Keeping Current Matters

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Has your house been sitting on the market a while without selling?

Marketing 324

Marketing 324

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 14, 2023

The holidays have come early for the mortgage industry. Mortgage rates fell below the 7% threshold this week as markets prepared for Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s announcement on Wednesday. The 30-year, fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.95% for the week ending Dec. 14, according to Freddie Mac ‘s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. That’s down from last week’s 7.03% and up from 6.31% the same week a year ago.

Mortgages 501

Mortgages Fixed-rate mortgage Loan Officer MLS 501

Real Estate News

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Laura Ellis, Baird & Warner’s strategy leader, believes changes spurred by Sitzer/Burnett will be “good for the serious, competent real estate professional.

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Housing Wire

DECEMBER 14, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) — the government regulatory body overseeing communications across a wide variety of media including radio, telephone cable and the internet — adopted a new series of rules on Wednesday designed to crack down on controversial lead generation methods, including “robocalling” and “robo-texting.” The new rules as adopted could bring a wave of lawsuits against those using the so-called “lead gen loophole,” which includes mortgage lenders , insurers and law

Closing 481

Closing Development Design Mortgages 481

Speaker: Abdi Ali, Sr. Lease Accounting Consultant

Join this insightful webinar with industry expert Abdi Ali, who will discuss the challenges that can arise from managing lease accounting with spreadsheets! He will share real-world examples of errors, compliance issues, and risks that may be present within your spreadsheets. Learn how these tools, while useful, can sometimes lead to inefficiencies that affect your time, resources, and peace of mind.

Industrial

Real Estate News

DECEMBER 14, 2023

The seventh straight week of mortgage interest declines has led to more holiday season homebuying activity.

Marketing 273

Marketing Mortgages 273

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Texas-based lender Thrive Mortgage plans to merge with digital multichannel rival Lower , which will create a unified lender with more than 650 loan officers and 120 active branches across the country. Financial details of the merger, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024, were not disclosed. Over the last 12 months, Thrive has originated about $1.42 billion while Columbus, Ohio-based Lower has originated $1.88 billion during the same time period, according to mortgage recruiti

Mortgages 458

Mortgages Loan Officer Banks Finance 458

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 14, 2023

In 2023, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced plans to make it easier to buy a home and close the racial homeownership gap in the United States. Homeownership is one of the most important decisions in a person’s life and is a primary vehicle for wealth creation for the majority of households. In fact, our most recent analysis of the benefits of wealth creation from homeownership shows that for families in the bottom 20% of the income distribution, the median net worth of home-owning households w

Title 457

Title Closing costs Loans Title search 457

Inman

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Luxury agent and new Inman contributor Tamer Howard shares a case study that's filled with strategies for getting that struggling listing sold for top dollar.

Agents 191

Agents 191

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Mortgage industry trade group Community Home Lenders of America (CHLA) is urging government agencies to begin to have conversations surrounding the impact of the jury verdict and potential court ruling in the Sitzer/Burnett commission lawsuit on lending practices. In a letter submitted Thursday to Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Sandra Thompson , Federal Housing Administration Commissioner Julia Gordon , Rural Housing Service Administrator Joaquin Altoro, and Department of Veterans Affai

Lending 447

Lending Mortgages VA loan Finance 447

Inman

DECEMBER 14, 2023

At its heart, the company is a brokerage, but with twice the number of coders and designers than advisers, it's more of a "technology company" than Keller Williams and Compass.

Brokerage 176

Brokerage Technology Design Agents 176

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In the rapidly changing real estate landscape, achieving profitability requires a strategic approach beyond traditional methods. Our guide, "The 4 Pillars to Brokerage Profitability," outlines four essential pillars for scaling your real estate business: a seamless lead-to-close technology ecosystem, tailored integrated solutions for teams and agents, value-added success services and community support, and consumer-centric operations throughout the full homeownership lifecycle.

Brokerage

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 14, 2023

New York State’s largest multiple listing service just got larger. OneKey MLS has acquired Mid-Hudson MLS according to an announcement on Monday, growing its membership to nearly 50,000 agents. The Poughkeepsie-based Mid-Hudson MLS is a broker-owned MLS serving over 1,400 agents in Dutchess County and the Mid-Hudson Valley area. Founded in 2018 and owned by Long Island Board of Realtors and the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors , OneKey MLS already serves agents in New York (Manhattan), Suf

MLS 434

MLS Agents Industrial Closing 434

Inman

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Whether you're looking to appeal to buyers or sellers, Jimmy Burgess offers a range of paid, low-cost and no-cost lead generation activities that are working now.

Agents 181

Agents Marketing 181

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 14, 2023

We’ve all experienced that liberating feeling when you confront a serious issue with an honest and open conversation. It’s like a weight lifted off your shoulders, right? Well, those are the types of conversations many agents are looking for right now, underscoring why your words post- commission lawsuit are more important than ever. Crafting a content and communication strategy that genuinely acknowledges their insecurities can pave the way for substantial agent recruitment and business g

Branding 432

Branding Agents Brokerage Technology 432

Inman

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Find out how this former NFL player applied his work ethic to building an award-winning, billion-dollar brokerage in just five years.

Brokerage 195

Brokerage 195

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As the real estate market evolves, technology has become essential for success. According to NAR, only 26% of agents feel their brokerage provides the necessary tech tools and, as a result, agents seek teams and brokerages who prioritize technology investments! Whether you manage an established team or are forming a new one, this guide outlines key considerations and necessary applications to thrive.

