Thu.Aug 08, 2024

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Housing market hinges on mortgage rates and supply, not commission structures

Housing Wire

Although there is no doubt that business practice changes outlined in the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) nationwide commission lawsuit settlement agreement are going to impact how real estate industry professionals operate, economists aren’t too sure they’ll have much bearing on the housing market. “I know that surprises people,” Orphe Divounguy, a senior economist at Zillow, said of the impact of business practice changes on the market.

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Mortgage rates tumble, but where are the buyers?

Real Estate News

The 30-year mortgage fell to its lowest level since May 2023, which “should begin to pique their interest in making a move” — but buyers might not be ready.

Mortgages 293
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Guild delivers $37M profit as origination volume jumps 69%

Housing Wire

Guild Holdings Co. , the parent company of Guild Mortgage , delivered a profit in the second quarter of 2024, mainly due to the performance of its growing servicing portfolio. Meanwhile, its origination volume increased by 69% from April to June compared to the previous quarter but at lower margins. Net income in Q2 2024 increased to $37.6 million, compared to $28.5 million in the previous quarter, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

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Where Will You Go After You Sell?

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re planning to sell your house and move, you probably know there’s been a shortage of options available.

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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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CMG Financial founder to acquire Greenwoods State Bank

Housing Wire

Christopher George, the founder of California-based multichannel mortgage lender CMG Financial , has struck a deal to acquire Greenwoods Financial Group , the owner of Greenwoods State Bank. Financials of the deal were not disclosed. George will become an indirect wholly owner of a $575 million FDIC-state chartered bank based in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, that offers products for customers, businesses, and wealth management.

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'Unfiltered': Real estate missing ‘collective leadership’

Real Estate News

Watch the conversation with industry icon Stefan Swanepoel on the “self-centered, arrogant” leaders in real estate, NAR’s missteps and opportunities ahead.

More Trending

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NAR: 'The free market' will determine commissions

Real Estate News

NAR reps discussed upcoming rule changes and reiterated that it does not promote or set compensation: “NAR is agnostic as to where the commission levels are.

Marketing 222
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Longbridge parent lauds reverse lender’s contribution in Q2

Housing Wire

Following the slight loss contributed by Longbridge Financial to the first-quarter earnings of parent company Ellington Financial , the reverse mortgage lender turned its fortunes around in the second quarter, which led to praise from the Ellington executive team in a Q2 2024 earnings report released this week. Ellington reported net income contributable to common stockholders of $52.3 million, and $69.1 million from its investment portfolio.

Loans 438
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HomeServices' $250 million settlement moves forward

Real Estate News

Preliminary approval of the deal was granted on Aug. 8, with a final hearing set for Nov. 26. Plus, Batton 2 plaintiffs respond to motions to dismiss.

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Fathom Realty introduces new agent commission plans

Housing Wire

Fathom Holdings Inc. , parent company of North Carolina -based Fathom Realty , announced Wednesday that it has started two new commission plans for agents. The two agent payment plans, Fathom Max and Fathom Share, complement the real estate firm’s existing plan known as Fathom One. The new plans are “designed to enhance agent recruitment and retention while promoting accelerated and sustainable growth and long-term profitability for the company,” according to its announcement.

Agents 437
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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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People on the Move: C.A.R. names a new CEO

Real Estate News

Phil Hawkins joins the association following 9 years as CEO of a local California Realtor association, says he is "ready to seize opportunities that lie ahead.

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FOA given ‘good’ reverse mortgage originator rating by DBRS Morningstar

Housing Wire

Global credit rating agency DBRS Morningstar this week assigned a “good” rating to reverse mortgage industry leader Finance of America (FOA), reconfirming the ranking the company was assigned at a similar point last year. The rating is officially classified as “MOR RVO2” by Morningstar. The agency noted the recent business history of FOA — including the abandonment of its forward mortgage business and its acquisition of American Advisors Group (AAG) — while mentioning the relative stability of i

Mortgages 435
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Investors aren’t ready to buy in to Better’s comeback story

Inman

Digital mortgage lender boosted second quarter loan production by 45 percent and says it's on track to originate more than $1 billion in mortgages in Q3 for the first time in two years, but losses continue to mount.

Investor 178
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Optimal Blue CEO dives into Constellation deal and AI data solutions

Housing Wire

On last week’s episode of the Power House podcast , host Clayton Collins and guest Joe Tyrrell, the CEO of Optimal Blue , go in depth on how the mortgage technology firm pushes AI-driven data solutions, innovation and leadership for lenders interested in making better data-driven lending decisions. The duo also discuss growth and profit potential for lenders through the primary and secondary markets.

Lending 434
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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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Realtor.com revenue drops 2% as traffic, lead volume remain flat

Inman

Realtor.com parent company Move Inc. saw its fiscal Q4 revenue decrease 2 percent yearly to $143 million as traffic to the site stalls at 74 million average monthly unique visitors.

