Fri.Mar 07, 2025

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2025 labor market holds key for mortgage rates

Housing Wire

Labor over inflation has been my mantra since late 2022. Today, the BLS jobs report showed that the labor market is getting softer, but it’s not breaking. This gives us a glimpse of what may happen over the next 10 months for mortgage rates, especially since, since Jan. 14, we’ve seen them move lower. However, there is a limit to the downside on mortgage rates until the labor market breaks, or we get more than 1% rate cuts from the Fed.

Mortgages 340
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AI assistants are here to stay, but they won’t take your job

Real Estate News

As AI evolves, more companies are launching tools aimed at improving agent efficiency but they cant replace the human touch, tech leaders say.

Agents 233
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Midwest, Northeast housing markets stay hot amid national cooldown

Housing Wire

While the U.S. housing market has shown signs of slowing, demand remains strong in key Midwest and Northeast cities, where homes are selling weeks faster than the national average, according to Realtor.com s Hottest Markets Report for February. In the most in-demand markets, homes sold in 33 to 51 days, significantly below the national median of 66 days.

Marketing 304
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Do You Know What Your House Is Really Worth?

Keeping Current Matters

Over the past 5 years, home prices have risen dramatically. If you own a home, that means your house may be worth a lot more than you think.

Equity 214
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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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Report suggests HUD is considering use of cryptocurrency, agency denies any plans

Housing Wire

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is considering employing cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to monitor the employment of agency grants, which some staffers believe could be a trial run for wider deployment of the technology across the federal government. This is according to a report published Friday by ProPublica. The outlet authored the report based on a recording of a meeting and conversations with three officials familiar with the matter, but a HUD spokespers

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Is the latest jobs report good news for housing? ‘It’s complex’

Real Estate News

Home sales could rise if rates continue to drop, but as the economy shows some signs of a weakening, consumers could become more cautious.

Sales 179

More Trending

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American Real Estate Association floats Clear Cooperation solution

Inman

The trade group wants to replace the polarizing National Association of Realtors rule with what it's calling a "Clear Collaboration Policy," which it says would be more flexible than the status quo.

MLS 174
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Mauricio Umansky-backed trade group proposes alternative rule to CCP

Housing Wire

There is no shortage of hot takes about the National Association of Realtors’ Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP), around which heated debates and bitter feuds have erupted on social media and beyond. Enter the American Real Estate Association , the trade group founded by Compass agent Jason Haber and The Agency founder Mauricio Umansky. It proposed on Friday a compromise on CCP that it believes respects seller choice, enhances competition and safeguards MLS integrity.

MLS 271
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MLS offering listings-based broker profit sharing

Real Estate News

St. Louis-based MARIS says its new program could bring multiple tens of thousands of dollars to some brokers by giving them a percentage of data feed revenue.

MLS 149
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Mutual of Omaha amends counterclaim against Longbridge Financial

Housing Wire

A lawsuit over allegedly deceptive and misleading advertising practices between two of the reverse mortgage industrys leading players saw a new development this week. Mutual of Omaha Mortgage amended its counterclaim that alleges deceptive advertising practices against Longbridge Financial. In a suit originally brought by Longbridge in September 2024, Mutual of Omaha responded in January by filing a counterclaim that alleges tortious interference, as well as violations of Californias Unfair Comp

Mortgages 257
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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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Weak February jobs report moves the needle on mortgage rates

Inman

Mortgage rates eased Friday as investors took stock of new data showing employers added 151,000 workers to their payrolls in February and the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.1 percent.

Mortgages 147
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The LPMAMA Script: Learn exactly what to say on your next buyer call

Housing Wire

There are only a handful of acronyms that can change your life. LPMAMA is one of them. Think of it as ROYGBIV, but instead of helping third graders learn color theory, it will help you convert more cold buyer leads with less stress. Its powerful stuff, especially for new buyer agents. LPMAMA stands for L ocation, P rice, M otivation, A gent, M ortgage and A ppointment.

Agents 250
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A small but growing minority think it’s a good time to buy a home

Inman

While only 1 in 4 Americans surveyed last month by Fannie Mae said its was a good time to buy, that's up from an all time low of 14 percent last spring.

Sales 149
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Rocket Mortgage to exit Canada, shift focus to US

Housing Wire

Rocket Mortgage is shutting down its Canadian operations as the company refocuses on its core U.S. business, with plans to complete the exit by June 27, the Detroit -based lender announced Thursday. The move will reportedly not affect Rocket s other Canadian ventures, including Lendesk in Vancouver and Rocket Innovation Studio in Windsor, Ontario. We want to assure our clients that all loans in process will proceed without issue, and we remain committed to supporting them through this transition

Mortgages 203
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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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Jason Haber: Our industry deserves better and fewer real estate agents

Inman

The co-founder of the American Real Estate Association, a competitor to NAR, told Inman his upstart trade organization has held two recent events and started talks with potential sponsors.

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Union Home Mortgage adds two executive leaders

Housing Wire

Union Home Mortgage (UHM) on Friday announced two changes to its executive leadership team, just days after the company grew its footprint through the acquisition of NRL Mortgage. Ohio -based UHM promoted Brian Smith to chief operating officer of retail lending and hired David Alonzo as its chief technology officer. Smith joined the company in 2002 and quickly became a top producer, earning a spot in the UHM President’s Club for his standout origination volume and customer service efforts.

