Wed.Dec 18, 2024

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The Federal Reserve’s housing recession dilemma

Housing Wire

They say housing leads the economy in and out of a recession. Currently, housing starts are back at the levels seen during the COVID-19 recession in 2020. Interestingly, employment for residential construction workers typically one of the first areas to experience declines before a recession has not yet seen its usual downturn. Several factors have been keeping labor steady, such as working through a backlog of orders and long turnaround times to complete projects.

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Why trigger leads are a threat to the mortgage industry

Real Estate News

Outdated rules have allowed solicitors to bombard borrowers with unwanted calls or texts. While lenders arent to blame, consumers may hold them responsible.

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Powell’s remarks shoot mortgage rates higher

Housing Wire

The fallout from Fed day got out of hand very quickly. The market reacted badly to the FOMC statement and remarks by Federal Reserve Chairman Powell during the Q&A presser, sending the 10-year yield and mortgage rates higher. Also, the Dow was down over 1,000 points today. So what gives? Market players were already talking about how the Fed would dial back rate cuts in 2025, but Powell didnt sound sure of himself in that press event and left an opening to create tighter financial conditions.

Mortgages 414
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REBNY sues over new commission rules for NYC brokers

Real Estate News

The Real Estate Board of New York told a federal court that rules limiting how agents are paid will make it harder for renters to find apartments.

Agents 196
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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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CreditXpert announces launch date for new credit optimization platform

Housing Wire

CreditXpert , a leading mortgage technology company, announced on Wednesday the launch date for its new credit optimization platform. The company will replace its What-if Simulator and Wayfinder tools with the new platform on Dec. 31. CreditXpert seeks to take a different approach when addressing homebuyer credit profiles. Instead of focusing on credit repair, the company takes it a step further with credit optimization, which benefits more applicants on a shorter timeline with improved predicta

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Fed cuts rates, but resets expectations for 2025

Real Estate News

Look for just two cuts next year half the number previously forecast as the Federal Reserve predicts inflation will remain high.

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RE/MAX launches media network to boost ad revenue

Real Estate News

The platform will connect advertisers with RE/MAX consumers at key moments, providing a new revenue stream as the brand works to improve its bottom line.

Branding 172
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Fed cuts rates by 25 bps, signals a slower pace ahead

Housing Wire

In a widely anticipated move, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points (bps), bringing the target range to 4.25% to 4.5%. This marks the third consecutive reduction by the Fed following a 50-bps cut in September and a 25-bps cut in November , cumulatively reducing rates by 100 bps this year. Going forward, however, a slower path for rate cuts is expected when compared to previous forecasts from Fed policymakers. “Recent indicators suggest that

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Homebuyers show readiness to pounce when mortgage rates dip

Inman

Requests for purchase loans picked up last week during a short-lived drop in rates, MBA survey shows, helped by "gradually improving inventory conditions and a more positive outlook on the economy and job market.

Mortgages 158
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United Real Estate expands Midwest footprint through Kansas City merger

Housing Wire

Dallas -based brokerage United Real Estate is expanding its footprint in the Midwest with a new merger. This week, Kansas City -based United affiliate partner Platinum Realty will merge its operations with SunWest Real Estate Advisors. The financial terms of the merger were not disclosed. Platinum brings a 2,500-agent team with a presence in markets across Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa and Missouri.

Brokerage 373
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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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Steve Baird: National franchises have lost touch with Main Street

Inman

In an era of increased industry consolidation, independence still matters, Steve Baird, president and CEO of Baird & Warner Real Estate, writes.

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Ginnie Mae report illustrates portfolio growth, direct contribution to government earnings

Housing Wire

Government-owned company Ginnie Mae , which oversees the secondary mortgage market and provides a guarantee for a large segment of home loans, released a fiscal year 2024 financial report this week that shows positive results. During FY24, Ginnie Maes mortgage-backed securities (MBS) program supported 1.2 million households nationwide including servicemembers, veterans, and first-time homebuyers from urban centers to rural and Tribal communities, the company said in its announcement of the rep

Mortgages 356
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EXp adds $200M Colorado mega team to its ranks

Inman

EXp Realty is closing the year with another recruiting win. Denver-based broker Kris Caldwell and his $200 million mega team, The Apollo Group, announced their move to the cloud-based brokerage on Tuesday after six years with Compass.

Brokerage 150
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New real estate platform Oyssey aims to ‘replace Zillow’

Housing Wire

A new real estate platform launching this month is offering homebuyers a glimpse into neighborhoods beyond the standard Zillow listing. Oyssey , a tech startup founded in 2022, is leveraging social data including age, education and income demographics as a means of understanding homebuyers beyond their standard housing preferences. The platform is soft launching this month in New York and Florida for real estate agents, teams, brokerages and MLSs to peek into potential neighborhoods and explor

Brokerage 350
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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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News Knockout: Final 4 stories of 2024 compete for your vote

Inman

Which two top stories of 2024 will advance to the finals? Inman readers cast their votes today to weigh in on the most consequential stories of the year.

