Fri.Aug 09, 2024

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Opinion: Stand your ground: Navigating the real estate business with confidence and clarity

Housing Wire

Standing your ground. It’s a phrase we often hear, but its importance cannot be overstated in the real estate business. The ability to hold firm to your values, worth, and business practices is not just a strategy; it’s a necessity. As the CEO of a multi-state real estate brokerage , I have witnessed firsthand the importance of this principle.

Brokerage 447
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Home Inspections For Sellers: How To Prepare

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re thinking about selling your house, it’s important to know what the home inspection is and what inspectors look for.

Insiders

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‘Real Estate Insiders’ discuss commission sharing risks and alternate practices

Housing Wire

In a recent episode of the Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast, the hosts dive into commission sharing practices for agents, the associated risks and the alternatives ahead of the National Association of Realtors ‘ (NAR) business practice changes that are set to take effect on Aug 17. Co-hosts James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson urge agents to stop sharing commissions and discuss ways that listing agents can put their seller’s needs first while avoiding legal trouble and creating an exc

MLS 441
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As revenue falls, is it time for RE/MAX to rethink its model?

Real Estate News

Agent count has also continued to decline, and CEO Erik Carlson said they are looking at all aspects of their business in preparation for an industry rebound.

As-is 221
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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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Reverse mortgage volume rose in July while securitizations fell

Housing Wire

The reverse mortgage industry’s key performance indicators were split in July, according to data from industry analysts. Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) endorsements increased by 8% from June to July, with the total of 2,274 falling reasonably in line with Federal Housing Administration (FHA) HECM case numbers. This is according to data compiled by Reverse Market Insight (RMI).

Mortgages 438
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Tech Bytes: Offerpad launches agent portal, Rechat gains partner

Real Estate News

"Powered by Offerpad" supports the iBuyer's agent partners; Peerage gets Rechat tools; Audience Town adds builder analytics; Rexdat offers listings platform.

Agents 201

More Trending

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Investors bullish on Blend on Q2 earnings and revenue beat

Inman

Cloud banking software provider maintains steady growth in consumer banking revenue, while reversing the decline in its main line of business of providing services to mortgage lenders.

Investor 192
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The Mortgage Collaborative’s Melissa Langdale on the risks and rewards of gen AI

Housing Wire

Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler sat down with Melissa Langdale, president and chief operating officer of The Mortgage Collaborative , to talk about the recent FHFA TechSprint focused on gen AI use cases in housing. The use case developed by Langdale and her team was recognized as the most promising use case of gen AI for consumer experience. FHFA’s second annual tech sprint featured 12 teams that presented use cases in four areas: consumer experience, assessing creditworthiness, operations a

Mortgages 429
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Falling rates pique buyers’ interest, but not their pocketbooks

Inman

A surprise drop in mortgage rates got homebuyers off the sidelines and into home tours. However, affordability and recessionary concerns have kept buyers from making purchases.

Mortgages 183
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Why a reverse mortgage could be viable in a ‘gray divorce’ situation

Housing Wire

“Gray divorce” — referring to the decision of a married couple over the age of 50 to separate — is a growing phenomenon. According to a 2022 study published in the Journals of Gerontology, the rate of divorce among those ages 50 and older has doubled since 1990 and has tripled for those 65 or older. Gray divorce can come with a myriad of financial headaches for those determining what post-married life will look like and how previously intertwined financial situations can be separated.

Mortgages 430
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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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Lofty acquires real estate CRM company Firepoint

Inman

There is a good deal of feature overlap between the Lofty and Firepoint, with both providing the market website creation and content management, AI assistants and lead generation and oversight. However, Lofty ventures into transaction management, omnichannel lead-gen and as of recently, property management.

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Blend remains confident in Q4 profitability as rates provide an ‘encouraging signal’

Housing Wire

Mortgage tech firm Blend Labs delivered another loss in the second quarter of 2024 even as it signed deals with new customers across the mortgage and consumer banking channels. But executives expect a shift in the landscape due to declining interest rates , which may help them achieve profitability in the final three months of the year. “The bond market seems to be signaling that the Federal Reserve ’s target rate could end the year potentially more than 100 basis points lower than where we’ve b

Banks 415
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Calque adds 2 more lenders to growing nationwide partner roster

Inman

Austin, Texas-based fintech's flagship product, "The Trade-In Mortgage," helps homebuyers make non-contingent offers and removes their current house from debt-to-income calculation.

Mortgages 165
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Cooler market conditions generate mixed results for title’s Big Four

Housing Wire

A cooler spring homebuying season led to a mixed bag of financial results for the Big Four title insurance firms in the second quarter of 2024. Although all four firms reported a net income during the quarter, not all of them recorded better results than a year ago. Old Republic At Old Republic , total operating revenue was up 10% year over year to $2.012 billion, while net income was down annually from $115.5 million a year ago to $91.8 million in Q2 2024.

Title 395
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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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What the presidential candidates plan to do about affordable housing

Inman

Housing affects every aspect of American life, Rachael Hite writes. This election, discover how each presidential candidate plans to reshape housing.