Mortgages 203
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Discipline and Fighting Spirit Keep Tami Bonnell Atop the Industry

RIS Media

Above: Tami Bonnell Tami Bonnell recommends a question every real estate professional should ask themselves on a daily basis, and proudly admits not coining its creation. Did you earn your keep today? As one of six children growing up in Massachusetts, Bonnell, a 40-plus-year veteran of the real estate industry and co-chair of EXIT Realty… The post Discipline and Fighting Spirit Keep Tami Bonnell Atop the Industry appeared first on RISMedia.

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Today’s Mortgage Rates March 7, 2025: Rates Drop to Lowest Points

Marco Santarelli

Mortgage rates have indeed plunged to their lowest points this year on March 7, 2025, signaling a moment of opportunity for prospective homeowners and those looking to refinance. According to the latest data from Freddie Mac , the national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage is now 6.63% , while the 15-year fixed rate has dropped to 5.79%. This decline can be attributed to various economic factors, including recent changes in tariffs and upcoming reports regarding jobs and inflation, which may

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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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Trending: Instagram’s guide, Meta’s AI and TikTok’s next move

Inman

Instagram shares its growth strategy, Meta pushes AI-driven engagement, and TikTok restructures its creator tools. Marketing expert Jessi Healey shares what it all means for agents.

Agents 101
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The Art of Making Lowball Offers That Won’t Put Sellers on the Offensive

HomeLight

As a first-time homebuyer , you might toy with the idea of making a few lowball offers on homes that interest you. After all, who doesnt like to save mone y? But theres a trick to making a lowball offer: you cant make the offer so low that it offends the seller. In this article, well help you better understand this homebuying technique and whether lowballing your offer is right for your situation.

Agents 97
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Foyer is a better way to FHSA: Tech Review

Inman

Inman's tech expert Craig Rowe reviews Foyer, an app built around FHSAs First Time Homebuyer Savings Accounts. The interest-bearing account type is designed for exactly what it sounds like, and in 12 states, it offers tax advantages.

Design 111
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HomeSmart Launches eSign Contract Management Tool in Proprietary Platform

RIS Media

HomeSmart has announced that SmartDocs with eSign, an end-to-end document and contract management product, is now live within its proprietary, all-in-one RealSmart Agent platform. With eSign integration in SmartDocs, HomeSmart agents will have the power to: Upload, map and prepare any document for signature Instantly add contacts or pull directly from RealSmart Agents CRM Easily… The post HomeSmart Launches eSign Contract Management Tool in Proprietary Platform appeared first on RISMedia.

Agents 93
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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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EXp CEO ‘cautiously optimistic’ as spring homebuying season nears

Inman

EXp CEO Leo Pareja said he's hopeful about the busiest season of the year for homebuyers, saying more inventory at varied price points will be key to helping shoppers see beyond elevated rates.

Mortgages 110
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Ben Simmons lists $17M Brooklyn condo after joining L.A. Clippers

Fancy Pants Homes

Now that Simmons has officially joined the Los Angeles Clippers, the Australian pro basketball player is bidding adieu to his bright and airy Brooklyn condo — with spectacular city views. Listed for a hefty $16,995,000, the condo is in one of DUMBO’s most exclusive new developments, the Olympia, the sail-shaped 33-story residential building that’s also home to Brooklyn’s priciest condo (priced at $19.5M).

Design 75
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Head of Instagram reveals secrets to social media success

Inman

Top brass at Instagram, Adam Mosseri, is sharing insights for creators to get more traction on the platform. Reals Jimmy Burgess breaks down how to make these tips work for you in real estate.

Branding 100
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A Windsor Terrace Townhouse With Garage and More to See, Starting at $1.345 Million

Brownstoner

Our picks for open houses to check out this weekend are found in Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Bed Stuy, and Midwood. They range in price from $1.345 million to $5.795 million. 201 6th Avenue Price: $5.795 million Area: Park Slope Broker: Serhant (Ravi Kantha, Cameron LeCates, Eric Shostak) Sunday March 9, 12-1 p.m. See it… Read More > The post A Windsor Terrace Townhouse With Garage and More to See, Starting at $1.345 Million appeared first on Brownstoner.

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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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Hsieh returns to LoanDepot as Frank Martell steps down as CEO

Inman

Martell will transition into a board advisory role by June and Anthony Hsieh will return to the executive leadership team after the board ousted him in 2023, officials announced Thursday.

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Surprising Home Seller Dealbreakers You Need to Know

BAM Media

Whats worseaccepting a lowball offer or selling your home to your ex? For nearly a third of homeowners, the answer is clear: theyd rather take less money than let their ex move back in. Thats just one of the surprising insights from Clever Real Estates 2025 survey of 1,000 American homeowners, which dug deep into the emotions, fears, and dealbreakers that define the modern home sale.

Agents 64
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United Real Estate adds 900-agent Oregon firm MORE Realty to ranks

Inman

Oregon brokerage MORE Realty is joining United Real Estate. Its founders will retain ownership of a four-state team in Oregon, Washington, Nevada and New Mexico as it grows over the next five years.

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How to Price Your Home For Sale Without Leaving Money on the Table

Redfin

Setting the right price for your home is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make when selling. Set the price too high, and your home may sit on the market, forcing price cuts later. Price too low, and you risk leaving money on the table. Whether you’re selling a home in Los Angeles , a home in Tampa , or anywhere in between, finding the right price is key.

Sales 56
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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.