Housing Wire

MAY 9, 2025

Thousands of Minnesota residents who lost homes over property taxes may now be eligible for compensation, following a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling and a resulting $109 million class-action settlement fund. The case began with Geraldine Tyler, a 94-year-old Minneapolis woman who owed $15,000 in property taxes on her condominium. In response, Hennepin County, Minnesota, seized the property, sold it for $40,000 and kept the full amount leaving Tyler with nothing.

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Redfin

MAY 9, 2025

When it comes to finding a place to live, one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is buying vs renting a condo. This decision is particularly important depending on where you move. For example, if youre renting a condo in Charlotte, NC , buying a condo in Colorado Springs, CO , or upgrading from renting an apartment in Jacksonville, FL , the housing market can be competitive, and prices of condos can vary greatly, so renting may be a better option.

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Housing Wire

MAY 9, 2025

The communities engulfed in the Los Angeles -area wildfires continue to recover and pick up the pieces. And representatives of Los Angeles County have signaled they want to provide specific guidance for impacted reverse mortgage borrowers to navigate issues that arise with these loans in disaster areas. The countys Aging and Disabilities Department will host a special event on Saturday, May 10.

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Marco Santarelli

MAY 9, 2025

I often find myself thinking about how different things are now compared to when my parents, or even grandparents, were starting out. One thing that always pops into my head is buying a house. It feels like such a huge mountain to climb these days. So, is it just me, or is it actually harder to buy a house now than 50 years ago ? Well, let me tell you, looking at the numbers and thinking about my own experiences and what I see around me, it really does seem like getting those keys is a much bigg

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Debt-to-income ratio Loans FHA loan Mortgages 52

Speaker: Jady West, VP of Hospitality & Chris Bennett, Head of Sales & Engineering

The modern hotel room is no longer just a place to stay—it’s an experience to remember. Today’s guests expect seamless 5G connectivity, personalized comfort, and high-tech convenience. From AI-powered smart room controls to in-room entertainment and app-based services, technology is redefining hospitality from the inside out. In this new session featuring industry pros Jady West and Chris Bennett, we’ll explore how high-speed, high-bandwidth connectivity powers the innovations that are enabling

Technology

Housing Wire

MAY 9, 2025

Older homeowners living on a fixed income have a higher chance of seeing their finances destabilized by rising costs, and that can be particularly true of something like property taxes. For homeowners who have either a forward or reverse mortgage on their home, these costs also must be paid in order to keep the loan in good standing. But some states are embracing programs that allow for property tax refunds if a homeowner meets specific requirements.

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Housing Wire

MAY 9, 2025

eXp Realty has launched a new land and ranch division to serve real estate agents who specialize in rural , agricultural and recreational properties, the company announced this week. The new division is designed to support agents working in a growing sector of the housing market with tools tailored to land and ranch transactions. Our launch of the Land & Ranch Division is yet another example of how eXp continues to redefine real estate around the agent, said Leo Pareja , CEO of eXp Realty.

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Lighter Side of Real Estate

MAY 9, 2025

Homeownership has a long list of benefits that renting simply cant match. For one, its an investment in your future. Every mortgage payment you make helps build equitysomething no rent check will ever do. Theres also the pride of ownership, the freedom to customize your space however you like, potential tax benefits, and a sense of long-term stability that renting often lacks.

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Housing Wire

MAY 9, 2025

The expense associated with originating mortgage loans has been escalating, with the current average cost approximating $11,600 per loan. A substantial component of this expense is attributed to Loan Officer Compensation (LO Comp), which typically constitutes 1% to 2% of the loan amount and represents nearly half of the total origination cost. This heightened compensation framework is primarily propelled by the considerable cost of lead acquisition, further aggravated by the lower conversion rat

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The Living Room

MAY 9, 2025

Deciding whether to sell your house or rent it out is a significant decision, especially when planning to purchase another home. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits and challenges of each option, helping you make an informed choice. Here is the video if you prefer to watch as well! Pros of Renting Out Your Home Additional Income: Renting out your current home can provide a steady income stream, which may help offset your debt-to-income ratio when purchasing your next house.

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Don’t just react to changes, plan for them, so you can approach the new year with confidence, direction, and a competitive edge for your business. Having a well-defined business plan helps you chart a clear course, navigate challenges, and set a foundation for growth. This workbook gives you the key steps to outline what matters and will ensure you’re moving ahead.

