Wed.Jun 14, 2023

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Total Makeover: What’s the Cost of Gutting a Home and Remodeling?

HomeLight

Most home renovation shows would have you believe that gutting and remodeling your house is as simple as a 30-minute programming block. Draft up some pretty designs, get crazy with a sledgehammer, lay some tile, and bam — your dream house is complete. The reality is a little more complicated, not to mention pricey. According to HomeAdvisor, a full home renovation costs $150,000 on the high end, and that doesn’t account for unexpected bumps along the way.

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Fed pauses rate hikes in June. But how long will it last?

Housing Wire

The Federal Reserve (Fed) maintained the federal funds rate in the 5% to 5.25% range on Wednesday, following 10 consecutive hikes that brought rates to a level never seen since 2007. The Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) has decided to pause its rate hikes in June after data that pointed to cooling inflation and the need to assess how much banks have slowed down their lending due to the recent tumult in the sector.

Banks 382
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Why Zillow thinks its model wins for consumers and agents alike

Real Estate News

Errol Samuelson, chief industry development officer for Zillow, discussed the company’s "housing super app," empowering agents, and consumer innovations.

Agents 256
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About 60% of mortgage pros are living paycheck to paycheck, study shows

Housing Wire

About 60% of mortgage industry professionals in the U.S. are living paycheck to paycheck, an issue caused primarily by inflation, high interest rates and fewer deals, according to a study released this week by payroll technology company Everee. “The survey of 314 U.S.-based professionals in the mortgage industry with commission-based roles also found that over 31% plan to leave the industry within the next year, and another 15% are unsure where their future in the mortgage industry stands,” the

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3 Real Estate Office Hacks to Help Kickstart the Busy Season

Ready to better your Back Office? Dive into the secrets to a powerhouse back office with Brokermint expert, Jessica Souza. In this free download, she shares her 3 transformative hacks designed to clean house, get everyone on the same page, and set yourself up for success. From optimizing agent profiles to ensuring flawless transactions and boosting agent retention, these strategies are your ticket to a seamless operation.

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Here’s what Fed Chair Jerome Powell said about real estate today

Real Estate News

After 10 consecutive rate hikes, the Federal Reserve announced at today's meeting that it would hold rates steady.

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When it comes to non-QM loans, focus on relationships, not rates

Housing Wire

There has been a seismic shift in the mortgage industry, and it has redefined how mortgage originators must approach the new market , as mortgage rates have more than doubled from their 2022 lows. Over the past few years, 90% of new business has come from refinances , but the landscape has flipped, and we are in a purchase product-driven market, forcing the entire industry to be agile and adjust to a new normal.

Loans 343

More Trending

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Truework, Transunion join forces to enhance income verification services

Housing Wire

TransUnion announced on Wednesday that it has entered into a commercial agreement with Truework , an income and employment (VOIE) services verification provider, in order to provide comprehensive income verification coverage. Together, Transunion and Truework will offer verifiers an accurate and up-to-date view of consumers’ income and credit data, enabling better insights and more efficient decision-making, according to a press release. “We expect this partnership to enable Truework

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Anywhere’s BHGRE and ERA name new presidents after Sherry Chris

Inman

Sherry Chris, who recently retired, formerly led both brands. Now Ginger Wilcox will lead BHGRE while Alex Vidal leads ERA, according to an announcement Wednesday by Anywhere Real Estate.

Branding 157
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Chopra addresses upcoming decision on CFPB constitutionality

Housing Wire

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra and allies in the U.S. Senate addressed the impending decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on the CFPB’s constitutionality during the Senate Banking Committee hearing on Tuesday. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the committee chairman, asked Chopra during the hearing what it would mean for the CFPB to lose its independent funding structure.

Lending 332
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Nearly 92% of all US homeowners now have a mortgage rate below 6%

Inman

The vast majority of United States homeowners boast a mortgage rate below the current average of 6.71 percent — a bittersweet pill that explains the stalemate playing out in housing markets across the country.

Mortgages 149
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Need Curated Pre-foreclosure Lists to Generate New Real Estate Leads? Trellis Has the Data!

Trellis is a state trial court research and analytics platform that provides Real Estate Professionals (Buyers, Foreclosure, Loan Modification, etc.) with LEADS on Pre-Foreclosures, Lis Pendes, Distressed Assets and more — to help uncover **new** opportunities and grow their business. The process is quick and easy — and all in real time. Trellis will supply you with a link to the relevant dockets, a Leads sheet and access to its UI where applicable.

