Thu.Sep 19, 2024

article thumbnail

Why have mortgage rates gone up since the Fed rate cut?

Housing Wire

The Federal Reserve cut rates on Wednesday and mortgage rates went up! What happened? The answer lies in the bond market. The 10-year yield and 30-year mortgage rates have been in a slow dance since 1971 and trended together. The bond market isn’t old and slow like the Fed — it moves very quickly, and for months it has been sending the 10-year yield (and mortgage rates) lower in anticipation of a series of Fed rate cuts, not just one or two.

Mortgages 531
article thumbnail

Falling Mortgage Rates Are Bringing Buyers Back

Keeping Current Matters

If you’ve been hesitant to list your house because you’re worried no one’s buying, here’s your sign it may be time to talk with an agent.

Mortgages 341
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Real estate agents have mixed feelings about Fed rate cut

Housing Wire

Real estate agents have white-knuckled their way through more than two years of suffocatingly high mortgage rates that have stymied sales, choked off inventory and pushed home prices to new all-time highs. So what was the reaction from agents when the Federal Reserve surprised everyone by cutting rates by 50 basis points rather than the 25 that was taken as a given?

Agents 511
article thumbnail

Make NAR membership optional, state association says

Real Estate News

Alabama Realtors wants members to have “greater flexibility” with their dues dollars. Without it, NAR faces legal risk and could “lose these members forever.

262
262
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Reverse mortgage lenders are ready for lower interest rates

Housing Wire

Like the traditional forward space, the reverse mortgage industry has been operating in an elevated interest rate environment for some time. While news of the Federal Reserve lowering its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points (bps) to a range of 4.75% to 5% will have wider economic ramifications in the government’s ongoing efforts to fight inflation, there are expected benefits to the reverse mortgage business as well as the demographic it serves: seniors on a fixed income.

Mortgages 493
article thumbnail

Homebuyers share their biggest deal-breakers

Real Estate News

A home’s layout and natural light are important, but a new survey reveals what people refuse to give up — and how many of them can stick to their budgets.

240
240

More Trending

article thumbnail

Mortgage rates hovering around 6% — but now what?

Real Estate News

Economists are divided over whether rates will continue to drop — and whether “the dam is going to break” and unleash a flood of buyers.

Mortgages 221
article thumbnail

Alabama Realtors ask NAR to decouple association memberships

Housing Wire

The Alabama Association of Realtors (AAR) is asking the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to provide greater flexibility by allowing members to decide which levels of Realtor associations they would like to join. AAR made the request in a letter sent Monday to NAR CEO Nykia Wright. AAR CEO Jeremy Walker and President Senia Johnson signed the letter.

MLS 476
article thumbnail

That big Fed rate cut was no panacea for housing: Fitch analysts

Inman

Fed easing was already priced into mortgage rates, but there's room for more relief if investors who fund most home loans get less skittish about prepayment risk and quantitative tightening.

Investor 193
article thumbnail

Bummer! Existing-home sales flop, but relief could be on the way

Housing Wire

The Federal Reserve ’s interest rate cut on Wednesday, which was larger than some people expected, couldn’t have come at a better time for the housing market. After a modest monthly uptick in July, existing-home sales fell 2.5% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.86 million, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). That was a 4.2% decline compared to one year ago.

Sales 459
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Place acquires all-inclusive platform Livian

Inman

The two real estate platforms have been growing on the same trajectory at Keller Williams for more than a decade, their founders said, and during this challenging period in the industry, it made sense to combine forces.

article thumbnail

Could AI play a role in aging in place? More companies think so

Housing Wire

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly common tool for consumers and businesses, primarily in reference to chatbots that can dynamically mimic human conversation and gather information. It could also have applications for aging in place , according to the leader of a senior care company. Jeff Salter, founder and CEO of Caring Senior Service , which provides in-home care services, will speak about the potential applications of AI for aging in place at an upcoming event hosted by

article thumbnail

Sluggish August caps off ‘disappointing’ summer

Real Estate News

Existing homes sales were down 4.2% year-over-year as prices kept climbing, keeping buyers sidelined. The good news: Inventory continues to build.

Sales 187
article thumbnail

Leading Australian reverse mortgage lender undergoes rebrand

Housing Wire

Heartland Bank , the leading reverse mortgage lender in Australia and New Zealand , will rebrand its dedicated reverse mortgage division from “Heartland Finance” to “Heartland Bank” following a recent acquisition and a repositioning of its offerings. “We are excited to deliver the Heartland Bank brand to our reverse mortgage customers,” said Medina Cicak, the bank’s newly appointed chief commercial officer.

Mortgages 448
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Alabama Association of Realtors to NAR: Make membership optional

Inman

"It is time to allow members the ability to choose where they allocate their membership and dues dollars between the local, state and national levels," Alabama Realtors wrote to NAR on Tuesday.

