Thu.Oct 17, 2024

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Mortgage rates could reach 5.7% next year, but will sellers give up their 3% rates?

Housing Wire

The U.S. economy appears to be on firmer footing than previously thought, mortgage rates are forecast to end 2024 at 6% and home-price growth is also on the move. These are conclusions drawn by economists at Fannie Mae ‘s Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group. They’re now projecting gross domestic product (GDP) growth to fall from 3.2% in 2023 to 2.3% in 2024 and 2% in 2025.

Mortgages 511
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A decade ago, real estate got a warning — did we heed it?

Real Estate News

The DANGER Report took a “frank and sometimes searing” look at the risks facing agents, brokers, associations, MLSs and the National Association of Realtors.

Agents 278
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Prices for FICO scores are predicted to rise — again — in 2025

Housing Wire

Wall Street investors and analysts forecast that mortgage credit-score costs will rise in 2025 as lower interest rates may drive an increase in home loan applications. Fair Isaac Corp. (FICO), the company that retains the rights to the market’s widely adopted consumer credit-risk assessment methodology, is expected to raise the price for mortgage credit scores from $3.50 to at least $5, according to the estimates.

Investor 528
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Why Did More People Decide To Sell Their Homes Recently?

Keeping Current Matters

Homeowners typically slow down their moving plans as the summer months wrap up, and as a result, fewer homes are listed for sale in the fall.

Sales 266
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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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Preapprovals fell 15% in Q3 as home prices spiked: LenderLogix

Housing Wire

LenderLogix , a provider of mortgage point-of-sale and automation software for lenders, said that borrowers generated 49,392 preapproval letters through its QuickQual preapproval program in third-quarter 2024, a 15% decrease from the second quarter. The average number of preapproved borrowers per loan officer decreased slightly to 28.5 in the third quarter, down from 29 in Q2 2024, the company said in its quarterly Homebuyer Intelligence report.

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Rising rates a bummer for buyers, but builders are more bullish

Real Estate News

Mortgage rates moved up again, but for the market as a whole, “the worst may be behind us.” Plus, improving builder optimism could mean more future supply.

Mortgages 248

More Trending

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Be wary of industry players ‘attempting to sow chaos’

Real Estate News

In a livestream presentation, Anywhere’s Sue Yannaccone warned of misinformation around Clear Cooperation and encouraged agents to share their views.

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Emotional support and service pets: Fair and affordable for who?

Housing Wire

What is one of the largest fines you think a housing provider—like landlords, condo HOAs/boards, and state and local housing authority offices—has had to pay due to turning away emotional support and service animals? $2,500 $35,000 $1 Million If you guessed one million dollars, then kudos to you, yet the real winners when it comes to fair housing laws are those who uphold them.

As-is 443
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Strong economy may prop up home prices, mortgage rates

Inman

Fannie Mae economists say surprising strength of the U.S. economy means home prices are likely to keep rising, and mortgage rates may not come down as quickly as previously expected.

Mortgages 184
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Mark Spain Real Estate is the latest to settle the commission lawsuits

Housing Wire

The list of brokerages that have settled the commission lawsuits is getting longer. On Wednesday, Higher Tech Realty , dba Mark Spain Real Estate , filed a notice informing the U.S. District Court in Atlanta that it had reached a nationwide settlement of the commission lawsuits with the plaintiffs in the Phillips suit. Neither the terms of the settlement or the settlement amount have been disclosed.

Brokerage 439
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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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Secret Service agent sold homes to subordinates — they got promoted

Inman

Alfonso M. Dyson moonlighted as a real estate agent in Annapolis, Maryland, while he was second-in-command of the Secret Service's uniformed division. After he was promoted to chief, his subordinates who had done real estate business with him were also promoted.

Agents 179
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Better launches voice-based AI loan assistant

Housing Wire

Better Home & Finance, the parent company of digital lender Better.com , launched its voice-based artificial intelligence loan assistant on Thursday. According to the company, the assistant provides customers with “timely and accurate answers.” The AI loan assistant, dubbed Betsy, was built through Tinman, the company’s proprietary loan origination platform, where information and facts on loan applications are stored.

Loans 431
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‘Maniacal focus:’ How Christie’s Real Estate thrives amid change

Inman

CEO Thad Wong, Natalie Hamrick and Kevin Van Eck spoke to Inman about Christie's strategy in 2025, as well as their take on industry practice changes and the future of Clear Cooperation.

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Brenda Hedeen joins Canopy Mortgage as CFO

Housing Wire

Former Open Mortgage executive Brenda Hedeen has been hired by Utah-based Canopy Mortgage as its new chief financial officer. “I was delighted when they reached out as I’ve had my eye on this group for years … they have it all: Techcentric, innovative, cost-effective, amazing culture, truly transparent pricing, engaged leadership and outstanding retail model.

Mortgages 445
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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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Builders shift to townhomes and condos to tackle housing shortage

Inman

This shift in strategy reflects a growing need for more affordable and space-efficient housing options amid rising costs and limited land availability, according to a new analysis from Zillow released Thursday.

