Trending Articles

article thumbnail

HUD to double servicer fee on assumable mortgages

Housing Wire

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on Monday morning an extension to Ginnie Mae’s digital collateral program and an increase to fees servicers can charge on assumable mortgages , aiming to bring more efficiency and affordability to the housing market. “The past four years have placed a series of stressors on the market, which have been exacerbated by long-standing gaps in housing supply,” Adrianne Todman, HUD’s acting secretary, said on

Mortgages 339
article thumbnail

A closer look at NorthstarMLS’s path through a tricky year

Real Estate News

Minnesota’s largest multiple listing service embraces its “broker-centric, tech-forward focus” as it works through rules changes and pursues collaboration.

240
240
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

New listings data falls for third week in a row 

Housing Wire

New listings data has been moving lower over the last few weeks. I usually wouldn’t care too much about this as its a data line that can be volatile week to week but now it’s been three weeks. The moves haven’t been significant and our weekly pending contracts data picked up this week. But, we need to see more growth in new listings data just to grow from 2023 levels. 2023 new listings data was the lowest ever on record, so it’s already a low bar.

Mortgages 456
article thumbnail

Keller Williams cancels plan to cut profit share for ex-agents

Real Estate News

President and CEO Mark Willis called the move “unprecedented," and said the vote by the company’s agent-led IALC passed by an “overwhelming majority.

Agents 289
article thumbnail

The 4 Most Impactful Actions to Take in Real Estate in 2024

Strategic real estate professionals know that the name of the game right now is to stay informed, adaptable, and ready to make confident decisions. In this free download, Inside Real Estate CEO, Joe Skousen, shares what he believes are the top 4 most impactful actions in real estate right now. We've been actively engaging with industry experts, analyzing data, and listening intently to the experiences of our agents on the ground.

article thumbnail

What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re thinking of making a move this year, there are two housing market factors that are probably on your mind: home prices and mortgage rates.

Mortgages 234
article thumbnail

7 reasons great real estate agents will always be needed

Inman

Now is the time to expand your skill set, broaden your knowledge and provide value at a higher level than you’ve ever provided, Jimmy Burgess writes, so that you won't just survive, you'll thrive.

Agents 187

More Trending

article thumbnail

Majority of recent homebuyers have regrets: survey

Housing Wire

A report released this week by St. Louis-based Clever Real Estate found that recent homebuyers, as well as people who are considering a home purchase in the next year, are experiencing a laundry list of difficulties. Last month, Clever surveyed a total of 920 Americans about their views of the home purchase process and real estate agents. The respondents included 420 people who bought a home in 2023 or 2024, and another 500 who plan to do so in 2024 or 2025.

article thumbnail

The Number of Homes for Sale Is Increasing

Keeping Current Matters

There’s no denying the last couple of years have been tough for anyone trying to buy a home because there haven’t been enough houses to go around.

Sales 241
article thumbnail

Mortgage rates headed under 7% on encouraging inflation data

Inman

Homebuyers have yet to respond in force to drop in rates, which have been in retreat from 2024 highs for three consecutive weeks following Fed easing and soft jobs and CPI reports.

Mortgages 180
article thumbnail

How Much Could a New Real Estate Tax Hurt Investors In Massachusetts—And Will It Even Work?

Bigger Pockets

Massachusetts is the latest state considering a transfer tax in a bid to increase funding for affordable housing, but the controversial fee doesn’t bode well for the Bay State’s already pricey real estate sector.

Investor 110
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

‘Stop sharing broker commissions’ to steer clear of trouble

Real Estate News

A “consumer-centric” approach to buy-side commissions is better for all agents, industry leaders say. Here’s why, and what you need to know about the DOJ.

article thumbnail

Why a Condo May Be a Great Option for Your First Home

Keeping Current Matters

Having a hard time finding a first home that's right for you and your wallet?

241
241
article thumbnail

Redfin expands new compensation plan to agents in 25 more markets

Inman

With the expansion, Redfin Next is now available to agents in 36 markets nationwide, according to an announcement Friday. Redfin execs said the plan has "proven to be even better" than expected.

Agents 161
article thumbnail

WA homebuilding is slowing down, unlikely to keep up with growing need

Seattle Times Real Estate

State officials project Washington will need more than 1 million new homes in the next two decades. While overall housing production has soared, construction of affordable housing has not kept pace with the need.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

UWM cuts out title insurer with updated TRAC+ program, rolls out 0% down purchase initiative

Housing Wire

United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) has launched a new service to handle all the title work for its brokers on refinancings. As a result, brokers no longer need to deal with a title company or settlement agent to close a refi. The top U.S. mortgage lender announced the service on Thursday during an annual meeting with its broker partners in Pontiac, Michigan.

Title 401
article thumbnail

eXp CEO: ‘Treat your buyers like you treat your sellers’

Real Estate News

Company leaders hosted a livestream to discuss NAR settlement outcomes, including buyer agreements and how to talk to sellers about buy-side compensation.

