Mon.Apr 15, 2024

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GSEs will not count buyer agent commissions as IPCs

Housing Wire

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not count buyer’s agent commissions as part of their allowable interested party contributions (IPCs), according to announcements from the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) on Monday. The GSEs noted that this guidance was not an update to their selling guides but a clarification on the treatment of seller-paid real estate agent fees.

Agents 527
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Supreme Court to HomeServices: Sitzer/Burnett verdict stands

Real Estate News

The brokerage lost its bid to have the verdict tossed out, leaving it with fewer options as the lone defendant in the landmark commissions case.

Brokerage 250
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Reuters: Reverse mortgages can help caregivers avoid ‘raiding’ savings

Housing Wire

As older people increasingly express their preference to age in place in their own homes, family members will oftentimes be required to provide some semblance of care for their loved ones in later life. Caregiving challenges can be compounded if there’s only one child in the family, but a reverse mortgage could offer a solution, according to a column published by Reuters.

Mortgages 435
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How the MLS has endured, and what the future holds

Real Estate News

In the third of a three-part series, RESO CEO Sam DeBord explains why rules are critical to the MLS and how shifts in the industry influence MLS functions.

MLS 195
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3 Real Estate Office Hacks to Help Kickstart the Busy Season

Ready to better your Back Office? Dive into the secrets to a powerhouse back office with Brokermint expert, Jessica Souza. In this free download, she shares her 3 transformative hacks designed to clean house, get everyone on the same page, and set yourself up for success. From optimizing agent profiles to ensuring flawless transactions and boosting agent retention, these strategies are your ticket to a seamless operation.

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As a ‘higher-for-longer’ rate scenario unfolds, how is the mortgage industry adapting?

Housing Wire

Last week’s above-consensus inflation figures brought the mortgage market back to a sour reality: The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, an index closely watched by industry experts, may be close to or even above the 7% level for longer than previously expected. If this scenario unfolds, analysts and executives will be ready to update their baseline expectations for 2024, including fewer refinance and purchase loans than previously forecast.

As-is 431
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No quick judgment for home sellers in commissions case

Real Estate News

The judge in Sitzer/Burnett declined the plaintiffs’ motion to enter a $5.4 billion award, saying other motions and settlements need to be finalized.

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AJ Canaria Creative Services joins LeadingRE Solutions Group

Inman

Global real estate network Leading Real Companies of the World (LeadingRE) has added photography services provider AJ Canaria Creative Services to its Solutions Group, a family of industry vendors it champions to its 550 members.

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Coastal California metros were the priciest  in March: Zillow

Housing Wire

Competition in the housing market is heating up heading into May and June. Home prices are surging in major U.S. metros, with coastal California cities and Seattle leading the charge in monthly home value growth, according to Zillow’s newest market report. San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego and Los Angeles reign as the priciest markets among the nation’s top 50 metros.

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Ways To Use Your Tax Refund If You Want To Buy a Home

Keeping Current Matters

Have you been saving up to buy a home this year?

Mortgages 261
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Q2 AgentPulse survey: Low inventory is greatest challenge

Housing Wire

Although more agents are fielding questions about the commission lawsuits than they were a quarter ago , they also remain optimistic about where the housing market is headed in the second quarter of 2024, according to the RealTrends Q2 2024 AgentPulse survey. The survey, which was conducted between the end of March and early April, garnered 138 respondents: 34 from the Northeast, 29 from the Southeast, 21 from the Midwest, 38 from the Southwest and 16 from the Northwest.

Agents 374
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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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3 ways to lead by example — and focus on what you can control

Inman

Want to increase your impact and improve your business? New Inman contributor Amy Hullet says the key is taking a genuine interest in people and getting out there to meet them where they are.

MLS 159
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Profit-sharing lawsuits continue to pile up on Keller Williams

Housing Wire

Keller Williams was named to an additional class-action lawsuit this week that takes issue with alterations made to the brokerage’s profit-sharing program. In the past few weeks, 11 agents formerly affiliated with Keller Williams — Jerri Moulder, David Bueker, Robert Hill, Kevin Ortiz, Edward Fordyce, Paul Davis, Penny Alper, Jana and Dennis Caudill, Eric Mendoza and Jack Levine — took legal action against the real estate brokerage by filing seven separate class-action lawsuits.

Brokerage 353
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LA nets biggest deal yet this year at $62.8M for spec mansion

Inman

The European-style home is located in the Hollywood Hills' coveted Bird Streets. The sale marks a breakthrough for a market that's been crippled by high interest rates and a mansion tax.

Sales 159
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NAMB partners with Roomvu on digital marketing efforts

Housing Wire

The National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) announced a partnership with artificial intelligence (AI)-based video marketing platform Roomvu to provide mortgage brokers with marketing tools. The new partnership will make digital marketing easier for NAMB members to market their services with automation tools to create content and distribute newsletters, the association said.

Marketing 315
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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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Coldwell wins St. Louis agent Laura MacDonald back from Compass

Inman

MacDonald is the latest agent to boomerang back from a previous brokerage amid intense competition. In 2023, while an agent at Compass, she closed approximately $20 million in sales volume.

