Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

Property taxes are rising dramatically across the country, and that reality has the potential to hit seniors living on a fixed income hardest of all. On top of that, keeping up with property tax and insurance costs are key requirements to keep any mortgage in good standing, whether its a forward or reverse loan. Some localities offer programs that allow older homeowners, specifically, to defer the payment of their property taxes to a later date.

Equity

The Living Room

MAY 2, 2025

Embarking on the journey to homeownership in Portland, Oregon, is an exciting endeavor. With its vibrant neighborhoods, lush green spaces, and a dynamic real estate market, Portland offers a unique backdrop for finding your dream home. This guide aims to navigate the complexities of buying a home in the Rose City, from understanding market dynamics to sealing the deal on your dream property.

Earnest money deposit

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

The reverse mortgage industrys premier trade association held its first event of 2025 this past week. While the mood was generally upbeat among the roughly 150 attendees who made the journey to Irvine, California, for the event hosted by the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA), there was also an acknowledgement of challenges faced by the industry when it comes to getting the word out about reverse mortgages.

Mortgages

HomeLight

MAY 2, 2025

When selling a house, its natural to want to keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Some homeowners decide to sell without a Realtor to save on agent commissions. However, they still want their house to appear on the multiple listing service (MLS), the local marketplace of home listings compiled by real estate agents. FSBO sellers can pay a flat-fee MLS service company like Homecoin to do this.

MLS

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

Technology

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

Todays jobs report showed positive growth, with 177,000 jobs added and an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Mortgage rates went up a tad today, but the spreads improved, which was a positive. As market drama calms down, we should see some improvement with the spreads, something I discussed in this recent episode of the HousingWire Daily podcast. While this is encouraging, the Federal Reserve focuses on broader indicators that have economic implications, particularly in light of potential high-velocity

Mortgages

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

eXp Luxury , the upscale division of real estate brokerage eXp Realty , is teaming with MORE Seller Financing to give luxury home sellers new tools to attract buyers and improve listing performance in a high interest rate environment. The partnership, announced this week, will give eXp Luxury agents access to the MORE Seller Bridge Loan Program a short-term seller financing option that lets sellers convert their existing low-rate mortgages into income after selling their home. “Luxury sel

Finance

AAOA

MAY 2, 2025

Whether youre a seasoned host or just starting out, creating an exceptional experience for your guests is the key to success. Your property is more than just a space to sleep; its a home away from home that should leave a lasting impression. But ensuring guest satisfaction while optimizing your hosting efforts takes a combination of strategy, effort, and a sprinkle of hospitality expertise.

Title

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

Top 10 U.S. mortgage lender Rate is investing in the nonqualified mortgage ( non-QM ) space by launching a new suite of products. It aims to attract borrowers with nontraditional financial profiles, including self-employed individuals, small-business owners, freelancers and real estate investors. The Chicago -based lender ranked as the eighth-largest in the country, originating $39.6 billion in mortgages in 2024, up 15% year over year, according to Inside Mortgage Finance data.

Closing

Real Estate News

MAY 2, 2025

The Gibson case continues, however, with Crye-Leike and a Warren Buffet-owned company still pushing back, and other settlements facing challenges.

Advertisement

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.

Development

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

After a drawn-out legal battle, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services has reached a settlement in the Gibson commission lawsuit. A court notice filed on Friday stated that attorneys for Howard Hanna Holdings Inc. and the plaintiffs had reached an agreement in principle to settle all claims against the Pittsburgh-based brokerage. The settlement which still requires court approval asks to stay all further proceedings related to Howard Hanna while the proposed settlement moves through the approval pr

Brokerage

RIS Media

MAY 2, 2025

Real estate professionalsand the country at largebreathed a sigh of relief this morning, as the latest data on the labor market showed stronger than expected growth in payrolls, and unemployment unchanged from the previous month. According to the latest release from the U.S. Department of Labor, the country added 177,000 jobs in April despite disruption… The post Jobs Data Comes in StrongThough Economists Say Too Early to Celebrate appeared first on RISMedia.

Marketing

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

David Rands, chief financial officer at housing nonprofit Enterprise Community Partners , is taking on an expanded role as the organizations chief operating officer and chief financial officer. The move was effective May 1. The move comes as Enterprise combines its finance and operations functions following the recent departure of former COO Drew Warshaw.

Finance

Inman

MAY 2, 2025

Coach Melanie Klein looks at the inspiring story of Araceli Espinoza, who is building financial freedom through international real estate investment.

Investor

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

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

Mortgage technology provider Sagent has announced a new partnership with LERETA , a company specializing in real estate tax and flood services, to integrate LERETAs solutions into Sagents platform. The collaboration aims to give mortgage servicers streamlined access to real-time tax data, flood zone determinations, payment processing and automated monitoring through Sagents Partner Program.

