June, 2024

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More listings, lower rates should boost 2025 sales: Fannie Mae

Inman

Fannie Mae on Friday slashed its 2024 forecast as a result of weak spring home sales, but listings are returning to the market and mortgage rates look poised to drop, according to new projections.

Sales 194
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HUD launches manufactured home community loan program

Housing Wire

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) this week announced the launch of a new program designed to allow for the purchase, refinance or renovation of manufactured housing under a loan program sponsored by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The Manufactured Home Community loan product will “will help entities to preserve, stabilize, and revitalize these vital sources of affordable housing,” the department explained.

Loans 529
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Deal in place to sell REcolorado to private equity firm

Real Estate News

The associations that own the 16th-largest MLS surprised its leaders with a deal that “scared the absolute hell out of us,” REcolorado’s vice chair said.

Equity 359
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What To Expect if You Buy or Sell a Home This June

Keeping Current Matters

June is a busy month in the housing market because a lot of people buy and sell this time of year.

Marketing 338
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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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VA issues temporary fix to allow buyer-paid broker fees

Housing Wire

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Tuesday issued a temporary fix that will allow homebuyers using VA loans to pay for their real estate agent’s commission — i.e., the buyer-broker fee. The change, a result of the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) commission lawsuit settlement agreement , was anticipated late last month and commented on by Michelle Corridon, the deputy policy director at the VA.

VA loan 523
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A key home price metric has skyrocketed since 2019

Housing Wire

A report released Wednesday by Realtor.com shows that a key measurement of U.S. home values is growing faster that the more commonly viewed metric of listing price. The analysis revealed that, across the 50 largest U.S. metro areas, price per square foot rose by 52.7% during the five-year period ending in May 2024. By comparison, the national median list price for a home jumped 37.5% during the same period to its current level of $442,500.

Agents 523

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This is a big week for housing, jobs and mortgage rates 

Housing Wire

Mortgage rates have been a bit more volatile recently due to hawkish Federal Reserve statements and inflation data, which has impacted some of the recent movement in the 10-year yield. But now we have the big jobs week coming up! So, what does this all mean for the housing market and the future of mortgage rates? 10-year yield and mortgage rates As we approach a crucial week for mortgage rates , the 10-year yield and labor data could influence the Fed’s decisions.

Mortgages 520
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Homeowners sitting on a pile of cash with $17T in home equity: CoreLogic

Housing Wire

Home equity continued to rise in the first quarter of 2024 as residential properties with mortgages collectively gained $1.5 trillion in equity over the past year, according to a CoreLogic report released Friday. The average U.S. homeowner with a mortgage added $28,000 in equity during the year ending in March 2024 — the highest year-over-year increase since late 2022.

Equity 518
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Home prices are slipping in Florida, Arizona and Texas

Housing Wire

Mortgage rates decided to bounce back into the 7s this week. We can see an impact in that immediately as home sales are slowing down. These are the homes that go into contract immediately after listing. We also see new pending sales slowing and price reductions ticking up. The most notable thing in the data this week is that, while home prices nationally are still holding a few percentage points higher than last year, home prices have started to decline in a few states — Florida, Arizona and Tex

Sales 516
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Can mortgage rates keep falling? Job market data is key

Housing Wire

Since May 29, we’ve witnessed a decline in the 10-year yield, which has been favorable for mortgage rates. The critical question is: Can this trend persist? Clues from the recent Fed meeting and the softening inflation data hint at a potential continuation — if the labor data gets softer. How is this affecting the weekly housing data? Let’s delve into the details and find out. 10-year yield and mortgage rates After the intense jobs week data , we ran straight into CPI and PPI inflati

Mortgages 508
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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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How much longer will we have to deal with higher mortgage rates?

Housing Wire

Given last week’s surprising jobs report, how much longer will we have to deal with higher mortgage rates ? The labor data will be the key to answering that question. It’s essential to track the labor data along with inflation because the key to getting lower mortgage rates for longer lies with the labor data more than inflation. That makes this week another one to watch since we will have CPI inflation and the Federal Reserve meeting results on Wednesday.

