Fri.Feb 14, 2025

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Fannie Mae’s mortgage acquisition volume rose in 2024, but profits shrank slightly

Housing Wire

On Friday, Fannie Mae reported $17 billion in net income in 2024, down slightly from its $17.4 billion profit in 2023. The government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) had net income of $4.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, marking its 28th consecutive quarter of positive earnings. Fannie Mae president and CEO Priscilla Almodovar said during Friday’s earnings call that at the end of 2024, the GSE grew its net worth to nearly $95 billion.

Mortgages 354
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Tool Kit: Upgrade your media literacy skills to know what’s real

Inman

It's hard to tell fact vs. fiction these days. Get the tools and tips for becoming a smart agent who can spot fake news, deepfakes and misinformation a mile away with trainer Rachael Hite.

Agents 150
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Optionality of NAR’s no-commingling rule takes center stage at REX appeal hearing

Housing Wire

The appeal of REX Real Estate s antitrust suit against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Zillow began in earnest on Thursday when the three parties, along with the Department of Justice (DOJ), gathered at the Ninth District Court of Appeals in Honolulu for oral arguments before a three-judge panel. Originally filed by REX in March 2021 , the lawsuit alleges that changes made to Zillows website unfairly hides certain listings, shrinking their exposure and diminishing competition amon

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DeepSeek AI: Game-changer or data privacy minefield?

Inman

Should real estate agents trust using the AI app DeepSeek? Trainer Bernice Ross examines the benefits and data privacy concerns.

Agents 160
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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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MISMO announces 2025 board of directors

Housing Wire

MISMO , the real estate finance industrys standards organization, on Thursday announced its board of directors for 2025. MISMO brings key problem solvers together to collaborate on critical issues in the mortgage industry, said Bob Broeksmit , president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), which oversees MISMO. I welcome this talented group of industry executives to MISMOs Board of Directors and am confident that they will provide valuable leadership to guide the organization into

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Hawaii bill seeking state-run reverse mortgage program appears dead for now

Housing Wire

A bill in the state of Hawaii that seeks to establish a state-run equivalent of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA)s Home Equity Conversion Mortgage ( HECM ) program appears to be dead in its current form, having failed to reach key deadlines following its submission to three different legislative committees. This is according to the office of the bills chief sponsor, Rep.

Mortgages 286
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Why You’ll Love Owning a Home

Keeping Current Matters

Owning a home comes with many benefits, both non-financial and financial.

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How ‘granny flats’ might save LA from affordable housing doom

Housing Wire

“Granny flats” are having their image spruced up as Los Angeles recovers from the deadly wildfires of January 2025. Local officials are turning to smaller homes to deal with an affordable housing shortage. (Image generated by AI in Midjourney) Last month’s wildfires in the Los Angeles area have left many homeowners in need of affordable housing options to replace destroyed properties.

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Real Brokerage aims to trade agents’ other debit cards for its own

Real Estate News

The company will roll out more features for its Real Wallet soon, including rewards that can offset brokerage fees, its CTO told Real Estate News.

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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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M&A: Run your business like it’s for sale, so it never has to be 

Housing Wire

Managing M&A Integration for mortgage companies is like being a wedding planner for arranged marriages. Not everyone is happy to be at this party, but I’ll be damned if they aren’t 1. impressed with the aesthetic and 2. dancing and laughing by the end of the night. Mergers and acquisitions amongst non-bank lenders have been on the rise for several years, with about a 20% growth from 2018 (remember, rates spiked into the 5’s for the first time in years that year and margin c

Sales 300
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6 Simple Ways to Come Up With Content Ideas

BAM Media

Happy Valentines Day. Tonight Im going to spend $300 on a meal that normally costs $80 for no reason at all. But, before I doI wrote down a few easy ways to help you come up with content ideas ! 1. Recycle Your Old Content Its simple. Repost and reformat your old content. Go back through your Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Facebook, find your top-performing posts, and repurpose them.

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Average real estate brokerage gross margin continues to decline

Housing Wire

The dual shocks of the 20222024 housing market downturn and the outcomes of significant litigation are now in the rearview mirror. In response, many brokerage firms have adapted their business models to navigate these challenges. While these adjustments have allowed firms to achieve profitability at current sales levels and comply with the changes to MLS policies resulting from the settlement, it does not necessarily signal a return to the heights previously seen in the industry.

