Thu.Dec 28, 2023

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How tech visionary Steve Pacinelli fosters agent achievement

Inman

In his latest Snapshot profile, Brandon Doyle looks at how tech innovator Steve Pacinelli has made a career of moving agents forward while always staying focused on the human touch.

Agents 169
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Mortgage rates continue a downward trend in the twilight of 2023

Housing Wire

As we prepare to bid adieu to 2023, mortgage rates this week again stayed below seven percent. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.61% as of Dec. 28, a slight decrease from the 6.67% rate recorded on Dec. 21 according to Freddie Mac ‘s Primary Mortgage Market Survey released on Thursday. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.93% this week, down from 6.95% one week ago.

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What You Need To Know About Saving for a Home in 2024

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re planning to buy a home, knowing what to budget for and how to save may sound intimidating – but it doesn’t have to be.

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How loan originators survived a cutthroat mortgage business in 2023

Housing Wire

In his 20 years in mortgage banking, no year has compared to 2023 in terms of difficulty, said Ben Cohen, Guaranteed Rate ’s managing director and a top-producing loan officer. “This is a lot different than 2008 where you needed a credit score and a heartbeat to get a mortgage. Now, you need to be very qualified in order to get a mortgage,” he said.

Loans 459
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Avoiding Lease Accounting Pitfalls in 2025: Lessons Learned from Spreadsheet Errors

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.

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A new commissions lawsuit lands in Missouri’s District Court

Real Estate News

Perhaps the last copycat case to be filed this year, the complaint targets NAR and 13 major brokerages in a class action suit with nationwide reach.

Land 269
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To lure more teachers, CO school districts enter the housing market

Housing Wire

Affordability has been a chief topic of concern in the housing industry for the past several years, and the lack of affordable options in the state of Colorado is pushing that state’s school districts into action. Leaders in Colorado districts are entering the housing market in a variety of ways, including engaging in partnerships with developers, constructing tiny homes and even becoming landlords, according to a story published by the Denver Post.

Marketing 465

More Trending

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Pending home sales remain at historically low levels

Housing Wire

Pending home sales in November were largely unchanged from October’s levels, a month that saw the lowest pending sales since 2001. according to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) recorded a minor increase to 71.6 in November, from 71.4 one month ago. Year over year, pending sales dropped 5.2%. “Although declining mortgage rates did not induce more homebuyers to submit formal contracts in November, it has sparked a surge in

Sales 475
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Mortgage rates still falling — just not as quickly

Real Estate News

Following last week’s substantial drop, rates leveled off but still declined modestly, while pending home sales were flat.

Mortgages 260
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Aziba, Fello, Cloze among Inman’s best-reviewed proptech of 2023

Inman

AI fueled the biggest trends in proptech this year, but so did efforts to put the consumer first, tech critic Craig Rowe writes. Check out the dozens of products that received his highest praise in 2023.

MLS 187
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8 tech trends that went from ‘hot’ to ‘not’ and why they matter

Real Estate News

From blockchain to monthly per-agent pricing for brokerage tools, these “fading concepts” don’t shine like they used to but still have something to tell us.

Brokerage 214
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Driving Profit: 4 Pillars for Growing Your Real Estate Brokerage

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.

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Title insurer First American back online after cybersecurity incident

Inman

There are "some limits to functionality" as First American continues efforts to return to normal business operations following a cybersecurity breach that led the company to isolate some systems from the internet on Dec. 20.

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‘Selling Sunset’ star on LA’s ‘pretty wild’ luxury market

Real Estate News

Emma Hernan, one of the star agents in the hit Netflix series, discussed LA’s mansion tax, cash offers and more with Real Estate News.

Marketing 230
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Artificial intelligence roused real estate amid a big year for proptech

Inman

Technology roared to life in 2023, sending a current of excitement across brokerages, MLS's and the vendors who serve both. But it was AI's rapid acceleration that drove the narrative.

MLS 164
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First American restores service after cyberattack

Real Estate News

The company said its website is back up, but some functionality remains limited.

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Tech-Forward Strategies for Scaling Agent Efficiency & Accelerating Growth

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.

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From Sitzer to Moehrl, 2023 was the year of commission confusion

Inman

Sitzer | Burnett and its verdict cast a long shadow that will extend into 2024 and potentially shake up the real estate industry. But it wasn't the only lawsuit with commissions in the crosshairs.

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What to Do With Your Home if You Buy a Second Property

RIS Media

The decision to buy a second property brings a host of considerations, and one of the most crucial among them is whether to sell or rent your existing home. This dilemma requires careful evaluation of financial, emotional, and strategic factors to ensure that the choice aligns with your goals and circumstances. We will explore renting… The post What to Do With Your Home if You Buy a Second Property appeared first on RISMedia.

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Broker Spotlight 2023: Check out our end-of-year roundup

Inman

Every week we bring you the facts and figures, origin stories, goals and strategies of some of the country's best managing brokers and broker-owners. Here's a roundup of 2023's profiles to inspire, encourage and edify.