Land 173
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Guild hires Nora Guerra as SVP of community lending solutions

Housing Wire

Guild Mortgage announced on Thursday that it has hired Nora Guerra, who worked at Freddie Mac for more than five years, as its senior vice president of community lending solutions. A mortgage industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, Guerra has recently served as senior manager of national affordable lending at Freddie Mac, joining the government-sponsored (GSE) enterprise in 2019.

Lending 430
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. to acquire $402M Black Spruce portfolio

Inman

The deal, one of the city’s largest this year, involves 1,000 units and more than 60 buildings across Upper Manhattan in New York City. Part of the portfolio closed Wednesday, according to reports.

Closing 171
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FHFA says Federal Home Loan Banks have offered more support to affordable housing efforts

Housing Wire

The Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) saw significant growth in support of affordable housing and community development in 2023, according to a report released Thursday by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The report detailed FHLBanks’ activity across several programs that include the Affordable Housing Program (AHP), the Community Investment Program (CIP), the Community Investment Cash Advance Program (CICA) and other “voluntary targeted mission-activity programs,” according to the FH

Banks 437
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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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Numbers to know: Is the Fed having second thoughts about rate cuts?

Inman

Inflation, combined with September’s strong jobs report, suggests that the Fed might be rethinking how quickly to cut the Federal Funds Rate, says Windermere’s Principal Economist Jeff Tucker.

Principal 171
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The Agency lassos two Dallas-area luxury agents

Housing Wire

The Agency founder Mauricio Umansky doesn’t think that the game of “musical chairs” that is agent recruiting is good for the real estate industry, but this week his company can tally a win. Dallas -based luxury real estate agents Courtney Michalek and Andrea Childress have joined The Agency to bolster the brokerage’s Dallas office, which was launched by Megan and Damon Williamson in January 2023.

Agents 430
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With $184M, Backflip to offer residential transition loans

Inman

The mobile-forward fintech company that marries real estate investment search and analysis with streamlined financing has raised a $184 million through two private credit funds, one a $30M of equity, the other is asset-backed financing of $154 million.

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North Carolina Regional MLS is buzzing with its rebrand to Hive MLS

Housing Wire

The North Carolina Regional Multiple Listing Service (NCRMLS) is making a move to foster connectivity between real estate agents and consumers. NCRMLS — a wholesale cooperative MLS founded in 2016 — has announced its plans to rebrand to Hive MLS in conjunction with Hive Solutions. Hive MLS will charge member associations and MLSs wholesale fees to access their data.

MLS 427
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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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Ben Kinney’s 10 keys for being an amazing partner

Inman

While we often focus on individual accomplishment, Carl Medford writes, don't sleep on the power and potential of an effective partnership for achieving your goals.

Brokerage 158
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3rd Look at Local Housing Markets in September

Calculated Risk Real Estate

NOTE: The tables for active listings, new listings and closed sales all include a comparison to September 2019 for each local market (some 2019 data is not available). This is the third look at several early reporting local markets in September. I’m tracking over 40 local housing markets in the US. Some of the 40 markets are states, and some are metropolitan areas.

Marketing 118
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Broker Spotlight: Gretchen Coley, Compass North Carolina

Inman

Find out how this Raleigh, North Carolina, broker leans on relationships and mentoring to differentiate her service and create genuine connections.

Brokerage 166
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Homebuilder Confidence Continues to Rise as Inflation Eases

RIS Media

As inflation eases—with the latest Consumer Price Index reporting the smallest annual increase since February 2021—builder confidence continues to steadily rise, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) data. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) registered at 43 in October, up two points from September’s reading and now four points above… The post Homebuilder Confidence Continues to Rise as Inflation Eases appeared first on RISMedia.

Marketing 131
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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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Top 10 reasons agents will leave you in the next few months

Inman

Rather than non-stop recruiting, put more time into retaining the agents you already have, broker Joseph Santini writes. Here's how to hold onto them.

Agents 158
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Webinar Recap: Getting Ready for the Rebound—How to Seize the Opportunity as the Market Improves

RIS Media

In the latest RISMedia webinar—“Getting Ready for the Rebound: How to Seize the Opportunity as the Market Improves”—panelists Jake Hamilton, senior vice president of Strategy at Lone Wolf Technologies; Shawna Alt, CEO of First Weber, Inc; and Scott MacDonald, broker/owner and president of RE/MAX Gateway, discuss key strategies for navigating a changing real estate market,… The post Webinar Recap: Getting Ready for the Rebound—How to Seize the Opportunity as the Market Improves appeared fir

Marketing 116
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How to use down payment assistance to close more deals

Inman

Looking for a way to differentiate the service you provide to buyers? Luke Babich writes that a top-down knowledge of down payment assistance programs in your area can help you stand out from the crowd of other agents.

Closing 140
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Builder Confidence Edges Higher Despite Affordability Headwinds

Eye on Housing

With inflation gradually easing and builders anticipating mortgage rates will moderate in coming months, builder sentiment moved higher for a second consecutive month despite challenging affordability conditions. Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes was 43 in October, up two points from a reading of 41 in September, according to the National.

Mortgages 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.