Wed.May 07, 2025

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The Fed is preparing for rate cuts, but waiting on job losses

Housing Wire

During Wednesdays FOMC press conference, Jerome Powell discussed how the economy was performing well before the trade war began and acknowledged that the tariffs were much larger than anticipated. As a result, the Fed has increased its projections for the risk of higher unemployment and inflation. This development isn’t surprising, as the impact of significant tariffs can lead to shortages in the short term.

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A way to end private listings fight? Make Clear Cooperation the law

Real Estate News

A draft bill in Illinois would require licensed agents to add listings to a platform or website accessible to the general public within a calendar day.

Agents 283
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Ex-HUD official claims trillions spent on secret underground bunkers

Housing Wire

A former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) official is making explosive claims that the federal government secretly spent $21 trillion building a vast underground network of bunkers, “city infrastructure,” and transportation, allegedly designed to protect elites in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Catherine Austin Fitts, who served as assistant secretary of housing and urban development for housing under President George H.

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Fed ‘couldn't confidently say’ if rate cuts will happen this year

Real Estate News

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at its May 7 meeting amid an uncertain economic environment. We don't feel like we need to be in a hurry.

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Welcome to the Future of Hospitality: Smart Rooms Start Here

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

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Why mortgage purchase applications have been positive all year

Housing Wire

In 2025, despite a lot of negative economic headlines, mortgage purchase application data has shown positive year-over-year growth for 14 consecutive weeks. In todays MBA purchase application survey , this data reflected an 11% increase week over week and a 13% increase year over year, indicating resilient market performance. But how is this happening with terrible housing affordability and all these negative confidence sentiment index reports we’ve seen?

Mortgages 461

More Trending

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Property insurers must prepare for aging population: report

Housing Wire

The global population is expected to hit nearly 9.7 billion people by 2050, but beyond that, the nature of the population itself is changing due to aging. This is expected to fuel a rise in the global dependency ratio, or the proportion of people ages 65 and older to those of traditional working ages. As a result, the property and casualty insurance industry will need to prepare for these rapidly changing age dynamics.

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AI is becoming table stakes for real estate tech

Real Estate News

More than half of the technology products highlighted in T3 Sixty's newly released Tech 200 incorporate AI. This years list also includes 20 startups.

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Finance of America posts a profit, beats funded volume estimates in Q1 2025

Housing Wire

In beating its estimates for funded loan volume and by posting a profit in the first quarter of 2025, reverse mortgage lender Finance of America (FOA) saw its volume improve by nearly one-third compared to numbers from Q4 2024. The company is maintaining a bullish outlook for business in the months ahead. The company earned $13 million in adjusted net income in Q1 2025, which marked an improvement of $20 million from the same period last year. the company also viewed the first quarter of the y

Finance 331
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People on the Move: Keller Williams makes C-suite appointments

Real Estate News

Tim Dieffenbacher joins KW as its new CFO, while Stacie Herron is named COO a role she will hold in addition to her current position as chief legal officer.

As-is 148
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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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Homeowners say high costs, emotional stress are influencing renovation projects

Housing Wire

Amid higher interest rates and a tight housing market , U.S. homeowners are increasingly choosing to renovate rather than relocate and many are doing so under financial and emotional strain, according to a newly released nationwide survey. A report released by Block Renovation , based on responses from more than 1,000 homeowners, paints a detailed picture of the home renovation experience in 2025.

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How to Build Real Estate Systems That Actually Scale

BAM Media

If youre an agent trying to scale, or an overly ambitious new one, chances are youve said this recently: I just need better systems. I get it, Ive been there. But now I am here to tell you that perfecting your systems is not a plan. Stop Hiding Behind I Need Better Systems In reality, that phrase is a delay tactic. Its a safety blanket. It feels productive, but really, it keeps you stuck.

Agents 96
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Mortgage applications, refinance applications rebound

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications increased 11% from one week earlier amid a decline in rates, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBA) weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending May 2, 2025. The index increased 12% on an unadjusted basis compared with the previous week. The refinance index, which increased 11% from the previous week, was 51% higher than one year ago.

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Data Says It’s a Buyer’s Market: Here’s Where the Most Opportunity Is

Bigger Pockets

The buyers market is back, and opportunities are growing. Inventory is rising, demand is shrinking, and sellers are more motivated to give you a price cut, concession, or repair.

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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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KW CEO Czarnecki brings in former colleague as new CFO

Housing Wire

More executive changes are happening at Keller Williams. Shortly after a large investment from Stone Point Capital and the appointment of Chris Czarnecki as CEO, Keller Williams has brought on Tim Dieffenbacher as its new chief financial officer. Dieffenbacher most recently served as the CFO of a publicly traded real estate investment trust in Dallas.

Agents 280
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Rental Demand is Surging 3x Faster Than Homeownership—Here’s How to Catch the Wave

Bigger Pockets

More Americans than ever are pressing pause on the dream of homeownership and turning to long-term rentals instead. And honestly, can you blame them?

