Mortgage, transforms loan buyers into all-cash buyers. This significantly enhances transaction stability and boosts the competitiveness of loan buyers during bidding wars.
But the advantages of “a smoother home buying process” don’t stop there. Once the seller accepts the offer, properties purchased with a Linkhome Cash Offer typically close in just 10 business days—compared to the 30–45 days it takes for traditional loan buyers to close and move into their new homes.
From making an offer to closing, every step is streamlined with Linkhome Cash Offer—and it can save buyers money too!
In the first half of this year, data showed that buyers using Linkhome Cash Offer were able to purchase their dream homes at prices approximately 3% lower than the highest competing offer.
Linkhome Cash Offer: Save Money, Time, and Hassle
“Our bid wasn’t the highest, but our terms were the most competitive because we were an all-cash offer,” shared Eugenio, a Linkhome client, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. His cash offer prevailed over six competing buyers.
Recently, Linkhome Cash Offer received yet another upgrade, further enhancing its efficiency and value for buyers.
How Does Linkhome Cash Offer Work?
Linkhome Cash Offer, powered by Linkhome Mortgage, is a financial tool that allows buyers to become all-cash buyers quickly.
Here’s how it works:
1⃣️ Linkhome transforms the buyer into an all-cash buyer. Once a buyer identifies a home they love, they use Linkhome Cash Offer to make an all-cash purchase.
2⃣️ The home is transferred to the buyer’s name quickly. After the seller accepts the offer, the buyer secures a short-term loan (usually within 10 business days) to close on the property and move into their new home.
3⃣️ The buyer refinances into a long-term loan. After moving in, the buyer completes the process by refinancing into a conventional mortgage.
Why Choose Linkhome Cash Offer?
With Linkhome Cash Offer, the process is faster and more secure. Sellers are reassured by Linkhome’s guarantee, knowing there’s no risk of buyers backing out due to financing issues or delays. This increases the stability of the offer compared to standard individual cash buyers.
The upgraded Linkhome Cash Offer provides even more advantages:
Faster closings: Move into your dream home in just 10 business days.
Increased competitiveness: Stand out in bidding wars with a strong all-cash offer.
Cost savings: Secure homes at prices lower than competing offers.
By combining the stability of a guaranteed cash offer with the flexibility of long-term financing, Linkhome Cash Offer makes homebuying easier, faster, and more affordable.
Ready to make your homebuying journey smoother? Discover the exclusive benefits of Linkhome Cash Offer today!
Hey there! Are you wondering if buying a home is going to be a stressful process?
It doesn’t have to be! You’re ready to make your dream of homeownership a reality, and Linkhome has the perfect guide to walk you through every step of the journey!
Step 1: Are You Financially Ready?
The first step is determining if you’re financially prepared to become a homeowner. Why is this important? Buying a home typically involves a long-term commitment—a 15-30 year mortgage—and comes with additional responsibilities like home maintenance, property taxes, insurance, and repairs.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Do you have a stable income? Most lenders require at least two years of consistent employment history.
Can you afford the mortgage? Stability in employment is essential before buying a home.
Is your debt under control? Lenders assess your debt-to-income ratio to decide on loan approval.
How long do you plan to live in the home? Some loans, like first-time homebuyer assistance programs, require you to live in the home for at least five years.
Are you committed to staying in the same area? Remaining in one place can help you build equity.
How is your credit score? A high credit score gives access to better interest rates and improves your chances of loan approval. If your credit score is low, take steps to improve it.
Do you have a down payment saved? Most mortgages require a down payment, typically 5%-20% of the home’s cost.
Step 2: Timing Your Home Purchase
When is the right time to buy? This depends on market trends, housing costs, and interest rates, as well as your personal circumstances.
Market fluctuations can influence unemployment rates, inflation, and mortgage availability. High interest rates or housing costs can impact affordability and the available inventory.
There’s no universally “right” time to buy. Consider your finances, the economy, and the housing market to make the best decision for your situation.
Step 3: Set a Budget
How much home can you afford? Start by multiplying your annual household income by 2.5 to get a rough estimate.
A general rule is to ensure that your monthly housing payment doesn’t exceed 30% of your income.
