Mon.Sep 23, 2024

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More loan buybacks from Freddie Mac are raising eyebrows

Housing Wire

Seller repurchases of Freddie Mac mortgages rose by $430 million in the second quarter of 2024, a 29.1% increase from the first quarter, according to an analysis of public filings by Inside Mortgage Finance. By contrast, sellers of loans through fellow government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) Fannie Mae repurchased $268.5 million in noncompliant loans during the same period, a 27.7% decline from Q1 2024.

Loans 514
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Is Your House Priced Too High?

Keeping Current Matters

Every seller wants to get their house sold quickly, for as much money as they can, with as few headaches as possible.

Agents 308
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Real estate vets team up to launch virtual brokerage

Housing Wire

There’s a new brokerage on the block. The recently launched Realty of America (ROA) is a fully virtual brokerage co-founded by CEO Eddie Garcia, President Mark Dimas, chief culture officer Erinn Nobel and chief operating officer Peter Nobel. The firm is launching in 23 markets across the country and has more than 2,000 agents already signed on.

Brokerage 468
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CoStar tallies win in ongoing Realtor.com trade secrets suit

Real Estate News

A U.S. District Court judge has denied Move’s request for a preliminary injunction and questioned claims of “irreparable harm” to Realtor.com.

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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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The Real Brokerage expands in Virginia, adding eight-agent team

Housing Wire

The Real Brokerage has expanded its footprint into the Richmond, Virginia , area. Nicole Reed Real Estate & Associates is joining Real, bringing an eight-agent team that serves not only Richmond but the Virginia markets of Fredericksburg, Charlottesville and Hampton Roads, in addition to Atlanta. Nicole Reed leads the team, which since 2020 has sold more than 300 homes with a total value of $80 million.

Brokerage 448
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Housing Market Decoded: The housing deficit, and how to fix it

Real Estate News

Housing issues have made their way into presidential politics, but federal policies are unlikely to make a dent in the undersupply in the short-term.

Marketing 208

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Court denies Move’s preliminary injunction in suit against CoStar

Inman

California District Judge George H. Wu declined Move's preliminary injunction request against CoStar on Monday, stating the portal failed to prove the risk of "imminent, irreparable harm.

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loanDepot hires military advocate Bryan Bergjans

Housing Wire

California -based mortgage lender loanDepot has hired military advocate Bryan Bergjans as part of an effort to boost its lending capacity in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) space. Bergjans joined the company this month as its national director of military growth and strategy. Before that, Bergjans spent eight years at Caliber Home Loans , including stints as national director of military and veteran lending and as head of retail business development.

VA loan 443
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NAR rival AREA launches petition to end Clear Cooperation Policy

Inman

The American Real Estate Association's call to end NAR's pocket rule has drawn more than 2,000 signatures since Friday, according to group co-founder Jason Haber, a Compass agent.

Agents 182
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Side seeks to dismiss Texas copycat commission suit

Housing Wire

While many brokerages have made the decision in recent weeks to settle the commission lawsuits , white-label brokerage Side is taking a different tack. On Friday, the firm filed a motion to dismiss the QJ Team copycat commission lawsuit. The suit was filed in Texas in November 2023, roughly two weeks after the jury verdict in the Sitzer/Burnett suit was issued.

Brokerage 449
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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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Real estate vets launch Realty of America virtual brokerage

Inman

Led by CEO Eddie Garcia, the national firm born out of Realty of Chicago already has over 2,000 agents who represent more than $5 billion in sales volume. Its founders also have big plans for expansion and, eventually, an IPO.

Brokerage 174
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Opinion: Referral fees: The golden goose or rotten egg of real estate?

Housing Wire

In the real estate industry, referral fees have become a golden goose that stifles innovation, inflates the value chain, and ultimately harms both consumers and agents. Despite their prevalence, the current system is ripe for reexamination. The referral fee conundrum Referral fees are a familiar practice in real estate. Suppose someone with a real estate license identifies a potential homebuyer or seller.

Agents 453
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Murdoch’s REA Group makes another bid for UK’s Rightmove

Inman

Sydney-based News Corp subsidiary REA Group has made a third bid for UK portal Rightmove. The company offered $8.1 billion for Rightmove on Monday — a 10 percent increase from its first offer.

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Smartfi hires reverse marketing veteran Martin Lenoir as CMO

Housing Wire

San Diego-based Smartfi Home Loans , which is primarily active as a wholesale lender in the reverse mortgage space and is actively building a retail division that offers reverse mortgage products, has hired industry veteran Martin Lenoir as its new chief marketing officer. Lenoir most recently served as CMO at American Advisors Group (AAG), the industry’s former leading lender prior to its acquisition last year by Finance of America (FOA).

Marketing 437
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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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Title company thwarts scammers who used AI in fraudulent land sale

Inman

Apparent scammers attempted to use a video generated using artificial intelligence to carry out the sale of a plot of land before the fraud was uncovered at the closing.