235
235
article thumbnail

Thinking of Selling? You Want an Agent with These Skills

Keeping Current Matters

Selling your house is a big decision.

Agents 256
article thumbnail

How commission changes could lead to transactional transparency

Inman

This journey is not without its challenges, broker Bob Mathew writes, but the rewards — enhanced transparency, consumer trust and a more competitive marketplace — are worth the effort.

MLS 179
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Benefits and Risks of Use and Occupancy Agreements

RIS Media

In a real estate transaction, a Use and Occupancy Agreement (U&O) presents a unique solution for buyers and sellers under certain circumstances. This agreement allows a buyer to use and occupy the property before closing the sale. Conversely, it can enable a seller to continue occupying the property post-sale. I will examine the benefits and… The post Benefits and Risks of Use and Occupancy Agreements appeared first on RISMedia.

Sales 101
article thumbnail

Fraud, forgery claims are costliest expenses for title insurers

Housing Wire

Fraud and forgery claims represented more than one-fifth of the total dollars spent by title insurers on claims expenses and losses over the past decade, according to a study conducted by Milliman and commissioned by the American Land Title Association (ALTA). Between 2013 and 2022, title insurers recorded 203,181 claims for policies written during that time, and they paid out $4.4 billion in claims related to losses and loss expenses.

Title 334
article thumbnail

Builder confidence takes a hit as rates, costs remain high

Real Estate News

Sentiment drops for the first time since November, with persistent inflation and concerns about new federal rules dampening builders’ outlook.

256
256
article thumbnail

Luxury Homes Are Booming in These 10 Unexpected Cities in 2024

Marco Santarelli

Luxury home prices are on an upward trajectory, defying expectations and setting new benchmarks, particularly in select cities across the United States. Forget the coasts, these high-end homes are booming in unexpected cities like Savannah & Raleigh. Over the past few years, the market of high-end real estate has undergone significant transformations, fueled by various factors including shifts in lifestyle preferences and economic dynamics.

Marketing 105
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

A missed opportunity at NAR midyear

Inman

On the heels of the National Association of Realtors’ midyear meeting, broker-owner Teresa Boardman wonders why NAR doesn’t livestream (and engage) more members.

Brokerage 176
article thumbnail

Inventory Watch

BubbleInfo

The NSDCC inventory has gotten off to a hot start in 2024 – it’s already at the level it was at in July of last year! As long as the pending keep up… oh wait. Well, maybe there will be a surge of new pendings on the way? There was a late-summer surge last year, and […] The post Inventory Watch first appeared on bubbleinfo.com.

article thumbnail

PennyMac announces proposed private offering of $650M in senior notes

Housing Wire

California -based multichannel lender and servicer PennyMac Financial Services announced on Monday a proposed private offering of a $650 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes that the company says it will pay back with interest by 2030. The notes will “be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis” by the company’s existing businesses, except for certain specific outliers it does not specify.

Principal 331
article thumbnail

Housing Market Decoded: The mortgage rate 'lock-in' effect

Real Estate News

Rates have gone up considerably in the past few years, but is the fear of losing a low-rate mortgage really keeping homeowners from selling?

Mortgages 248
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Mortgage Mix: Rates Finally Come Down, but in Baby Steps

RIS Media

Editor’s Note: The Mortgage Mix is RISMedia’s weekly highlight reel of need-to-know mortgage-industry happenings. Watch for it each Friday afternoon. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed an increase of 0.3% in April on a seasonally adjusted basis, after rising 0.4% in March. Bright MLS Chief Economist Dr.… The post Mortgage Mix: Rates Finally Come Down, but in Baby Steps appeared first on RISMedia.

Mortgages 111
article thumbnail

Keller Williams retreats on profit sharing cuts for defecting agents

Inman

The cuts, initially approved last summer, were set to go into effect this July. But as of this spring, Keller Williams was facing multiple class action lawsuits over the changes.

Agents 167
article thumbnail

A Surprise Visit on Clinton Avenue

Brownstoner

On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, early in April 2023, as my wife Dana was cooking some matzo ball soup and I was hovering nearby, we saw an all too familiar sight outside our apartment's kitchen window -- a gaggle of folks chatting by the building's front yard and wrought iron… Read More > The post A Surprise Visit on Clinton Avenue appeared first on Brownstoner.

115
115
article thumbnail

Fidelity CEO says federal government’s title insurance proposals are ’misguided’

Housing Wire

Despite persistently high interest rates , big four title firm Fidelity National Financial recorded a much stronger start to 2024 than it did a year ago. In first-quarter 2024 , Fidelity reported total revenue of $3.299 billion, up from $2.474 billion a year ago. Its net earnings were $248 million, compared to a $59 million net loss in Q1 2023. The firm attributed its stronger results to better performance from both its F&G segment and its title insurance segment.

Title 417
article thumbnail

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.