Tip: Use a mortgage calculator to estimate monthly payments, including interest rates, to ensure affordability.
Step 4: Secure Your Financing
Once you know your budget, it’s time to find the right mortgage lender. The lender you choose can affect your closing time, interest rate, and overall experience, so shop around.
Consider Linkhome Mortgage for your financing needs. Our integrated services ensure you receive a great deal and a seamless experience throughout your homebuying journey.
Step 5: Work with a Real Estate Agent or Linkhome
A real estate agent can guide you through the entire homebuying process—from finding listings to submitting offers and finalizing the purchase.
Linkhome’s network of top-tier agents ensures you have expert support tailored to your needs. Our agents prioritize clear communication, reliable service, and finding homes that match your requirements.
Step 6: Choose a Neighborhood
Your home’s location can significantly affect your quality of life. Consider factors like:
Safety
Commute times
School ratings
Walkability
Proximity to parks, stores, and services
Remember, you can change your home’s features, but you can’t change its location!
Step 7: Identify Home Features
Before beginning your search, list the features most important to you. Rank them by priority—what’s negotiable and what isn’t?
For example:
Do you need four bedrooms or would three with a den work?
Is a two-car garage a must-have?
Are you open to older homes, or do you prefer new construction?
Think about long-term needs, such as additional bedrooms or space for hobbies, to ensure the home can grow with you.
Step 8: Submit an Offer
Once you’ve found the perfect home, your agent will help you draft and submit an offer. A strong offer includes:
The property’s address and description
The proposed purchase price
Terms and contingencies
Proposed closing date
If your offer is accepted, you’ll move to the next steps, including inspection and appraisal.
Step 9: Inspection and Appraisal
The inspection ensures the home is in good condition, while the appraisal confirms its market value. These steps protect both you and your lender and help you make informed decisions about repairs and pricing.
Step 10: Final Walkthrough
Before closing, do a final walkthrough to ensure the property is in the agreed condition. Check that repairs have been completed and the home is ready for move-in.
Step 11: Closing
Closing is when the final paperwork is signed, and ownership is transferred to you. Be prepared with a cashier’s check for closing costs, a valid ID, and proof of homeowners insurance. Once everything is signed, you’re officially a homeowner!
Step 12: Move In!
Congratulations on your new home! Arrange for utilities, plan for maintenance, and make the space your own.
Ready to take the first step? Linkhome is here to guide you through every stage of the journey. Let’s make your dream of homeownership a reality!
Today marks a groundbreaking moment for Linkhome! We’re excited to unveil the world’s first AI-powered platform for home search and discovery. Since we started in 2021, our mission has been to provide unparalleled home buying and selling experiences through innovative offerings like the Linkhome Cash Offer and Buy Before You Sell programs. Now, we’re elevating the experience further by bringing together the most comprehensive real estate insights in one centralized platform.
Linkhome.com (and our brand-new app) is now the most advanced real estate platform globally, designed to go beyond traditional property searches. While conventional sites like Zillow and Redfin provide basic details—such as bedrooms, bathrooms, and photos—buyers often need much more: insights into the neighborhood, local market conditions, and even the overall buying process. With Linkhome, you no longer have to juggle multiple websites or rely solely on an agent’s expertise. We combine everything into one seamless experience.
Redefining Real Estate Research
Our AI-driven platform leverages nearly 1,000 data points, sourced from major organizations like the US Census Bureau, FEMA, USGS, and local agencies, such as city records and fire departments. This vast dataset enables us to overlay rich, detailed insights about homes and their neighborhoods, far surpassing the limited scope of other platforms. Our goal? To bring you the knowledge of an experienced local real estate agent—along with deeper data they might not have on hand—all at your fingertips.
Because of the wealth of information available, it’s impossible to fit everything onto a single listing page. That’s where our proprietary AI assistant, Linkhome AI, comes in. Using Linkhome AI is like having a conversation with the most knowledgeable real estate expert in your area. Whether you’re curious about a home’s market value compared to nearby listings or want to know about your carrier’s cell signal at the property, Linkhome AI delivers tailored insights. And if you’re not fully satisfied with an answer, let us know—we’re constantly improving its capabilities to serve you even better.