Technology

Marco Santarelli

MAY 2, 2025

According to the latest projections from Fannie Mae , it looks like housing prices are set to increase by 4.1% in 2025. This might sound like just a number, but it has real implications for all of us. Let's dive into what this means and the factors driving this prediction. Housing Prices Are Set to Rise by 4.1% by the End of 2025 What's Driving This Predicted Rise in Home Prices?

Equity

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

The economic headwinds facing real estate brokerages keep piling up, and its taking a toll on RE/MAX. On its first-quarter 2025 earnings call Friday morning, the company disclosed year-over-year declines in revenue, agent count and operating cash flow, leading to an adjusted net income loss of $3.2 million. CEO Erik Carlson acknowledged the issues facing brokerages, including tariffs, high mortgage rates , a possible recession and the evolving environment around things like the Clear Cooperation

Brokerage

Marco Santarelli

MAY 2, 2025

The housing market's future path remains a key question. What could the next four years hold for the housing market? While the crazy-high price jumps we saw recently are expected to cool down, experts still predict home prices will climb steadily, averaging a cumulative gain of nearly 20% across the U.S. between the start of 2025 and the end of 2029.

Marketing

Advertisement

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.

Brokerage

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

PennyMac Financial Services has raised $850 million in debt in an oversubscribed transaction on Thursday. The California-based mortgage lender and servicer initially planned to issue $650 million. The new senior notes, guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis, pay 6.875% per annum and mature on May 15, 2032. The proceeds will be used to redeem senior notes due in October 2025, but they will pay a lower interest rate of 5.375%.

Finance

BAM Media

MAY 2, 2025

If theres one thing Alex Hormozi hammered home during his surprise encore at BAM Fest , its this: speed is not optionalits everything. After going deep on branding, content creation, and AI, Hormozi returned for an encore. Thats when he shared what he believes is the single most overlooked growth lever in real estate. And it has nothing to do with funnels, ads, or going viral.

Branding

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

When industry experts think about what could lead to a significant departure of loan officers and real estate agents, two main things come to mind: AI and market conditions. Although AI and market conditions will have some level of impact, a much bigger game-changer is coming to the industry. It is the rise of the educated homebuyer , which is now in its infancy but will become the new norm within the next ten years.

Agents

Bigger Pockets

MAY 2, 2025

What if you reached financial independencebefore knowing what it was? Thats what happened to Chris Rusin.

Advertisement

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.

Agents

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

Financial literacy resource provider FirstHome IQ has announced a partnership with Crib Equity , a co-investment platform that aims to improve affordability by increasing the down payment and lowering debt. Crib Equity’s model matches borrowers’ down payments as an investment rather than a loan, eliminating additional debt burdens for first-time homebuyers.

Equity

RIS Media

MAY 2, 2025

One of the last major holdouts in the commission lawsuits has struck a settlement deal, with Pennsylvania-based independent brokerage Howard Hanna agreeing with plaintiffs to end the litigation, according to court filings today. The brokerage had up until now fought aggressively in the largest Burnett copycat lawsuit (known as Gibson), even as nearly every other… The post BREAKING: Howard Hanna Settles Commission Lawsuits After Long Fight appeared first on RISMedia.

Brokerage

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

California-based real estate investment trust Redwood Trust is expanding its role as a liquidity provider in the jumbo mortgage market while policymakers continue to debate the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Redwoods jumbo loan lock volumes totaled $4 billion in the first three months of 2025, surging 73% compared to the the previous quarter.

Banks

Marco Santarelli

MAY 2, 2025

If you're in the market for a home, you're probably glued to mortgage rates! As of today, May 2, 2025, the states with the lowest mortgage rates for a 30-year new purchase are New York and Washington. Following closely behind, you'll find relatively low rates in Tennessee, Texas, California, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. These nine states showed average mortgage rates hovering between 6.68% and 6.85%.

Mortgages

Advertisement

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

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

Russell Vought, the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), submitted the presidents fiscal year 2026 budget request to the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Friday and is calling for $163 billion in non-defense spending cuts. If the cuts are approved, roughly one-fifth of these funds, or $32.9 billion, would come from the U.S.

Bankruptcy

Marco Santarelli

MAY 2, 2025

As of May 2, 2025, mortgage rates have experienced a slight drop overall compared to previous weeks. The national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is now 6.76% , reflecting a decrease of five basis points this week. This marks a significant drop of 46 basis points from the same time last year. For those considering refinancing, the 30-year refinance rate currently stands at 6.64%.

Mortgages

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

The National Association of Realtors ‘ (NAR) speech code, formally known as Standard of Practice 10-5, has sparked a contentious debate within the real estate industry. Critics argue that it infringes upon free speech rights, while supporters assert it’s a necessary measure to uphold ethical standards and protect marginalized communities.

Industrial