Thu.Apr 18, 2024

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Grow your origination volume in all markets with non-QM

Housing Wire

The challenges in today’s mortgage market have caused many originators to expand their loan product offerings outside of qualified mortgage (QM) criteria set by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). They have embraced non-QM as a means to stay competitive and protect their referral base. The bottom line is that all originators need a wide array of products to compete.

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Is It Getting More Affordable To Buy a Home?

Keeping Current Matters

Over the past year or so, a lot of people have been talking about how tough it is to buy a home.

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CertifID and Old Republic partner to prevent fraud

Housing Wire

Wire fraud prevention firm CertifID and big four title firm Old Republic have entered into a strategic agreement to prevent mortgage payoff fraud , according to an announcement on Thursday. Mortgage payoff fraud occurs when a title company mistakenly sends payoff funds to a fraudulent bank account after receiving wire instructions that appear to be from the mortgage servicer.

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Why is housing supply so low? Blame local zoning

Real Estate News

Two U.S. senators are pushing for policy changes that would reduce “exclusionary” zoning regulations and promote local development.

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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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G-Rate sued for gender discrimination, sexual harassment, unpaid comp

Housing Wire

A former loan officer at Guaranteed Rate (G-Rate) has sued the lender and two managers for allegedly discriminating against her on the basis of gender, failing to compensate her equally to male coworkers with similar performance and subjecting her to sexual harassment. In response, the lender said it’s conducting a detailed investigation into the claims.

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Mortgage interest rates soar above 7%, reaching new 2024 high

Real Estate News

No rate relief is expected soon, and home prices are also setting records this spring, suppressing existing home sales.

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KW responsible for agent spam calls, judge rules

Real Estate News

A Pennsylvania judge concluded the brokerage company has personal jurisdiction in a telemarketing lawsuit involving agents from a franchise office.

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Loan buybacks haven’t disappeared, but they are trending down

Housing Wire

The loan repurchase trend that began to sting many mortgage originators in 2022 appears to finally be winding down, according to a recent report by Sterling Point Advisors and Augment Analytics. The report, based on loan-level data from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac , shows that the dollar amount of loan repurchases peaked in the second quarter of 2022, at $630 million for Freddie Mac and $593 million for Fannie Mae.

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2 buyers scramble to make a deal as the spring market sprints ahead

Inman

One Connecticut homebuyer is preparing for marriage. Another in Virginia is healing from a divorce. Both tell Inman the struggle to find a home this spring is real — and the clock is ticking.

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First Federal Bank to acquire Watson Mortgage Corp.

Housing Wire

Florida-based First Federal Bank announced on Thursday that it struck a deal to acquire Watson Mortgage Corp., expanding its mortgage retail lending footprint in the communities in which it operates. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed. First Federal Bank has 25 branches in the Southeast and operations in the Midwest, including mortgage centers in Jacksonville, Florida ; Alpharetta, Georgia; Madison, Wisconsin; and Overland Park , Kansas.

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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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Existing-home sales drop in March as high rates stun homebuyers

Inman

Existing-home sales retreated 4.3 percent between February and March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.19 million, according to data released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors.

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How AI will transform the mortgage and appraisal industries

Housing Wire

Every business is on the brink of significant transformation driven by the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and workflow automation, and the mortgage industry is no exception. With AI’s capacity to perform complex reasoning and manage autonomous operations, it is critical to explore how this technology can reshape industry standards, enhance operational efficiency, and how we as an industry manage its inherent risks.

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Weeklong BoomTown outage was caused by hackers, CEO confirms

Inman

On Wednesday, executives told customers that a "security incident involving a malicious third party" caused the outage that has disrupted thousands of brokers and agents since last week.

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Major homebuilder objects to proposed NAR settlement

Housing Wire

Atlanta-based PulteGroup Inc. , one of the largest homebuilders in the U.S., has filed an objection in the Sitzer/Burnett commission lawsuit following settlements with Anywhere , RE/MAX and Keller Williams. PulteGroup says that the company does not have enough information to adequately determine the amount of money it could recover, among other issues, according to a court filing reviewed by HousingWire.

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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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Still standing: Realtor resilience for challenging times

Inman

Need a pep talk? Coach Darryl Davis offers a little wisdom to help you remember your value and navigate the difficult waters of client service.

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Floify integrates with verifications platform Truv 

Housing Wire

Digital mortgage automation solutions provider Floify is partnering with Truv , a consumer-permissioned data platform, the company announced on Wednesday. The integration allows mortgage lenders to verify income and employment seamlessly as borrowers apply for a loan. Procuring verification of income (VOI) and verification of employment (VOE) reports at the point of application help lenders accelerate and streamline the application process.

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Nimble powers up prospecting with PhoneBurner

Inman

Nimble, a CRM company, has integrated the features of phone call automation company PhoneBurner to enhance how users stay in touch with clients.