Effortless Connections to Real Estate Experts
When you’re ready to take the next step, Linkhome seamlessly connects you with top-rated real estate agents or lets you schedule home tours directly through our platform. With a network that covers 75% of the U.S. population, we ensure you’ll have access to experienced professionals to guide you through this significant life decision. Buyers using Linkhome come prepared with data and insights, making the process smoother and more efficient for both them and the agents. Even real estate agents can rely on Linkhome AI to answer their clients’ toughest questions.
We invite you to explore our innovative platform and experience the future of real estate for yourself. Visit Linkhome.com or download our app for iOS or Android today. This is just the start, and we’re excited about what lies ahead!
Cold months and lower temperatures are usually slow for real estate. But hey, that doesn’t mean you should close out your home search just yet! Sweater-weather is also a good time to buy a home for many reasons.
Let’s see why!
Less Competition During Winter
With fewer buyers in the market, there’s less competition for homes for sale. This can give you more room for negotiation, potentially leading to better deals.
More Motivated Sellers Despite the Cold
Sellers listing their homes in winter are likely more motivated. This could work to your advantage as a buyer, offering more flexibility in price negotiations and closing timelines.
Lower Home Prices in the Cold Season
Winter typically sees lower home prices compared to the busy spring and summer seasons. With less demand during colder months, you may find more value for your money.
Insight into Seasonal Issues
Viewing a home in winter provides insights into how it performs during colder months. You can check heating efficiency, look for drafts, and identify potential winter-related issues like ice dams.
Better Deals with Movers
Movers are usually expensive and get booked quickly during peak seasons. Winter tends to be quieter for moving, meaning you can often negotiate lower fees and schedule moves more flexibly.
Just remember, this is only one aspect of the moving process—whether you’re buying your dream home or moving into a new one before selling your current property.
Linkhome will guide you every step of the way—whether you’re buying or selling a home.
Sign up with Linkhome, and let’s take the first step together!
Home equity loans, often referred to as HELs, are a popular method for homeowners to leverage the equity they’ve built in their homes. Whether you’re looking to finance a renovation project, consolidate debt, or cover a major expense, a home equity loan can provide the funds you need. But how do you qualify for one, and what are the best rates for a home equity loan? Let’s explore.
Home equity loan vs home equity line of credit (HELOC)
Before we dive into the specifics of home equity loans, it’s important to understand the difference between a Home Equity Loan (HEL) and a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). Both are ways to tap into the equity of your home, but they function differently.
Home equity loan (HEL)
A Home equity loan, or HEL, is a type of loan that allows you to borrow a fixed sum of money against the equity in your home. The loan amount is disbursed in one lump sum, and you repay the loan over a fixed term (typically 15, 20, or 30 years) at a fixed interest rate. This makes HELs a good option for one-time large expenses or projects requiring a fixed lump sum.
Home equity line of credit (HELOC)
On the other hand, a home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is a revolving line of credit that you can draw from as needed during a certain period, known as the draw period. The interest rate on a HELOC is adjustable, and you only pay interest on the amount you’ve borrowed. This makes HELOCs a more flexible option for ongoing borrowing needs.
Qualifications for home equity loans
Qualifying for a home equity loan requires meeting certain criteria. Here are the typical qualifications:
Equity in your home:You need to have a certain amount of equity in your home, typically at least 15-20%.
Stable income:Lenders will want to see that you have a stable income that’s sufficient to cover the loan payments.
Good credit score:A good credit score is typically required. At Better Mortgage, the minimum credit score for a home equity loan is 680.
Debt-to-income ratio:Lenders will also look at your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). This is the percentage of your monthly gross income that goes towards paying debts.
Best rates for home equity loans
The interest rate you’ll get on a home equity loan can vary based on several factors, including your credit score, loan amount, and the lender you choose. To get the best rates for a home equity loan, you’ll want to:
Maintain a good credit score:The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate is likely to be.
Shop around:Rates can vary between lenders, so it’s a good idea to get quotes from multiple lenders to ensure you’re getting the best rate.
Consider a shorter loan term:While a longer term will result in lower monthly payments, it will also result in a higher overall cost due to more interest payments. If you can afford higher monthly payments, a shorter loan term could save you money in the long run.Remember, the best home equity loan for you depends on your individual circumstances and goals. It’s always a good idea to talk to a loan consultant to understand your options and find the best solution for your needs.
