Mon.Mar 17, 2025

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Pulte makes sweeping changes to boards of GSEs

Housing Wire

Not wasting any time following his Senate confirmation last week, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte made a series of major changes to the boards of government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The news was first reported by Inside Mortgage Finance.

Finance 511
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Billion-dollar mergers, upheaval and a real estate reckoning

Inman

Billion-dollar deals arent just making headlines; theyre reshaping the industry, consultant Chris Pollinger writes. The subsequent impact will be felt by every agent, brokerage and homebuyer in the game.

Brokerage 167
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Will home prices fall in 2025 with more inventory?

Housing Wire

Fluctuating interest rates have been a feature of the housing market over the last three years. As mortgage rates rose, homebuyer demand slowed and inventory grew. In 2025, mortgage rates have stayed stubbornly high for yet another spring buying season. Today, home sales still remain super slow. Our 2025 housing market predictions are based on the assumption that lower mortgage rates will spur demand and boost the number of homes sales transactions.

Mortgages 428
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$10M-plus deals in Manhattan hit biggest week since December

Inman

There were 11 contract signings at $10 million-plus last week, and the city's priciest closing was on a downtown condo that sold in an off-market deal for $60 million.

Closing 155
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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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Homebuilders face rising risk unless mortgage rates fall

Housing Wire

At the end of 2024, I wrote that the homebuilding sector could be a potential wildcard for 2025 and that was before the new tariffs on building materials and firing of federal workers. If mortgage rates don’t drop, we may see this sector facing supply issues and shrinking profit margins. Why is this important? To avoid a job loss recession, closely monitoring the homebuilding industry is essential.

Mortgages 478

More Trending

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The rise and fall of great real estate brokerage firms

Housing Wire

Paul Kennedys 1987 book The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers examined how dominant world powers reached extraordinary global influence, only to experience significant declines often due to shifting economic conditions. A similar pattern has been observed in the corporate world, with companies like Sears , IBM , General Motors , and Kodak rising to dominance before losing their leadership positions.

Brokerage 351
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The proptech startup media guide: Where to focus your marketing 1st

Inman

Marci James' Proptech Marketing Guide series kicks off with a starter for leveraging owned media channels and promoting your business.

Marketing 156
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A growing Fannie Mae “blacklist” is paralyzing home sales

Housing Wire

A growing problem is preventing condominium owners from selling their properties. Many condos are being added to a “blacklist” by Fannie Mae due to the properties not having enough insurance or needing major repairs. If a condo is on this list, its significantly harder for prospective buyers to get a mortgage, making it nearly impossible to sell.

Sales 334
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Selling patterns are shifting — but spring is still best

Real Estate News

Economic uncertainty could slow sales during the peak season, but listing in April or May remains a good bet. In some metros, selling season starts now.

Sales 273
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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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Ohio Realtors’ President Michelle Billings on building client relationships

Housing Wire

In this weeks episode of the RealTrending podcast, host Tracey Velt sits down with Ohio Realtors President Michelle Billings , an agent at Coldwell Banker Realty in Montgomery, Ohio. They explored affordability issues in today’s real estate market and how agents should leverage their knowledge for success. Billings has over 23 years of experience as real estate professional.

Staging 354
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8 Ways Property Owners Can Enhance the Resident Experience

AAOA

The resident experience includes every interaction with their property manager and the rental property, from signing the lease to moving out. This experience covers everything, such as the quality of services provided, timely maintenance, clear communication, and the overall enjoyment of living on the property. Ultimately, it reflects how residents feel about their entire rental journey.

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Ginnie Mae challenges TCB expert’s testimony in HMBS case

Housing Wire

In the ongoing lawsuit by Texas Capital Bank (TCB) seeking to recoup assets related to an extinguished reverse mortgage securities issuer, Ginnie Mae has fired back by continuing to seek a summary judgment. The government contended that the banks recent supplement to the record of expert testimony is not appropriate or useful for the court, according to filings obtained by HousingWire s Reverse Mortgage Daily (RMD).

Banks 361
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Women, Wealth and Real Estate: Anna Uliassi on crafting a legacy

Inman

Coach Melanie Klein shares how buying a small condo on a budget set this real estate professional up for long-term investor success and financial independence.

