Thu.Apr 24, 2025

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These states received top marks on their housing affordability report cards

Housing Wire

A new report released Thursday by Realtor.com ranks every state on their performance for housing affordability and homebuilding. It exposes significant regional disparities amid a nationwide shortage of more than 4 million homes. The report evaluates each state using weighted criteria tied to affordability and construction activity. Affordability measures include a score based on the percentage of listings affordable to various income brackets, as well as the share of income spent on a median-pr

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Existing-home sales fall to slowest pace since 2009 amid rising costs

Inman

Existing-home sales decreased by 5.9 percent from February and by 2.4 percent from March 2024 as homebuyers continued to deal with affordability challenges, said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

Sales 158
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Economic jitters are stressing out LOs and their clients

Housing Wire

Jordan Bernbaum has been feeling anxious these last few weeks. “On the client end, they’re seeing the news and understanding the situation pretty well,” the NEXA Mortgage senior loan officer said. “On my end, it’s a stress-inducing emotional roller coaster of always worrying when I should be locking. I haven’t lost any deals from it yet, but I’ve had a few files I want to refinance from a year or two ago, and now we’re back in a holding pattern.

Investor 350
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What skills will brokerages and their leaders need in 2025?

Inman

In the face of economic headwinds and shifting market dynamics, brokerages must embrace change with clarity, strategy and agility, The Agency's Rainy Hake Austin writes.

Brokerage 131
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The 2025 Real Estate Roadmap to Success

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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Consolidated Analytics is moving modern appraisals from an “art” to a “science”

Housing Wire

Modern appraisals are going through a mid-life crisis. They aren’t quite the delicate, subjective art form that they used to be, and technology is now a must-have for appraisers. The appraisal industry is taking on a data-driven mindset in 2025. Traditionally, appraisals are mostly subjective, which equates to a “because I said so” approach that leaves a little too much room for error and bias.

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New presidents at RE/MAX Canada, Sotheby’s; Real promotes finance VP

Real Estate News

Don Kottick to lead RE/MAX's Canada division, while a longtime HomeServices exec will helm Sothebys brokerage operations. Plus, Real elevates VP to CFO role.

Finance 264

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Number of cities with $1M starter homes balloons 174% from 2020

Inman

From 2020 to 2025, the number of cities with million-dollar starter homes has grown from 85 to 233. Twenty five states had these cities, with California and New York having the highest concentration.

Marketing 117
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Keller Williams lands new affiliate in Illinois

Housing Wire

Keller Williams is continuing to expand its network. On Thursday, the firm announced the affiliation of Illinois -based PRG Group with KW Premiere Properties. PRG Group, which was doing business as Realty Executives Premiere , was a franchisee of Wheaton, Illinois-based Realty Executives International. According to a news release, PRG Group sold 277 units in 2024, generating $130 million in sales volume.

Land 359
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Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait?

Keeping Current Matters

At some point, youve probably heard the saying: Yesterday was the best time to buy a home, but the next best time is today.

Equity 246
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Real Brokerage fires CFO, names Ravi Jani as successor

Housing Wire

The Real Brokerage has named Ravi Jani as its new chief financial officer. His appointment is effective immediately and follows the departure of former CFO Michelle Ressler , who was terminated amid an ongoing internal investigation. Jani, who joined Real in September 2023 as vice president of investor relations and financial planning and analysis, steps into the role as the company experiences significant growth.

Brokerage 335
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Avoiding Lease Accounting Pitfalls in 2025: Lessons Learned from Spreadsheet Errors

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.

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RE/MAX Canada Announces Don Kottick as New President

RIS Media

RE/MAX has announced Don Kottickformer president and CEO of Sothebys International Realty Canadahas been named President of RE/MAX Canada. With over 30 years of excellence in the Canadian real estate industry, RE/MAX stated that Kottick brings a wealth of experience in corporate and franchise development, brokerage management, technology and related services.

