Tue.Apr 16, 2024

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Powell makes it clear: No rate cuts anytime soon

Housing Wire

Today, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell made statements at the Washington Forum that indicate there will be no rate cuts anytime soon because the economy and the labor market are too strong with sticky inflation. This is a change from previous statements where the Fed talked about the rate cuts it expected to make this year — although that timeframe has changed several times.

Land 508
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Should I Wait for Mortgage Rates To Come Down Before I Move?

Keeping Current Matters

If you’ve got a move on your mind, you may be wondering whether you should wait to sell until mortgage rates come down before you spring into action.

Mortgages 340
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Opinion: Is the industry positioned for a mass exodus of real estate agents?

Housing Wire

In the wake of the recent NAR settlement , coupled with persistently sluggish home sales and high interest rates , real estate agents find themselves at a crossroads marked by uncertainty and unease. Amidst this backdrop, brokerages face a critical task; keeping their agent counts from diminishing. However, with many agents feeling uncertain about their futures, a potential mass exodus from the industry may be looming.

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Commissions, steering and the MLS: Myths and realities

Real Estate News

During a livestream presentation, Bright MLS’s chief economist highlighted some of the most misunderstood topics or mistaken beliefs about real estate.

MLS 289
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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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Do housing starts show we’re going into a recession?

Housing Wire

When they say housing leads the U.S. economy into and out of a recession, they’re correct, as housing starts fall into a recession and rise when we are recovering. Economic cycles follow a familiar pattern, however, each one is unique in its way. In 2022, many recessionary red flags popped up. However, after Nov. 9, 2022 , a critical recessionary data line changed as mortgage rates fell, new home sales grew, builders bought down rates and the cycle moved on.

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Major homebuilder objects to commissions settlement process

Real Estate News

PulteGroup, which potentially has thousands of claims as a seller, raised concerns about “needless and time-consuming” paperwork and lack of transparency.

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Commissions won't count against limits, Fannie and Freddie say

Real Estate News

The federal finance giants clarified their policies, confirming that buyer agent compensation won't be applied to concession limits.

Finance 284
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The ‘double-edged sword’ of dual licensing

Housing Wire

In a down market disrupted by the commission lawsuits, agents and LOs are considering working in a dual capacity. But it’s a tough road to hoe. (AI image generated by MidJourney.) As the engines of the housing and mortgage markets continue to sputter due to higher interest rates and fewer buyers, industry innovators are looking for ways to get their company’s wheels off the ground.

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Agents optimistic about the market, concerned about buy-side pay

Real Estate News

A new survey from Real Brokerage offers insight into agent sentiment and how they really feel about the industry changes set to go into effect this summer.

Agents 240
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BofA’s mortgage production falls in Q1

Housing Wire

Bank of America (BofA) reported another quarterly decline in mortgage and home equity production in the first quarter of 2024. On Tuesday morning, the top-20 U.S. mortgage lender stated it produced a volume of $3.4 billion in first mortgages from January to March, down 12.5% from the $3.9 billion in the previous quarter and the same quarter of 2023.

Mortgages 446
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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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Zillow launches ‘Home Just Got Real’ ad campaign

Inman

Just in time for spring homebuying, portal powerhouse Zillow has released a new ad campaign aimed at celebrating the persistence of millennial and Gen-Z homebuyers amid market headwinds. The ad series, "Home Just Got Real," includes two 30-second and one 15-second videos that highlight the reasons people buy — a place for their child to grow up or a home big enough for their furry friends — and the lengths they go to achieve their dreams.

Marketing 178
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Legacy Group Capital acquires home equity investment fintech Rook Capital

Housing Wire

Bellevue, Washington-based real estate investment firm Legacy Group Capital announced this week that it has acquired fintech company Rook Capital , a provider of home equity investment (HEI) products through its “Shared Value Investment” brand. Legacy is privately owned and terms of the deal were not disclosed. “As [HEIs] evolve and grow into a foundational component of the real estate market, the need to empower builders with a homebuyer-focused HEI is paramount,” Legacy said in its announcemen

Equity 454
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Use intentional reflection to optimize your decision-making

Inman

Embrace reflection as a tool for your growth, coaches Emily Bossert and Melanie Klein write. From clarifying your purpose, to redefining your goals and cultivating adaptability, this practice will allow you to control the ebbs and flows of your business more smoothly.

Agents 169
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Judge denies Sitzer/Burnett plaintiffs’ motion for entry of judgement

Housing Wire

The judge overseeing the Sitzer/Burnett commission lawsuit will not issue a final ruling on the HomeServices of America defendants just quite yet. In a filing on Monday, Judge Stephen Bough denied the plaintiffs’ motion for entry of judgement without prejudice, meaning that the plaintiffs could file another motion for entry of judgement in the future.

Brokerage 442
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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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Homeseller sentiment is lukewarm as spring homebuying ramps up

Inman

Elevated mortgage rates and home prices have made sellers leery about listing this spring. As a result, 50 percent of homesellers said they'll be aligning their sales with a late-year rate drop.

