Sat.Aug 03, 2024 - Fri.Aug 09, 2024

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Opportunity unlocked: Mortgage rates drop to 2024 low point

Housing Wire

The downward movement in mortgage rates over the past few months accelerated last week as a cooler-than-expected jobs report and indications of a Federal Reserve rate cut led to a steep drop in loan pricing. At HousingWire ‘s Mortgage Rates Center on Tuesday, the 30-year conventional loan rate averaged 6.8% — a new low point for 2024 that was just below the 6.83% figure to start the year.

Mortgages 505
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Zillow’s new CEO on what’s next as Rich Barton moves upstairs

Real Estate News

Barton and Jeremy Wacksman speak exclusively with Real Estate News about the leadership transition at the top of the influential home-search site.

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NAR settlement still an enigma for some ahead of big Aug. 17 deadline

Inman

Last week, the brightest minds in real estate converged at Inman Connect to set agents, brokers and MLS members straight on the finer points of the new rules taking effect in less than two weeks.

MLS 190
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Mortgage Rates Down a Full Percent from Recent High

Keeping Current Matters

Mortgage rates have been one of the hottest topics in the housing market lately because of their impact on affordability.

Mortgages 358
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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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Can mortgage rates go even lower? 

Housing Wire

Mortgage rates moved massively lower last week without any Federal Reserve rate cuts, primarily because the labor market is getting softer. Can mortgage rates go even lower? As we can see below, when the market priced economic weakness earlier in 2024, it took the 10-year yield down toward 3.80% but didn’t break that level. So, after a softer jobs report, the question is: Can this level break and head back down to the key line in the sand I call the Gandalf line at 3.37%?

Mortgages 518
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What buyers will give up to find an affordable home

Real Estate News

A Redfin survey found that younger buyers are more willing to sacrifice safety, and overall, proximity to amenities was lower on the list of must-haves.

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More Trending

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What Every Homeowner Should Know About Their Equity

Keeping Current Matters

Curious about selling your home?

Equity 356
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The financial markets are freaking out. That should be good for mortgage

Housing Wire

Fears of a recession in the U.S. sent shockwaves through financial markets around the world on Monday. The Dow-Jones dropped 1,000 points by 10:30 a.m. Eastern time, the NASDAQ lost up to 6% of its value and Japanese stocks suffered their biggest crash since 1987, with the Nikkei 225 stock index dropping 12.4%. The turbulence should benefit the U.S. mortgage market , which has already seen big interest rate declines in the past week following a Fed meeting that teased forthcoming cuts to benchma

Mortgages 501
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'Unfiltered': Real estate missing ‘collective leadership’

Real Estate News

Watch the conversation with industry icon Stefan Swanepoel on the “self-centered, arrogant” leaders in real estate, NAR’s missteps and opportunities ahead.

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Investors aren’t ready to buy in to Better’s comeback story

Inman

Digital mortgage lender boosted second quarter loan production by 45 percent and says it's on track to originate more than $1 billion in mortgages in Q3 for the first time in two years, but losses continue to mount.

Investor 197
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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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Where Will You Go After You Sell?

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re planning to sell your house and move, you probably know there’s been a shortage of options available.

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Seller impersonation fraud is on the rise: NDP Analytics

Housing Wire

Seller impersonation fraud is on the rise. A study conducted by NDP Analytics found that 28% of title companies experienced at least one seller impersonation fraud attempt in 2023, and in April 2024 alone, 19% of firms experienced at least one of these attempts. The study, which was released on Monday, is based on a nationwide survey of 783 title companies.

Title 501
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Top 3 takeaways from a hot summer week of economic news

Real Estate News

The jobs report was the biggest surprise, and it had an immediate impact on mortgage rates. Meanwhile, inventory continues to build.

Mortgages 310
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Investors bullish on Blend on Q2 earnings and revenue beat

Inman

Cloud banking software provider maintains steady growth in consumer banking revenue, while reversing the decline in its main line of business of providing services to mortgage lenders.

Investor 195
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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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Home Inspections For Sellers: How To Prepare

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re thinking about selling your house, it’s important to know what the home inspection is and what inspectors look for.

