Wed.Sep 11, 2024

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Mortgage rates drop to another new low for 2024

Housing Wire

On this crazy day with the bond market, mortgage rates dropped to another yearly low after the CPI inflation print. How low? Mortgage News Daily came out with a shocking print of 6.11% mortgage rates for their top-tier borrowers, while HousingWire’s Mortgage Rates Center , which tracks actual loan lock data from Polly , is also at a year-to-date low of 6.44%.

Mortgages 514
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The Real Story Behind What’s Happening with Home Prices

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re wondering what’s going on with home prices lately, you’re definitely not the only one.

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Mortgage rates are plummeting, but will sales grow?

Housing Wire

If you were fortunate enough to buy the typical U.S. home in June 2022, you probably locked in about $1,400 a month in mortgage payments. Due largely to higher mortgage rates , that same home today would cost about $2,175 a month. So it’s no surprise that home sales over the last two-plus years have been at some of the lowest levels in modern history.

Sales 419
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Clear Cooperation: ‘Imperative’ or legal risk?

Real Estate News

The future of private listings and MLS integrity is at stake as a key NAR committee meets this week to hear arguments about keeping — or scrapping — the policy.

MLS 236
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The 2025 Real Estate Roadmap to Success

Don’t just react to changes, plan for them, so you can approach the new year with confidence, direction, and a competitive edge for your business. Having a well-defined business plan helps you chart a clear course, navigate challenges, and set a foundation for growth. This workbook gives you the key steps to outline what matters and will ensure you’re moving ahead.

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Refinance demand is up, but most borrowers lack incentive

Housing Wire

Mortgage rates have declined for six straight weeks, pushing loan application volume up 1.4% during the week ending Sept. 6, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). The MBA’s survey — which covers 75% of all retail residential mortgage applications in the U.S. — found that the seasonally adjusted refinance index increased 1% from the previous week and was 106% higher than the same week a year ago.

Loans 411
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Sellers willing to pay buyer agents — but not in all markets

Real Estate News

Agents are talking about compensation “in more depth than ever before” and clearing up a lot of confusion as agent fees stay “mostly the same,” Redfin found.

Agents 213

More Trending

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NextHome settles commissions copycat case

Real Estate News

Terms of the deal — which still requires a judge’s OK — were not revealed. Meanwhile, the settlement fund for Sitzer, Moehrl and Gibson is nearing $1 billion.

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What ICE’s Encompass bombshell means for the mortgage industry

Housing Wire

ICE Mortgage Technology will be sunsetting legacy integrations for its flagship Encompass platform by Oct. 31, 2025, which will modernize the mortgage market even if some vendors have to go kicking and screaming. In an email to partners on Tuesday, ICE said that it will be closing down the Encompass SDK (Software Development Kit) on the same day it sunsets the program’s Technology Partner Network, Total Quality Loan Services, PSDK and ePass.

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Baby boomers own 1/4 of all large homes in the US. They aren’t selling

Inman

Fifty-four percent of boomers who own their homes said they planned to live in them until they die, according to a new survey by Clever Real Estate.

Brokerage 189
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Berkshire Hathaway leader talks brokerage growth plans, NAR policy changes

Housing Wire

On a recent episode of the RealTrending podcast , host Tracey Velt has a tantalizing conversation with Luis Carrion, CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. Carrion was recently chosen as a 2024 RealTrends GameChanger based on his company’s five-year growth rate in transaction sides. Carrion also leads the firm’s office sales and investment advisory group.

Brokerage 400
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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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Bezos got a bargain. Now the homeseller’s suing Douglas Elliman

Inman

After learning that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was behind the entity that had purchased his Indian Creek Island home at a $6 million discount, homeseller Leo Kryss was not pleased with the brokerage, which double-ended the deal.

Brokerage 186
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Home prices saw unusual stagnation this summer

Housing Wire

U.S. home-price appreciation continued to slow in July, a trend that is expected to continued through next summer, according to CoreLogic data released this week. National home prices were virtually flat compared to June and rose 4.3% year over year in July. Stagnant prices during the typically busy summer home-buying season are unusual, CoreLogic reported, as this was only the second time since 2010 that prices didn’t increase from June to July.

MLS 397
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8 tips for optimizing opportunity at your next open house

Inman

In the new normal, open houses have once again become one of the most valuable lead sources available, team leader Carl Medford writes. Here's how to run one the right way and make the most of the opportunity it presents.

Agents 171
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UWM will use AI to tap into refi pools 

Housing Wire

Michigan-based United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) has launched proprietary technology that will use artificial intelligence (AI) to send pre-validated refinance opportunities. Dubbed “KEEP,” the system identifies borrowers who can save on their monthly mortgage payments and will automatically communicate these savings to them through an email that provides a link to a refi application, UWM announced Wednesday.

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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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Fed expected to be cautious in cutting rates next week

Inman

A surprisingly large increase in core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, means Fed policymakers are likely to start out with a modest 25 basis-point rate cut when they meet next week.