Development

Housing Wire

MAY 9, 2025

CoStar Group is using Boost, its new Homes.com marketing feature, in an attempt to counter the bans by Zillow and Redfin on listings that are publicly marketed prior to being entered into the MLS. On Thursday, CoStar Group CEO Andy Florance told Inman News that Boost will be free for listings impacted by the Zillow and Redfin bans. The firm unveiled Boost during its first-quarter 2025 earnings call with investors and analysts in late April.

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Redfin

MAY 9, 2025

Over time, even the most well-loved homes start to show signs of wearfaded paint, stubborn grime, or a layer of dust that dulls the shine. Whether you’re looking for a spring cleaning or simply a much-needed update, a thoughtful house exterior cleaning can breathe new life into your space, making it feel bright, welcoming, and well cared for. No matter if you’re in a sun-soaked home in Phoenix, AZ , a snow-covered house in Buffalo, NY, or bracing the humidity in an apartment in New O

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Housing Wire

MAY 9, 2025

While the real estate brokerage community battles it out over the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP), lawmakers in one state have taken things into their own hands. In early February, lawmakers in Illinois introduced a bill that seeks to make CCP a part of the states real estate licensing laws. Introduced by state Rep.

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Calculated Risk Real Estate

MAY 9, 2025

This 2-part overview for mid-May provides a snapshot of the current housing market. Right now, the key story for existing homes is that inventory is increasing sharply, and sales are essentially flat compared to last year. That means prices will be under pressure (although there will not be a huge wave of distressed sales). Yesterday, Realtor.com reported that there were “ more than 1 million homes for sale last week, crossing this threshold for the first time since December 2019” Ne

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Speaker: Abdi Ali, Sr. Lease Accounting Consultant

Join this insightful webinar with industry expert Abdi Ali, who will discuss the challenges that can arise from managing lease accounting with spreadsheets! He will share real-world examples of errors, compliance issues, and risks that may be present within your spreadsheets. Learn how these tools, while useful, can sometimes lead to inefficiencies that affect your time, resources, and peace of mind.

Industrial

Housing Wire

MAY 9, 2025

Blend Labs, Inc. reported its Q1 2025 earnings Thursday, touting a turnaround as its financial losses narrowed, deal pipeline strengthened and it landed major clients while sharpening its focus to become “software-first.” SEC filings show that Blend’s platform revenue for the first quarter came in at $26.8 million, nearly all of which was from its software platform business ($24.3 million).

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BAM Media

MAY 9, 2025

There are more AI tools on the market than any one agent could possibly keep up with. Every day, theres a new app, extension, or model promising to help you write better copy, generate leads, or run your business faster. And while some of these tools are legit game-changers, others are just hype wrapped in buzzwords. So the question isnt whether you should use AI.

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Housing Wire

MAY 9, 2025

As homelessness continues to rise nationwide, one nonprofit is pushing for a paradigm shift. DignityMoves , a San Francisco -based organization, has been leading the charge for what its founder and CEO Elizabeth Funk calls interim supportive housing. These cost-effective tiny home communities aim to help individuals stabilize their lives while waiting for permanent housing options that are often years away from being built.

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Inman

MAY 9, 2025

Forget fancy cameras, Drew Thompson writes. Real estate videos that sell are about connection. This AI stack turns photos and your voice into an emotional engine that makes buyers need the keys.

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Technology Brokerage Marketing Agents 107

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In the rapidly changing real estate landscape, achieving profitability requires a strategic approach beyond traditional methods. Our guide, "The 4 Pillars to Brokerage Profitability," outlines four essential pillars for scaling your real estate business: a seamless lead-to-close technology ecosystem, tailored integrated solutions for teams and agents, value-added success services and community support, and consumer-centric operations throughout the full homeownership lifecycle.

Brokerage

Housing Wire

MAY 9, 2025

It’s probably too early to get excited, but several lenders reported that mortgage demand climbed to 2022 levels this week. After months of hovering in the high 6% rangeand most recently dipping to 6.84% declining mortgage rates may finally be luring buyers back. Applications rose 11% last week , according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) , as mortgage executives report renewed activity in the market.