As-is 161
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Demand stalled in March for new-home purchases: MBA

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications for new homes stalled in March as buyers felt the brunt of sustained home price growth. Compared to February 2024, mortgage applications for new-home purchases rose 1% in March. Applications were up 6.2% from March 2023, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association ’s (MBA) Builder Application Survey. According to MBA estimates, new single-family home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 615,000 units in March, the slowest annualized pace in four months, and

VA loan 446
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What agents do post-settlement will define Real Estate 3.0

Inman

Two major real estate market transformations defined the past 50 years, writes CEO Patrick Kilner. Are we ready for whatever comes next?

Agents 165
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As inflation heats up, mortgage rates also rise

Housing Wire

Mortgage rates posted a big jump last week after Wednesday’s release of a higher-than-expected inflation report. As a result, HousingWire’s Mortgage Rates Center showed the average 30-year fixed rate for conventional loans at 7.24% on Tuesday, up from 7.16% one week earlier. That’s roughly 40 basis points above the rate at the start of the year. At the same time one year ago, the 30-year fixed rate averaged 6.42%.

Mortgages 436
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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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Big Tech loses its appetite for office space, adding to landlords woes

Inman

Tech firms such as Meta, Amazon, Salesforce and Google are offloading office space and letting leases expire.

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Remaining Batton defendants look to have suit dismissed

Housing Wire

Defendants in the behemoth Batton homebuyer commission lawsuit filed a ream of motions on Monday seeking to have the class-action allegations struck down and dismissed. The Batton suit consists of two separate lawsuits filed by the same homebuyer plaintiffs, alleging that the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and several of the nation’s largest corporate real estate firms conspired to adopt and enforce anti-competitive rules applicable to the vast majority of real estate brokers, resulting

Principal 425
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Sun Belt property managers merge as Bryten Real Estate Partners

Inman

Phoenix-based MEB Management Services and St. Petersburg, Florida-based Weller Management announced their merger on Monday.

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Retail losses lead February decline in reverse mortgage volume

Housing Wire

Reverse mortgage volume dropped in February compared to the month prior, and new data compiled by Reverse Market Insight (RMI) shows that the primary culprit for the month was retail reverse mortgage originations. The retail channel volume decrease of 15.7% effectively “masked” a gain of 3.9% posted on the wholesale side of the business, according to RMI.

Mortgages 404
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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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Green Building: Top Practices

Eye on Housing

An earlier post based on the report The Building Sustainably: Green & Resilient Single- Family Homes 2024 SmartMarket Brief focused on the prevalence of green home building. This post will examine commonly used practices in green building. This is the second part of a four-part series that will be published about the report. Top Green.

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Downtown Seattle’s Bed Bath & Beyond building to become an arts center

Seattle Times Real Estate

The organizers behind Bumbershoot are transforming the sprawling, two-floor building into a year-round contemporary art center set to open in early 2025.

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Lesson Learned: Find and follow great role models

Inman

Find out how top producer Juan Carlos Barreneche leveraged great advice to build out a team and create his own training community.

Agents 135
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Dispelling Myths About Commissions and the MLS

RIS Media

Editor’s note: The following ‘Myths vs Facts’ were excerpted from recent research, “Dispelling the Myths About Real Estate Commissions and the MLS,” released by Bright MLS. Bright MLS President and CEO Brian Donnellan offers context on the analysis below the comparisons. Myth: Agents steer clients to homes with higher commission rates. Fact: Our analysis of over… The post Dispelling Myths About Commissions and the MLS appeared first on RISMedia.

MLS 122
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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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Opendoor Reviews: What Is It and How It Works

HomeLight

When you think of selling your home, you may imagine lengthy preparations, repairs, strangers in your house, price haggling, waiting, worrying, and trying to time the sale with a move. To bypass all these, many homeowners turn to new solutions offered by companies like Opendoor. But what is Opendoor? How does Opendoor work? In this post, we’ll walk through the process of selling your home to this pioneering business, share Opendoor reviews, and provide a list of similar companies so you can comp

Closing 115
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5 Things To Consider Before Halting Your Home Search Until After the Real Estate Settlement Takes Effect

Lighter Side of Real Estate

If you’re thinking about buying a home this year, you might be wondering if it makes sense to wait until after the recent commission lawsuit settlement takes effect in order to save money. It’s completely understandable considering how the media and politicians make it sound like buyers are about to save a lot of money when purchasing a home due to the terms of the settlement.

Agents 113
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Housing Starts Fall on Interest Rate, Financing Concerns

Eye on Housing

Housing starts fell in March with interest rates somewhat higher than expected last month as the latest inflation readings failed to show improvement. Builders are also still facing higher supply-side costs and tighter lending conditions. Overall housing starts decreased 14.7% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.32 million units, according to a.

Finance 111
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4 of the Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Dayton

HomeLight

Are you looking to sell a house in Dayton, Ohio, that needs significant repairs? Or have you inherited a deceased loved one’s property while living out of state? Whatever the case may be, accepting a cash offer from a “We Buy Houses” company in Dayton can help you get out from under the property quickly and avoid the hassles of the traditional market.

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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.