Mon.Oct 30, 2023

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A Real Estate Agent Helps Take the Fear Out of the Market

Keeping Current Matters

Do negative headlines and talk on social media have you feeling worried about the housing market?

Marketing 358
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loanDepot’s new FHA down payment assistance program lets borrowers put zero down

Housing Wire

loanDepot has rolled out a new down payment assistance program for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan borrowers that enables them to put zero money down upfront. In loanDepot’s program, dubbed AccessZERO, the down payment assistance is structured as a 10-year fully amortized repayable second mortgage. Borrowers must have a minimum credit score of 600 to qualify for the down payment assistance, which can be as much as 5% of the home purchase price or appraised value, whichever is less.

FHA loan 493
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The ‘day of accountability has arrived,’ say plaintiffs

Real Estate News

The lead attorney for the plaintiffs wrapped up the morning session of the Sitzer/Burnett trial with a theatrical closing argument.

Closing 312
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FHFA failed to document desktop appraisal reviews, OIG says

Housing Wire

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) failed to adequately document desktop appraisal reports, which clouds data on the effectiveness of the desktop appraisal program, according to a report published by the FHFA Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The OIG conducted an audit of FHFA’s oversight of Fannie Mae ’s and Freddie Mac ’s use of desktop appraisals between Oct. 18, 2021, and March 31, 2023.

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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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Buy Side: ‘If you’re going to last in this business, you have to be nimble’

Real Estate News

Atlanta–area agent Amy Fuchs says people don’t always understand how their agents are compensated, and she worries commissions lawsuits could hurt buyers.

Agents 279
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Cenlar appoints David Schneider as president

Housing Wire

Cenlar FSB , the second-largest mortgage servicer and largest subservicer in the United States, promoted David Schneider to president of the company on Monday. Prior to his promotion at the servicing giant, Schneider served as chief financial officer of Cenlar for four months. John Mezzasalma, Cenlar’s previous senior vice president of finance, replaces Schneider as the company’s new acting chief financial officer while James Daras remains the CEO.

Lending 466

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Five ways to win more borrowers

Housing Wire

The mortgage industry continues to evolve, especially as the market shifts. In addition to limited inventory , rising rates and affordability constraints, mortgage companies have been challenged to keep up with changing borrower habits and preferences. Today’s borrowers have different expectations compared to borrowers from even just a few years ago, and to compete, lenders need to adapt their business practices.

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Is now the right time to start your new side hustle?

Inman

Whether you're saving for something big or trying to figure out how to stay in real estate until the market turns, Erin McCormick Torres offers tips to help you develop new streams of income.

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Nosalek plaintiffs can join commission lawsuit settlements

Housing Wire

A U.S. District Court judge in Boston has endorsed a motion to stay the Nosalek buyer broker commission case , allowing the plaintiffs to join the settlement agreements reached by Anywhere and RE/MAX in two separate multi-billion dollar commission lawsuits, Moehrl and Sitzer/Burnett. The motion was filed early last week and was endorsed by Judge Patti Saris on Thursday.

MLS 433
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Christie’s International Real Estate launches major NorCal expansion

Inman

The founding real estate agents of Christie's International Real Estate San Francisco | Marin | Wine Country hail from The Payton + Binnings Team and boast $200 million in transactions annually.

Agents 193
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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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Spec House vs. Custom Home: What’s the Difference?

RIS Media

When it comes to buying a new home, you’ll often hear terms like “spec house,” “spec home,” or “spec housing” alongside “custom home.” These terms refer to distinct real estate and new construction approaches offering unique advantages and considerations. We will examine the differences between spec houses and custom homes to help you decide when… The post Spec House vs.

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New Boom API to scale reporting of tenant payments to credit bureaus

Inman

Boom's new product will allow virtually any large-scale property management platform or rent payment gateway to directly embed its payment reporting module for faster, simpler reporting of tenant payment records.

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You Can Now Find Short-Term Rentals For Sale Easier With AirDNA—Here’s How Investors Can Use It

Bigger Pockets

Earlier this month, AirDNA rolled out a game-changing feature on their platform, helping short-term rental investors even more.

Investor 133
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How ‘quiet luxury’ is reshaping real estate

Inman

A seismic transition is underway in the preferences of global luxury consumers. “Quiet Luxury” is here — and it arrived well before the hype around Kendall Roy’s $600 cashmere baseball caps.

