Sat.Aug 12, 2023 - Fri.Aug 18, 2023

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People Want Less Expensive Homes – And Builders Are Responding

Keeping Current Matters

In today’s housing market, there are two main affordability challenges impacting buyers: mortgage rates that are higher than they’ve been the past couple of years, and rising home prices caused by low inventory.

Mortgages 228
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Judge dismisses antitrust claims against NAR, Zillow

Housing Wire

Though the National Association of Realtors is not out of the legal woods yet, the trade group does have reason to celebrate. A federal court judge on Wednesday dismissed all antitrust allegations made by REX Real Estate against NAR and Zillow. The remaining claims in the case are all against Zillow, meaning that NAR is no longer a defendant in the case and will not have to participate if it heads to trial next month as scheduled.

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‘Hey, Siri! Can you sell my house?’ Your AI questions — answered

Inman

New Inman contributor and tech CEO Sheila Reddy writes that technology and consumer sentiment are trending toward curated information and experiences. Real estate professionals are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend simply because it’s what they already do.

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RISMedia Unveils Top 25 Rookie of the Year Finalists

RIS Media

In a program designed to honor real estate agents who are new to the business yet already achieving extraordinary results, RISMedia’s second-annual Real Estate Rookie of the Year Award program, sponsored by Colibri Real Estate, today revealed the Top 25 regional finalists for 2023. Five regional winners will be chosen from among the Top 25,… The post RISMedia Unveils Top 25 Rookie of the Year Finalists appeared first on RISMedia.

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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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Great Wealth Transfer

BubbleInfo

From Leonard Steinberg at Compass: If you thought the $7 trillion Covid-linked stimulus was big, think again. It is pittance compared to the biggest stimulus that has started and will continue for the next 2 decades amounting to over $80 trillion!

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The "New Normal" Mortgage Rate Range

Calculated Risk Real Estate

In early June, I wrote: Could 6% to 7% 30-Year Mortgage Rates be the "New Normal"? This is an update to that post with some additional research. In the previous post I noted that a key pitch, by real estate agents for home buyers right now, is that they will likely be able to refinance at a lower mortgage rate in a few years. The argument is that once the Federal Reserve has inflation back down to the 2% target, 30-mortgage rates will decline, perhaps to around 5% or lower.

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An Embarassing Example Of Municipal Red Tape & Inefficiency!

Toronto Realty Blog

TorontoRealtyBlog Are you familiar with Murphy’s Law? I had to look this up, but there actually is a Murphy, just as I’m sure that “Pavlov” had a dog… Aerospace engineer, Edward Murphy, apparently coined the phrase, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong, and at the worst possible time,” although the actual origins of the phrase are unclear and debated.

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Multifamily Developer Confidence in Positive Territory for Second Quarter

Eye on Housing

Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing was in positive territory for the second quarter, according to results from the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The MMS produces two separate indices. The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 56 for the first quarter while the Multifamily Occupancy Index.

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Is It Too Low? What Is Reasonable to Offer Below Asking Price?

HomeLight

Determining the right offer for a house can often feel like a delicate dance. While buyers aim to secure their dream home without overstretching their budget, sellers are looking to get the best possible return on their investment. So, how much below asking price is reasonable to offer? The answer isn’t always straightforward, as it depends on the state of the current real estate market, the condition of the property, and the urgency of the seller.

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CFPB fines Freedom Mortgage and Realty Connect nearly $2 million for illegal kickbacks

Housing Wire

The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued orders against Freedom Mortgage Corporation and Realty Connect USA Long Island for illegal kickbacks on Thursday, the first enforcement action associated with the 1974 Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act in six years. According to the CFPB, Freedom provided real estate agents and brokers with incentives, including cash payments, paid subscription services, and catered parties in exchange for agent and broker referrals for mortgage loan offer

Mortgages 370
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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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Industry moves quickly to support Maui relief efforts

Real Estate News

As the wildfire death toll rises, Keller Williams, eXp and others connect with agents, raise money and even turn an office into an emergency “command center.

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Don’t Expect a Flood of Foreclosures

Keeping Current Matters

The rising cost of just about everything from groceries to gas right now is leading to speculation that more people won’t be able to afford their mortgage payments.

Mortgages 219
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5 trends in high-end chef’s kitchens

Inman

When listing a luxury home, the quality of the kitchen is critical. Just ask John Messina, Licensed Associate Broker and Global Real Estate Advisor at Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty: “The kitchen is the heart of a home,” he says. “It can determine whether a home sells right away or languishes on the market.

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Mortgage applications for new construction homes ticked up in July

Housing Wire

With strong demand and limited options for existing homes, many homebuyers are turning to new construction. Mortgage applications for new construction home purchases increased 35.5% in July on a year-over-year basis, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data. On a monthly basis, applications ticked up by 0.2%.

