Wed.Jun 12, 2024

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Should we be worried about the number of underwater homes?

Housing Wire

Should we be concerned about the number of homeowners who are underwater on their homes? Recent data from Attom showed that 1 out of every 37 homes were severely underwater, something I talked about on CNBC recently , but CoreLogic data provides a reality check on this topic. Let’s dig in. One of the most alarming aspects of the housing bubble crash was the staggering number of Americans who were underwater on their homes.

Equity 494
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Home Prices Aren’t Declining, But Headlines Might Make You Think They Are

Keeping Current Matters

If you’ve seen the news lately about home sellers slashing prices, it’s a great example of how headlines do more to terrify than clarify.

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Inflation and Fed day: A crucial moment for the housing market

Housing Wire

Today’s double event of the CPI inflation report and the Fed meeting gave us something that I have been waiting for: a hint from Fed Chairman Jay Powell that the labor market has softened. Today he acknowledged what I have been talking about for months: the Fed’s key data lines are at pre-COVID-19 levels today. Before the Fed held its press conference, we got a softer-than-anticipated CPI report, which sent the 10-year yield (and mortgage rates ) lower at first.

Marketing 489
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Douglas Elliman dismissed from buy-side commission case

Real Estate News

Compass, eXp, Redfin, Weichert, United Real Estate and Hanna among remaining defendants in Batton 2 case; a smaller case moves closer to a settlement.

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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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The Real Brokerage announces vendor, service program to aid agents

Housing Wire

Fast-growing real estate firm The Real Brokerage announced the launch of its Real Partners program on Wednesday. Real Partners is a group of preferred vendors, tools and services for Real agents to utilize. “Our mission at Real is to provide our agents and teams with a platform of possibilities from which to reach their full potential,” Real President Sharran Srivatsaa said in a statement.

Brokerage 446
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Only one rate cut is coming in 2024

Real Estate News

The Federal Reserve left rates unchanged despite some easing of inflation, but signaled that more cuts are likely next year.

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More Trending

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Roof AI CEO on ChatGPT — and the need for guardrails

Real Estate News

Roof Pro launched its GPT integration this week after the company took the time to establish safeguards necessary for the real estate industry.

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Inflation cools slightly ahead of Fed meeting

Housing Wire

The Federal Reserve has some positive news about inflation as it heads into its June meeting on Wednesday afternoon. The Consumer Price Index cooled slightly in May, with the all items index posting a 3.3% annual increase before seasonal adjustment, according to data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is down from a 3.4% annual increase in April.

MLS 446
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Proposed DOJ ban on commission offers against the law, MLS says

Inman

MLS PIN on Monday urged a district court to reject the Department of Justice's arguments against a settlement with homeseller plaintiffs in the Nosalek antitrust commission case.

MLS 182
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Originations forecast through 2026 ‘dampened’ by inflation, GDP and labor market growth

Housing Wire

Persistent economic trends that include inflation, a strong labor market and real gross domestic product (GDP) growth will continue to “dampen” mortgage origination activity through at least the end of 2026, according to the newest U.S. mortgage originations outlook from financial services forecasting and advisory company iEmergent. Based on 2023 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data, the iEmergent analysis predicts that purchase mortgage volume will rise by roughly 9% in 2024 compared to las

Marketing 425
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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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Fed cool on rate cuts despite encouraging May inflation report

Inman

Policymakers now envision making just one rate cut this year, but investors who fund most mortgages are still betting the central bank will change its tune if inflation continues to ease.

Banks 182
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Refi business is picking up on falling mortgage rates

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications shot up 15.6% from one week earlier , according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association ’s (MBA) weekly application survey for the week ending June 7. On an unadjusted basis, the market composite index increased 26% compared with the previous week. The refinance index increased 28% from the previous week and was also 28% higher than the same week one year ago.

Mortgages 454
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Gitcha leverages proposed NAR settlement to bolster buyers

Inman

A new company called Gitcha has launched which prioritizes an active buyer's needs in the same way a portal advertises available listings. It’s active in the greater Phoenix MSA, including Scottsdale.

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Success Mortgage CEO nominated as MBA vice chairman

Housing Wire

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) on Wednesday announced that Owen Lee, CEO at Success Mortgage Partners (SMP), has been nominated to serve as the association’s vice chairman for the forthcoming 2025 membership year. Lee’s nomination was announced by Mark Jones, the 2024 MBA chairman and president of Union Home Mortgage , who describing Lee as “an exemplary leader and prominent voice in the real estate finance industry.

Mortgages 425
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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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REBNY leads 1,500 NYC agents at rally in opposition to broker fee bill

Inman

REBNY members on Wednesday demonstrated against the FARE Act, a bill that would require rental property owners to cover the cost of broker fees, rather than pass them off on tenants.

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As the VA loan turns 80, its economic impact is in the trillions

Housing Wire

An analysis released Wednesday by Columbia, Missouri -based lender Veterans United Home Loans revealed that the home loan program through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has contributed $3.9 trillion to the national economy since its inception near the end of World War II. The VA loan program — which was established in 1944 through the GI Bill — will celebrate its 80th anniversary on June 22.