Mortgages 508
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86% of consumers say it’s a bad time to buy a house: Fannie Mae

Housing Wire

Consumer attitudes toward the purchase of a home fell “markedly” in May, while the percentage of consumers who said it was a “bad” time to buy a home grew month over month from 79% to 86%, according to new survey data from government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) Fannie Mae. The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) decreased 2.5 points in May to 69.4, marking an all-time low in the measurement of consumer sentiment toward homebuying.

Mortgages 508
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Pending home sales plummet to all-time low in May: NAR

Housing Wire

After rising in March , pending home sales continued to slide in May, with the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) posting its second consecutive month of declines to reach a record low, according to data released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The PHSI fell 2.1% from April to a reading of 70.8 in May, which was down 6.6% on a yearly basis.

Sales 501
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U.S. job creation exceeds forecasts, signals delays in rate cuts

Housing Wire

Job creation that exceeded expectations in May has reinforced the perception that the Federal Reserve will maintain the same benchmark interest rates at its June meeting and may delay any rate cuts that were planned for this year. This means that mortgage rates are likely to be higher for even longer than previously expected. The U.S. economy added 272,000 jobs in May, above the market consensus estimate of 180,000.

Mortgages 505
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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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What we should learn from the jobs week data

Housing Wire

Following a few days of declining bond yields and mortgage rates this week, the trajectory took a significant turn on Friday with the release of favorable labor data , sparking a notable increase in the 10-year yield, a key indicator for those in housing. The BLS jobs report shows the honey badger labor market woke up and once again chose violence this morning.

Mortgages 505
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Exploring the impact of housing on wellbeing

Housing Wire

The importance of housing as a social driver of health cannot be overstated, yet the intricate pathways connecting housing conditions to health outcomes remain inadequately understood. This knowledge gap is particularly impactful for low-income families who face unique challenges in establishing a sense of home. My experience as a pediatrician at WakeMed has shown me firsthand how critical stable, and quality housing is to the health and well-being of children and their families.

Land 500
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Inflation and Fed day: A crucial moment for the housing market

Housing Wire

Today’s double event of the CPI inflation report and the Fed meeting gave us something that I have been waiting for: a hint from Fed Chairman Jay Powell that the labor market has softened. Today he acknowledged what I have been talking about for months: the Fed’s key data lines are at pre-COVID-19 levels today. Before the Fed held its press conference, we got a softer-than-anticipated CPI report, which sent the 10-year yield (and mortgage rates ) lower at first.

Marketing 501
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Congress should adopt mortgage interest tax credit: CHLA

Housing Wire

The Community Home Lenders of America (CHLA) is calling on both houses of Congress to adopt a mortgage interest credit as the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is currently set to expire in 2025. This is according to a letter the organization submitted to leaders in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. In the lead-up to its 2017 passage, CHLA representatives “aggressively advocated for a Mortgage Interest Credit (MIC) during debate on the 2017 tax bill, when it became clea

Mortgages 497
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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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Boomers struggled more than millennials to buy their first homes: Realtor.com

Housing Wire

From rising home prices to rising mortgage rates and inflation , the millennial generation hasn’t had it easy when it comes to homeownership. But new data from Realtor.com shows that millennials aren’t overly burdened in comparison to previous generations. The analysis of historic home prices, income levels and mortgage rates found that baby boomers — Americans between the ages of 60 and 78 this year — “arguably faced the toughest housing market ever for first-time buyers.“ In 1980, when boomers

Mortgages 497
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Q1 2024 mortgage lending activity declines to near-record low

Housing Wire

Mortgage lending in the U.S. dropped by 6.7% in the first quarter of 2024 to 1.28 million mortgages secured by residential property, the 11th drop recorded in the past 12 quarters and the lowest level since the year 2000, according to the newest U.S. Residential Property Mortgage Origination Report compiled by data provider Attom. This decline contributed to a 4.8% reduction in residential lending activity compared to first-quarter 2023 and a 69.3% reduction since reaching a high point in 2021,

Lending 493
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Unexpected trends in real estate agent dynamics

Housing Wire

Relitix’s latest release of the Agent Movement Index (AMI) for April 2024 reveals a surprising shift in the dynamics of real estate agents , indicating potential changes in market conditions and strategies among brokerages. Key Highlights from April 2024 AMI: Rise in Active Agents: The data show an unexpected increase in the number of active real estate agents.