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Smarter subservicing: Elevating efficiency & customer experience

Housing Wire

Lenders face constant pressures to scale their operations while maintaining profitability. Growing and retaining a servicing portfolio helps to maintain and diversify the revenue of a mortgage company, but it isnt always the sole way to increase productivity. Thats where mortgage subservicers come in. Subservicers take over administrative tasks, leaving you and your organization time to focus on client relationships, portfolio building and long-term organizational growth.

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Daily Links: City Ups Affordability Requirements for Bigger Builds

Brownstoner

In the News Park Advocates Want More Funding of Green Spaces [BP] Frankie Fest Returns to Brooklyn to Honor Local Musician [amNY] Revisit Burg Rezoning With Event Series [Greenpointers] Burgs 42 Hotel Opens New Restaurants [Greenpointers] Young People in Foster Care Due to Housing Shortage: Report [Gothamist] Churches Push to Skirt Zoning Laws and Build More… Read More > The post Daily Links: City Ups Affordability Requirements for Bigger Builds appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Mortgage industry reacts to pending shutdown of VA servicing program

Housing Wire

Following news earlier this month that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is moving to end the Veteran Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program, the agency this week published a circular to outline the timeline for its closure. It features additional information about the planned end to VASP , including maintaining the previously reported end date for new enrollments on May 1.

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Driving Profit: 4 Pillars for Growing Your Real Estate Brokerage

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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Pass or Fail: Realtor.com Offers ‘Report Cards’ for All 50 States

RIS Media

Cs get degrees might be literally true (if a little facetious) when used by a student in reference to their studiesbut should we apply that principle to housing? To assess how strongly housing affordability struggles are being felt across the U.S., Realtor.com has released report cards for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.… The post Pass or Fail: Realtor.com Offers ‘Report Cards’ for All 50 States appeared first on RISMedia.

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Security American Title expands services nationwide

Housing Wire

Security American Title LLC , a veteran-owned title abstracting company, has expanded its operations to provide real estate title search services in all 50 states. The firm, founded in 1997 and based in Williamsburg, Virginia , specializes in services such as current owner searches that are typically completed within 24 to 48 hours. Its client base includes government agencies, law firms, real estate investors , mortgage lenders , utility developers and title companies. “We’re excite

Title 288
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The Ultimate Guide to Managing a Vacation Rental

AAOA

Owning avacation rentalcan be a fantastic investment, providing bothpassive income and property appreciation. However, managing a short-term rental successfully requiresdedication, strategy, and expertise. From attracting guests to maintaining the property, there are many factors that can determine whether your rental isa thriving business or a stressful endeavor.

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Reverse mortgage conversion software adds Smartfi proprietary product

Housing Wire

The HECM Tool a software platform designed to serve as a reverse mortgage sales conversion tool announced this week that it has integrated the proprietary reverse mortgage offering from Smartfi Home Loans into the platforms existing visualization and comparison capabilities. The platform was developed by reverse mortgage industry veteran Tane Cabe.

Mortgages 279
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Tech-Forward Strategies for Scaling Agent Efficiency & Accelerating Growth

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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The Insider: High-Gloss Yellow Kitchen Spreads Cheer in Fort Greene Aerie

Brownstoner

Got a project to propose forThe Insider?Contact Cara at caramia447 [at] gmail [dot] com Even on the grayest of days, who could possibly feel depressed in this skylit apartment, centered on a glossy yellow kitchen? The topmost of five condos in a vintage row house overlooking Fort Greene Park, the 920-square-foot… Read More > The post The Insider: High-Gloss Yellow Kitchen Spreads Cheer in Fort Greene Aerie appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Dark Matter launches Developer Portal for an open API ecosystem

Housing Wire

Dark Matter Technologies unveiled a new Developer Portal Thursday during its second annual Horizon user conference. The Developer Portal marks an evolution for Dark Matter’s Empower loan origination system (LOS), moving from API access to “a fully open API ecosystem.” The portal also provides external developers with self-service access to documentation, code samples and integration guides, allowing clients and partners to build on Empower with speed and independence.

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Protecting Your Digital Presence from Bad Bots

RIS Media

Every time you visit a website, theres an invisible war happening behind the scenes. Nearly half of all internet traffic isnt humanits automated. Even more alarming, about one-third of that traffic comes from bad bots designed for malicious purposes. In some countries, like Ireland, these malicious bots make up more than 70% of all web… The post Protecting Your Digital Presence from Bad Bots appeared first on RISMedia.