MLS 187
article thumbnail

OceanFirst Bank will pay $15M to resolve redlining allegations

Housing Wire

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this week that they have secured a $15 million conciliation agreement with New Jersey-based OceanFirst Bank to settle allegations of discriminatory redlining in certain neighborhoods with majority Black, Hispanic and Asian populations. “ Redlining is an illegal practice in which lenders avoid providing credit services to individuals living in communities of color because of the race, col

Banks 447
article thumbnail

EXp picks up 200-agent Hudson Valley indie brokerage

Inman

As part of eXp, Grand Lux Realty will operate out of White Plains, New York. Founder Michael Levy touted eXp's technology as one of the brokerage's selling points.

Brokerage 182
article thumbnail

Jamie Duran joins eXp’s leadership team in Southern California

Housing Wire

Real estate industry veteran Jamie Duran is making the move to eXp Realty. On Wednesday, EQTY | Forbes Global Properties , a California -based luxury real estate team brokered with eXp, announced that Duran has been hired as the firm’s director of global growth. “Our ability to private label with eXp Realty has enabled us to elevate luxury real estate in Southern California and beyond, providing our clients with an exceptional experience that is truly unmatched in the industry,” Mike

Branding 435
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Broker Spotlight: Mark Nottingham, @properties

Inman

Find out how this Indiana broker-owner got his start, what he believes is coming next and why partnering with @properties three years ago "was one of the best business decisions" he and his team ever made.

Brokerage 168
article thumbnail

Opinion: Do our representatives really want affordable housing?

Housing Wire

The talk of this election season has rightfully been on affordable housing. Simultaneously, I have heard this common refrain from eager homebuyers: “I qualify for an FHA (or VA ) home loan, but I’m having a hard time getting my offer accepted by a home seller. Why?” Have you ever heard that before or some variation? If so, then you probably know the answer can be summed up in four words: “Source of income” discrimination.

article thumbnail

Compass sees growth spurt in Arizona with addition of North & Co

Inman

The addition brings upwards of 200 agents to Compass' ranks and gives the brokerage a strong position in the state's luxury market. Compass will also launch new offices in Chandler and Flagstaff in 2025.

Brokerage 167
article thumbnail

Loan quality takes a hit even as mortgage origination volume slows

Housing Wire

The overall critical defect rate for mortgages increased in the first quarter of 2024, ending five consecutive quarters of decline. But the increase itself was relatively modest and the share of loans with defects now stands at 1.58%, according to a report released Thursday by ACES Quality Management. The company’s Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report analyzes post-closing quality control data taken from its Quality Management & Control software platform.

Loans 429
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

How to motivate, inspire and train your team amid disruption

Inman

Great team leaders focus on business development and agent development, and the results can be staggering, coach Verl Workman writes.

article thumbnail

NAR: Existing-Home Sales Decreased to 3.86 million SAAR in August

Calculated Risk Real Estate

From the NAR: Existing-Home Sales Dipped 2.5% in August Existing-home sales fell in August, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Three out of four major U.S. regions posted sales declines while the Midwest registered no change. Year-over-year, sales slipped in three regions but remained stable in the Northeast. Total existing-home sales – completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – descended 2.5% from July to a seas

Sales 128
article thumbnail

Compass nabs high-profile NYC agent from Official

Inman

Jared Schwadron operates in New York City, the Hamptons and Miami and is the latest get for Compass as it competes to build a roster of top agents in lean times.

Agents 167
article thumbnail

US Economic Outlook Significantly Stronger Than You’d Think

Bigger Pockets

The US economy isn’t doing as well as you think—it’s doing even better.

As-is 122
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

9 proven ways to keep retention rates high when business is slow

Inman

Chris Pollinger shares powerful strategies to retain and motivate your real estate agents, even as listings hit all-time lows. Learn how to keep your team engaged and thriving during tough market conditions.

Agents 163
article thumbnail

How a Seattle family kept their home by starting a nonprofit

Seattle Times Real Estate

An unassuming house is flipping the script on gentrification and displacement in the Central District — and providing a blueprint for other neighborhoods.

122
122
article thumbnail

Tough love time? Here are 5 strategies for better agent results

Inman

Loyalty bonds between agents and brokerages are fragile. How hard can you push without breaking? Wallace Real Estate’s Claudia Stallings has tough love tips for agents in today’s market.

Agents 162
article thumbnail

DOJ Negotiates Another Settlement in Bank Redlining Initiative

RIS Media

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved a settlement from OceanFirst Bank in relation to a redlining investigation against them. The Conciliation Agreement was announced Wednesday, Sept. 18 by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). OceanFirst Bank—located in Toms River, New Jersey—was alleged to have engaged in redlining by restricting access to credit… The post DOJ Negotiates Another Settlement in Bank Redlining Initiative appeared first on RISMedia.

Banks 119
article thumbnail

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.