Agents 490
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Serene Smith leaves COO role at RE/MAX

Housing Wire

More executive changes are afoot at franchise real estate brokerage RE/MAX. Serene Smith, the chief of staff and chief operating officer at RE/MAX Holdings , has transitioned to a non-executive, part-time role at the brokerage. RE/MAX will no longer have a principal operating officer and Smith’s responsibilities will be absorbed by other executives, the company disclosed Friday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ).

Principal 490
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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.

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US home sales fall to historically low level: Redfin

Housing Wire

Elevated mortgage rates, high home prices and a lack of for-sale listings continue to hamper U.S. home sales, with Redfin reporting Friday that sales in May 2024 dropped to one one of the lowest levels of the past decade. The annualized rate of home sales, adjusted for seasonality, fell below 408,000 last month. That was down 1.7% from the prior month and 2.9% below year-ago levels.

Sales 488
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Opendoor announces partnership with My State MLS

Housing Wire

Opendoor has partnered with nationwide multiple listing service My State MLS to equip more than 60,000 agents in each of the 50-plus markets Opendoor serves with access to the iBuyer’s cash-offer solution. My State MLS is a nationwide multiple listing service that allows members to list and search properties anywhere in the U.S. According to a news release, through the partnership, My State MLS agent members will be able to receive estimated cash offers on qualifying properties within minutes to

MLS 488
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Why Austin home prices remain stubbornly high

Housing Wire

In 2021, HousingWire published an article spotlighting Austin as one of the hottest housing markets in the country. The Texas capital was a COVID-era darling, but the city had been attracting employers and homebuyers well before the pandemic. As noted in that article, Austin had ranked No. 1 in population growth for eight straight years and The Wall Street Journal named it the hottest job market in 2019 and 2020.

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Offerpad and Realtor.com team up to make cash offers available to portal users

Housing Wire

The iBuying platform Offerpad and Realtor.com are teaming up. In an announcement on Tuesday, the firms said that Offerpad was integrating with Realtor.com. According to the release, the integration will allow Offerpad to provide a cash offer to more sellers and will extend Offerpad’s reach to a larger audience of potential sellers. “Over the past year, with all of the adversity happening for buyers and sellers and the industry in general, we have really been focused on trying to find buyers and

Finance 488
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Rise of The Apps: Building Your Dream Tech Stack For Real Estate Success

Speaker: Trey Willard, Realtor/Team Leader at Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

In order to create continued success in today’s real estate market, realtors need to utilize an arsenal of technology that will increase their efficiency and presence on social media. Using technology to manage your prospects and tap into their needs through websites, social media, and other channels is critical for real estate success in 2022 and beyond.

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Boomers, millennials locked in ‘showdown’ over housing: Fortune

Housing Wire

As baby boomers increasingly seek to age in place in their own homes — a scenario supported by both the preferences of older homeowners and the realities brought on by elevated mortgage rates — this is clashing with the desires of millennials who wish to enter the housing market, as the combination of limited inventory and high costs are keeping these buyers on the sidelines of the mortgage market.

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Attempted Graceland sale exposes title, mortgage fraud tactics

Housing Wire

Seller impersonation fraud has reportedly risen significantly over the years, and one such fraudster attempted to cash in by facilitating a fraudulent sale of Graceland, the famous Memphis, Tennessee , home owned by the late Elvis Presley. But while a fraud attempt targeting such a famous structure and family would easily make national news, the vast majority of title theft and mortgage fraud schemes do not.

Title 488
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Fintech lender LoanSnap evicted, faces financial and legal turmoil

Housing Wire

Legal and financial troubles are piling up for mortgage fintech lender LoanSnap , with the company having been recently evicted from its headquarters in Southern California. The news was previously reported this week by TechCrunch. TechCrunch reported on Monday that while “LoanSnap has not yet shut down, according to two employees, the vibe inside the company is harrowing as workers wait for clarity on the company’s future.“ The firm reportedly failed to pay employees for at least a month late l

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Fannie Mae’s Doug Duncan on Fed ‘overcommunication,’ ‘dormant’ lenders and second mortgages

Housing Wire

Doug Duncan , the chief economist at Fannie Mae , believes pressures from fiscal and monetary policy have brought volatility to the secondary mortgage market, creating a “higher-for-longer” scenario in the U.S. economy that mortgage companies should be ready to face. “Every indicator that comes out, the market judges which way would the Fed move with it.

Mortgages 487
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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.