Mon.Nov 11, 2024

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Zillow’s mortgage business is growing. Lenders beware

Housing Wire

Zillow is moving full speed ahead with an ambitious expansion of its mortgage business, leveraging its housing tech innovations to potentially reshape how modern homebuyers finance homes. In its third-quarter earnings report, Zillow Home Loans revealed an impressive data point: mortgage revenue increased 63% year over year in the third quarter to $39 million, which is primarily due to an 80% year-over-year increase in purchase loan origination volume to $812 million.

Mortgages 457
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NAR seeking outside help to get ahead of antitrust issues

Real Estate News

CEO Nykia Wright said she is also engaging a chief human resources officer, as well as a special advisor to help re-establish broker relationships.

As-is 244
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States are making ADUs easier to build. Now it’s up to municipalities to follow suit.

Housing Wire

The national housing shortage, the benefits of increased density, an ongoing shift in consumer tastes toward smaller homes closer to where the urban action is, and other factors have pushed state legislators to make it easier to build accessory dwelling units. In 2024 alone, Colorado, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Hawaii passed major ADU legislation, and California added several laws to open the doors wider for ADU s.

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The Majority of Veterans Are Unaware of a Key VA Loan Benefit

Keeping Current Matters

For over 79 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped countless Veterans achieve the dream of homeownership.

VA loan 274
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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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Housing market pauses for election

Housing Wire

Inventory, new listings, sales, and prices all dipped this week. The autumn seasonal decline is upon us. The election took up a lot of peoples’ lives last week, and that obviously delayed some listing and sales activity, plus we’ve had spiking mortgage rates. It’s actually not uncommon for housing activity to dip for the first week of November and rebound a bit in the following week.

Marketing 393
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Tech Bytes: News from Cloze, JobSnap/KW Collective, Rechat

Real Estate News

Cloze hires growth-focused exec to focus on partnerships, JobSnap offering agents a way to connect with service providers, Rechat partners with Pacific SIR.

Agents 221

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Compass CEO Robert Reffkin: Zillow will be the national MLS

Inman

Reffkin continued his campaign against the Clear Cooperation Policy at the National Association of Realtor's annual NAR NXT conference during a "Future of the MLS" session Friday.

MLS 183
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Better introduces VA refi loan with no appraisal or closing costs

Housing Wire

New York-based digital mortgage lender Better.com launched a streamline refinance loan product on Monday that aims to help military veterans and service members save money on long-term interest expenses and closing costs. Better is now offering the well-known Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

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Why your brokerage needs a data warehouse for Q4 and beyond

Inman

Data is the key to staying ahead in today's competitive real estate market. The ability to gather, organize and interpret information efficiently can make or break a brokerage's profitability.

Brokerage 151
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City Planning Chair Asks About Affordable Housing, Height at Arrow Linen Hearing

Brownstoner

After a series of contentious public hearings on the controversial Arrow Linen rezoning, more than two dozen Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, and surrounding locals waited for hours on Wednesday at a City Planning Commission meeting to have their voices heard. The proposal calls for two mixed-income buildings at a minimum… Read More > The post City Planning Chair Asks About Affordable Housing, Height at Arrow Linen Hearing appeared first on Brownstoner.

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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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Brokerages expect rates to drop. Their clients bank on the opposite

Inman

Potential real estate clients are growing less responsive to mortgage-rate dips, one of several key takeaways from the results of the latest Inman-Dig Insights consumer survey.

Banks 150
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New Freddie Mac Report Basically Says There’s Never Been a Better Time to Invest in Real Estate

Bigger Pockets

According to government-backed housing lender Freddie Mac, there are currently 30 renter households for each house for sale.

Investor 123
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Group investing solution Fractional raises $15M

Inman

Fifth Wall led Fractional's funding, which brings its total funding to date to $20.55 million. The funds will be used to expand the product, hire and broaden its education initiatives.

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Today’s Mortgage Rates Remain High Despite Fed’s Rate Cut Last Week

Marco Santarelli

In a surprising twist, today's mortgage rates remain high even after the recent Fed rate cut on November 7, 2024. Despite the Federal Reserve's efforts to lower interest rates, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate holds steady at 6.91%, and the 15-year fixed mortgage rate has seen a slight increase, now sitting at 6.19%. This situation leaves many homebuyers puzzled as they were anticipating relief from the soaring mortgage costs that have characterized the housing market.

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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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3 secrets to branding (psst … it’s not really about you)

Inman

What’s in a brand? In real estate, a brand is essentially how someone feels about you or your product based on their feelings, associations and experiences.