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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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What Is Depreciation in Real Estate?

Bigger Pockets

You’ve likely heard of depreciation on equipment and other items in business, but did you know depreciation in real estate is possible? In fact, it’s one of the most important deductions you can take as a real estate investor, as it reduces your taxable income each year you have a property in service and available for rent.

Investor 132
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Real-life ghost stories from really terrified real estate agents

Inman

What do licenses and ghost stories have in common? Every real estate agent has one. OK, maybe not all agents, but these believers do. Here are real-life ghost stories from agents in the field.

Agents 187
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Rent Prices Are Shifting—But Prices Remain Strong Nationally

Bigger Pockets

Rent prices are moving, but how much and where? Here's what the latest data says about the market.

Marketing 131
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Gary Keller takes stand in person as Sitzer | Burnett verdict nears

Inman

Keller Williams co-founder Gary Keller provided lengthy testimony Friday as the defense wrapped up a case to be decided by a Kansas City jury later this week.

MLS 187
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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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Understanding APR on Loans

Bigger Pockets

The APR (annual percentage rate) on a loan is the total cost of borrowing money. Understanding APR is crucial when applying for a mortgage, personal loan, credit card, or real estate loan. The percentage amount greatly impacts the total cost of your loan. Therefore, comparing APRs is the most effective method to discover the best financing offers.

Loans 131
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11 realities that make today’s market spookier than ever

Inman

From clients who ghost you to security concerns and more, the ever-changing real estate industry can be a pretty scary place. Broker Cara Ameer lays out some of the things you need to watch out for now.

Marketing 187
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The Lesson Real Estate Investors Can Learn From WeWork and McDonald’s

Bigger Pockets

McDonald's is more than just a fast food joint—It's a real estate company. Here's how WeWork failed and how McDonald's supercharged its success with property.

Investor 130
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Lesson Learned: Stay open to the possibilities

Inman

Find out how Compass development expert Dan Parker brings a lifelong love of design to his work with the city's biggest developers.

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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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Unsecured Loans: What Are They?

Bigger Pockets

As a real estate investor, you should know about all your loan options. Secured and unsecured loans are the main types, and smart investors understand how to use both to their advantage. Unsecured loans can provide the money you need to buy property, but knowing the details of how they work will ensure you leverage this type of financing to benefit your investment strategy.

Loans 130
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Here’s how property managers can fight the effects of inflation

Inman

How can forward-thinking property managers mitigate the effects of inflation? It requires informed strategies and creative thinking. Here’s our approach.

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How to Not (Accidentally) Lose Your Portfolio to Lawsuits

Bigger Pockets

Without asset protection, your wealth is as good as gone.

As-is 129
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Impact of ‘lock-in effect’ on listings may have been overstated

Inman

Fannie Mae researchers say rising mortgage rates aren't the only reason homeowners have been reluctant to sell, and rates coming back down won't necessarily produce a flood of for-sale listings.

Sales 187
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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 Happens to Real Estate During a Recession?

Bigger Pockets

During a recession, property values often decline due to decreased consumer confidence and purchasing power. This dip can be attributed to job losses, tighter lending standards, and economic uncertainty, making people hesitant to invest or upgrade. While this presents challenges for sellers hoping for high returns, it can offer opportunities for buyers seeking more affordable options.

Lending 129
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VantageScore: New scoring model could qualify 4.9M extra borrowers

Inman

Company puts heat on regulators to stick to 2025 timetable for requiring lenders to use VantageScore 4.0 to evaluate borrowers, saying delays could impact "creditworthy people of color.

Mortgages 185
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COURT UPDATE: Gary Keller Dominates Last Days of Defense Testimony

RIS Media

In the Burnett case, where recent homesellers have sought to prove that the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and several big brokerages conspired over rules that inflated commissions, it is all coming down to an eight-member jury. The defense is expected to rest its case today, with the jury already issued their instructions. The verdict,… The post COURT UPDATE: Gary Keller Dominates Last Days of Defense Testimony appeared first on RISMedia.

Brokerage 127
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4 habits to navigate your real estate business in ’24 and beyond

Inman

From high mortgage rates, inventory shortages and sales slowdowns, many factors are haunting housing right now. Here's how to navigate them.

Mortgages 183
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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.