Linkhome Selected as One of the Top 10 Startups in Southern California for 2024
4 mins ago
Recently, the renowned tech media outlet The Tech Tribune announced its “2024 Southern California Top 10 Startups” list. Linkhome, a pioneering startup dedicated to revolutionizing the real estate industry with technology, proudly made the list!
The “Best Startup Awards,” hosted by The Tech Tribune, has been recognizing the most outstanding startups across the United States since its inception in 2017.
To be eligible for the list, companies must meet certain criteria: they must be privately held, independent, and not publicly traded; have raised at least one round of funding; and have been in operation for no more than 10 years.
In addition, to rank in the Top 10, The Tech Tribune evaluates companies across multiple dimensions, including potential revenue growth, leadership, brand/product appeal, and competitive market positioning.
Who is Linkhome?
Founded in 2021, Linkhome was created by a group of classmates from the University of California, Irvine’s Business School. Inspired by their own home-buying experiences, they recognized numerous inefficiencies and pain points in the real estate industry. Determined to bring change, they set out to solve these issues through technological innovation, creating a smoother, stress-free experience for buying and selling homes.
Since its inception, the company has grown steadily. The team includes graduates from world-renowned universities such as Harvard, MIT, Tsinghua, and Peking University, as well as accomplished professionals: seasoned attorneys, consultants from McKinsey, data scientists from Amazon, and former product managers from Spotify. Together, they contribute their expertise to redefine the traditional real estate industry.
As one of the fastest-growing startups in the proptech sector, Linkhome has achieved rapid development within just three years. The company has successfully completed three funding rounds and is preparing for a Nasdaq IPO.
Achievements of Linkhome
$1.2 billion in total transaction volume, with profitability already achieved.
Assisted over 1,500 clients in finding their dream homes, earning five-star reviews on Yelp and Zillow.
Established a $120 million funding pool to further expand its Cash Offer product initiatives.
What Sets Linkhome Apart from Traditional Real Estate Companies?
Linkhome leverages the power of AI and fintech to develop innovative solutions like AI Home Search and Cash Offer, empowering buyers and sellers to navigate real estate transactions with greater confidence and success.
AI Home Search
The core of Linkhome’s competitive edge lies in its unique AI real estate platform. Users can easily find properties that match their preferences, with the AI system analyzing user needs, market trends, and property features to deliver personalized recommendations.
Cash Offer
In competitive seller’s markets like San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Boston, and Southern California, properties often receive multiple offers. Sellers tend to favor all-cash offers because they eliminate reliance on third-party financing, making transactions more stable and quicker to close.
For buyers relying on loans, Linkhome provides the All Cash Offer option to increase their chances of securing their dream home. Acting on behalf of buyers, Linkhome purchases the property with cash first. Once the buyer secures their loan, they buy the property back from Linkhome at the original price—without additional service fees.
Expanding Service Areas
This year, in addition to its operations in Southern and Northern California, Linkhome expanded its footprint to new markets, including Phoenix, Arizona, and Nevada. The company aims to deliver its exceptional services to more clients, helping even more people move into their dream homes with ease and joy.
Being recognized by the industry with this award is a tremendous honor for Linkhome, and the company is committed to continuing its efforts to innovate and excel in the future!
近日知名科技媒体 The Tech Tribune 评选出“2024年度南加州 TOP10 创业公司”榜单。Linkhome 作为一家致力于用科技颠覆房地产行业的创业公司,荣登该榜!
“最佳创业公司榜单”由 The Tech Tribune 主办,从 2017 年开始,旨在选出全美最杰出的初创公司!
Living in your current home and wondering if you should buy before you sell? This article has you covered and answers all your questions—should you have any!
Assess Your Situation
First and foremost, determine if you need to sell your current home before buying a new one. For many, selling first provides the funds for a down payment, aligns with the home-buying steps, and helps avoid the uncertainty of the market. However, buying before selling offers flexibility to explore the market freely and avoid temporary stays, rent-back agreements, or sale contingencies.
Why Buy Before Selling?