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Mortgage demand rises but remains well below last year’s level

Housing Wire

Two straight weeks of mortgage rate declines helped spur consumer demand, according to the latest figures from the Mortgage Bankers Association. For the week that ended June 9, mortgage applications climbed 7.2% from the prior week. It can partly be explained by the 30-year fixed rate decreasing to 6.77% during roughly the same period. “Mortgage applications were up over the week, but remained well below levels from a year ago,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist.

Mortgages 234
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A Drop in Equity Doesn’t Mean Low Equity

Keeping Current Matters

You may see media coverage talking about a drop in homeowner equity.

Equity 195
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Being in the real estate industry is the best gift you can give yourself

Inman

According to broker-owner Phillip Cantrell, being a real estate practitioner is one of the most important careers in our entire economy. Here's why.

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Part 2: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for mid-June

Calculated Risk Real Estate

Yesterday, in Part 1: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for mid-June I reviewed home inventory and sales. House Prices Reported YoY house price growth is still positive, but the Case-Shiller National Index slowed to 0.7% YoY in March. The MoM increase in the seasonally adjusted Case-Shiller National Index was at 0.42%. This was the second MoM increase following seven consecutive MoM decreases.

Marketing 136
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Accelerating Real Estate Sales Pipelines to Streamline Buyer Journeys

Navigated 360° tours, like YourVRTours, advance pipelines by engaging clients further along the sales funnel. These immersive experiences provide comprehensive property insights, increasing buyer intent and readiness. By embracing navigated tours, agents can optimize property exposure, better qualify leads, and streamline the sales process. Stay ahead in the ever-evolving real estate landscape with innovative technology that elevates buyer journeys and progresses pipelines more effectively.

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Fed skips June rate hike, leaves door open to future increases

Inman

While Fed policymakers currently see the need for two more rate hikes this year, some economists think the economy will continue to cool without further tightening.

Mortgages 139
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A Hawkish Pause: Landing Flare for the Fed?

Eye on Housing

The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy committee maintained the federal funds rate at a top target rate of 5.25% at the conclusion of its June meeting. The Fed will also continue to reduce its balance sheet holdings of Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities. Despite the June pause, the Fed’s projections indicated perhaps two more rate hikes are in store in the coming.

Land 116
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Top agent Tracy McLaughlin ‘boomerangs’ to The Agency

Inman

Following eight months at Engel & Völkers, McLaughlin has returned to The Agency. She told Inman she initially left the brand because of logistical issues surrounding her launch in Aspen.

Agents 121
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Video of the Week: A Spectacular Neoclassical Estate in Cary, North Carolina

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Featuring curated videos from the most sought-after destinations the world over, discover this week’s Video of the Week.  Cary, North Carolina | Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty Experience the epitome of luxury living in Cary’s prestigious Renaissance at Regency Estates. Meticulously crafted by a team of acclaimed architects, builders, interior designers, and artisans, this residence stands as one of North Carolina’s most exquisite homes

Design 112
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Maximizing Your Online Presence: Tips for Real Estate Agents on Social Media

Speaker: Sarah Santa Ana, Real Estate Coach, Move4Free Realty

Networking is one of the crucial elements in every real estate organization's success. Both agents and real estate companies need to maintain robust networking links. This is why social media is essential for any real estate professional! Social media enables you to stay in touch with your present clients, maintain connections with your past clients, and engage potential customers and investors.

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Homebuyer mortgage demand picks up even as lenders tighten

Inman

Mortgage lenders tightened standards for the third month in a row in May, with mortgage credit availability falling to the lowest level since January 2013.

Mortgages 127
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Real Estate Photography: 9 Tips for Stunning DIY Photos

The Close

The goal of real estate photography is simple, but easy to forget: Make your potential buyers stop scrolling Zillow and pick up the phone to call you. Get them excited about the home, and your phone will ring. Easy for a mansion with a grand ballroom that’s priced 30% below market, but harder for homes with peeling paint and warped floors. So how do you take gorgeous pictures of a less-than-gorgeous home without hiring a pro?

Staging 111
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Leading LA agent Cindy Ambuehl joins Aaron Kirman’s brokerage

Inman

Ambuehl, who once had a career as an actress, will lead AKG | Christie's International Real Estate's Beverly Hills office. Last year, she sold more than $250 million in real estate, according to a report.