Mortgages 104
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How creative compensation models fueled explosive growth for these brokerages

Housing Wire

Agile Group Realty CEO Matthew Brookens had an idea for how to jump start the companys business by tweaking its business model and it worked. Formed initially as an agent team in South Florida, the brokerage launched in 2022 as Agile. It began by offering agents a traditional split. But seeing an opportunity to take its agent-centric approach to the next level, the company made changes.

Brokerage 361
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What aspect of real estate has changed most in the past 5 years?

Inman

From market changes to regulatory shifts and more, what are the biggest changes you've seen over the past five years?

Marketing 140
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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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Real CEO Tamir Poleg talks AI’s role in redefining real estate

Housing Wire

On this weeks episode of RealTrending , Tamir Poleg, CEO of The Real Brokerage , joins Tracey Velt to unpack how artificial intelligence (AI) is not just enhancing real estate but redefining it. Poleg explains how Real is embedding AI into the companys core functions, using tools that handle thousands of agent inquiries daily and power automated broker reviews.

Brokerage 225
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How Confident Are Builders? Q1 Data Reveals Insights

Bigger Pockets

Every month, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) tracks the sentiment of homebuilders nationwide. Rated from 0 to 100, a score greater than 50 indicates builders are optimistic.

Marketing 105
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Zillow posts strong Q1, touts listing transparency and app traffic

Housing Wire

Zillow reported a strong start to 2025, exceeding its first-quarter 2025 outlook with $598 million in revenue, up 13% year over year. The company also posted $153 million in adjusted EBITDA and achieved GAAP profitability driven by cost management and margin expansion, leaders said. During an earnings call on Wednesday, CEO Jeremy Wacksman said the company remains on track to meet its full-year goals, including revenue growth in the low- to mid-teens and continued profitability.

Agents 272
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2025 Looks More Like a Buyer-Friendly Market, Bright MLS Finds

RIS Media

Between an inventory shortage and high costs, residential real estate has been a sellers market across recent memory. However, the latest market survey from Bright MLS (which covers the mid-Atlantic United States) suggests that 2025 might finally tip the scales over to a buyers market. Authored by Bright MLS Chief Economist Dr. Lisa Sturtevant, this… The post 2025 Looks More Like a Buyer-Friendly Market, Bright MLS Finds appeared first on RISMedia.

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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 Power of Connection: Women of Influence on building networks that matter

Housing Wire

The HousingWire award spotlight series highlights the individuals and organizations that have been recognized through our Editors Choice Awards. Nominations for HousingWires 2025 Women of Influence Award are open now through May 31, 2025. Click here to nominate. In the housing industry, success is rarely a solo endeavor. Its a space where relationships form the foundation of lasting impact where who you know can be just as important as what you know.

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The Hidden Costs of Poor Deal Management—and How to Avoid Them

Bigger Pockets

Let me tell you about a deal I lost that still stings. A while back, I made a lowball offer on a property.

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There’s a new enforcement playbook for mortgage lenders

Housing Wire

As employees of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) sit in home offices awaiting news of their fate, the enforcement landscape has already shifted to state regulators. And if Craig Ungaro’s experience is any indication, the dynamic will pose a very different challenge for independent mortgage banks. There are some states very focused on unfair and deceptive practices, a couple other RESPA-focused.

Mortgages 292
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How to design a loft: Unlocking urban living with style and personality

Apartment Guide

Whether youre looking for a new loft apartment in North Hollywood or an expansive loft apartment in Brooklyn , loft living embodies a unique charm, a blend of raw industrial aesthetic and open-plan freedom. Unlike traditional apartments, lofts often boast high ceilings, expansive windows, and exposed structural elements. This distinctive space demands a thoughtful design approach to harmonize these features with personal style.

Design 59
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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-producing California team joins Coldwell Banker Realty

Housing Wire

The Joe Velasco Group a high-performing Silicon Valley real estate team has joined Coldwell Banker Realty in Northern California, moving over from Intero Real Estate Services , an affiliate of HomeServices of America. Velasco, who launched his group in 2011, has built a reputation as one of the top-producing agents in California. With more than $2 billion in career sales since entering the business in 2001, he has been ranked among the top 1% of real estate agents nationally for 12 straight ye

Brokerage 202
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Rewrite the rules: 5 fresh ways to use Canva for real estate

Inman

Forget same-old, same-old flyers and social media posts. Trainer Rachael Hite offers smart strategies for using Canva to streamline your marketing and communication.

Marketing 106
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What happens if 100% of local Realtors know who you are?

Housing Wire

We all know what we need to do to grow our business. Its about making meaningful connections and creating a network of people who know, like, and trust younot just as a loan officer , but more importantly, as a person. Sounds easy enough. But how do you actually build that network? You can look for hacks and shortcuts to growing a referral-based business, but the truth is this: realtors are still our number one lead sourceand they will be until the robots take over.