Brokerage 149
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Mortgage demand falls for the first time in five weeks as interest rates increase

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications declined 0.7% on a seasonally adjusted basis during the week ending Dec. 13, driven by slight decline in refinance activity, according to data released Wednesday by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). The decline in applications broke a five-week streak of increases in mortgage demand. Rising mortgage rates last week were a likely factor that deterred potential borrowers from refinancing.

VA loan 268
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5 reasons it’s more important to be ‘different’ than ‘better’

Inman

Being different is a commitment to authenticity, perseverance and purpose, broker-owner Nick Schlekeway writes.

Agents 143
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Success Real Estate in Boston mysteriously shuts down

Housing Wire

SUCCESS Real Estate in the Greater Boston area suddenly closed up shop this week. Over the weekend, broker-owner Steve Webster sent a note to his agents informing them that the brokerage was closing, according to a report by Boston 25 News. At this moment, we will no longer be accepting any new business, the note, which Boston 25 News obtained, read.

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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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The Biggest Perks of Buying a Home This Winter

Keeping Current Matters

Waiting for perfect market conditions often means missing out.

Marketing 139
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How to get a real estate license in New York

Housing Wire

Want to learn how to get a real estate license in New York? In this article, well cover the five simple steps you’ll need to follow and recommend the best courses to complete the 77-hour course that New York State requires. Discover the steps, tips, and essential information youll need to get your real estate license in New York, including how to qualify and apply for the licensing exam and how much time and money you can expect to invest to launch your new career in the Empire State.

Brokerage 293
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LA property where actress Brittany Murphy died lists for $18M

Inman

The Los Angeles mansion where late actress Brittany Murphy and her husband Simon Monjack died has long been the source of fascination and speculation. Now, the property is back on the market for $18 million, according to a Realtor.com report.

Marketing 146
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How to get a real estate license in Florida

Housing Wire

Florida is home to some incredible real estate. From the sparkling shores of Miami to the Gulf and everywhere in between, the Sunshine State offers plenty of opportunity for real estate agents. In this article, we’ll show you how to get a real estate license in Florida in five simple steps and recommend the best courses to complete the required 63-hour real estate course.

Agents 287
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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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Fed cuts again, but mortgage rates climb on 2025 inflation worries

Inman

Bond market investors are focused on the latest "dot plot," indicating Fed policymakers only expect to bring short-term rates down by half a percentage point in 2025.

Mortgages 136
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Could ‘cottage courts’ be a solution for aging in place?

Housing Wire

Its not a commonly used phrase, but cottage courts could be an increasingly common reality in a country that continues to need novel solutions to address severe housing shortfalls. Some organizations and local officials see them as a potential path forward for older Americans seeking to age in place. According to a 2022 report from AARP , cottage courts are defined as a small collection of bungalow-style homes that are typically 1 to 1 stories tall and are oriented around a courtyard that serves

Title 281
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Tell us about your big goals and plans for 2025: Pulse

Inman

New year, new you, they say. As 2025 approaches, were wondering about your goals and resolutions. Let us know what youre aiming for in this one-question anonymous survey.

Agents 113
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Citi looks to grow market share with mortgage.com platform

Housing Wire

On Wednesdy Citi launched mortgage.com, a new platform that creates a brand-endorsed, consumer-focused channel to leverage Citi’s brand authority and encourage mortgage or refinance applications for the bank. The company has an aggressive marketing goal to reach the No. 1 spot in organic home-buying search within six months, which is why Citi used its partnership with Razorfish , a Publicis Group company, to amplify its search engine optimization efforts, scalability and reachability.

Marketing 287
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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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Are the Suburbs a Ponzi Scheme? Is There a Dark Truth Buried Beneath Your White Picket Fence?

Bigger Pockets

In the first part of this series, we looked at the history of the infamously car-centric American suburb, and the second evaluated their desirability.

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CFPB calls out mortgage servicers for ‘doom loop’

Housing Wire

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) this week released a new report finding that mortgage companies often create obstacles for homeowners, leading to what it calls a customer service doom loop if a death or divorce impacts the original borrower of a mortgage loan. Many homeowners report that their servicers push them to take on new, higher-interest loans instead of keeping their existing mortgage, the CFPB said of the reports findings.

Mortgages 274
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JOME’s new construction portal nails $9.8M Series A

Inman

What JOME offers is an artificial intelligence engine that spiders a market to collate data on its new homes and build out a searchable, up-to-date consumer experience.

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ICE, Sagent are expanding their footprints with new offices

Housing Wire

Intercontinental Exchange Inc. will spend at least $173 million to locate the headquarters of its mortgage technology division in Jacksonville, Florida. The company and Jacksonville economic development officials announced the expansion on Tuesday. It was confirmed by the City of Jacksonville on LinkedIn the same day. The post explained that ICE is “starting off with 1,500 jobs and will grow by another 500 jobs from multiple divisions over the next seven years along with a capital investm

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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.