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Housing market hinges on mortgage rates and supply, not commission structures

Housing Wire

Although there is no doubt that business practice changes outlined in the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) nationwide commission lawsuit settlement agreement are going to impact how real estate industry professionals operate, economists aren’t too sure they’ll have much bearing on the housing market. “I know that surprises people,” Orphe Divounguy, a senior economist at Zillow, said of the impact of business practice changes on the market.

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Mortgage rates tumble, but where are the buyers?

Real Estate News

The 30-year mortgage fell to its lowest level since May 2023, which “should begin to pique their interest in making a move” — but buyers might not be ready.

Mortgages 304
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Zillow Group names Jeremy Wacksman as new CEO

Inman

After five years back at the helm, Zillow Group co-founder Rich Barton steps down as CEO. Former COO Jeremy Wacksman takes the reins as the company charges past what Barton calls the "Portal 1.0" experience.

MLS 195
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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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Helpful Negotiation Tactics for Today’s Housing Market

Keeping Current Matters

If you haven’t already heard, homebuyers are regaining some negotiating power in today’s market.

Marketing 350
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Lenders, brokerages weather stock market sell-off, but homebuilders get thumped

Housing Wire

The global stock selloff that began overnight in Asia rolled through U.S. markets on Monday as the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 3% and 2.6%, respectively. While technology-sector darlings such as Nvidia and Apple got thumped the hardest, the real estate industry also took its fair share of lumps. But analysts believe that the sell-off, paired with a drop in interest rates, could produce mixed results for real estate.

Brokerage 488
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Zillow continues to outperform industry, beat expectations

Real Estate News

Revenue was up 13% in Q2, and the company — now with a new CEO — said it's in a strong position: “We have the most customers, we work with the best partners.

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Climate activists vandalize Lionel Messi’s $12M Ibiza home

Inman

Spanish climate activist group Futuro Vegetal smeared the star footballer's mansion in red and black paint to blame the rich for the climate crisis, while also highlighting the lack of action on the part of the Spanish government, the group said.

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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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Seasonal Home Selling Tips: How to Prepare Your Home for Sale in Any Season

RIS Media

Selling a home can be challenging, but with the right seasonal strategies, you can make your property stand out. Whether it’s fall, winter, or the holiday season, tailoring your home to the time of year can attract more buyers and potentially speed up the sale. I have put effort into giving you the best advice… The post Seasonal Home Selling Tips: How to Prepare Your Home for Sale in Any Season appeared first on RISMedia.

Sales 142
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Redfin CEO reacts to housing market with ’Twilight Zone’ conditions

Housing Wire

Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman said Tuesday on the company’s second-quarter 2024 earnings call that he expects business to improve when the housing market speeds up after mortgage rates come down. But what is the alternative if rates don’t come down? “Great question — Plan B is drink our own urine or our competitors’ blood,” Kelman said in response to an analyst’s question during the call.

Marketing 487
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NAR: 'The free market' will determine commissions

Real Estate News

NAR reps discussed upcoming rule changes and reiterated that it does not promote or set compensation: “NAR is agnostic as to where the commission levels are.

Marketing 296
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Offerpad confirms layoffs after ‘restructuring’ amid down market

Inman

The iBuyer declined to confirm how many employees have been let go. Recent SEC filings show widespread cuts compared to a year earlier.

Marketing 193
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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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The Impact of Holidays on Home Sales

RIS Media

The holiday season is a unique time for the real estate market. Understanding how holidays affect home sales now can guide buyers and sellers in making informed decisions if they decide to enter the market at that time of year. I have provided detailed information to help potential home sellers whether it makes sense to… The post The Impact of Holidays on Home Sales appeared first on RISMedia.

Sales 143
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Considering the jobs report, is the Fed risking a recession?

Housing Wire

The Federal Reserve won’t pivot on rates until the labor market breaks and it will keep financial conditions as tight as possible until that happens — this has been my theme since 2022. Friday’s jobs report had one number which got people talking about a possible recession: the 4.3% unemployment rate. Now, historically speaking, that is a low unemployment rate, but it has moved up from the recent lows of 3.5%.

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Brokerage Beat: News from United, Windermere, Engel & Völkers

Real Estate News

A noteworthy United Real Estate merger in Dallas, Windermere appoints a new economist, Engel & Volkers agents get access to new design tools.

Brokerage 295
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RentSpree releases new income verification reporting tool

Inman

RentSpree’s latest reporting product is designed to help property management providers more accurately verify the income of lease applicants.

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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.