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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Keeping Current Matters

MAY 9, 2025

An inspection is your chance to avoid costly headaches and get peace of mind. Connect with an agent to talk about other ways to make your offer stand out.

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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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Inman

MAY 9, 2025

Treat real estate agents right, broker-owner Michelle Valverde writes, and results will follow, including brokerage growth and resilience.

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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.

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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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Inman

MAY 9, 2025

Anyone is a digital homebuying and selling solution for agents and consumers looking to improve the traditional sales experience.

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Sales Agents MLS Technology 137

Inman

MAY 9, 2025

Blend posted a $9.4 million loss in the first quarter as the slow pace of home sales pulled revenue from its mortgage software suite down 22 percent from Q4. Its consumer banking suite brought in $9.6 million.

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Mortgages Banks Sales Technology 121

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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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 102

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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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

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 90

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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RIS Media

MAY 9, 2025

CoStar is significantly expanding its international footprint with an acquisition of the Australian portal Domain, one of the largest real estate consumer websites down under, according to regulatory filings yesterday. The deal was previously proposed months ago, with CoStar Group CEO Andy Florance telling investors earlier this year his company could bolster Domain to compete… The post CoStar Snatches Up Another Residential Portal, Faces Familiar Rival appeared first on RISMedia.

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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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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.

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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 71

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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Agents As-is Design Marketing 64

Brownstoner

MAY 9, 2025

Our picks for open houses to check out this weekend are found in Brooklyn Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, West Midwood, and Bay Ridge. They range in price from $1.4 million to $16 million. 25 Grace Court Price: $16 million Area: Brooklyn Heights Broker: Serhant (Brandon Bogard) Sunday May 11, 12-1:30 p.m. See it here -> 62… Read More > The post A Prospect Lefferts Gardens Row House and More to See, Starting at $1.4 million appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Marketing 86

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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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.

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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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Inspection As-is Closing Mortgages 58

RIS Media

MAY 9, 2025

According to ATTOM Datas first quarter 2025 U.S. Home Equity & Underwater Report, while 46.2% of mortgaged residential properties in the country were considered equity-rich in the first quarter of the yeardown from 47.7% in Q4 202447 states experienced a slight drop in the proportion of equity-rich properties (properties that have a loan balance not… The post Home Equity Dips in Q1, but Remains Near Historic High appeared first on RISMedia.

Equity 66

Equity Residential Loans Mortgages 66

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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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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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

Real estate data platform PropStream has has announced its participation in the upcoming InvestHER Conference, taking place June 13 in Orlando, Florida. InvestHER Con is an event tailored for women investors. It offers hands-on education, strategy sessions and mindset coaching in a supportive and empowering environment, a press release stated. Contributing as a speaker and… The post PropStream to Exhibit and Speak at 2025 InvestHER Conference appeared first on RISMedia.

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Investor As-is Industrial 66

Eye on Housing

MAY 9, 2025

Consumer credit continued to rise in early 2025, but the pace of growth has slowed. Student loan balances rose year-over-year as borrowers resumed payments following the end of pandemic-era relief. However, growth remains modest. Credit card and auto loan debt also increased, though both experienced their slowest annual growth rates in years. Despite historically high.

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Loans Finance 59

RIS Media

MAY 9, 2025

Rocket Companies, ahead of the completed acquisition of Mr. Cooper and the deal to purchase Redfin, continued to see high revenues and other success in its recent Q1 2025 earnings call. The company reported a Q1 adjusted revenue of $1.3 billion, which executives said came in at the high end of our guidance range. This… The post Rocket Talks Mr.

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Technology Industrial Mortgages Agents 59

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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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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RIS Media

MAY 9, 2025

Editors Note: The Mortgage Mix is RISMedias biweekly highlight reel of need-to-know mortgage-industry happenings. Watch for it every other Friday afternoon. Rocket, parent company of Rocket Mortgage, has seen a bump in the road to its planned acquisition of brokerage, portal giant and mortgage originator Redfin. Bruce Miller, an investor at Redfin, is suing to… The post Mortgage Mix: Rocket’s Acquisition of Redfin Hits Bump; United Posts Loss appeared first on RISMedia.

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Mortgages Brokerage Investor Industrial 59

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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Mortgages Fixed-rate mortgage Loans Investor 52

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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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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Title Agents New Construction Construction 52

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BoldTrail BackOffice provides a single, streamlined solution to manage agent onboarding and billing and commission tracking and disbursements, along with agent management, reporting, and accounting - so your brokerage can run smoothly & profitably. Our #1-rated back office solutions have exactly what your business needs to deliver a seamless experience for your clients and your team.

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