Wed.Jan 10, 2024

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Mortgage demand picks up again: MBA

Housing Wire

Despite an uptick in mortgage rates at the beginning of 2024, mortgage demand surged after adjusting for the holiday. Mortgage applications increased 9.9% for the week ending Jan. 5 compared to one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). The 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.62% as of Jan. 4, according to Freddie Mac ’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

Mortgages 509
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Avoid These Common Mistakes After Applying for a Mortgage

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re getting ready to buy a home, it’s exciting to jump a few steps ahead and think about moving in and making it your own.

Mortgages 348
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DataDigest: Study shows agents are aplenty, most with few or no sales

Housing Wire

Most agents seldom sell homes, according to a new study published by the Consumer Federation of America last week. The study, CFA’s third of three on this topic, suggests that a significant portion of agents in the U.S. sell at most five homes in a year. It relies on examinations of agents’ sales for five major real estate firms in each of four geographic areas; out of a sample of 2,000 agents, 100 were selected randomly from each firm in each area.

Agents 459
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Real gets into the ‘brokerage as a service’ business

Real Estate News

The brokerage’s new Private Label initiative gives teams access to Real’s platform and revenue sharing model while maintaining their independent brand.

Brokerage 293
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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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HUD watchdog makes 35 recommendations to shore up issues

Housing Wire

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on Tuesday released its priority open recommendations report, submitted to HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge designed to highlight as-yet unaddressed risks in the management of the department. “The report highlights for HUD leadership 35 open recommendations from OIG reports that, if implemented, will help HUD address its most serious management challenges and enhance critical aspects of its operations,” th

Design 467
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More women than ever earn spots in real estate power ranking

Real Estate News

For the second year in a row, the Swanepoel Power 200 designated Sue Yannaccone, Anywhere Brands president and CEO, as the most powerful female leader.

Branding 270

More Trending

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Consumers are feeling more optimistic about mortgage rates

Real Estate News

Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index closed out the year on a relative high note as borrowing costs fell.

Mortgages 258
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Invitation Homes to pay $3.7 million in California rent-gouging case

Housing Wire

Invitation Homes , the nation’s largest single-family rental landlord, has reached a settlement to address accusations it violated California ‘s “rent gouging” laws, the state’s Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Monday. As part of the settlement filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Invitation Homes will pay $2.04 million in civil penalties.

As-is 468
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Associations, brokerages hit with 2 new commissions lawsuits

Real Estate News

Cases filed in Arizona and Illinois target At World, Realty One, HomeSmart, Realty Executives and several local firms and Realtor associations.

Brokerage 204
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University Bank adds four reverse mortgage veterans to its HECM division

Housing Wire

University Bank ’s reverse mortgage division has added four key hires across different disciplines as it prepares to grow further in the reverse mortgage space. Jake Droge joins the company as a loan officer, while Carol Olmos has joined the company as an account executive. Both Droge and Olmos come to University Bank from Open Mortgage , which shuttered its own top 10 reverse mortgage lending division late last year.

Banks 463
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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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NAR, KW and HomeServices seek new trial in Sitzer | Burnett suit

Inman

The defendants point to "legal errors at trial" they say justify setting aside the jury's historic, multi-billion-dollar verdict and giving the defendants another chance to make their case in court.

MLS 200
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Guild asks judge to confirm $10.7M award in poaching dispute against ex-employees

Housing Wire

Guild Mortgage has filed a petition in a district court in Washington to confirm a $10.7 million award resulted from an arbitration dispute against three former employees accused of poaching when they transitioned to rival CrossCountry Mortgage. The case began in August 2021 when Guild filed a demand for arbitration claiming Christopher Flowers, Cory Flynn and Lisa Jolliffe, who left the Kirkland branch weeks before joining CCM, allegedly “engaged in a massive, coordinated effort to di

Lending 446
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Flexibility drives new Real Brokerage affiliation models

Inman

As part of its ongoing effort to market alternatives to affiliating with legacy real estate brands, publicly traded The Real Brokerage has announced two new forms of partnership, Private Label and ProTeams.

Brokerage 187
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Reverse mortgage lender hires former news anchor in new marketing push

Housing Wire

HomeEquity Bank , Canada’s leading reverse mortgage lender and a federally regulated bank, recently announced the hiring of former Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) news anchor Peter Mansbridge to serve as its strategic communications consultant. Mansbridge served as the lead anchor for CBC News’ “The National,” its flagship broadcast, from 1988 to 1992, and then from 1995 until his retirement in 2017.

Mortgages 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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Realtors fear damage to NAR brand beyond repair following Kasper exit

Inman

Members already reeling from a series of accusations and leadership changes told Inman Tracy Kasper's resignation as president after less than five months doesn't bode well for NAR's reputation.

Branding 179
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Blue Sage Solutions launches digital servicing platform

Housing Wire

Software development company Blue Sage Solutions has launched a new servicing platform that merges loan origination and servicing functions using API-based technology. Blue Sage Solutions’s primary product offering is a cloud-based digital lending platform designed to operate in the retail, wholesale, and correspondent lending channels while ensuring compliance.