Branding 157
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Daily Links: Weekend of Wildfire Smoke in Brooklyn Follows Prospect Park Fire

Brownstoner

In the News Smoky Smell Engulfs NYC After Fires in Brooklyn, New Jersey [NYT] Brush Fire in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Burns Two Acres [NYT] Men Charged in Plot to Kill Iranian Activist in Brooklyn [NYT] Proposed Cleanup of 960 Franklin Brownfield Site Approved [Eagle] Breaking Down Results of Presidential Election in Brooklyn [BP] Asase Yaa Opens… Read More > The post Daily Links: Weekend of Wildfire Smoke in Brooklyn Follows Prospect Park Fire appeared first on Brownstoner.

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2025 leadership team takes over at California Association of Realtors

Inman

The California Association of Realtors has installed its 2025 team, including a new president, president-elect and treasurer. The leaders will work alongside CAR CEO Phil Hawkins for the next year.

MLS 141
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Can You Afford the American Dream?

Bigger Pockets

The American Dream was once an everyday reality for most Americans. Now, it’s seemingly impossible for even high-income-earning households to achieve.

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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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How real estate pros can adapt and prepare for the silver tsunami

Inman

Serving seniors starts with understanding their needs, desires and wants in real estate, and in terms of their lifestyle and goals, Engel & Völkers Americas' Stuart Siegel writes.

Agents 137
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5 Things to Do Before the End of the Year to Start 2025 Strong

BAM Media

“What gets measured gets managed.” Too often, we dive into fixing aspects of our business without taking the time to reflect on and evaluate what we did before. When we do this, we’re going in somewhat blind by not using the insights around what did (or didn’t) work previously! By understanding what actually happened, you gain the power to shape what will happen and steer your future efforts with intention and clarity.

Agents 93
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Casa Encantada megamansion sees $30M price cut to $165M

Inman

Described by Compass agent Josh Flagg as “one of the finest residences in the United States” in a statement obtained by the New York Post, the home certainly lives up to its reputation. It spans 40,000 square feet across 60 rooms, including 7 bedrooms and 20 bathrooms, and sits on an 8.4-acre lot at 10644 Bellagio Road.

Agents 135
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Mortgage product choice dips in blow for buyers

Estate Agent Today

Mortgage rates may be dropping but product choice has also fallen for homebuyers. Data from comparison website Moneyfacts shows mortgage product choice has reduced by the largest amount in more than a year so far in November, with the average shelf-life of a mortgage also dropping from 21 to 17 days.

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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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Zillow predicts 2025 home trends: A blend of sustainability and tech

Inman

As the new year approaches, bringing fresh resolutions, it also ushers in innovations poised to shape modern homes. In a recent report, Zillow shared data-driven predictions for trends that will blend technology with comfort, sustainability and climate resilience in 2025.

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Self-employed agents sell homes faster – claim

Estate Agent Today

Self-employed estate agents are going against the wider grain of a sluggish property market, research suggests.

Agents 111
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NAR CEO signals support for ‘3-way agreement’ amid Realtor pushback

Inman

At the National Association of Realtors' annual conference, CEO Nykia Wright emphasized the need to rebuild its relationships with large brokerages and doubled down on NAR's governance.

Brokerage 134
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Flatbush Row House With Eight Mantels, Pass-Through Asks $2.295 Million

Brownstoner

Lush with woodwork, this Flatbush row house contains an extensive list of period details, not limited to mantels, wainscoting, stained glass, and an intact pass-through. At 28 Clarkson Avenue, just a short stroll from Prospect Park, it hasn't changed hands in decades. Recent updates include a new furnace. The bow-front… Read More > The post Flatbush Row House With Eight Mantels, Pass-Through Asks $2.295 Million appeared first on Brownstoner.

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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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Real talk: We need to make housing more accessible for older adults

Inman

Planning for the future and promoting accessible, inclusive infrastructure keeps senior adults connected to their communities, Rachael Hite writes.

Agents 133
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Coldwell Banker Brand Celebrates Third Quarter Expansion

Coldwell Banker

Operations in Tanzania & Zanzibar and Opening Three Domestic Companies Were Highlights of an Impressive Q3 as Coldwell Banker Real Estate Cruises Into Final Quarter of 2024 The post Coldwell Banker Brand Celebrates Third Quarter Expansion appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue Matter.

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Decline in NAR membership, long expected, hasn’t materialized yet

Inman

With 1,526,631 members as of Oct. 31, the National Association of Realtors is on track to end 2024 with its fourth-highest membership numbers on record. Next year, however, is a different story.

As-is 123
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Online trends reveal the top 10 most popular interior design styles of 2024

Fancy Pants Homes

With 2024 soon coming to an end, this seems like the perfect time to take a look back at the year that passed and single out some trends that defined it. While people have understandably taken a step back from obsessing about their homes — after a whirlwind 2020 and the work-from-home years that followed sent us all on a craze to perfect our spaces — the internet is still bustling with ideas on how to best decorate our interiors.

Design 82
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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.