Mon.Oct 30, 2023

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A Real Estate Agent Helps Take the Fear Out of the Market

Keeping Current Matters

Do negative headlines and talk on social media have you feeling worried about the housing market?

Marketing 265
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loanDepot’s new FHA down payment assistance program lets borrowers put zero down

Housing Wire

loanDepot has rolled out a new down payment assistance program for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan borrowers that enables them to put zero money down upfront. In loanDepot’s program, dubbed AccessZERO, the down payment assistance is structured as a 10-year fully amortized repayable second mortgage. Borrowers must have a minimum credit score of 600 to qualify for the down payment assistance, which can be as much as 5% of the home purchase price or appraised value, whichever is less.

FHA loan 473
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The ‘day of accountability has arrived,’ say plaintiffs

Real Estate News

The lead attorney for the plaintiffs wrapped up the morning session of the Sitzer/Burnett trial with a theatrical closing argument.

Closing 311
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FHFA failed to document desktop appraisal reviews, OIG says

Housing Wire

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) failed to adequately document desktop appraisal reports, which clouds data on the effectiveness of the desktop appraisal program, according to a report published by the FHFA Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The OIG conducted an audit of FHFA’s oversight of Fannie Mae ’s and Freddie Mac ’s use of desktop appraisals between Oct. 18, 2021, and March 31, 2023.

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3 Real Estate Office Hacks to Help Kickstart the Busy Season

Ready to better your Back Office? Dive into the secrets to a powerhouse back office with Brokermint expert, Jessica Souza. In this free download, she shares her 3 transformative hacks designed to clean house, get everyone on the same page, and set yourself up for success. From optimizing agent profiles to ensuring flawless transactions and boosting agent retention, these strategies are your ticket to a seamless operation.

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Buy Side: ‘If you’re going to last in this business, you have to be nimble’

Real Estate News

Atlanta–area agent Amy Fuchs says people don’t always understand how their agents are compensated, and she worries commissions lawsuits could hurt buyers.

Agents 278
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Cenlar appoints David Schneider as president

Housing Wire

Cenlar FSB , the second-largest mortgage servicer and largest subservicer in the United States, promoted David Schneider to president of the company on Monday. Prior to his promotion at the servicing giant, Schneider served as chief financial officer of Cenlar for four months. John Mezzasalma, Cenlar’s previous senior vice president of finance, replaces Schneider as the company’s new acting chief financial officer while James Daras remains the CEO.

Lending 425

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Nosalek plaintiffs can join commission lawsuit settlements

Housing Wire

A U.S. District Court judge in Boston has endorsed a motion to stay the Nosalek buyer broker commission case , allowing the plaintiffs to join the settlement agreements reached by Anywhere and RE/MAX in two separate multi-billion dollar commission lawsuits, Moehrl and Sitzer/Burnett. The motion was filed early last week and was endorsed by Judge Patti Saris on Thursday.

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Is now the right time to start your new side hustle?

Inman

Whether you're saving for something big or trying to figure out how to stay in real estate until the market turns, Erin McCormick Torres offers tips to help you develop new streams of income.

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Spec House vs. Custom Home: What’s the Difference?

RIS Media

When it comes to buying a new home, you’ll often hear terms like “spec house,” “spec home,” or “spec housing” alongside “custom home.” These terms refer to distinct real estate and new construction approaches offering unique advantages and considerations. We will examine the differences between spec houses and custom homes to help you decide when… The post Spec House vs.

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How ‘quiet luxury’ is reshaping real estate

Inman

A seismic transition is underway in the preferences of global luxury consumers. “Quiet Luxury” is here — and it arrived well before the hype around Kendall Roy’s $600 cashmere baseball caps.

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Need Curated Pre-foreclosure Lists to Generate New Real Estate Leads? Trellis Has the Data!

Trellis is a state trial court research and analytics platform that provides Real Estate Professionals (Buyers, Foreclosure, Loan Modification, etc.) with LEADS on Pre-Foreclosures, Lis Pendes, Distressed Assets and more — to help uncover **new** opportunities and grow their business. The process is quick and easy — and all in real time. Trellis will supply you with a link to the relevant dockets, a Leads sheet and access to its UI where applicable.

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Worst Places To Live In Florida For Families & Retirees 2023-2024

Marco Santarelli

So you're considering a move to Florida? Well, before you start packing your bags, it's essential to know which areas you might want to avoid. Whether you're planning a family life or looking for a relaxed retirement spot, Florida offers a range of options. However, there are certain places that may not be the best fit for families and retirees alike.

As-is 126
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Real-life ghost stories from really terrified real estate agents

Inman

What do licenses and ghost stories have in common? Every real estate agent has one. OK, maybe not all agents, but these believers do. Here are real-life ghost stories from agents in the field.

Agents 184
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COURT UPDATE: Gary Keller Dominates Last Days of Defense Testimony

RIS Media

In the Burnett case, where recent homesellers have sought to prove that the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and several big brokerages conspired over rules that inflated commissions, it is all coming down to an eight-member jury. The defense is expected to rest its case today, with the jury already issued their instructions. The verdict,… The post COURT UPDATE: Gary Keller Dominates Last Days of Defense Testimony appeared first on RISMedia.

Brokerage 124
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Christie’s International Real Estate launches major NorCal expansion

Inman

The founding real estate agents of Christie's International Real Estate San Francisco | Marin | Wine Country hail from The Payton + Binnings Team and boast $200 million in transactions annually.

