Thu.Mar 28, 2024

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Opinion: How to win the coming mortgage refi race

Housing Wire

One of the most critical moments in any race is the very beginning. A mistake at the start can snatch away a win before the race is even underway. Any coach will tell you that springing into action the moment the shot is fired is a critical success factor for any athlete. A race is a useful analog for the mortgage business, especially as it relates to the refinance business.

Mortgages 398
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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 202
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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.

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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 173
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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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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.

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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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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 109
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Opinion: Fannie Mae’s title insurance pilot program overreaches

Housing Wire

Earlier this month, President Biden during his State of the Union announced several initiatives to address housing affordability in our country. We have long supported thoughtful efforts to ensure greater housing opportunity and affordability. Unfortunately, one of the proposals the President mentioned in the SOTU was to revive a previously discredited and shelved pilot program that would waive the requirement for lender’s title insurance on certain refinances by Fannie Mae.

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MBA: New-Home Mortgage Applications Surge Nearly 16% in February

RIS Media

Homebuyers are continuing to turn to new construction as the antidote for a continued lack of existing homes for sale. Mortgage applications for newly built homes jumped 15.7% in February from a year ago, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) latest Builder Application Survey. While new-home mortgage applications only rose 1% from… The post MBA: New-Home Mortgage Applications Surge Nearly 16% in February appeared first on RISMedia.

Mortgages 113
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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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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

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Best Real Estate Investing Conferences in 2024 (Chronological Order)

Bigger Pockets

If you’re looking to elevate your real estate investing knowledge, expand your contact list, and gain powerful insight into 2024 real estate trends, then you need to be at the places that can make it happen.

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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 331
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2 Ways to Get a Free Home Appraisal and Check Your Property Value

HomeLight

The housing market is constantly changing, and property values can shift quickly. As a result, you might only have a vague idea of your home’s value — or, possibly, not even a clue. To determine your home’s true market value, you can hire a licensed appraiser for around $400 to $600. According to a 2023 Appraisal Survey by the National Association of Realtors, the typical cost is $500.

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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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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 325
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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 96
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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 325
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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 93
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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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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.

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Panel of Judges Appear Open to Consolidating Commission Cases

RIS Media

Charleston, SC—Today, a panel of federal judges heard arguments from both plaintiffs and remaining brokerage defendants regarding whether the many disparate commission cases should be consolidated under one judge in one district—a decision with wide-ranging implications for the entire industry, as buyer suits remain a threat even to companies that have settled, and dozens of… The post Panel of Judges Appear Open to Consolidating Commission Cases appeared first on RISMedia.

Brokerage 101
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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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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.

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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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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 267
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Q&A With Rocket Homes CEO Doug Seabolt: Is the Industry Changing?

RIS Media

Above, Doug Seabolt Doug Seabolt, CEO of Rocket Homes, spoke to RISMedia in the days before the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) chose to settle seller commission lawsuits and make significant changes to real estate compensation practices. While the focus is now on those immediate policy shifts, Seabolt was already envisioning an evolving real estate… The post Q&A With Rocket Homes CEO Doug Seabolt: Is the Industry Changing?

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California mortgage relief program running low on funding

Housing Wire

The state of California is maintaining its mortgage relief program funded by the 2021 American Rescue Plan, which includes assistance for reverse mortgage borrowers. But the funding is running low and could soon be exhausted soon, according to estimates from state housing officials as reported by the Los Angeles Times. After extending availability for the program to more qualified recipients in February, officials now warn that those who could benefit from the financial assistance — designed pri

Mortgages 266
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Newsmakers Spotlight: Ashley Dane on Understanding and Embracing AI in Real Estate

RIS Media

Ashley Dane, regional director of RE/MAX of Michigan, is a strong advocate and supporter of new and emerging technology in the real estate landscape. From educating agents to implementing new strategies, she has made significant contributions to the real estate technology landscape, moving the industry forward and impacting real and necessary change.

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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.