Land 174
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California-based Premier Plus Lending adds reverse mortgage division

Housing Wire

Los Angeles area-based mortgage lender Premier Plus Lending announced last week that it is expanding into the senior-focused home equity market with a new division, Retirement Mortgage Solutions , which will include reverse mortgages and other home equity-based lending instruments. “The new division focuses on the needs of retired and elderly homeowners who wish to benefit from their property’s equity ,” the company said in its announcement.

Lending 427
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Fall market preview: Rate cuts have finally arrived — is the recovery on?

Inman

It will take more than recent rate cuts for a recovery in home sales to gain traction, a new analysis of market data and economic forecasts suggests. Intel explores what's at stake for the fall market.

Marketing 167
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Judge denies Move’s motion for preliminary injunction against CoStar

Housing Wire

CoStar Group has taken the win in the latest round of the battle between the Homes.com parent company and Move , the parent company of Realtor.com. In a tentative ruling released Monday, Judge George H. Wu of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California denied Move’s motion for preliminary injunction and limited expedited discovery in its trade secret lawsuit against CoStar.

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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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Industry field notes: It’s all about the bottom line

Inman

Find out how real estate tech and training tools from Lone Wolf can help add transparency and clarity to the agent-client experience.

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Dark Matter adds second LOS to platform alongside Empower

Housing Wire

Mortgage technology platform provider Dark Matter Technologies announced on Monday that it has added a second loan origination system (LOS) — NOVA — to its product lineup. NOVA joins current LOS Empower, and both offerings will aim to offer distinct options for a wider range of mortgage lenders, according to the announcement. “Adopting a dual-product strategy underscores Dark Matter’s commitment to providing innovative solutions and consultative services for lenders of all sizes,” the company ex

Branding 419
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SERHANT. rolls out S.MPLE workflow platform to all agents

Inman

The new platform, which Serhant likened to "Instacart for salespeople," allows agents to request upwards of a dozen workflows. The tool begins completing requests within minutes with human advisor oversight.

Agents 158
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United Real Estate Announces Agent Milestone Achieved Through Financial Wellness Program

RIS Media

United® Real Estate has announced a milestone achieved through its Financial Wellness Program, Ramsey Solutions SmartDollar, which allows affiliates to take control of finances and plan for a secure retirement and financial future. In only 10 months since the program launch, over 1,356 participating affiliates have collectively eliminated $1.1 million in debt and accumulated $1.7… The post United Real Estate Announces Agent Milestone Achieved Through Financial Wellness Program appeared fir

Agents 116
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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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Side debuts profit-sharing program, lays off staff members

Inman

The PartnerUp Revenue Share program will give agents a cut of Side's profit if they refer and mentor other agents. The program was one of several announcements the company made Monday.

Agents 156
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First-Time Buyer Share for New Homes is Slipping

Eye on Housing

On average, 40% of builders’ single-family home sales so far in 2024 have been made to first-time home buyers, according to the most recent NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index survey (HMI). That share has doubled since 2016, when only 19% of builders’ sales went to first-time buyers. Our limited time-series on this topic in the.

Sales 114
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Agently hired by JPAR to support brokerage growth

Inman

Agently’s solution is business-growth minded, offering an array of features meant to support sales tactics, expertise development and long-term production layered over its brokerage partners’ established workflows.

Brokerage 142
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How Much Equity Can I Borrow From My Home?

HomeLight

As a homeowner, your home equity represents one of your most valuable financial assets. It’s the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and what your home is worth today. With home values growing by nearly 50% in the past four years, you may be asking, “How much equity can I borrow from my home?” In this post, we review your options for tapping into your home equity and how to estimate the maximum amount you can borrow.

Equity 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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Revive releases Marketing Center product for pre-renovation pitches

Inman

The "Marketing Center" is designed to explain the appeal of pre-renovations to consumers using campaigns that include print and digital messaging as well as case studies from closed sales.

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How to Sell My House Fast in Fort Wayne: Cash Offer Options

HomeLight

Selling your home quickly in Fort Wayne can feel overwhelming, especially when facing major changes or mounting financial pressure. Whether it’s an unexpected job relocation, downsizing, or needing to offload a distressed property, you may ask, “How can I sell my house fast in Fort Wayne?” In this guide, we’ll break down your best options, from receiving an instant cash offer to hiring a top-performing real estate agent.

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Mid-Century LA home restored by Jordan Bakva hits market

Inman

The property, represented by Safir Shamsi of Rodeo Realty, is located in the sought-after Bel Air Knolls neighborhood at 16632 Park Lane Circle, offering convenient access to both the Westside and the Valley. The 3,488-square-foot residence features 5 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms.

Marketing 137
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Brooklyn Heights Showhouse Started as a Family Home on Doctors’ Row

Brownstoner

Chosen as this year’s showhouse to benefit longstanding local nonprofit Brooklyn Heights Association, an 1840s Greek Revival row house on Clinton Street was home to a doctor’s family for decades and has an intriguing history connecting it to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. While the current interior of the brick… Read More > The post Brooklyn Heights Showhouse Started as a Family Home on Doctors’ Row appeared first on Brownstoner.

Design 105
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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.