When you buy first, you can focus on finding your dream home rather than rushing due to necessity. Additionally, you avoid complex contingencies and the hassle of moving twice. Here are your options if you choose this approach:
1. Cash-Out Refinance
A cash-out refinance allows you to tap into the equity in your current home by refinancing for a higher value and taking the difference as cash. This option works best if:
You own at least 20% equity in your home.
You have a good credit score.
Your debt-to-income ratio is 43% or less.
While it provides liquidity, it’s essential to assess whether this option aligns with your financial goals.
2. Sale Contingencies
A sale contingency ties your offer on a new home to the successful sale of your current property within a specific timeframe (typically 30-60 days). If your home sells, both transactions proceed. If it doesn’t, your offer becomes void.
Considerations:
Sale contingencies may be less appealing to sellers in competitive markets.
It’s a safer option financially but may reduce the competitiveness of your offer.
3. Rent-Back Agreements
If you need extra time after selling your current home, a rent-back agreement lets you stay temporarily while renting the home from the new owners. This option provides breathing room but may require lowering your sale price or paying rent.
Key Details:
Rent terms and deposits are similar to standard rental agreements.
It’s a short-term solution and requires renter’s insurance for added security.
4. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
A HELOC allows you to borrow against your home’s equity, functioning like a credit card. You only pay interest on the amount you borrow. This option is ideal for short-term needs, such as a down payment on a new home.
Points to Consider:
Interest rates can fluctuate with the market.
Defaulting on a HELOC could result in losing your home.
5. Bridge Loan
A bridge loan helps cover the gap between buying and selling homes. It allows you to use your current home’s equity for a down payment on your new home and pay it off when your old home sells.
Quick Facts:
Typically, bridge loans last 6-12 months.
High-interest rates make them a short-term solution only.
How Linkhome Can Help
With Linkhome Buy Before You Sell, we simplify the process:
Pre-underwriting: Your mortgage is pre-approved, making your offer more competitive.
Short-term financing: We provide financing to help you make a cash offer.
Streamlined process: Move into your new home quickly and refinance into a long-term mortgage within weeks.
Most importantly, you don’t have to move twice!
Get everything you need to be a top producer:
100+ serious customer introductions per year
Technology to drive sales and grow your book of business
Dedicated support team to handle scheduling, showing assistance, transaction coordination and more
Sales training and coaching
Competitive pay:
Linkhome Agents earn cash compensation in multiple ways, including: a base salary, transaction bonuses for deals closed, event pay for hosting tours or other field events and additional performance bonuses
Collect a higher commission split when any of your existing customers go under contract within your first year at Linkhome
Obtain additional bonuses for closing transactions with repeat customers
Multiply your transaction bonuses as you hit Silver, Gold and President’s Club tiers
Top performers can earn a President’s Club trip to an international destination
Earn Linkhome stock as you advance
Industry-leading benefits, including:
Medical, dental and vision plans with low out-of-pocket expenses
Reimbursement for mileage, MLS dues, license renewal fees, mobile and more
What you’ll do:
As a Linkhome Agent, you’ll spend your time building relationships with customers and helping them buy and sell homes. We’ll handle the advertising and logistics while you provide expert guidance through pricing, negotiations and closing. You’ll work from home and in the field, with occasional in-office team meetings .
Qualifications:
Active and unrestricted real estate license
You’ve closed 10 or more residential transactions in the last 24 months or 20 life time transactions (excluding leases)
Highly skilled in guiding a customer through the home buying and selling process from beginning to end
Deep understanding of market trends, market statistics and accurately pricing a home
Expertise in architectural home styles, neighborhood and subdivision characteristics, city developments, new construction, builders, school districts and local amenities
Well-versed in contractual language and terminology, state forms and fair housing laws
Highly skilled in evaluating and weighing multiple offers, assessing inspection reports, negotiating and winning for the customer
Strong interpersonal communication and customer service skills
Ability to learn and use new technology
Reliable mode of transportation and ability to travel within your market
Growth opportunities:
51% of our real estate managers and directors started in agent or support roles. We provide paid training and mentoring to help you meet your goals, move up and even explore other roles at Linkhome.