Lending 437
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CoreLogic fights MLS cyberthreats with Clareity Assure

Inman

Adaptive authentication is at the heart of the system, a form of user identification that applies at random one of many factors to verify the request for access, such as location, device status and even the individual’s recent online behavior.

MLS 184
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Downes named president of Enterprise Housing Credit Investments

Housing Wire

Enterprise Community Partners announced on Wednesday the appointment of Kari Downes to the position of president at its housing credit investments business, effective April 1. Downes, who currently serves as Enterprise Housing Credit Investments EVP, will succeed current president Scott Hoekman who has spent the past 30 years at Enterprise. In addition to serving as president, Downes “will also serve as a member of the leadership team of Enterprise’s Capital division, which collectively oversees

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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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10 words to enhance your real estate communication game

Inman

Words are very powerful, writes broker Joseph Santini, so choose them carefully. You'll enjoy the rewards of great communication and more success in your business and your life.

Agents 177
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Exclusive: CrossCountry Mortgage CEO Ron Leonhardt talks AmCap acquisition, future targets

Housing Wire

Rapidly expanding Cleveland, Ohio-based CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) has struck a deal to acquire the smaller retail mortgage lender AmCap Home Loans and bolster its operations in Texas. In an exclusive interview with HousingWire , Ron Leonhardt, a former mortgage broker who founded CCM in 2003, confirmed conversations with the parties started years ago, although the transaction closed on Tuesday.

Mortgages 421
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RE/MAX CEO examines alternative paths to homeownership

Inman

RE/MAX CEO Nick Bailey says it's time to change the narrative on homeownership as a viable possibility for many Americans. Education and solutions-oriented service can help buyers find a workable path to the closing table.

Closing 173
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8 top real estate lead generation companies for 2024

Housing Wire

Vetted by HousingWire | Our editors independently review the products we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Organic social media traffic. Community events. SEO. Between leveraging your personal network, filming YouTube videos and even the unpleasant task of cold prospecting, real estate professionals today wear all the hats.

Land 421
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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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Get your mind(set) right to avoid the fate of 49% of real estate pros

Inman

Nearly half of real estate agents sold next-to-nothing last year, writes mega-team leader Carl Medford. He shares strategies to help you turn disappointment into success in 2024.

Agents 170
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The art of gift-giving in real estate: A personal touch

Housing Wire

As we come out of the holidays, we’re cleaning up, throwing out tired-looking decorations and looking for a place for presents in the closets or cabinets. However, if you’re like many Americans, you’re probably planning to take at least some of those presents back to the store for a refund or exchange. The National Retail Federation found that during the 2022 holiday season, retailers saw 17.9% of the merchandise purchased being returned.

Branding 420
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Buyers take rebound in mortgage rates in stride as lenders tighten

Inman

Demand for purchase loans picked up last week as would-be homebuyers took advantage of rates that are still a full percentage point lower than 2023 highs.

Mortgages 178
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NAR asks for new trial in latest Sitzer/Burnett commission suit filings

Housing Wire

Like the corporate brokerage defendants in the Sitzer/Burnett commission lawsuit , the National Association of Realtors also filed post-trial motions. The motions were filed on Monday prior to the filing deadline, but they did not appear on the court docket until Tuesday evening. The trade group joined defendants HomeServices of America and Keller Williams in filing motions for judgement as a matter of law and a new trial.

Brokerage 418
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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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Real estate’s AI boom is behind the curve on lead generation: Triple-I

Inman

More than 30 proptech leaders who responded to the Inman Intel Index monthly sentiment survey signaled the areas where they believe artificial intelligence will most change real estate in 2024.

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AutomatiQ Borrower from CoreLogic provides verification data and decision analysis all in one platform

Housing Wire

AutomatIQ Borrower from CoreLogic is a one-stop borrower verification and qualification platform. The platform was built focused on two key aspects: what data do lenders need, and why do lenders need this data? Lenders need answers to three key questions: Does the borrower have the capacity to pay? Does the borrower have the propensity to pay? Does the borrower have the ability to pay?

Investor 410
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Pacaso chooses Paris as its 4th international destination

Inman

Pacaso has properties in Mexico, the United Kingdom, Spain and now France, as the second home marketplace has acquired its first property in Paris’ 7th arrondissement, according to a January 10 press release sent to Inman.

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Pennymac pulls back on 2021 plan to hire 300+ workers in North Carolina

Housing Wire

Nonbank mortgage lender and servicer Pennymac Financial Services scrapped its plans to hire more than 300 staff in North Carolina due to prolonged periods of elevated interest rates. In 2021, Pennymac vowed to create 322 jobs in Wake County, North Carolina and invest $4.3 million into Pennymac Loan Services, its mortgage lending subsidiary, to establish a mortgage fulfillment production center in Cary, North Carolina.

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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.