Keeping Current Matters

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Mortgage rates have been back on the rise recently and that’s getting a lot of attention from the press.

Mortgages 267

Mortgages Marketing 267

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The trough for the mortgage origination market is nearing an end point and 2024 is shaping up to be a better year for the industry, economists of the the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) said at the 2023 Annual Convention & Expo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The MBA doesn’t expect the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates further this year as real rates – which are inflation-adjusted– are 2%.

Mortgages 494

Mortgages Marketing Banks Industrial 494

Real Estate News

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Lawyers jostled for position and weeded out ineligible jurors, including many who are members of the plaintiff class (Missouri home sellers).

328

328

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The long-anticipated Sitzer/Burnett class action commission lawsuit enters its first day in court on Monday, leaving real estate professionals to ponder the fate of today’s cooperation and commission practices. At the crux of the case is the allegation that commission rates are too high, it’s unfair that the seller pays the buyer’s agent’s commission, and that the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Code of Conduct and MLS Handbook lead to set pricing.

MLS 458

MLS Brokerage Agents Residential 458

Advertisement

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.

Agents

Real Estate News

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Overall filings remain low but economic stress in the form of increasing credit card debt and depleted savings could push them higher.

291

291

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has tremendous potential to cut costs and improve customer experience, but regulation has not caught up to develop a governance program, industry pros said of AI’s implementation in mortgage lending. Bias, discrimination, privacy and security concerns related to consumer information are some of the biggest risks in implementing generative AI, noted Brian Stucky, lead at Rocket Ethical AI at Rocket Mortgage. “We still do not have AI-specific regulati

Due diligence 434

Due diligence Lending Technology Mortgages 434

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The market is rocky, margins are tight. And the grind may not end anytime soon, Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO Bob Broeksmit told attendees in a fiery speech at the trade group’s annual conference this week in Philadelphia. “Normally, I talk about the remarkable work you did over the previous year. Then I look at what we did on your behalf – the battles we fought and the victories we achieved.

Fixed-rate mortgage 409

Fixed-rate mortgage Banks Lending Mortgages 409

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

With the sweeping changes in society, technology and economics over the past century, the differences in how each generation thinks, speaks, and makes decisions about luxury real estate opportunities have never been more pronounced.

Technology 201

Technology 201

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

In August, Zillow ‘s 2023 Consumer Housing Trends Report proclaimed that half of all homebuyers are purchasing their first home, the highest share that Zillow has ever recorded. Up from 45% last year and a notable increase from 37% in 2021, the report also mentioned that this share of first-time homebuyers likely hasn’t been this high since 2010, when there was a first-time homebuyer tax credit.

Agents 408

Agents Seller concession Closing costs Mortgages 408

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

A report released Oct. 4 by the investment banking firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods forecasts commissions to decline by at least 30 percent as a result of ongoing threats to the real estate industry.

Banks 195

Banks Industrial MLS Brokerage 195

Advertiser: Trellis

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.

Loans

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

HousingWire recently spoke to Alex Elezaj, chief strategy officer at UWM , about the work independent mortgage brokers can do right now to prepare for when rates drop and how to go above and beyond for clients. HousingWire: Why should independent mortgage brokers embrace today’s market? Alex Elezaj: It’s only a matter of time before rates drop, and when they do, there will be a clear difference between those who have been preparing and those who have not.

Marketing 407

Marketing Loans Mortgages Agents 407

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The allegations, the high-profile witnesses slated to testify and all the evidence the jury will and won't see — it's all here as the long-awaited Sitzer | Burnett commission trial unfolds this week.

MLS 187

MLS Brokerage 187

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Regarding lenders’ vociferous complaints about increased loan buybacks from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac , FHFA Director Sandra Thompson said the regulator expects originators to deliver loans consistent with the guidelines. But, she added, the Enterprises must implement a fair, consistent, and predictable process for identifying loan defects and the appropriate remedies. “After multiple years of record-high loan volume, we have seen an increase in the absolute number of repurchase

Loans 406

Loans Mortgages Development As-is 406

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

This year's event, which will focus on the theme of storytelling, will highlight how agents can leverage AI, storytelling, best recruitment practices and more to grow their businesses.

Agents 173

Agents Brokerage Technology Marketing 173

Advertisement

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.