As the Sr. Account Executive you will play a key role in expanding our digital ad sales efforts. You will play a crucial role in achieving our revenue objectives by identifying customers and sales strategies to generate direct sales revenue. You will own and drive all phases of the sales lifecycle including identifying and developing leads, meeting with clients, developing value propositions, financial deal structuring, contract negotiation, and closing.
As a well-versed sales professional you can call on your own book of business with client direct and ad agency contacts.
The Role
Selling complex advertising programs
Source, develop and cultivate relationships with new and existing digital media agencies and brand marketers direct
Identify, target, and acquire new direct business to meet or exceed revenue targets
Follow-up on incoming new leads and communicate ad offerings and capabilities to potential buyers and ad agencies
Ensure excellent service and support to prospects and clients
Lead full sales process from sourcing to close independently
Collaborate with programmatic sales, sales leadership, and sales support teams to ensure seamless execution of campaigns and grow accounts
Plan and coordinate sales activities, including management of the sales pipeline and accountability for Win/Loss reviews on new accounts
Partner with sales leadership to develop sales strategies across display, native, email marketing channels, and video
Promote Linkhome Real Estate Advertising at industry events
About You
6+ years of digital media sales experience, preferably at an online publisher
Experience conceiving and negotiating large partnership programs ($1M+)
Self-starter who likes to hustle and win
Track record of exceeding revenue goals
Strong consultative selling and negotiation skills
Exceptional interpersonal and problem-solving skills
Strong relationships with agencies, trading desks, and brands
Comfort with ambiguity, uncertainty, and a rapidly changing environment
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Exceptional presentation skills
Some travel required
What We Offer
Competitive compensation packages with a salary, bonuses, and restricted stock grants
Generous benefits, including three weeks of paid vacation, medical, dental, and vision insurance, and fully paid family leave
A high-growth company, providing opportunities for continued professional development and growth
Job duties:
Market Intelligence Analyst
1. Develop and manage a real estate product strategy, using marketing data analysis to guide the evolution of new features and ensure alignment with emerging market trends and consumer needs in the real estate sector.
2. Identify opportunities for AI-based features by analyzing real estate market trends, customer behavior, and marketing data, creating innovative product elements that cater specifically to home buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals.
3. Collaborate with outside engineering, product, and marketing teams to develop and implement platform features that leverage artificial intelligence, ensuring these features offer enhanced user experiences and improve the overall quality of real estate transactions.
4. Establish automated processes to track the performance of new features, using data-driven insights to guide product iterations and marketing strategies on the Linkhome platform.
5. Enhance product development processes by presenting insights from AI-based analytics to key stakeholders and executive leadership, ensuring the platform aligns with customer expectations and the latest real estate market demands.
6. Oversee the deployment of new features and coordinate with testing and beta programs to gather customer feedback for continuous improvement.
7. Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to develop go-to-market strategies that highlight the unique advantages of AI-based features, identifying opportunities to increase customer engagement and market penetration.
8. Define, monitor, and adjust key performance indicators (KPIs) based on marketing data analytics, leading efforts to optimize marketing campaigns and product features for improved customer adoption and satisfaction.
Qualification:
1. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Business Analytics, Data Analysis, Marketing, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, or related.
Refinancing could save you money in the long run if you know when and how to do it
Homeowners tend to Refinance their mortgage to either access their equity or lower their monthly payments. This happens by changing the term or type of loan or removing mortgage insurance.
Once you’re sure you can lower your interest rate it may be time to look into refinancing. Still, other factors like your break-even point, budget, and personal circumstances should influence your decision too. In this article, we’ll explore the factors that go into deciding whether or not to refinance your mortgage and the benefits—and drawbacks—refinancing can offer.
What does it mean to refinance?
When you refinance your home, you essentially take out a new mortgage to replace your current one to lower your interest rate, get a lower monthly payment, or access equity. You can accomplish this when mortgage interest rates lower, you’ve paid off more than 20% of your home’s current value, your financial situation improves or your credit score goes up, or by changing the type of mortgage or the length of the loan term.
Lenders typically require a borrower to wait six to 12 months after getting their original mortgage to begin the refinance process.