Brokerage 178
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Court grants preliminary approval to HomeServices’ commission lawsuit settlement

Housing Wire

HomeServices of America is one step closer to moving on from the home seller commission lawsuits. On Thursday, Judge Stephen R. Bough — who is overseeing the Sitzer/Burnett and Gibson/Umpa commission cases — granted preliminary approval to the brokerage firm’s settlement agreement. “The Court finds that the proposed Settlement with HomeServices, as set forth in the Settlement Agreement, is fair, reasonable and adequate, the class representatives have adequately represented the class, the Settlem

Brokerage 383
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E&V’s Anthony Hitt says the best thing agents can do now is ‘focus’

Inman

The Engel & Völkers Americas president and CEO took time to chat with Inman and shared why agents should be concentrating on relationships — not confusion around commission lawsuits.

Agents 161
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Anthony Lamacchia Named GBAR 2024 REALTOR® of the Year

RIS Media

Anthony Lamacchia was named 2024 REALTOR® of the Year by the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS® at its Annual Awards & Networking Breakfast in Boston. “I am honored to receive this recognition and would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in the selection process,” said Lamacchia. “It’s a privilege to be… The post Anthony Lamacchia Named GBAR 2024 REALTOR® of the 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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NAR: Settlement mandates ‘benefit’ buyers and sellers

Inman

Consumer guides from the trade group offer a contrast to previous messaging but also continue to promote pre-emptive offers of compensation to buyer agents.

Agents 169
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Credit Card and Auto Loan Rates Drop for the First Time in Years

Eye on Housing

Total outstanding US consumer debt stood at $5.08 trillion for the first quarter of 2024, increasing at an annualized rate of 2.46% (seasonally adjusted), according to the Federal Reserve’s G.19 Consumer Credit Report. From the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024, the total increased by 1.84%. This year-over-year (YoY) growth rate.

Loans 119
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More agents leave Official in wake of Alexander brothers’ departures

Inman

At least five agents based in New York and Miami have left the firm in about the last week. Previously, West Coast founding broker Tyrone McKillen had also left the Side-backed brokerage.

Agents 154
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Hard Money Lenders Tucson: The Right Move?

HomeLight

Looking for a quick financing solution for your real estate ventures in Tucson? Whether you’re flipping houses in El Presidio or investing in rental properties in the Sam Hughes neighborhood, hard money loans might be the answer you’re seeking. These loans, known for their flexibility and speed, cater to various needs and can be a game-changer for Tucson investors.

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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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Offerpad confirms layoffs after ‘restructuring’ amid down market

Inman

The iBuyer declined to confirm how many employees have been let go. Recent SEC filings show widespread cuts compared to a year earlier.

Marketing 175
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What Is Wainscoting — And Does It Add Any Value to a Home?

HomeLight

For some, the word “wainscoting” conjures up the ornate sets of “Downton Abbey.” Others may hear the term and picture the brown wood paneling popular in the 1970s and ‘80s. So what exactly is wainscoting? We’ll teach you everything you need to know about this decorative paneling, including types, cost, and styling tips. Renovating? Check your home value first How much is your home worth today?

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Commission, communication, compliance: Inman’s Top 5

Inman

Looking for a quick catch-up on the buzziest stories of the week? Here’s Inman Top 5, the most essential stories, according to Inman readers.

Brokerage 166
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Credit for Builders: Rates Up, Availability Down in the Second Quarter

Eye on Housing

During the second quarter of 2024, credit for residential Land Acquisition, Development & Construction (AD&C) continued to tighten and became even more expensive for most types of loans, according to NAHB’s survey on AD&C Financing. The survey was conducted in July and asked specifically about financing conditions in the second quarter, predating the release of.

Finance 114
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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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HomeServices commission settlement gets prelim approval

Inman

HomeServices previously agreed to pay $250 million to settle various commission suits. A final approval hearing is set for November.

MLS 161
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Mortgage Mix: Rates Dip Sharply; Major Lender Prepping for Refinance Boom

RIS Media

Editor’s Note: The Mortgage Mix is RISMedia’s weekly highlight reel of need-to-know mortgage-industry happenings. Watch for it each Friday afternoon. Per the latest survey by Freddie Mac, mortgage rates experienced a noticeable drop during the first week of August 2024–the lowest rate in over a year, in fact. The 30-year mortgage rate is 6.47%, down… The post Mortgage Mix: Rates Dip Sharply; Major Lender Prepping for Refinance Boom appeared first on RISMedia.

Mortgages 122
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Expedia adjusts H2 projections despite revenue growth

Inman

Expedia Group met the high end of its earnings expectations for the second quarter of 2024, despite a challenging macro environment and softening travel demand, according to an earnings report released Thursday.

Marketing 123
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Navigating Mandatory Changes Following the NAR Settlement

RIS Media

When it comes to successfully guiding clients through the real estate process, transparency is key. Proving your worth and value as a real estate professional is critical—and perhaps even more important today, given the policy changes required under the National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) Settlement Agreement in the seller commission cases taking effect this month. … The post Navigating Mandatory Changes Following the NAR Settlement appeared first on RISMedia.

As-is 124
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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.