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RIS Media

MAY 9, 2025

Compass, Inc, the nation’s largest real estate brokerage by sales volume, reported its revenue hit $1.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025, a jump of 28.7% year-over-year, brokerage executives announced Thursday during its Q1 earnings call. The tech-focused brokerage said the positive revenue growth was driven by a 27.8% increase in transactions year-over-year despite… The post Compass Posts Nearly 30% Jump in Revenue; Reffkin Doubles Down on Private Listings appeared first on RISM

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Housing Wire

MAY 9, 2025

State lawmakers in New York have introduced legislation that would block mortgage lenders from receiving title insurance payouts when real estate transactions are later found to be based on stolen deeds. S.B. 7732 was introduced May 2 and seeks to prohibit title insurers from compensating lenders for losses tied to transactions deemed false or fraudulent.

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Title Loans Mortgages Agents 222

Brownstoner

MAY 9, 2025

An attention-grabbing design by prominent Brooklyn architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group, or BIG, for a parking lot on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street in Gowanus seems unlikely to move forward now that the property has changed hands. While the new owners declined to comment specifically on their plans… Read More > The post Bjarke Ingels’ Wild Design for Gowanus Site Unlikely to Be Built by New Owners appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Design Development 73

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As the real estate market evolves, technology has become essential for success. According to NAR, only 26% of agents feel their brokerage provides the necessary tech tools and, as a result, agents seek teams and brokerages who prioritize technology investments! Whether you manage an established team or are forming a new one, this guide outlines key considerations and necessary applications to thrive.

Agents

Housing Wire

MAY 9, 2025

Federal prosecutors have expanded their case against the Alexander brothers. In a superseding indictment filed Thursday in a Manhattan federal court, prosecutors added six more charges against one or more of the brothers. The charges are related to sex trafficking involving four additional women, including one minor. The federal case now includes a total of nine charges of sexual trafficking involving six women.

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Marco Santarelli

MAY 9, 2025

Have you ever felt like two old friends, despite living far apart, finally found a way to make things a bit easier when they visit each other? Thats kind of what the new US-UK trade deal agreement , announced on May 8, 2025, feels like in the world of economics. This agreement is a step forward in how the United States and the United Kingdom do business together, aiming to smooth out some of the bumps and make trade a little less complicated.

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Housing Wire

MAY 9, 2025

New York Attorney General Letitia James is the target of a criminal investigation related to mortgage fraud, following a referral by Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte , multiple news outlets reported Thursday. The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that James falsely claimed she intended to make a single-family home in Norfolk, Virginia, her primary residence in a mortgage application, despite serving as attorney general in New York.

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Marco Santarelli

MAY 9, 2025

As of today, May 09, 2025 , the states with the highest average 30-year mortgage rates for new purchases are Alaska, West Virginia, Maryland, South Dakota, Maine, Mississippi, North Dakota, and Wyoming , where averages range from 7.00% to 7.08% , according to data from Zillow. On the flip side, states like New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Oregon are seeing the lowest averages, falling between 6.73% and 6.92%.

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Now more than ever, brokers need to provide agents with the right tools, strategies, and training to effectively demonstrate their expertise, negotiate successfully, and foster strong client relationships. So – what should brokers do to ensure this? Invest in the right technology, continuous education, and innovative marketing strategies that empower agents to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Agents

RIS Media

MAY 9, 2025

In todays dynamic real estate landscape, the demand for move-in-ready homes has surged, reflecting a significant shift in buyer preferences. Recent studies from Bright MLS and others indicate that a vast majority of potential buyers, about 77%, are unwilling to consider properties that arent move-in ready. This trend underscores the importance for real estate brokerages… The post Why ‘Improve-to-Sell’ Programs Are the Future of Real Estate appeared first on RISMedia.

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MLS Brokerage Renovation Loans 128

BAM Media

MAY 9, 2025

Real estate content isnt just about showing homes. Its about owning the conversation in your market. And YouTube is the standout platform agents are using to build authority, generate leads, and stand out from the Zillow noise. Of course, posting listing tours alone wont get you there. You need emotionally charged, click-worthy content that feels local and hits hard.

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RIS Media

MAY 9, 2025

Daily cleaning is essential to ensure your home stays comfortable and welcoming to your household and guests. However, even the most rigid adherence to your daily checklist will mean there are still some overlooked areas that will need to be tackled when you do your next deep clean. These overlooked spots are areas you want… The post 6 Overlooked Spots to Tackle in a Deep Clean appeared first on RISMedia.

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