When you refinance your mortgage, you’ll have to go through the same or similar process you did when you initially applied for a mortgage. You’ll pay origination fees, undergo a title search, and credit check, and wait for an appraisal. That’s because, just like your original mortgage, how much you’ll be qualified to receive and at what rate largely depends on the value of your home and your creditworthiness.
Closing costs vary but usually end up between 3-6% of the loan’s principal amount, and in most cases you can roll the costs into the refinance amount instead of paying them in cash at closing.
One of the best reasons to refinance your mortgage is to take advantage of lower mortgage rates but make sure refinancing will save you money in the long run, too by calculating the total interest over your new loan term
How do the interest rate and loan term affect your payments?
Generally speaking, the longer the term of your loan, the more you’ll pay in interest over the life of your loan, but the lower your monthly payment will be. To determine what’s better for you, consider how long you intend to stay in the home, how much you can comfortably pay each month, and what your break-even point is, which we’ll explain below.
A 15-year fixed-rate mortgage will come with a higher monthly payment but you’ll end up paying less after the full term than with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage since you’ll be paying for a shorter period. The opposite is true of a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, which usually comes with a slightly higher interest rate and a larger overall cost, but lower monthly payments since the interest is spread out for a longer period.
After you refinance, how much you’ll pay each month will ultimately depend on your new term and loan amount. Understanding how all of these things are related will help you when it’s time to decide whether or not to refinance—and what mortgage product to apply for.
We break down your monthly payments and your total loan costs here:
Purchase price
Down payment
Total loan amount
Loan Term
Interest rate
Monthly payment*
Total interest over the life of the loan
Total paid over the life of the loan
$300,000
$60,000
$240,000
15-year loan
4.9%
$1885.43
$99,376.70
$339,376.70
$300,000
$60,000
$240,000
30-year loan
5.6%
$1377.79
$256,004.24
$496,004.24
*Monthly payment does not include property taxes, homeowners insurance or HOA fees
What is the break-even point?
When you choose to refinance, it may be hard to decide which kind of mortgage to choose. One simple but important calculation you can make to see if—and when—your refinance will be worth it is to find the break-even point.
Since you will pay closing costs on your refinance (just like you did with your initial mortgage), the break-even point is when the amount you save each month adds up to the upfront cost of refinancing your mortgage. Ask yourself: how long would it take me to save, with these new rates, the same amount that I would spend on closing costs for my new mortgage?
For example, if your cost for a refinanced $300,000 mortgage is 3% ($9,000), and your monthly savings are around $150 per month, it’ll take you around 45 months’ worth of savings to make back your $9,000.
These numbers are simplified and don’t take into consideration other fees and costs like property taxes and private mortgage insurance but the idea is the same. If your break-even point is years away but you don’t plan to stay in the house the whole time, it may not be worth it. But if you’re refinancing to lower your monthly payments for the life of a 30-year loan, a 4-year break-even point may be a great deal.
6 reasons you may want to refinance
1. To lower your interest rates
Interest rates fluctuate over time. When they go down, you may be able to lock in that lower rate with a refinanced mortgage. That means you’ll have a lower monthly rate and will ultimately pay less by the end of the loan term than if you kept the higher interest rate of your original mortgage.
For instance, in 1981, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages reached a peak of 18.63%. Two years later, they were down to 12.59%, and four years after that, in 1987, they fell to 9.03%. If you bought a home in the first part of that decade and then refinanced at the end of the decade, you would have cut your interest rate in half.
Similarly, in 2020, after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, interest rates on 30-year mortgages plunged to 2.65% from the previous high of 4.94% in 2018. Now, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages have risen to 5.81% with more rate hikes possibility.
Mortgage rates will generally rise and fall with the overall economy so it is always hard to predict where they will be in the future. That’s why lenders often suggest that if you have the money to buy a home and can afford the initial payments, it may be cheaper to lock in rates now and plan to refinance later. You can wait for rates to drop before you buy but they may just keep going up instead for a few years.
You can use an online refinance calculator to see how lowering your interest rate could reduce your monthly mortgage payment and how much it could save you over the life of the loan.
You’ll refinance your mortgage by going through a similar process to how you got your original loan, by filling out an application and going through a credit check
2. You’ve raised your credit score
Your credit score affects the interest rate that you can get on a mortgage. If you took out your existing mortgage when your credit score was lower and have since raised your score, you can look into what a new interest rate might be. It’s still important to run the numbers to see where your break-even point is between what you’re paying in costs and what you’re saving in the long run.