Agents 182
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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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Bright MLS Urges Transparency in AVMs as Regulators Consider New Rules

RIS Media

The appraisal, either from the buyer or seller’s standpoint, is a point in a real estate transaction full of pitfalls. Technical complexities, consumer expectations, personal biases and tight timing all combine to potentially sink an otherwise agreeable sale. While there are already plenty of regulations around appraisals, the current model is still criticized for its… The post Bright MLS Urges Transparency in AVMs as Regulators Consider New Rules appeared first on RISMedia.

MLS 121
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11 realities that make today’s market spookier than ever

Inman

From clients who ghost you to security concerns and more, the ever-changing real estate industry can be a pretty scary place. Broker Cara Ameer lays out some of the things you need to watch out for now.

Marketing 176
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September Inflation Data Rises as Expected With Spending Beating Estimates

RIS Media

The core personal consumption expenditures (CPE) price index, a key measure of inflation used by the Federal Reserve, increased 0.3% as expected last month, according to the latest report from the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis. Additionally, the report showed that consumer spending rose higher than expected–up 0.7% over the 0.5% forecast, a positive… The post September Inflation Data Rises as Expected With Spending Beating Estimates appeared first on RISMedia.

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Impact of ‘lock-in effect’ on listings may have been overstated

Inman

Fannie Mae researchers say rising mortgage rates aren't the only reason homeowners have been reluctant to sell, and rates coming back down won't necessarily produce a flood of for-sale listings.

Sales 174
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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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Traditional Home Improvement for Pre-Sale Updates Is Fundamentally Broken

RIS Media

With so many buyers only looking for move-in ready homes, those fixer-upper listings just won’t move off the market anymore without a little help. Consequently, making updates or at least doing some basic preparation before listing has become a must for every homeowner. Although now a part of the selling process, the problem is that… The post Traditional Home Improvement for Pre-Sale Updates Is Fundamentally Broken appeared first on RISMedia.

Sales 118
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Restb.ai ventures north with Saskatchewan deal, eh?

Inman

The Saskatchewan Realtors Association’s (SRA) 1,700 members will benefit from the innovative technology company’s ability to extract and use in multiple ways actionable data about properties from still images.

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Op-Ed: Buying or Selling a Home May Become More Difficult

RIS Media

An ongoing federal class action lawsuit challenging the long-standing practice requiring the brokers representing home sellers to offer compensation to the homebuyers’ brokers may upend the U.S. residential estate market as we know it. The plaintiffs in the case allege that the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Participation Rule, which requires listing brokers to advise… The post Op-Ed: Buying or Selling a Home May Become More Difficult appeared first on RISMedia.

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Gary Keller takes stand in person as Sitzer | Burnett verdict nears

Inman

Keller Williams co-founder Gary Keller provided lengthy testimony Friday as the defense wrapped up a case to be decided by a Kansas City jury later this week.

MLS 184
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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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Home Warranties a True Differentiator in a Competitive Market

RIS Media

For Steven Fase II, president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Estate, Northern Indiana Real Estate, Tomie Raines REALTORS® and Executive Realty, real estate has always been a family business. “Our company was founded by my grandpa in 1953 under the name Fase Realty Co., and what started as a small, local brokerage, quickly grew… The post Home Warranties a True Differentiator in a Competitive Market appeared first on RISMedia.

Marketing 115
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MLS partnerships pay off as RentSpree reaches 2M users

Inman

The user mark represents a 598 percent three-year revenue increase for RentSpree and the notoriety of being named to the Inc. 5000 list of the country’s fastest growing private companies.

MLS 164
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COURT UPDATE: Closing Arguments Put Exclamation Mark on Burnett Trial

RIS Media

KANSAS CITY—Closing arguments in the landmark Burnett class action case were presented to an eight-person jury yesterday, with the possibility of a verdict that could rock the industry coming as early as today. The plaintiffs’ case hinges on convincing a jury that the major corporate brokerages conspired with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) on… The post COURT UPDATE: Closing Arguments Put Exclamation Mark on Burnett Trial appeared first on RISMedia.

Closing 114
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4 habits to navigate your real estate business in ’24 and beyond

Inman

From high mortgage rates, inventory shortages and sales slowdowns, many factors are haunting housing right now. Here's how to navigate them.

Mortgages 180
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5 Data Proven Ways Agents Can Do 18% More Business

Curious as to how you could do 18% more business? How about 14 more transaction sides per year? Check out this infographic with data from a RealTrends study to learn more.

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Unsecured Loans: What Are They?

Bigger Pockets

As a real estate investor, you should know about all your loan options. Secured and unsecured loans are the main types, and smart investors understand how to use both to their advantage. Unsecured loans can provide the money you need to buy property, but knowing the details of how they work will ensure you leverage this type of financing to benefit your investment strategy.

Loans 110
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Here’s how property managers can fight the effects of inflation

Inman

How can forward-thinking property managers mitigate the effects of inflation? It requires informed strategies and creative thinking. Here’s our approach.

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What Is Depreciation in Real Estate?

Bigger Pockets

You’ve likely heard of depreciation on equipment and other items in business, but did you know depreciation in real estate is possible? In fact, it’s one of the most important deductions you can take as a real estate investor, as it reduces your taxable income each year you have a property in service and available for rent.

Investor 109
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New Boom API to scale reporting of tenant payments to credit bureaus

Inman

Boom's new product will allow virtually any large-scale property management platform or rent payment gateway to directly embed its payment reporting module for faster, simpler reporting of tenant payment records.

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Real Estate Solutions: How to Crush Your Sales Goals and Fuel Your Pipeline

Speaker: Mary Maloney, Founder & Team Leader at Hometown Realty

The sales cycle in real estate is frequently measured at 3+ months. During this time, real estate agents frequently lose contact with clients and miss out on opportunities because they fail to follow up and provide value to the client. Top real estate agents are distinguished from developing agents by their ability to convert organic connections into sales opportunities.