Design 86
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Better, Biz2Credit partner to offer small biz financing via home equity products

Housing Wire

Better.com today announced a new partnership with Biz2Credit , which will provide Biz2Credits customers the option to receive $50,000 to $500,000 in additional financing options through Better.com s Home Equity Line of Credit ( HELOC ) and Home Equity Loan (HELOAN) products. As a part of the partnership, Biz2Credit customers will be offered a $250 price concession when funding a HELOC or HELOAN through the Better partnership channel.

Finance 250
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The Broker Action Plan for the Post-NAR Lawsuit Landscape

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.

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Top 4 ‘Don’t Bother’ Projects to Flag for Your Home Sellers

RIS Media

Some home-improvement projects are no-brainers whether staying or selling, such as minor kitchen and bathroom remodels and energy-efficient upgrades. Others are questionable for those who spend the money and want to recoup it in a sales price soon. Here are four dont bother improvements you should talk seller clients out of making when the For… The post Top 4 Dont Bother Projects to Flag for Your Home Sellers appeared first on RISMedia.

Sales 96
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Celink parent adds former Ginnie Mae exec to its board of directors

Housing Wire

Lansing, Michigan -based Peer Advisors , the parent company of reverse mortgage servicer Celink , announced on Thursday the appointment of Leslie Meaux Pordzik as an independent representative on the companys board of directors. Pordzik most recently served as senior vice president for the Office of Issuer and Portfolio Management at Ginnie Mae. She retired from the government-owned corporation on Dec. 27.

Finance 238
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How to Know if a “Delayed” or “Exclusive” Listing Is Right for You

Lighter Side of Real Estate

When you sell your home, theres a good chance youll hire a real estate agent because they have the experience, tools, and access to networks you dont. They understand the local market, know how to price a home strategically, and have the know-how to market it effectively to attract qualified buyers. So when they offer adviceabout pricing, staging, timing, or marketingits natural to trust that they know what theyre doing.

MLS 74
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How a Broker Controls Listing Quality

RIS Media

For the most part, the broker has very little control over the listings taken by agents. From an ethical perspective, it would be problematic for a broker or an agent to turn down a listing. The most common compromise of brand versus ethics occurs with luxury brands. Its odd to see a luxury brand sign… The post How a Broker Controls Listing Quality appeared first on RISMedia.

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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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Broker Spotlight: Amy Stockberger

Inman

Find out how this broker and innovator helps agents build "legacy businesses" through efficient scaling, increased profitability and resilient, service-centered practices.

Agents 108
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CENTURY 21® Scheetz and CENTURY 21® Breeden REALTORS® Join Forces

RIS Media

CENTURY 21 Scheetz has announced it has joined forces with CENTURY 21 Breeden REALTORS, strengthening the brands presence across Central Indiana. Now operating under the CENTURY 21 Scheetz name, the combined organization includes 10 offices and over 420 independent agents. Founded in 1951, CENTURY 21 stated that Breeden REALTORS has been a well known name… The post CENTURY 21 Scheetz and CENTURY 21 Breeden REALTORS Join Forces appeared first on RISMedia.

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Where Have All The Sockless Realtors Gone?

Toronto Realty Blog

TorontoRealtyBlog As previously discussed here on TRB, I made a decision in the spring of 2024 that I wanted to invite more pain and suffering into my life, and thus I decided to launch a podcast. “The Last Honest Realtor” was also meant to be tongue-in-cheek, although it really rubbed a few people the wrong way. On Wednesday, I launched a podcast titled, “The Market Flip ‘Nobody’ Saw Coming: Where Did All The Sockless Realtors Go?

Title 84
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Existing sales lethargic in March despite slowing price growth

Real Estate News

The pace of sales lagged behind last years rate, with mortgage applications and demand signals declining as economic uncertainty continues to take a toll.

Sales 182
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Boldtrail Backoffice - Take The Quiz to See What Package Is Right For You

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.