Tue.Aug 15, 2023

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Mortgage applications for new construction homes ticked up in July

Housing Wire

With strong demand and limited options for existing homes, many homebuyers are turning to new construction. Mortgage applications for new construction home purchases increased 35.5% in July on a year-over-year basis, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data. On a monthly basis, applications ticked up by 0.2%.

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Gary Keller says the market has hit bottom, only way is up

Real Estate News

Keller kicked off KW’s Mega Camp with a message for agents: “If you do the work, you will have a great real estate year, regardless of the market.

Marketing 246
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Gary Keller: Good agents will still thrive in a stormy market

Housing Wire

Gary Keller took to the stage at the 2023 Keller Williams Mega Agent Camp in Austin, Texas , Tuesday morning with his usual bravado: a black-and-white video featuring his favorite animal, the buffalo , in a thunderstorm, alongside a motivational message for agents. Rather than fear the storm, Keller Williams agents embody resilience and adaptability to conquer any market challenge. “We are the storm,” the text read.

Agents 370
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Equity Is a Game Changer for Homeowners Looking To Sell

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re a homeowner, you might be torn on whether or not to sell your house right now.

Equity 246
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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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GSE single-family pricing framework changes should streamline capital requirements, HPC says

Housing Wire

The Housing Policy Council (HPC) is urging the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to modify its proposed government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) single-family pricing framework, including coordination with banking regulators to streamline capital requirements and retention of upfront guarantee fees. The original request for input published in May was designed to gather public feedback on goals and policy priorities the agency should pursue in its oversight of the pricing framework.

Finance 370
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Treasury rule changes could impact high-value home purchases

Real Estate News

New rules intended to prevent laundering money through luxury real estate could increase costs and extend transaction times for agents and brokers.

Agents 246

More Trending

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Real estate heroes come to rescue after suffering losses in Maui fires

Inman

Fires that roared through western Maui last week have destroyed thousands of homes and killed scores of people. The real estate community is trying to help pick up the pieces.

Brokerage 148
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Homebuilder confidence declines for the first time in 2023 amid 7% rates

Housing Wire

Homebuilder confidence declined for the first time this year in August, reflecting the difficulties of 7% mortgage rates and reduced housing affordability. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) report showed that builder confidence fell 6 points from July to a reading of 50. The HMI index is a monthly survey that gauges NAHB members’ perception of current single-family sales , expected sales for the upcoming six months, and potential homebu

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Gary Keller: A ‘rolling recession’ will hit the US housing market in 2024

Inman

Keller Williams kicked off its Mega Agent Camp on Tuesday with remarks from Gary Keller, who warned of a "rolling recession" while predicting agents will survive treacherous economic terrain.

Marketing 148
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Time is up: Are you ready for Fannie Mae’s new prefund QC requirements?

Housing Wire

Loan quality control is again top of mind for lenders, partially due to the wave of loan-repurchase requests from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac earlier this year. Higher loan volumes in 2020 and 2021 led to proportionally more repurchase requests, and the industry is taking another look at their risk mitigation strategies as a result. “It’s fair to say that the industry routinely has, especially since the 2008 credit crisis, been focused on risk,” said Kristin Broadley, chief innovation officer at

Loans 369
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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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Mortgage assistance for Hawaii fire victims includes forbearance help

Inman

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration outlined relief for homeowners as FEMA and the state of Hawaii rushed to provide emergency housing for displaced residents.

Mortgages 148
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Surviving non-QM lenders are gaining business now

Housing Wire

Non-QM lender Acra Lending is projecting mortgage originations will increase in 2023 to about $2.6 billion, up from $2.1 billion last year, says CEO Keith Lind, “and we’ve been profitable every month this year, and every quarter.” Lind says Acra’s success in a punishing operating environment that has caused a number of non-QM mortgage lenders to exit the market is due to its efficiency as well as its foresight in keeping its rates on pace with the spate of interest rate hikes by the Federal Rese

Lending 369
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10 easy ways to repurpose your video content for maximum impact

Inman

The key to maximizing the impact of your long-form video content lies in a well-structured repurposing strategy, Karen Stone explains.

Agents 148
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The Real Brokerage names Jenna Rozenblat as COO

Housing Wire

The Real Brokerage Inc. has promoted Jenna Rozenblat to chief operating officer. In her new role, Rozenblat will be responsible for overseeing Real’s day-to-day operations, implementing strategies to enhance efficiency and ensuring the execution of the virtual brokerage’s tech vision. Prior to her promotion, Rozenblat was executive vice president of operations at Real, which she joined in January.

Brokerage 367
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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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Do you recognize housing discrimination when you see it?

Inman

Safe, affordable housing should be accessible for everyone, writes new contributor Nora Crosthwaite. As Realtors, our responsibility is to our clients, no matter who they are.

