Wed.Mar 12, 2025

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Mortgage applications climb as rates continue to decline

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications increased 11.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis from last week, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBA) weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending March 7, 2025. On an unadjusted basis, the index increased 12% compared to last week. The refinance index saw a 16% uptick from the previous week and was 90% higher than the same week one year ago, largely driven by a dip in the 30-year fixed rate observed by the MBA.

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Buying Your First Home? It’s Okay To Feel Nervous

Keeping Current Matters

Buying your first home is exciting, but let’s be real – it can also feel overwhelming.

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California Realtors discuss post-wildfire changes in Black neighborhoods

Housing Wire

The January wildfires in California may be the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history. And among all of the impacted areas, neighborhoods with large minority populations bore the brunt of the economic fallout. As the recovery continues, the California Association of Realtors (CAR) said that residents should accept change instead of fighting it.

Agents 348
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William Raveis the latest to settle in commissions cases

Real Estate News

Gibson home sellers join the brokerage in asking the court to put the suit on hold so they can file details as the judge faces a request to recuse himself.

Brokerage 206
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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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Older Americans are increasingly reliant on credit cards to cover basic living expenses

Housing Wire

Nearly half of older Americans are reliant on using credit cards to cover basic living expenses they dont have the cash for. And nearly 20% of this cohort consistently relied on this type of high-interest debt on a monthly basis over the past year, according to survey results released this week by AARP. These basic expenses include food, housing and utilities, as well as health care expenses and other unexpected financial burdens.

Finance 352
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Judge doesn’t buy Crye-Leike’s argument in Gibson case

Real Estate News

The Tennessee-based brokerage tried to convince the court that it should be covered under the NAR settlement, but that request was denied.

Brokerage 190

More Trending

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When will we have enough houses? It could take decades

Real Estate News

The nationwide inventory shortage 3.8 million homes is reaching a point of no return in some parts of the country though new construction is increasing.

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Evergreen Home Loans expands into New Mexico

Housing Wire

Evergreen Home Loans has expanded into New Mexico , opening branches in Albuquerque and Carlsbad. The locations will be led by area manager Barry Abt, the company announced Wednesday. Evergreen, a direct mortgage lender serving the western U.S., provides origination, funding and servicing for home loans. We are excited to bring the Evergreen Home Loans experience to homebuyers and real estate partners in New Mexico, Robert Lipston, executive vice president and head of production at Evergreen Hom

Loans 330
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Real president stepping away from role

Real Estate News

Sharran Srivatsaa, who joined Real just over two years ago, is moving to the brokerage's board of directors, a transition he described as "bittersweet.

Brokerage 153
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Finance of America reports Q4 loss, full-year profit for 2024

Housing Wire

Reverse mortgage leader Finance of America (FOA) recorded a quarter-over-quarter loss in the fourth quarter of 2024, but still notched a full-year profit. In a Wednesday earnings call, company leaders outlined their assessment of the reverse mortgage market moving forward, describing 2024 as a year of momentum for the company owing to the achievement of strategic objectives.

Finance 277
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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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Reimagine common space, foster community in multifamily design

Inman

Thoughtfully designed common spaces in multifamily communities, Michael Zaransky writes, strengthen resident engagement, deepen the sense of belonging and, ultimately, enhance retention.

Design 153
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Howard Hanna calls for recusal of judge in Gibson commission suit, citing conflict of interest

Housing Wire

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services has accused the Missouri judge overseeing a critical commission lawsuit of having a conflict of interest and is demanding that he recuse himself from the case. As part of the Gibson commission suit , the brokerage said in a court filing on Monday that a plaintiffs’ attorney, Matthew Dameron, donated to the campaign of Judge Stephen Bough’s wife and should not be part of the case.

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Sharran Srivatsaa Steps Down as Real President, Transitioning to Board

BAM Media

Today, Real Brokerage announced that Sharran Srivatsaa will be stepping down from his role as President and transitioning to a new role with the company. In an email to Real agents , Srivatsaa explained his next move: As I step back from my day-to-day operating role at Real, I am stepping into a very important role for the future of the company where I will be a member of Reals Board of Directors.

Brokerage 101
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Sharran Srivatsaa will transition to new role at The Real Brokerage

Housing Wire

One of the nation’s fastest-growing real estate brokerages announced a pending leadership change on Wednesday. Sharran Srivatsaa , president of The Real Brokerage , will be transitioning from his current role to the company’s board of directors effective June 1. The move was announced via email to Real’s 26,000-plus agents and comes at a time when the brokerage continues to experience explosive growth in its agent count and revenue.

Brokerage 284
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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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Is it still possible to bootstrap a real estate business? Pulse

Inman

With mergers and acquisitions and the growing importance of team models, can a solo agent still start out with nothing and build an empire?

Agents 116
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United Real Estate expands in South Florida with another merger

Housing Wire

United Real Estate announced on Wednesday a major expansion move in South Florida. United’s subsidiary Charles Rutenberg Realty Fort Lauderdale (CRR) will merge with Real Estate Authority LLC. This marks United Real Estate’s second expansion move this month. “This union creates a unique opportunity to enhance the services and support offered to my 60 agents by tapping into the vast resources of CRRs parent company, United Real Estate ,” Real Estate Authority LLC founder

Brokerage 257
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RICS: UK housing market may be losing momentum

Estate Agent Today

Stamp Duty changes and economic uncertainty appear to have creeped into the housing market during February, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) claims.