Sales

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Patrick Harker advocated for stopping interest rate hikes, noting that disinflation is under way. “I believe that we are at the point where we can hold rates where they are,” Harker said at the 2023 Mortgage Bankers Association Annual Convention & Expo in Philadelphia on Monday. “Disinflation is under way, labor markets are coming into better balance, and economic activity continues to be resilient…By doing nothing, we are doing someth

Banks 391

Banks Loans Mortgages As-is 391

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

It’s a weird thing for a software CEO to say that real estate doesn’t need more software. But here at Lone Wolf, we know it’s true. So do agents and brokers.

Agents 179

Agents 179

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Today, the first class action commission lawsuit goes to trial in Kansas City, Missouri. While two of the defendants — Anywhere and RE/MAX — have settled in the case , those settlements have not been finalized. The National Association of Realtors , Keller Williams , and Berkshire Hathaway are still going to court to fight the allegations. Regardless of the outcome, real estate brokers are doing all they can to prepare their brokerages and their agents for more transparency, education on the val

Brokerage 389

Brokerage Technology Agents Industrial 389

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Workforce and affordable housing options make communities better and stronger. Broker and advocate Nora Crosthwaite shares strategies to help encourage them in your market.

Marketing 169

Marketing MLS Agents 169

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.

Agents

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The Federal Housing Finance Agency ( FHFA ) announced on Monday morning that it will treat, in some aspects, loans in COVID-19 forbearance similar to those in natural disaster forbearance. The change, to be implemented on Oct. 31, means pandemic-related forbearance mortgages will remain eligible to certain rep and warrant relief based on the borrowers’ payment history for three years.

Loans 369

Loans Finance Mortgages As-is 369

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The Centennial State’s largest multiple listing service has entered into a relationship with Lundy, a software company that translates property databases into voice search-capable applications for the vision-impaired.

MLS 166

MLS Technology 166

RIS Media

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Selling a property is often a complex and time-consuming process involving various legal and logistical aspects. However, what happens when you, as a homeowner, cannot handle these responsibilities personally? This is where a power of attorney (POA) in real estate can come into play. We will examine using a power of attorney to sell a… The post Leveraging the Power of Attorney to Sell a House appeared first on RISMedia.

As-is 137

As-is Industrial 137

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

All sellers want for Christmas is to get their homes off the market before the end of the year, but all buyers want is to stay put. Even though it is still a seller’s market overall, this end-of-year shift can make getting your listings off the market a bit more challenging.

Marketing 155

Marketing Agents 155

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.

Agents

RIS Media

OCTOBER 16, 2023

If all the many steps for buying or selling a home were like progressing chapters in a dramatic novel, the appraisal would be among the least engrossing, like a necessary but dull plot development that forwards the tale (transaction). It’s a must to include, even if there’s almost nothing about it that raises eyebrows. Then… The post Home Appraisals: Almost Always Uneventful…Until They’re Not appeared first on RISMedia.

Development 122

Development MLS Sales Industrial 122

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

If you're thinking of investing, check out this house hack for building the rental investment portfolio of your dreams with renovation mortgage specialist Chico Fisher.

Renovation 159

Renovation Mortgages Agents 159

Eye on Housing

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Over the first eight months of 2023, the total number of single-family permits issued year-to-date (YTD) nationwide reached 615,453. On a year-over-year (YoY) basis, this is 15.6% below the August 2022 level of 728,866. Year-to-date ending in August, single-family permits declined in all four regions. The range of permit decline spanned 10.7% in the Northeast to 21.7% in the West.

Construction 122

Construction Marketing 122

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Get past the front door AND the trash can by giving homeowners the information they need now, say DOORA’s Janet Pozos and Ernesto Vargas, the self-proclaimed door-knocking champion.

Brokerage 153

Brokerage Agents Marketing 153

Advertisement

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.

Agents

GeekEstate

OCTOBER 16, 2023

[Note from editor: The “Mastermind Showcase” highlights companies and news from members of the GEM. Today’s showcase: Work & Mother] Work & Mother offers a commercial lactation suite amenity for office building landlords and owners. Its outsourced mother’s room suites for commercial office buildings furnished facilities that enable working mothers to continue expressing breast milk when they return to work.

Commercial 122

Commercial As-is Property Management Marketing 122

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Trainer and coach Bernice Ross talks to CEO and developer Patrick Stone about what's next for the economy, both in the short and long terms.

Development 170

Development Brokerage Marketing Agents 170

Bigger Pockets

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Rent control has been around for a long time, and it still doesn't work. Why are governments around the country so insistent on it, and why don't we learn our lessons?

123

123

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The plan to move to a bi-merge process allowing lenders to use two, instead of three, credit reports was announced last October by Fannie and Freddie's federal regulator.

Mortgages 155

Mortgages 155

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.

Sales