Brokerage 158
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Mortgage Rates Remain on Downward Trend Heading Into the New Year

RIS Media

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.61%, down from last week’s dip to 6.67%, according to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) from Freddie Mac released Thursday. This week’s numbers: The 30-year FRM averaged 6.61% as of December 28, 2023, down from last week when it averaged 6.67%. A year ago at this time,… The post Mortgage Rates Remain on Downward Trend Heading Into the New Year appeared first on RISMedia.

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The Broker Action Plan for the Post-NAR Lawsuit Landscape

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.

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5 tips to customize your goal setting for success in 2024

Inman

What do you do if you didn't meet your 2023 goals? How do you regroup? YogaBug broker Pam Blair offers tips to help you start again and meet 2024 with confidence.

Brokerage 160
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Rents Show Biggest Decline in 3 Years—Should Landlords Panic?

Bigger Pockets

Median rent prices declined by 2.1% year over year in November, the biggest decline since 2020. What's going on and should landlords sound the alarm?

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Pending home sales stagnate in November despite rate relief

Inman

November's numbers show pending sales didn't move compared to October, but lower rates did apparently lead to more lockbox openings — hinting that better days lie ahead.

Sales 146
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How to Take Over Mortgage Payments: Understanding Assumable Loans

HomeLight

Whether it’s to buy a house with a lower interest rate or to purchase a property from a family member, more home shoppers today are asking: Can I take over mortgage payments?” However, the concept of taking over mortgage payments on an existing home is often misunderstood. In this post, we will walk you through everything you need to know about transferring or “assuming” a home loan.

Loans 119
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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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Window to the Law: Rules for Using Endorsements and Testimonials

RIS Media

Editor’s Note: This is part of a monthly video series from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® to inform and educate members about important aspects of being a real estate professional. Watch for this series each month in RISMedia’s Daily News. Using endorsements and testimonials from past customers and clients can be a powerful marketing tool… The post Window to the Law: Rules for Using Endorsements and Testimonials appeared first on RISMedia.

Marketing 122
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15 Types of Specialized Home Inspections That Tell You More About a House

HomeLight

Let’s say you go to your family doctor for a check-up. They notice something based on your symptoms or blood work that warrants a closer look and refer you to a specialist who’s best qualified to diagnose and treat the problem. Do you say “Nah, I’m good” and trust that all is well? Hopefully not! The same logic applies to the home inspection process you’ll go through when buying a home.

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A Leap in Real Estate Transaction Reporting

RIS Media

Representing a new era of transaction reporting for their clients, Real Estate Webmasters recently released REW Deals, the latest addition to the REW CRM suite. Set to revolutionize real estate transaction reporting, REW Deals features a user-centric design, fostering streamlined deal management and actionable insights. “REW Deals embodies both a leap in CRM functionality and… The post A Leap in Real Estate Transaction Reporting appeared first on RISMedia.

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Mortgage Assumption During Divorce: What You Need to Know

HomeLight

Going through a divorce is hard, especially when it comes to making decisions about your home and the joint mortgage loan. One option you might be considering is mortgage assumption. But what does assuming a mortgage look like? In this post, we’ll explain what it means to assume a mortgage during a divorce. You’ll learn the benefits it might offer, the process, and the qualifications required.

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Boldtrail Backoffice - Take The Quiz to See What Package Is Right For You

BoldTrail BackOffice provides a single, streamlined solution to manage agent onboarding and billing and commission tracking and disbursements, along with agent management, reporting, and accounting - so your brokerage can run smoothly & profitably. Our #1-rated back office solutions have exactly what your business needs to deliver a seamless experience for your clients and your team.

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Instant Reaction: Mortgage Rates, December 28, 2023

NAR: Economic Outlook

Instant Reaction: Mortgage Rates, December 28, 2023 Mortgage interest rates continued their decline this week and have hit the lowest level in six months since May of 2023.

Mortgages 112
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Streamlining the Homeownership Experience

RIS Media

For Larry Flick V, CEO of Devon, Pennsylvania-based Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, REALTORS®, a pairing nearly two decades ago between his company and HSA Home Warranty can best be described as something akin to love at first sight. “We recognized the importance of home warranties to our clients, so we incorporated warranty products… The post Streamlining the Homeownership Experience appeared first on RISMedia.

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Saving Up for a Down Payment on a House? Down Payment Assistance Programs May Speed Up the Process!

Lighter Side of Real Estate

A big hurdle for many people who’d like to buy a house is saving up enough money for a down payment. But many people make that hurdle higher than it needs to be by aiming for a 20% down payment. According to Lending Tree , 31% of Americans still believe they need that much of a down payment in order to buy a house. And the percentage is even higher (at nearly 40%) for Gen Z, Millennials, and parents who have children under the age of 18.

Loans 109
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How to Make Home Inspections Easier for Everyone

RIS Media

The last couple of years were an unprecedented time in the market. With buyers making all-cash offers well over the asking price as well as waiving appraisal contingencies and inspections, it was unlike anything anyone in the industry had seen before. While it wasn’t that long ago that homes were flying off the market, those… The post How to Make Home Inspections Easier for Everyone appeared first on RISMedia.

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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.