3. You want a shorter home loan term
If you initially took out a 30-year mortgage with a higher interest rate and now want to reduce the loan term to a 15-year loan, refinancing is the way to do it. A benefit of a shorter-term loan is the interest rate will likely be lower.
Even if overall interest rates have stayed the same or risen since you took out your initial mortgage, you may still be able to lower your refinance interest rate by reducing the term of your loan. This strategy could raise your monthly payment but result in paying off your loan faster and reducing the amount of total interest you will pay.
4. You want to change the type of home loan
In the world of mortgages, there are different loans to choose from Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, fixed-rate, and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM). Each one comes with its requirements, advantages, and disadvantages. If you decide that you want to change the type of loan you have after reviewing the pros and cons, refinancing is the way to do it.
5. You need, or want, some cash
The difference between how much you still owe on your home loan and how much your home is worth right now is your equity. As you pay down your mortgage and owe less and less than what the home is worth, your share of the equity grows. So, if you owe $250,000 on a home that is valued at $300,000, you have $50,000 in equity. You could sell your home, pay back what you owe, and after closing costs keep some of the $50,000. Or, you could refinance to access the $50,000 and stay in your home at the same time.
There are two ways to access equity in a refinance:
Cash-out refinance
If you need, or want, some cash to cover bills, take on home repairs or upgrades, pay off debt, plan a wedding, pay tuition, or even go on a vacation, you can apply for a cash-out refinance. You’ll refinance into a new mortgage for the amount the home is worth right now (depending on the maximum loan amount allowed by your lender) and at closing you’ll receive a check for the available equity.
So, assume that you bought your home with a $300,000 loan and have since paid back $100,000 of the loan principal. You now owe $200,000. But let’s say the home has increased in value to $400,000. You owe $200,000 for a $400,000 home so you have $200,000 in equity. You can refinance a new mortgage with new rates for the home’s current value of $400,000. The loan would go to paying off the $200,000 remainder of your original mortgage and depending on the maximum loan amount allowed by your lender you would have equity available to borrow.
Usually, a lender requires that you maintain 20% equity in the home so you will not be able to cash out all of your equity in this example, but rather something closer to $120,000–or 80% of your equity. This is one way to access at least some of the equity in your home for rates usually lower than a personal loan.
Home equity line of credit
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a home equity loan is a different kind of refinancing option that gives you access to your home equity but not as cash. In a HELOC refinance, your equity acts as a line of credit you can borrow from to pay for repairs, upgrades, and other home-related items. Just like with a cash-out refinance, you’ll take out a new mortgage for the current value of your home but instead of getting cash back, your equity will sit as a line of credit you can use as needed. And, unlike a cash-out refinance, you only pay interest on the funds you borrow instead of on a lump sum. A HELOC can be a first lien or a second lien, depending on your lender.
6. You want to remove mortgage insurance
Borrowers who pay less than a 20% down payment are often required to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI). PMI protects the lender if you can’t make your payments.
Generally, PMI will automatically stop once you owe 78% or less of the value of your home at the time of origination. But you can wipe it out sooner if you refinance into a new mortgage that does not require PMI.
Questions to ask before you refinance
It’s important to discuss refinancing with your lender and ask questions to fully understand the risks and rewards. Here are a few questions to get you started:
What will my new interest rate be?
What will my monthly payment be?
What is my break-even point for this refinance?
How much equity do I have in my home and how much can I borrow of that equity?
What is the best type of loan for me and my circumstances?
Can I get rid of private mortgage insurance?
When should you refinance?
Ultimately, the decision to refinance comes down to your financial goals, your current and future needs, and the current interest rates. Understanding your situation as well as the cost to refinance, and your break-even point will help you choose to benefit you in the long run. When you’re deciding whether or not it’s a good idea to refinance, make sure to discuss the options with your lender and take the time to understand the benefits and downsides.
About the author: Stephanie Mickelson is a freelance writer based in Northwest Wisconsin who specializes in real estate, building materials, and design. When she’s not writing, she can be found juggling kids and coffee.