Investor 145
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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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NRMLA requests WA Senate amend foreclosure bill to reflect reverse mortgage laws

Housing Wire

A bill being deliberated in the Washington State Senate regarding a foreclosure mediation program would except reverse mortgage borrowers over the age of 61. However, this would not include slightly younger borrowers seeking a proprietary reverse mortgage within the state, and the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) has requested that the bill be updated to encompass these borrowers.

Mortgages 365
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New Research Shows What Buyers and Renters Are Willing to Pay More For

BAM Media

BAM Key Details: New research from Fannie Mae shows that 44% of consumers say their home has become more important in recent years, with 63% citing location and 59% valuing the security it provides. More than 50% have made functional changes, including 25% adapting for remote work, 19% using their home for fitness, and 18% growing food. When considering future home purchases, 69% want outdoor living space, 61% want an extra hobby room, and 60% prioritize a yard for gardening.

Agents 112
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Kickback accusations nothing more than government abuse and overreach, Pennsylvania mortgage brokerage says

Housing Wire

More state attorneys general are getting in on the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act ( RESPA ) action. In mid-January, Pennsylvanias former attorney general Michelle Henry filed a kickback lawsuit against Barry Newhart and six mortgage entities he controls: Bright Financial Group , Conquest Mortgage , Flagship Home Loans , Legacy Mortgage Partners , Nittany Home Loans , MCT Financial , Conquest Holdings and Newhart Holdings.

Brokerage 293
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Arizona marks 1st move beyond East Coast for SERHANT.

Inman

The new market is launching with over 50 agents who represent more than $500 million in sales volume over the past 12 months and who will offer more than 100 listings to start.

Agents 145
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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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William Raveis settles the commission lawsuits

Housing Wire

William Raveis has added its name to the ever growing list of brokerage defendants who have settled the commission lawsuits. Last Wednesday, the east coast-based firm filed a joint motion with the Gibson plaintiffs to stay proceedings and deadlings related to William Raveis in the Gibson suit due to a successfully negotiated settlement. The settlement terms and financial amount have not yet been disclosed.

Brokerage 335
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DOJ still unhappy with Nosalek settlement

Real Estate News

This week the federal agency weighed in again on the 5-year-old case, arguing that revisions to the 2023 deal are only cosmetic.

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Plaintiffs in lead gen fraud suit against Move forced into arbitration

Housing Wire

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) currently has a lot on its plate from the ongoing debate over its Clear Cooperation Policy , to the current uptick in industry consolidation but the Bandy fraud lawsuit is no longer its concern. Earlier this month, Judge Stanley Blumenfeld dismissed NAR , along with News Corp. and Move subsidiaries Move Sales, Inc., OpCity, Inc., OpCity Acquisition, LLC, RIN , and RealSelect from the suit.

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City Council Approves Revised Arrow Linen Rezoning in Park Slope

Brownstoner

A revised rezoning plan for the Arrow Linen site on Prospect Avenue has been approved by the City Council, clearing the way for a new residential development after a contentious yearlong process. While the deal, which reduces the building heights and increases the number of affordable apartments, comes with a… Read More > The post City Council Approves Revised Arrow Linen Rezoning in Park Slope appeared first on Brownstoner.

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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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NAR: Black homeownership is on the rise, but a large racial gap remains

Housing Wire

While the white homeownership rate still leads all racial groups in the U.S., Black homeowners have had some significant gains recently. The Black homeownership rate saw the largest year-over-year increase of all racial groups in 2023, according to data released Monday by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). But this growth was also hampered by consistent challenges.

Staging 269
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5 Top Estate Sale Companies in Grand Rapids

HomeLight

If youre looking for estate sale companies in Grand Rapids, you may be facing the challenge of clearing out a home full of belongings. Whether youre handling the estate of a loved one, downsizing , or preparing for a transition to assisted living, this process can be both emotional and overwhelming. Professional estate sale companies understand these challenges and can help smooth your transition.

Sales 97
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Xactus launches open API portal

Housing Wire

Verification technology company Xactus on Monday announced the launch of its open API portal, which allows partners to access integration rules that enable a faster, easier way to integrate their own tools or platforms with Xactus360, an Intelligent Verification Platform (IVP). Launching our open API portal is a major milestone in Xactus journey to becoming a true fintech.

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Rising Inventory Means This Spring Could Be Your Moment

Keeping Current Matters

Want to know two reasons this spring might finally be your time to buy?

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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.