Mortgages 168
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CMG’s Sean Kirksey on building out the reverse mortgage division

Housing Wire

CMG Home Loans , the retail lending division of CMG Financial , recently made a key hire in its reverse mortgage division by adding industry veteran Kari Van Kleef as its operations manager. The move comes as the company broadens its ambitions for the reverse mortgage division, aiming to put its 1,400 traditional mortgage originators to work by adding reverse lending to their repertoire.

Mortgages 374
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4 soft skills to focus on post-NAR settlement rule changes

Inman

These soft skills have never been more critical in light of the National Association of Realtors’ commission suit settlement and subsequent rule changes, OJO Labs CEO Chris Heller writes.

Agents 168
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loanDepot hires Nancy Smith to oversee Colorado, Wyoming markets

Housing Wire

California -based mortgage lender loanDepot appointed Nancy Smith to lead its Colorado and Wyoming branches as regional vice president of in-market retail. Smith will be responsible for growing sales volume in Colorado, which has the sixth-fastest percentage rate of population growth of all states, and Wyoming, a market traditionally underserved by independent mortgage banks , loanDepot said on Tuesday.

Marketing 352
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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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7 tips for staying motivated no matter what happens in the market

Inman

If you want to tune out the noise, focus on your growth, ensure you have accomplished something at the end of the year, and learn to feel successful no matter what the market does, team leader Jen Berbas writes.

Marketing 162
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Risk to reward: Mortgage Connect Risk Solutions continues to set the standard after 40 years

Housing Wire

As the mortgage industry continues to evolve at breakneck speed, risk management has never been a more critical lynchpin in the lending ecosystem. At the vanguard stands Mortgage Connect Risk Solutions (MCRS), formerly Adfitech, a leader in risk management, quality control , third-party reviews, and due diligence, known for protecting mortgage lenders and investors from the risks inherent in mortgage lending.

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Christie’s International Real Estate welcomes Madrid affiliate

Inman

Led by luxury experts Hans Veenhuijsen and Olga García Hernández, the new office opens as more luxury buyers have shown interest in the city's market and as home prices have steadily grown in response to a strong economy and foreign investment.

Marketing 152
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Atlanta’s real estate elite: Top agents in a trillion-dollar market

Housing Wire

Atlanta is one of the most active and valuable real estate markets in the United States. The city represents over $1 trillion in residential real estate asset value, creating a ripe environment for real estate agents and homebuyers alike. Atlanta also claims the crown as the No. 1 market for millennial homebuyers, with over 83,000 annual millennial-driven home purchases.

Agents 289
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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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UK portal Rightmove rejects bid from Rupert Murdoch’s REA Group

Inman

UK portal Rightmove's board of directors has unanimously rejected News Corp subsidiary REA Group's $7.32 billion acquisition bid, saying it "fundamentally undervalues" the company's current and future prospects.

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Where are Laundry Rooms Located? 

Eye on Housing

In 2023, the majority of homes started featured laundry connections on the first floor (72%), according to the Census’s Survey of Construction. Laundry located on the second floor or higher was the second most prevalent at 26%. The basement, garage, and other locations all had a 1% or lower share. In NAHB’s What Home Buyer’s.

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Dwiggins-led franchisor NextHome settles commission suits

Inman

NextHome has more than 600 offices across the U.S. but is perhaps best-known for CEO James Dwiggins, who has been a prominent commentator on antitrust litigation.

MLS 140
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A 40-Year Mortgage Won’t Be as Bad for Homebuyers as I Originally Thought

Bigger Pockets

A 40-year mortgage could lower monthly payments and improve affordability, but may also drive up demand. There are pros and cons for buyers.

Mortgages 127
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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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RICS: UK property market is improving but ‘realistic pricing’ is key

Estate Agent Today

House price expectations over the next 12 months among agents and surveyors have turned positive for the first time since October 2022.

Marketing 126
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Team-Building Lessons: 5 Pitfalls I Encountered and How to Avoid Them

Bigger Pockets

Learn how to avoid common team-building pitfalls with tips on improving communication, documenting processes, fostering leadership, and inspiring collaboration.

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Seller Dwellers: As Mortgage Rates Decline, Will They Finally Plant ‘For Sale’ Signs?

RIS Media

They’re the yangs to the high-mortgage-rate yins. The homeowners who have the 3% – 4% 30-year mortgage rates and have, over the last few years, refused to vacate, logically in most cases as they have not wanted to take on new mortgages in the 6% – 8% range. All evidence points to a rate cut… The post Seller Dwellers: As Mortgage Rates Decline, Will They Finally Plant ‘For Sale’ Signs?

Sales 119
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How Eviction Diversion Programs Are Driving Rates (and Costs) Down

Bigger Pockets

If there’s a downside to investing in real estate, it’s dealing with nonpaying tenants.

Marketing 124
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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.