Thu.Mar 28, 2024

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As insurance costs rise, Florida homeowners are given a new option

Housing Wire

Florida is reckoning with a severe homeowners insurance crisis. The recent surge in both the frequency and intensity of hurricanes that have battered the state has prompted numerous insurers and reinsurers to exit the market , leaving Florida homeowners grappling with skyrocketing premiums and limited coverage options. According to the Insurance Information Institute , this exodus has resulted in Florida homeowners paying an average of nearly $4,000 a year in insurance , which is nearly three ti

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Industry seeking clarity — and change — in FHA and VA lending

Real Estate News

NAR this week sent letters asking government lending agencies to allow buyers to finance agent compensation. Thursday, it started getting answers.

Lending 353
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Pending home sales pick up in February: NAR

Housing Wire

Pending home sales increased modestly in February despite rising mortgage rates , growing 1.6% month over month, according to the newest data released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index increased to 75.6 in February, up from 74.3 in January. On a year-over-year basis, pending sales were down 7%. For comparison, the index is benchmarked at a reading of 100 based on 2001 contract activity.

Sales 445
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T3 Sixty suspends release of real estate brokerage ranking

Real Estate News

The company made the move after hearing from “numerous” privately owned companies involved in high-stakes lawsuits over commissions.

Brokerage 272
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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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How to empower your team to spot cybersecurity risks

Housing Wire

When it comes to reducing cybersecurity risks, your team plays a crucial role. To ensure the safety of your digital assets and sensitive information, it’s important to make sure all users are well-informed about cybersecurity and receive periodic training. To reduce risks , we’ll explore why empowering your team through education and training is essential to mitigate risks and keep your business secure.

Title 444
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Pacaso adds third-party listings, DIY co-ownership option

Real Estate News

The fractional ownership platform, co-founded by former Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff, said its latest move “opens up thousands of new listings nationwide.

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More Trending

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Is It Easier To Find a Home To Buy Now?

Keeping Current Matters

One of the biggest hurdles buyers have faced over the past few years has been a lack of homes available for sale.

Sales 237
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NAR, MBA ask for clarification on underwriting rules

Housing Wire

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) are asking federal housing officials to confirm their treatment of interested party contributions (IPCs) to home purchase transactions. In a letter addressed to Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) director Sandra Thompson , Fannie Mae CEO Priscilla Almodovar, Freddie Mac CEO Michael DeVito, and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) commissioner Julia Gordon on Wednesday, the NAR and MBA wrote that it was impor

VA loan 433
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Arguments against consolidation dominate hearing

Real Estate News

Judges heard from both defendants and plaintiffs on Thursday who spoke about the “burdensome” nature of consolidation and the local nature of the cases.

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Opinion: Reformed FHA program will offer lenders new business opportunities

Housing Wire

Modern manufactured homes are an unusual feature of today’s housing market, the rare homeownership opportunity that is both lower-cost and high-quality. Thanks to the efficiencies baked into the construction processes of manufactured homes, these factory-built houses are both faster and less expensive to build than site-built homes, saving buyers between $50,000 to $100,000 per unit.

Title 427
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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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Moehrl trial shifts to early 2025 as HomeServices keeps skin in game

Inman

The plaintiffs and defendants in the antitrust commission case indicated they would be available for a 3- to 4-week trial beginning Jan. 21, 2025, according to court filings earlier this week.

MLS 189
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NEXA Mortgage co-founders are splitting

Housing Wire

Mike Kortas and Mat Grella, the longtime owners and co-founders of America’s largest mortgage brokerage, NEXA Mortgage , are in negotiations to end their partnership. In the meantime, Kortas announced during a weekly Town Hall on Tuesday that company president Grella had been terminated, which means he will not be involved in the company’s daily operations or strategic decisions for the growth of the business.

Mortgages 429
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‘Apologize’ and 17 other common-sense ways to begin reforming NAR

Inman

Even before the courts resolve how agents are compensated, the National Association of Realtors has an opportunity to set a course for victory, Inman founder Brad Inman writes.

Agents 185
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Better narrows loss in 2023, aims to reach profitability soon

Housing Wire

Better Home & Finance Holding Co. , the parent of digital lender Better.com , narrowed its net loss between the third and fourth quarters of 2023 by more than 80%, driven by expense cuts to its platform and marketing efforts. Going forward, Better is focused on driving market share and reaching profitability in the medium term. The digital lender made changes in its commercial operating model to achieve this goal and will continue to invest in Tinman, its proprietary technology platform.

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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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Better hiring real estate agents to originate mortgages in 26 states

Inman

As Better reports $543 million 2023 loss, CEO Vishal Garg says the company has made fundamental changes to its business model that will help it pivot to providing purchase loans to homebuyers.

Agents 183
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Indiana senator explains his inquiries into reverse mortgages

Housing Wire

Late last week, Indiana Sen. Mike Braun (R) submitted a letter to Ginnie Mae president Alanna McCargo asking about what he identified as recent bouts of instability in both the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) and HECM-backed Securities (HMBS) programs, which stemmed from the collapse of a major lender and challenges that Ginnie Mae has described in maintaining a large portfolio of reverse mortgages.