Marketing 101
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Realtor.com says mid-April is the best time to list a home

Housing Wire

Homeowners looking to sell this year may find the middle of April to be the most advantageous time to list, according to a report released Wednesday by Realtor.com. The report suggests that homes listed between April 13 and April 19 could sell faster, face less competition and command higher prices compared to other times of the year. “Spring is typically a good time to list your home, and at a time when policy changes and economic turning points create questions and uncertainty, it can be

Mortgages 235
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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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Unlock Savings: How to Find and Take Advantage of Move-In Specials

Apartment Guide

Learn what move-in specials are, how they work, and tips to find the best deals to save money on your next apartment rental.

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Fathom teases new agent revenue-sharing model

Housing Wire

Fathom Realty rolled out two new agent commission plans in 2024, and the brokerage isnt done yet. On Fathom Holdings ‘ fourth-quarter 2024 earnings call on Wednesday, CEO Marco Fregenal mentioned a new revenue-sharing model that will launch soon. The plan is designed to help agents close more business. To back the new plan, Fregenal cited a survey showing that almost 90% of agents want more from their parent brokerages, but he offered no details on whats to come.

Agents 257
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What Can Lower My Home Appraisal — And Can I Do Anything About It?

HomeLight

When you get your home appraised , you root for that appraised value to come back as high as possible. However, the job of an appraiser is to provide an impartial opinion of value, not bend to your wishes. They assess the condition and features of your individual home and put it into the context of your surrounding market. So its natural to wonder, what can lower appraisals?

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NAR to vote on Clear Cooperation Policy as legal threat looms

Housing Wire

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is poised to decide the fate of its controversial Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) in the coming weeks. And the decision comes under the shadow of a potential legal challenge. Michael Ketchmark , the lead plaintiffs counsel in the Gibson commission lawsuit against real estate brokerages, told Inman News that his firm is closely monitoring NAR s vote and will determine its next steps based on the outcome.

Brokerage 219
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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.

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How to sell without feeling ‘salesy’

Inman

When you lead with value, Nick Schlekeway writes, sales become more about service, allowing you to build trust and long-lasting relationships.

Sales 100
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zavvie launches HomeFAI, an AI-powered alternative financing system

Housing Wire

zavvie , a Colorado -based iBuyer and fintech company, has launched an AI-powered platform, HomeFAI, that is designed to accelerate the speed of cash offers and funding for homebuyers. The new system is described as an upgrade to zavvie s portal for cash buyers and boosts its Cash Buy Before Sell program, giving homeowners added financial flexibility to purchase their next home before selling their current one.

Finance 203
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Daily Links: Kellogg’s Diner Crew to Give Another ‘Burg Staple New Lease on Life

Brownstoner

In the News Mason Gray Debuts in the Crown Heights Historic District [NYT] Brooklyn Mirage to Reopen With New Safety Measures [NYP] All-Geothermal High-Rise Building to Open in Greenpoint [NYP] The Amazing Brooklyn Birders Gather Near Jamaica Bay [Eagle] St. Patricks Day Parade Marks Half a Century in Park Slope [BP] Greenpoint Retail Space Gives… Read More > The post Daily Links: Kellogg’s Diner Crew to Give Another ‘Burg Staple New Lease on Life appeared first on Brownsto

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ICE Mortgage Technology debuts asset and audit analysis tools

Housing Wire

ICE Mortgage Technology has added new analysis tools, expanding its technology portfolio that’s designed to simplify underwriting and post-closing review processes. The company this week announced the debut of ICE Asset Analyzer and ICE Audit Analyzer, adding to the existing ICE Income and ICE Credit analyzers. The products, which are fully integrated into the Encompass system, allow mortgage professionals to quickly and accurately streamline lending processes, improve accuracy and support

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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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How to Find Cash Home Buyers in Maui for a Hassle-Free Home Sale

HomeLight

If youre a homeowner in Maui looking for a fast sale without the complexities of a traditional listing, selling to a cash buyer might be your best bet. Investors are actively seeking properties in Maui, drawn to the islands high quality of life and thriving tourism industry. With signs of a cooling market , now could be a great time to explore cash sale options especially if convenience and a quick closing are your top priorities.

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Institutional Investors ‘Killing the Dream’ of Homeownership, Senator Says

RIS Media

One of the bills under consideration in Congress to address the affordability crisis is the Humans Over Private Equity (HOPE) for Homeownership Act. Introduced in February 2025, the bill points to large financial entities purchasing single-family homes in bulk as a reason for high prices, and looks to remedy it with new tax statutes. The… The post Institutional Investors ‘Killing the Dream’ of Homeownership, Senator Says appeared first on RISMedia.

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Your Dream Real Estate Degree: 6 Business Essentials for Success

Inman

Join Craig Rowe and Toby Schifsky, representing Inman News and Kaplan Real Estate Education, as they identify the six most important business education disciplines they would include in their version of a “degree in real estate”

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Inflation Cools Slightly, but Economic Worries Remain

RIS Media

Inflation continued its persistent rise in Februaryfor the fifth straight monthaccording to a report released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. After falling for much of 2024, the Consumer Price Index (CPI)one of the main measures of inflationincreased by 0.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis in February. The CPI also increased on a year-over-year… The post Inflation Cools Slightly, but Economic Worries Remain appeared first on RISMedia.

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Rise of The Apps: Building Your Dream Tech Stack For Real Estate Success

Speaker: Trey Willard, Realtor/Team Leader at Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

In order to create continued success in today’s real estate market, realtors need to utilize an arsenal of technology that will increase their efficiency and presence on social media. Using technology to manage your prospects and tap into their needs through websites, social media, and other channels is critical for real estate success in 2022 and beyond.