As-is 148
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Op-Ed: NAR Looks to Lead Fight Against Workplace Harassment

RIS Media

While our society, and humanity generally, have made great strides toward gender equality through the years, problems of harassment and discrimination persist. As the CEO of the country’s largest association, the National Association of REALTORS® with 1.5 million members, 65% of whom are women, I believe we have the responsibility and opportunity to continuously address… The post Op-Ed: NAR Looks to Lead Fight Against Workplace Harassment appeared first on RISMedia.

MLS 98
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Real estate investors believe the worst may be in the rear view

Inman

The outlook is mixed, but "it does look like prices may have bottomed out and are on their way back up," said CJ Patrick Company CEO Rick Sharga.

Investor 148
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The Guide to Plot Plans in Real Estate

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

A plot plan is crucial in real estate transactions and construction projects. It provides a detailed property representation, showcasing its boundaries, structures, and topography. By understanding what a plot or site plan entails, individuals can navigate building permit applications, evaluate property features, and resolve boundary disputes. We will explore the basics of plot plans, their […] The post The Guide to Plot Plans in Real Estate appeared first on Maximum Real Estate Exposure.

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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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Tom Ford nabs Jackie O’s former Hamptons summer home at $52M

Inman

The deal is just the latest of Tom Ford's big-ticket transactions, following a $51 million home purchase in Palm Beach at the end of last year and a more recent trading of that home for another mansion in the luxury South Florida market, according to reports.

Marketing 148
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How Long Does Preapproval Take For a Mortgage

Maximum Exposure Real Estate

What is The Time Frame to Get Mortgage Preapproval Mortgage pre-approval is an essential step in the home-buying process. It provides an initial indication of how much a lender is willing to lend you for a home. The preapproval process typically involves providing financial information and undergoing a credit check. The duration of getting a […] The post How Long Does Preapproval Take For a Mortgage appeared first on Maximum Real Estate Exposure.

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Exceptional agents get serious about these 4 pillars of service

Inman

In the first part of his five-part series, broker Nick Schlekeway looks at the way service forms the basis for real estate agent success.

Agents 148
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Flourish Real Estate Network Expands to Austin

RIS Media

The Flourish Real Estate Network, based in Denver, Colorado, has expanded into Austin, Texas, with local agent Amber Lambrecht representing, the firm has announced. The network says it is focused on “meaningful real estate businesses that prioritize human flourishing causes,” such as homelessness, food insecurity, and affordable housing. Flourish maintains connections with non-profits, from local… The post Flourish Real Estate Network Expands to Austin appeared first on RISMedia.

Agents 98
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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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Industry rallies to work around ongoing Rapattoni cyberattack

Inman

A ransomware attack was unleashed last Wednesday, Aug. 8, on Rapattoni, a prominent software and property data provider for the real estate industry. The attack is ongoing, according to reports.

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Pros and Cons of New-Construction Homes

RIS Media

In pursuing their dream home, many homebuyers choose between purchasing an existing property or building a new construction home from scratch. Both options have unique advantages and drawbacks, and weighing them carefully to make an informed decision is essential. Those considering new construction will often look at the houses that are the cheapest to build.… The post Pros and Cons of New-Construction Homes appeared first on RISMedia.

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‘It’s well past time’: DOJ urges court to overturn NAR commission ruling

Inman

In a Friday brief, the Department of Justice argued the National Association of Realtors' pocket listing and commission rules need "to be assessed on their merits" on whether they cost American homebuyers billions of dollars a year.

MLS 148
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REALTORS® Relief Foundation Announces $1.5 Million Relief Grant for Victims of Maui Wildfires

RIS Media

The REALTORS® Relief Foundation has announced $1.5 million in disaster relief aid has been made available to Hawaii REALTORS® in support of the REALTORS® Association of Maui after fires recently devastated communities on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Funds will be made available to the public to assist with disaster victims’ housing payments as relief… The post REALTORS® Relief Foundation Announces $1.5 Million Relief Grant for Victims of Maui Wildfires 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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Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel are engaged

Inman

The couple have been together since 2019 and recently completed a two-year renovation on a Georgian-style home they purchased together in 2020, according to reports.

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Team Tactics: 5 Things to Do After a Deal Falls Through

RIS Media

A sale on your team fell through. Maybe the buyer reneged on their offer, maybe the seller changed their mind. Whatever the case, your team now has the fallout to manage. A setback like this can sting, especially if it was a weeks-long process that now feels for naught. However, any business experience—even a failure—is… The post Team Tactics: 5 Things to Do After a Deal Falls Through appeared first on RISMedia.

Sales 98
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Rating agencies issue more cautions about banking industry

Inman

It's not just regional banks but larger lenders, such as JPMorgan and Bank of America facing uncertainty if interest rates stay higher for longer, analysts said.

Banks 147
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Why Critical-Thinking Skills Are Crucial for New Agents

RIS Media

In the dynamic world of real estate, where market trends change rapidly and decisions can make or break a deal, critical-thinking skills are vital for success. New real estate agents (and many seasoned pros) stepping into these challenging times need to possess the ability to think critically and make sound judgments. Let’s explore why honing… The post Why Critical-Thinking Skills Are Crucial for New Agents appeared first on RISMedia.

Agents 98
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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.