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Mortgage rates plummet as CPI report shows inflation cooling

Inman

Rates have returned to last week's levels, when applications for purchase loans leapt by 9 percent from the week before, and refi applications surged by 28 percent.

Mortgages 172
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EasyKnock partners with FinLocker to bolster consumer financial health

Housing Wire

Home equity solutions and sale-leaseback platform EasyKnock announced a partnership on Tuesday with financial fitness and homeownership platform FinLocker that will make FinLocker’s tools available free of charge to EasyKnock customers. The FinLocker app includes a “personalized suite of tools“ designed to help consumers improve their financial health, the company explained in its announcement.

Equity 424
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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.

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Sean Hannity parts ways with Long Island home for $12.7M cash

Inman

The conservative talk show host put the property on the market in May, and it went under contract within one week after receiving four offers. A fan reportedly purchased the home, as well as its furniture and books from the library.

Marketing 172
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FHFA seeks public comment on GSEs’ underserved markets plans

Housing Wire

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) this week issued a public request for information for plans submitted by government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under the Duty to Serve (DTS) program that aims to serve underserved markets from 2025 through 2027. Established by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) of 2008, the DTS plans for underserved markets encompass three primary areas: manufactured housing, affordable housing preservation and rural housing.

Marketing 422
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What’s your plan (if you have one) for communicating compensation?

Inman

With widely divergent views around the posting of cooperative compensation, what's your plan for talking about commissions?

Brokerage 172
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New Zealand mayor slammed for recommending reverse mortgages

Housing Wire

A mayor in a region of New Zealand, who recently suggested using reverse mortgages to fund various cost-of-living increases faced by the nation’s retirees, is pushing back against the backlash his comments created. Tim Cadogan, who serves as mayor of the Central Otago district in south central New Zealand, recently fielded a question from a constituent about rising rates that are akin to U.S. property taxes.

Mortgages 429
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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.

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Bed Stuy Homeowners Call on LPC to Preserve Historic Brownstone Blocks

Brownstoner

More than 30 years after the city’s landmarking body first considered preserving a historic section of Willoughby Avenue and Hart Street in Bed Stuy, residents -- some whose brownstones have been in their family for five generations -- were able to share at a public hearing why they are calling… Read More > The post Bed Stuy Homeowners Call on LPC to Preserve Historic Brownstone Blocks appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Figure launches blockchain-based marketplace for private credit loans

Housing Wire

Figure Technology Solutions , the parent company of Figure Lending LLC , has launched a blockchain-based marketplace to connect buyers and sellers of private credit loans, promising to reduce settlement timelines and create greater pricing certainty. The launch, announced on Wednesday, comes less than two months after Figure named tech veteran Michael Tannenbaum — who led fintech company Brex for seven years — as its new CEO.

Loans 429
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Local Logic helps power Lundy’s Finding Homes voice search

Inman

Local Logic, the community and market insights marketing solution, will be working with Lundy, an AI-derived voice search option for the visually impaired.

Marketing 152
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Douglas Elliman dismissed from Batton homebuyer commission suit

Housing Wire

Douglas Elliman is joining Howard Hanna and HomeServices of America in being voluntarily dismissed from the Batton homebuyer commission lawsuits. In their notice filed on Tuesday, the Batton plaintiffs stated that that their claims were dismissed without prejudice, noting that the ”dismissal is proper because Douglas Elliman Inc. has not yet served either an answer or a motion for summary judgment.

As-is 420
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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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What It Takes for Investors to Build a Powerful Lead List and Keep Deals Flowing

Bigger Pockets

This article is presented by DealMachine. Read our editorial guidelines for more information. A well-built, up-to-date lead list is an essential component of success in real estate investing.

Investor 121
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Government requests more time in Ginnie Mae/TCB lawsuit

Housing Wire

Lawyers for the U.S. government have requested an extension of deadlines related to discovery in the case brought by Texas Capital Bank (TCB) against Ginnie Mae over the extinguishment of a priority lien tied to the loan portfolio collateral of Reverse Mortgage Funding (RMF), according to court documents reviewed by HousingWire ’s Reverse Mortgage Daily (RMD).

Banks 418
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Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged Despite Slowing Inflation, Projects Only One Rate Cut in 2024

RIS Media

The Federal Reserve stood firm again, leaving its benchmark rate unchanged at its current 23-year high after the Fed’s two-day meeting concluded Wednesday. Meanwhile, the central bank signaled a more tepid approach to rate cuts this year than investors had hoped for. The Fed’s decision maintains the federal funds benchmark rate in the 5.25%-5.50% range… The post Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged Despite Slowing Inflation, Projects Only One Rate Cut in 2024 appeared first on RISMedia.

Banks 119
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The title insurance professional’s ultimate resource guide

Housing Wire

Yes, calling something the “ultimate” anything is a bold move. It brings to mind those late-night infomercials with over-caffeinated hosts screaming about life-changing gadgets that always end up falling short. But when we say this is the Ultimate Resource Guide for title insurance professionals, we mean it! Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned veteran, this guide is designed to be your one-stop shop for all you need to succeed.

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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.