Agents

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 14, 2023

The Real Estate Standards Organization is welcoming many new and returning board of director members in 2024. The organization announced its board of directors’ election results, as well as director and executive committee appointments in a release on Thursday. Of the nine open board of director seats, four went to MLS or Realtor association representatives and five went to members representing technology companies, developers, partners or consultants.

MLS 438

MLS Technology Principal Industrial 438

Inman

DECEMBER 14, 2023

The new suit is the second in Texas since the Sitzer | Burnett verdict, and is one of a growing number of antitrust cases challenging the way agents get paid.

Agents 176

Agents Brokerage Industrial 176

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 14, 2023

In an update to its selling guide , Fannie Mae announced Wednesday that it was expanding the use of attorney opinion letters in lieu of title insurance. Previously, the only transactions ineligible for an AOL were those that involve loans secured by a unit in a condo project, co-op share loans, loans secured by a dwelling on a leasehold estate, including leasehold estates on property owned by a community land trust, loans secured by a manufactured home, HomeStyle Energy and HomeStyle Renovation

Title 431

Title Land Finance Loans 431

Inman

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Parent company of Veritex Community Bank, which paid $54.9 million to acquire a 49 percent interest in Thrive Mortgage in 2021, expects a $25 million to $30 million loss if the deal closes.

Banks 166

Banks Mortgages Closing Loans 166

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Now more than ever, brokers need to provide agents with the right tools, strategies, and training to effectively demonstrate their expertise, negotiate successfully, and foster strong client relationships. So – what should brokers do to ensure this? Invest in the right technology, continuous education, and innovative marketing strategies that empower agents to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Agents

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Texas-based mortgage platform Stairs Financial launched on Thursday after completing a $3.5 million funding round. With first-time buyers accounting for just 26% of all home purchases in 2022 — a 41-year low — the mortgage market place aims to help first-time homebuyers with the right program and mortgage products. “Thousands of down payment assistance and credit programs have sprung up to help first-time homebuyers overcome the challenges, but these home-buying options are hard for homebuyers t

Equity 403

Equity Technology Mortgages Banks 403

Inman

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Miami saw an average of 22 renters compete for every available apartment in 2023, compared to a national average of just nine, according to a new report released earlier this week from RentCafe.

Marketing 163

Marketing 163

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler sat down with Kirill Klokov, CEO at Truv , to talk about the advantages of consumer-permissioned data for data quality and security. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Sarah Wheeler: How did you get into the verification space? Kirill Klokov: It was through experiencing how verifications can be broken myself.

Banks 395

Banks Mortgages Loans As-is 395

Inman

DECEMBER 14, 2023

According to broker Joseph Santini, buyer agreements are good for buyers and good for buyer agents. Find out more about these valuable tools and how to get them signed.

Agents 160

Agents 160

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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.

Sales

RIS Media

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Closing on a house culminates weeks or months of house hunting, negotiations, and paperwork. It’s an exciting but often complex process involving several key players, numerous documents, and meticulous steps. You will learn what is required to close a house and the items needed for a home closing. Closing on a house isn’t rocket science,… The post What is Needed to Close on a House appeared first on RISMedia.

Closing 135

Closing Sales Development Industrial 135

Inman

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Alternative brokerage model Prevu secured $6 million in a Series A round of funding to continue providing its “Carvana-like,” technology-first brokerage service.

Land 161

Land Closing Brokerage Technology 161

RIS Media

DECEMBER 14, 2023

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) decreased for the seventh straight week, from last week’s average of 7.03% to an average of 6.95% this week, according to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) from Freddie Mac released Thursday. This week’s numbers: 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.95%, down from last week when it averaged 7.03%.

Fixed-rate mortgage 128

Fixed-rate mortgage Mortgages Marketing Industrial 128

Inman

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Plunk President and co-founder David Bluhm said a number of issues led to the decision, which included the release of three employees to date and the possibility of more.

Industrial 151

Industrial Technology 151

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Brokerage

Calculated Risk Real Estate

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Yesterday, the Federal Open Market Committee ( FOMC) “decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 5-1/4 to 5-1/2 percent”, but the statement and projections suggested multiple rate cuts in 2024. Following the FOMC meeting, Goldman Sachs economists wrote: The soft PPI report on Tuesday morning combined with downward revisions to prior months implies that core PCE inflation was only 0.07% month-on-month and—as Chair Powell noted in the press conference̵

Mortgages 121

Mortgages As-is Marketing 121

Inman

DECEMBER 14, 2023

The acquisition of OnTheMarket, a major portal in the U.K., comes as CoStar continues to push further and further into the residential space.

Residential 168

Residential Technology Industrial 168

HomeLight

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Homebuyers dealt with a tough market in 2023, as home prices kept rising and mortgage rates reached their highest levels in over 20 years. According to David Roche from Independent Strategy, the view is that U.S. inflation is unlikely to reach 2%. Roche also asserts that the U.S. Federal Reserve has concluded its interest rate hikes, indicating a potential downward trajectory in the next move.

Agents 119

Agents Mortgages Marketing Sales 119

Inman

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Learn how this Nashville team focuses on relationship-building and how it's paying dividends as they grow their impact.

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167

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.

Agents