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U.S. Treasury’s financial crimes network warns of elder exploitation

Housing Wire

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury , is sounding the alarm over challenges faced by elder financial exploitation (EFE). In a newly released trends report, FinCEN highlighted more than $27 billion worth of “suspicious activity” across more than 155,000 filings of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) data with FinCEN between June 15, 2022 and June 15, 2023.

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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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Big Florida real estate brokerage is selling its mortgage division

Inman

First Federal Bank continues expansion of its nationwide mortgage lending operations with deal to acquire Watson Mortgage Corp. and investments in digital solutions.

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Newsmaker Spotlight: LaMarcus Thurman on a Journey From Finance to Real Estate, and Helping Communities Who Need It

RIS Media

LaMarcus Thurman, vice president of community lending at Howard Hanna and co-founder of company division United Purpose Mortgage, makes an impact as both a professional and an activist. A member of numerous non-profit boards, Thurman’s efforts at expanding homeownership earned him his first RISMedia Newsmakers award in 2024 as a Crusader. For the latest entry… The post Newsmaker Spotlight: LaMarcus Thurman on a Journey From Finance to Real Estate, and Helping Communities Who Need It appear

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Teams Spotlight: Andrew Warburton, The Warburton Team

Inman

Find out how team leader Andrew Warburton and The Warburton Team promote the ideal of homeownership for everyone.

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Windsor Terrace Locals Want a Shorter, More Affordable Arrow Linen Project

Brownstoner

Locals called for proportional and contextual development in Windsor Terrace -- rather than high-rises that could set precedent for the neighborhood and beyond -- at a heated community meeting on a proposed 13-story development on Tuesday night. More than 200 residents from Windsor Terrace and surrounding neighborhoods packed Shepherd’s Hall… Read More > The post Windsor Terrace Locals Want a Shorter, More Affordable Arrow Linen Project appeared first on Brownstoner.

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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: Karen Hanson, Engel & Völkers By the Sea

Inman

Find out how this award-winning broker combines culture, collaboration and commitment to elevate the profession.

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What Is an Easement in Real Estate? A Guide for Homebuyers

HomeLight

Easement dispute, easement decision, easement access — these phrases are heard more often in the news than in our homes. But if the word easement comes up in a title search when buying or selling a house, questions can arise. What is an easement in real estate? Will an easement impact your home sale or purchase? In this post, we’ll guide you through the ins and outs of easements, helping you grasp how they work, the different types you may encounter, and the implications for property owners.

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New build-to-rent homes hit a new high in 2023

Inman

A total of 27,500 build-to-rent houses in the United States were completed in 2023, according to a new report from RentCafe.

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Understanding the Texas Transfer Tax: A Quick Guide

HomeLight

Selling your home in Texas? You might have some questions about the Texas transfer tax. Transfer taxes are fees the state, county, or city imposes when property ownership is transferred from one party to another. These taxes can vary widely depending on where you’re located and the specifics of the property sale. In this guide, we’ll dig into how transfer taxes work in Texas, giving you insight into what you can expect when it comes to transfer taxes in the Lone Star State.

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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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Highest Paid Occupations in Construction in 2023

Eye on Housing

Half of payroll workers in construction earn more than $58,500 and the top 25% make at least $79,450, according to the latest May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and analysis by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). In comparison, the U.S. median wage is $48,060, while the top.

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Instant Reaction: Mortgage Rates, April 18, 2024

NAR: Economic Outlook

Instant Reaction: Mortgage Rates, April 18, 2024 Mortgage interest rates rose to 7.1% this week; despite higher mortgage rates, mortgage applications increased.

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Cultivating a Data-Driven Legacy

RIS Media

As REcolorado commemorates its 40th anniversary, Justin Knoll’s illustrious career in Colorado’s real estate landscape takes on added significance. With a diverse background, Knoll’s recent venture into proptech development provides a renewed perspective on the industry’s trajectory. Through its four-decade journey, REcolorado has continually set the standard for MLS excellence—driving progress and shaping the future… The post Cultivating a Data-Driven Legacy appeared first on RISMedia.

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Daily Links: Local Group Finds High Lead Levels in Parts of McCarren Park

Brownstoner

In the News Bravely Exploring the Squalor of a ‘Boy Room’ [NYT] Shrill, Ear-Splitting On-and-Off Noise Torments Bed Stuy Locals [NYP] Bed Stuy’s Little Grenjai Is a Thai Fusion Love Story [NYDN] The Ex-NYPD Official Taming New York’s Trash [New Yorker] Coney Island’s Luna Park Will Open Daily For Spring Break [Gothamist] Famed 'Sherita' on Bed… Read More > The post Daily Links: Local Group Finds High Lead Levels in Parts of McCarren Park appeared first on Brownstoner.

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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.