Brokerage 116
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Fed Pauses Rate Hikes Amid Cooling Inflation, With Further Increases Likely

RIS Media

It’s been a long time coming, but folks—and the economy—can take a cautious sigh of relief as the Federal Reserve has snapped the interest-rate hiking streak it’s been on for more than a year. In arguably the most anticipated announcement since embarking on their 14-month campaign, Fed officials announced Wednesday that they would take a… The post Fed Pauses Rate Hikes Amid Cooling Inflation, With Further Increases Likely appeared first on RISMedia.

MLS 104
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Rise of The Apps: Building Your Dream Tech Stack For Real Estate Success

Speaker: Trey Willard, Realtor/Team Leader at Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

In order to create continued success in today’s real estate market, realtors need to utilize an arsenal of technology that will increase their efficiency and presence on social media. Using technology to manage your prospects and tap into their needs through websites, social media, and other channels is critical for real estate success in 2022 and beyond.

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Morgan Carey on AI, lead gen and the future of digital real estate

Inman

From leveraging artificial intelligence to navigating the complexities of SEO and online marketing, real estate pros need to be at the top of their game.

Marketing 123
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The Pre-Listing Home Improvements Buyers Want

RIS Media

Nearly half of homeowners (43%) don’t think they need to update their house before listing it—but that is not what buyers think—according to a new report from Curbio. Curbio’s new Preparing to Sell: 2022 Home Improvement Report surveyed homeowners to learn more about the misconceptions people have regarding pre-listing home improvements. Key highlights: 67% of… The post The Pre-Listing Home Improvements Buyers Want appeared first on RISMedia.

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Want to become the best listing agent in your area? Practice

Inman

For Realtors who want to be the best at their craft, team leader Carl Medford writes, it means taking the required abilities, practicing more than their competition and then seeking out a coach to help fine-tune each area of practice until mastery is achieved.

Agents 106
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Negotiations Take the Forefront in a High-Price Market

RIS Media

In a market of elevated prices, negotiations have become an important tactic to help homebuyers save money. In fact, 63% of homebuyers have negotiated home price reductions, according to a new report from LendingTree. LendingTree’s new report surveyed nearly 2,000 U.S. consumers about their negotiation experiences while buying a home, and found that 38% of… The post Negotiations Take the Forefront in a High-Price Market appeared first on RISMedia.

Marketing 103
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5 Data Proven Ways Agents Can Do 18% More Business

Curious as to how you could do 18% more business? How about 14 more transaction sides per year? Check out this infographic with data from a RealTrends study to learn more.

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Jeff Lobb on the ‘biggest thing’ he sees agents struggle with in 2023

Inman

The CEO of coaching and training business SparkTank Media dished on how artificial intelligence will enhance lead prospecting and where agents are failing amid a murky economic landscape.

Agents 105
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ERA, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Announce New Presidents

RIS Media

Above, Ginger Wilcox, left, and Alex Vidal ERA ® Real Estate (ERA) and Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate (BHGRE), two venerated franchises within the Anywhere Real Estate companies, have announced new leaders at both brands. Effective immediately, Alex Vidal will serve as brand president of ERA, taking the helm of the company that was… The post ERA, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Announce New Presidents appeared first on RISMedia.

Branding 103
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The inventory recovery suffered a setback. Is it just temporary?

Inman

The housing downturn was supposed to bring the market back into balance between buyers and sellers. But recent inventory gains have stalled.

Marketing 114
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Assessing the Future of Real Estate Inventory: Will Normal Levels Return?

RIS Media

The real estate market is experiencing unprecedented dynamics, raising questions about the possibility of returning to normal levels of inventory. The scarcity of available homes has created a trigger effect, with potential buyers opting to delay their home-buying plans due to limited options and sellers being motivated to stay put, as they see no immediate… The post Assessing the Future of Real Estate Inventory: Will Normal Levels Return?

Marketing 102
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Real Estate Solutions: How to Crush Your Sales Goals and Fuel Your Pipeline

Speaker: Mary Maloney, Founder & Team Leader at Hometown Realty

The sales cycle in real estate is frequently measured at 3+ months. During this time, real estate agents frequently lose contact with clients and miss out on opportunities because they fail to follow up and provide value to the client. Top real estate agents are distinguished from developing agents by their ability to convert organic connections into sales opportunities.