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NAR spent more on lobbying than any other group in 2024

Real Estate News

The association shelled out $86.3 million to influence election-year campaigns and housing-related initiatives, according to a report on political spending.

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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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Alabama Realtors back law to change timing of buyer agreements

Housing Wire

When the Department of Justice (DOJ) came out in opposition of buyer representation agreements as they are defined in the National Association of Realtors (NAR) commission lawsuit settlement agreement, Alabama Association of Realtors took notice. The state trade group is currently championing a bill that would change state law to prevent a consumer from being forced to sign a buyer representation agreement before they can tour a property with a Realtor.

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DOJ debates ‘commingling’ with Zillow and NAR in REX case

Real Estate News

The Justice Department is concerned the case, which Zillow won in 2023, could set a bad precedent and allow other organizations to circumvent antitrust laws.

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From tradition to trend: Lessons from the next generation of agents

Inman

Think you know it all? Jimmy Burgess shares the insights you can glean from working with younger Gen-Z and millennial real estate agents.

Agents 155
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The Co-Buying Dilemma: Togetherness Now Can Become a Major Headache Later

RIS Media

On Valentines Day, couples celebrate their closeness. Flowers, gifts, romantic dinners and more highlight the happy day, yet no one can know what the future may hold. For those committed to each other but not yet married, there should be a dose of reality considered if theyre thinking of co-buying a home, lest Cupids arrow… The post The Co-Buying Dilemma: Togetherness Now Can Become a Major Headache Later appeared first on RISMedia.

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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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Doomscrolling detox: Stay informed without spinning out

Inman

Spiraling over the latest news reports? Check out Christy Murdock’s five tips for keeping up without freaking out.

Brokerage 149
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33.2% of All Listed Homes Have Cut Prices, The Highest Mark in February For Over a Decade

Bigger Pockets

Remember the heady months after the pandemic, when interest rates and inventory were at rock bottom, and house prices and bidding wars for them were through the roof?

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Pasadena ADU program offers second shot at affordable housing

Inman

To qualify, applicants must have owned and occupied the main property for at least five years, maintain a credit score above 650 and have a debt-to-income ratio below 40 percent.

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DOJ Lawyer Tells Appeals Court MLS Rules Can Be ‘Mandatory in Practice’

RIS Media

The Department of Justice (DOJ) took a hard stance against a previous court ruling in a case involving Real Estate Exchange (REX), Zillow and the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). In a hearing before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on February 13, the DOJ argued that NARs no-comingling rule required Zillow to segregate non-MLS… The post DOJ Lawyer Tells Appeals Court MLS Rules Can Be Mandatory in Practice 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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Onity restructures debt and has most profitable year since 2013

Inman

After posting $33 million in profit in 2024, PHH Mortgage's parent company said Thursday it will invest further in loan servicing and the originations technology that handles a majority of its customer inquires.

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Residential Real Estate Council, Real Grader Extend Alliance Into Second Year

RIS Media

The Residential Real Estate Council and Real Grader have announced the renewal of their strategic alliance for 2025, reinforcing their commitment to member development through collaboration and innovation. The alliance, entering its second year, will continue Real Grader’s role as a Solutions Center provider, Sell-a-bration exhibitor, Virtual Summit sponsor and CRS Week sponsor, a press… The post Residential Real Estate Council, Real Grader Extend Alliance Into Second Year appeared f

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Now live: Inman On Tour Miami early bird tickets

Inman

Inman Connect New York is renowned for gathering the brightest minds in real estate, offering unparalleled access to expert insights and networking opportunities. This January, join industry leaders at the Hilton Midtown for transformative discussions on technology, branding and market strategies to propel your business into 2025. Discover how to leverage this premier event to enhance your professional growth and adapt to the ever-changing real estate landscape.

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Feb 2025 Housing Market Update: Are Our Predictions Already Wrong?

Bigger Pockets

The 2025 housing market has already defied most expectations, but a worrying shift could throw everything off track.

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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.