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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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Gary Keller says the market has hit bottom, only way is up

Real Estate News

Keller kicked off KW’s Mega Camp with a message for agents: “If you do the work, you will have a great real estate year, regardless of the market.

Marketing 237
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Don’t Expect a Wave of Foreclosures [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

With ongoing high inflation pushing up everyday costs, some people are worried that'll create a flood of foreclosures. Here's why that's unlikely.

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Compass plucks 2 multimillion-dollar teams from Coldwell Banker

Inman

Compass has recruited the second-largest Coldwell Banker teams in Denver and Seattle, the Infinity Pros team and the Get Happy At Home team. They are the 51st and 52nd agents or teams to move from Coldwell Banker to Compass this year.

Agents 148
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Just 36 real estate brokerages and teams made the Inc. 5000 in 2023

Housing Wire

The slower housing market and uncertain economic conditions took their toll on the number of real estate brokerages and firms that were named to Inc. Magazine ’s 5000 list for 2023, a ranking of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S. Last year , over 60 real estate brokerage firms or real estate teams made the list, but this number shrank to just 36 in 2023.

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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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Former Zillow CEO unveils latest venture: an AI-powered, lead-gen assistant

Real Estate News

Serial entrepreneur Spencer Rascoff predicts real estate agents will be “one of the biggest verticals” that will use HeyLibby to turn contacts into customers.

Agents 224
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Equity Is a Game Changer for Homeowners Looking To Sell

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re a homeowner, you might be torn on whether or not to sell your house right now.

Equity 237
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New Western’s marketplace and other solutions to inventory crisis

Inman

Retail investors and local landlords offer real estate agents a wide array of options for staying active in a market bereft of traditional inventory, you simply need to know how to connect with them.

Investor 147
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The first real test of mortgage rates: will they hit 8%?

Housing Wire

The 10-year yield closed today above my key level of 4.25%: Does that mean mortgage rates will hit 8%? To understand what’s happening, here’s how I look at the bond market and mortgage rates in my forecast for 2023. In my 2023 forecast , the range on the 10-year yield was between 3.21%-4.25%, emphasizing that the bond yields can go lower than 3.21% only if the labor market breaks — which would require jobless claims to go over 323,000 on a four-week moving average.

Mortgages 370
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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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Zillow scores victory in REX case ahead of trial

Real Estate News

A judge has ruled an antitrust claim was without merit, a key component in a federal case involving how portals display non-MLS real estate listings.

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Where Are People Moving Today and Why?

Keeping Current Matters

Plenty of people are still moving these days.

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Compass expands into Santa Cruz with Monterey Bay Properties

Inman

Compass has purchased the 40-year-old brokerage and its team of nearly 40 agents, marking the publicly traded brokerage's first office in Santa Cruz County, the company announced Wednesday.

Brokerage 147
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Just 16 mortgage lenders, brokers make Inc. 5000 list in 2023

Housing Wire

Reflecting the housing industry’s headwinds, just 16 mortgage lenders and brokers made the annual list of Inc. Magazine ‘s 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for 2023. It’s a sharp decline from 2022, when nearly 70 mortgage lenders and brokers were named. The companies are U.S.-based, privately held and independent as of Dec. 31, 2022.

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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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Mortgage company, brokerage fined nearly $2 million for “kickbacks”

Real Estate News

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau fined Freedom Mortgage $1.75 million and Realty Connect $200,000 for providing illegal incentives for loan referrals.

Brokerage 205
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Ask These 7 Questions to Test Your Agent’s Real Estate Marketing Plan

HomeLight

A real estate marketing plan involves a combination of online and offline tactics, including listing syndication, social media promotion, print advertising, open houses , and more. A well-executed approach can make all the difference in attracting potential buyers and securing a quick sale at the right price. When you’re selling, it’s essential that you work with a real estate agent who understands your local market and can tailor a marketing plan to highlight your property’s unique

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Gary Keller: A ‘rolling recession’ will hit the US housing market in 2024

Inman

Keller Williams kicked off its Mega Agent Camp on Tuesday with remarks from Gary Keller, who warned of a "rolling recession" while predicting agents will survive treacherous economic terrain.

Marketing 147
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Top mega team joins Pinnacle Realty Advisors

Housing Wire

One of Texas’ top mega teams , Nest Finders , is partnering with r eal estate brokerage as a service platform , Pinnacle Realty Advisors , according to an announcement on Monday. Pinnacle Realty Advisors will supply Nest Finders with back-end support and tools such as on-demand broker support, as well as PinnacleHQ , Pinnacle’s virtual office and services marketplace.

Brokerage 370
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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.