Marketing 176
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California Association of Realtors appoints Phil Hawkins as CEO

Housing Wire

After more than three months of searching, the California Association of Realtors (CAR) has found its new CEO. On Thursday, the trade group announced that it has named Phil Hawkins as its new CEO. Hawkins is currently the head of the Pacific West Association of Realtors (PWR), which is one the the largest local Realtor associations in California. He will succeed Debra Ferrier, who has served as interim CEO of CAR since John Sebree stepped down in mid-April.

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Investing from afar made simple with Waltz: Tech Review

Inman

Waltz provides a digital on-ramp for foreign real estate investors to buy property in the United States. It helps them establish a banking presence, an LLC, gain an EIN, transfer currencies and safely wire funds.

Banks 175
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Howard Hanna looks to move or dismiss homebuyer commission lawsuit

Housing Wire

After being dragged back into a homebuyer commission lawsuit, Hanna Holdings , the parent company of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services , is again looking for an exit. On Monday, the firm filed a motion to dismiss Davis commission lawsuit or relocate it to the Western District of Pennsylvania. The suit, which is named after its plaintiff Scott Davis, was filed in late May in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on behalf of Davis by attorneys at Korein Tillery LLC , the same law firm representin

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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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Teams Spotlight: Arthur Greenstein, Arthur Greenstein Group

Inman

Find out how this award-winning Dallas team leader and his team think outside the box when it comes to marketing their listings and why he wishes more agents would do the same.

Agents 174
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Seasonal Home Selling Tips: How to Prepare Your Home for Sale in Any Season

RIS Media

Selling a home can be challenging, but with the right seasonal strategies, you can make your property stand out. Whether it’s fall, winter, or the holiday season, tailoring your home to the time of year can attract more buyers and potentially speed up the sale. I have put effort into giving you the best advice… The post Seasonal Home Selling Tips: How to Prepare Your Home for Sale in Any Season appeared first on RISMedia.

Sales 142
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It’s still a listings game! 5 effective ways to generate listings now

Inman

Post-NAR settlement, it’s never been more critical to generate listings, Jimmy Burgess says. That’s why he sat down with Curaytor’s Jimmy Mackin to highlight these winning strategies.

Agents 169
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Revolutionizing Home Sales: Innovative Financing for Sellers

RIS Media

A critical aspect of real estate transactions is the need for strategic enhancements to maximize property value. From landscaping to major repairs like roofing or foundation fixes, these investments are pivotal in the “improve-to-sell” approach favored by agents and homeowners alike. Yet, the greatest challenge often lies in financing these improvements.

Finance 124
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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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ICYMI at Inman Connect Las Vegas: Broker edition

Inman

Discover key brokerage takeaways from Inman Connect Las Vegas that will help you enhance you practices, leverage technology and navigate the evolving real estate landscape.

Brokerage 172
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Mortgage Rates Plummet to Lowest Level in Over a Year

RIS Media

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) dropped drastically to the lowest level seen in over a year, from last week’s average of 6.73% to a current average of 6.47%, according to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) from Freddie Mac released Thursday. This week’s numbers: The 30-year FRM averaged 6.47%, down from last week when… The post Mortgage Rates Plummet to Lowest Level in Over a Year appeared first on RISMedia.

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Ultra-luxury sales show resilience, up 3.9% from last year

Inman

Ultra-luxury sales, or residential sales valued at or above $10 million, totaled $14.6 billion across 838 transactions, an increase of 3.9 percent during the first half of the year.

Sales 171
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What Is Loan-To-Value Ratio (LTV) in Real Estate?

HomeLight

A loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is a lender’s risk meter. It’s a number assigned to a secured loan that can either open or close doors to the funds you need to purchase or refinance a home. The LTV percentage can also push your interest rate up or down. In this easy guide, we’ll help you get a clear understanding of loan-to-value ratio, how to calculate it, and what different LTV ratios mean for you.

Loans 111
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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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RE/MAX agent count drops as revenue falls for 8 straight quarters

Inman

Franchisor reported its U.S. agent count fell 6.3 percent during the second quarter as revenue fell 4.8 percent compared to a year earlier, according to its earnings report.

Agents 172
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Closing Costs in Massachusetts: A Guide for Sellers

HomeLight

Selling your home in Massachusetts? Knowing the full scope of closing costs is important for a smooth transaction. Closing costs are the fees and expenses paid when you finalize the sale of your property. These can include charges like transfer taxes , loan payoff amounts, and real estate agent commissions. Our guide will explain how closing costs work in Massachusetts and what sellers can expect to pay, helping you prepare financially and avoid surprises.

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Climate activists vandalize Lionel Messi’s $12M Ibiza home

Inman

Spanish climate activist group Futuro Vegetal smeared the star footballer's mansion in red and black paint to blame the rich for the climate crisis, while also highlighting the lack of action on the part of the Spanish government, the group said.

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Taxes on Selling a House in Texas: What to Expect

HomeLight

It’s likely you’ve enjoyed living in your Texas home and have been happy that there is no state-level personal income tax. But now the time has come to make a move, and you’re wondering if there are taxes on selling a house in Texas. In this guide, we’ll explain what to expect and share tips from an expert Texas real estate agent. To make it easy to follow, we’ve divided this post into seven common questions homeowners ask when selling a house in the Lone Star State.

Sales 111
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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.