Mortgages 391
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RE/MAX President: ‘It’s time to take back our No. 1 market share’

Inman

In her first keynote as RE/MAX president, Amy Lessinger addressed market headwinds, buyer-broker commissions, homebuyer agreements and plans to revive the franchisor's U.S. operations.

Marketing 176
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5 activities real estate agents should do every morning

Housing Wire

The past year and a half, with its rising mortgage rates , low inventory, and economic uncertainty, has been a challenge for real estate pros, not to mention the buyers and sellers they serve. Times like this often result in a sense of fear and hesitancy; after all, if you don’t know what’s next, how are you supposed to take decisive action? In life, we sometimes find ourselves plunging headfirst in t o the unknown.

Agents 384
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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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Mortgage rates creep down, but not enough to tempt buyers

Real Estate News

Mortgage apps dropped this week even as rates fell, but pending sales began to show signs of life.

Mortgages 207
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DOL accuses PrimeLending of violating whistleblower provisions

Housing Wire

Investigators at the U.S. Department of Labor announced on Wednesday that they found that PrimeLending , a Texas-based retail mortgage bank, violated whistleblower provisions in a case involving two employees who raised consumer fraud concerns. According to the DOL, the company terminated two California-based employees after they reported to a regional manager and the vice president of Human Resources that a branch manager pressured them to pass on fees to loan applicants caused by internal proc

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Pennsylvania’s No. 1 team leaves eXp Realty for Real Brokerage

Inman

The Jon Campbell Team, previously the Don Wenner Team, closed 2,250 home sales across $585 million in sales volume in 2023. Technology and culture helped draw the team to Real.

Brokerage 169
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Moehrl trial not likely until January 2025

Housing Wire

Plaintiffs and defendants in the Moehrl commission lawsuit have waited more than five years for their day in court. Based on the parties’ latest status report, it looks like they will be waiting a bit longer. In a status report filed on Monday, the plaintiffs and the sole remaining defendant in the suit, HomeServices of America , each indicated they would be available for a three- to four-week trial starting Jan. 21, 2025.

MLS 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.

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Broker Spotlight: Wyatt Poindexter, The Agency

Inman

Find out how this Oklahoma City broker's mindset helps him raise the bar on the service he provides and his own level of professional performance.

Brokerage 183
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Northwest MLS takes aim at the DOJ’s commission views

Housing Wire

Kirkland, Washington-based Northwest MLS (NWMLS) is looking to have its voice heard in a lawsuit all the way on the other side of the country. On Wednesday, NWMLS filed a motion asking Boston-based U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris, who is overseeing the Nosalek commission lawsuit , if it could file an amicus curiae brief in response to the Department of Justice’s statement of interest.

MLS 365
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Pending home sales tally modest uptick amid rise in jobs, inventory

Inman

Fueled by positive job growth and an increase in available housing, the National Association of Realtors' Pending Home Sales Index rose 1.6 percent in February, according to data released Thursday.

Sales 167
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HUD’s green retrofitting program issues $173M in grants and loans

Housing Wire

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Thursday announced $173.8 million in new grant and loan awards under the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), which brings the level of total funding awarded under it to $544 million, now comprising more than 50% of the full allocation. Speaking in Chicago on Thursday, Acting HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman announced the new funding alongside the city’s mayor, Brandon Johnson, at a community that was a awarded an $11.76 million

Loans 360
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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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Landing acquires flexible rental platform Barsala for $30M

Inman

The new deal will allow Landing, a flexible living platform, to add 1,000 new units across its Autopilot program, which provides furnished, flexible living spaces for multifamily buildings.

Land 155
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Guaranteed Rate appoints new branch manager in Atlanta

Housing Wire

Guaranteed Rate appointed Carlos Mata as its Atlanta branch manager, the company announced on Thursday. Mata was recognized as one of the top 250 Latino mortgage originators in 2024, according to the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP). “I have deep roots in Atlanta , strengthened by an active role with the NAHREP and my dream job, being a trusted provider of homebuyer advice, resources and solutions,” Mata said in a statement.

Loans 331
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NAR Submits Comments to VA on Allowable Fees; Urges GSEs and Regulators to Confirm Support for Buyer Financing

RIS Media

In ongoing efforts to address housing policy and lending concerns surrounding the recent National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) settlement, NAR issued two letters this week to both the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), GSEs and regulators. The letter to GSEs was also sent on behalf of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), delivered to the Federal… The post NAR Submits Comments to VA on Allowable Fees; Urges GSEs and Regulators to Confirm Support for Buyer Financing appeared first on

Finance 124
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AI isn’t just a buzzword to these housing executives

Housing Wire

Are you intrigued by AI or tired of hearing about it? At the recent ICE experience conference, I talked to a lot of mortgage lenders and tech folks about what’s making a difference in their businesses. Many were excited about the current or potential use cases for artificial intelligence , while others were a bit more jaded. Will AI turn out to be just the latest buzzword , akin to blockchain and cloud computing in years past?

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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.