Agents 155
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A&D Mortgage revamps its partner portal

Housing Wire

Wholesale lender A&D Mortgage unveiled a new and enhanced version of its partner portal, Artificial Intelligence in Mortgage, or AMI, on Monday. The AI -powered portal integrates advanced technologies into A&D Mortgage’s existing partner portal. It notably features a more intuitive user interface, seamless point-of-sale integration, and robust compliance and data security measures.

Mortgages 298
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Recruiting War ’24: For brokerages, headhunt pivots to cream of crop

Inman

Agent headcount — once a ubiquitous barometer of brokerage success — has faded, interviews and new Inman Intel Index results reveal. Instead, focus has shifted to "the better and best agents.

Brokerage 152
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How to Assess the Financial Stability of an HOA

RIS Media

Understanding a Homeowner Association’s (HOA) financial stability is crucial for maintaining property values and ensuring residents’ high quality of life. Key examination elements include reserve funds, special assessments and financial planning. Reserve funds cover significant repairs and replacements, special assessments address unforeseen expenses and financial planning ensures long-term stability.

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Maximizing Your Online Presence: Tips for Real Estate Agents on Social Media

Speaker: Sarah Santa Ana, Real Estate Coach, Move4Free Realty

Networking is one of the crucial elements in every real estate organization's success. Both agents and real estate companies need to maintain robust networking links. This is why social media is essential for any real estate professional! Social media enables you to stay in touch with your present clients, maintain connections with your past clients, and engage potential customers and investors.

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Will lawsuits end 6% commissions? Probably not, 1 law professor says

Inman

A provision in NAR's settlement barring listing agents from offering buyer agents compensation is "largely symbolic," USC professor Jordan Barry said Friday at a University of Minnesota conference.

Agents 145
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Is the Housing Market Going to Crash?

Marco Santarelli

The housing market is a complex and dynamic system influenced by various economic factors , policies, and consumer behaviors. As of 2024 , the question of whether the housing market will crash is on the minds of many, from potential homebuyers to economic analysts. While the housing market has shown signs of stagnation with existing home sales at their lowest since 2010 and mortgage demand dropping significantly, most experts do not anticipate a crash in 2024.

Marketing 106
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3 ways to help homeshoppers engage more with your listings

Inman

More home listings will mean more competition. Stand out by using virtual tours, staging and advanced technologies such as Apple Vision Pro and the Zillow Immerse app.

Staging 149
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Report: Myths and Facts on Buyer-Agent Commissions and the MLS

RIS Media

Above, Lisa Sturtevant and Brian Schneider After its new report, Dispelling Myths About Real Estate Commissions and the MLS, was released April 12, Bright MLS Chief Economist Lisa Sturtevant and legal counsel Brian Schneider spoke in-depth at a virtual presentation about how the National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) proposed settlement and other current issues have… The post Report: Myths and Facts on Buyer-Agent Commissions and the MLS appeared first on RISMedia.

MLS 103
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Rise of The Apps: Building Your Dream Tech Stack For Real Estate Success

Speaker: Trey Willard, Realtor/Team Leader at Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

In order to create continued success in today’s real estate market, realtors need to utilize an arsenal of technology that will increase their efficiency and presence on social media. Using technology to manage your prospects and tap into their needs through websites, social media, and other channels is critical for real estate success in 2022 and beyond.

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Agents feel the pain as BoomTown outage extends into another week

Inman

Since April 10, brokerage websites across the country have been dark as BoomTown scrambles to resolve service disruptions. The outage has already impacted the bottom line, agents told Inman.

Agents 144
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Homebuilder Sentiment Flat in April as Buyers Are Hesitant

RIS Media

After a strong start to the spring selling season, homebuilder sentiment flattened in April as buyers hesitate to step into the market due to continued unrest in the mortgage market and other affordability challenges. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) registered at 51 in April, the same reading seen… The post Homebuilder Sentiment Flat in April as Buyers Are Hesitant appeared first on RISMedia.

Mortgages 103
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Federal courts hand HomeServices a win (and a loss) in Sitzer | Burnett

Inman

The U.S. Supreme Court denied the real estate franchisor's request for consideration on Monday, but the plaintiffs won't be able to lay $4.7 billion in damages at HomeServices' feet — at least not yet.

Brokerage 142
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Jitterbug-Era Flatbush Studio With Foyer, Pointed Arches, Faceted Tub Asks $230K

Brownstoner

This World War II-era studio on a high floor is roomier than most with a foyer and dressing room. Its many prewar style features include a niche with shelves, picture rail, wainscot, wood floor, and three pointed arches in the entrance hall, which has two closets and is large enough… Read More > The post Jitterbug-Era Flatbush Studio With Foyer, Pointed Arches, Faceted Tub Asks $230K appeared first on Brownstoner.

Marketing 103
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5 Data Proven Ways Agents Can Do 18% More Business

Curious as to how you could do 18% more business? How about 14 more transaction sides per year? Check out this infographic with data from a RealTrends study to learn more.

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Canada easing mortgage terms for first-time new homebuyers

Inman

Changes set to take effect Aug. 1 are part of an ambitious plan to boost housing construction by 2 million and help renters save up for a down payment.

Mortgages 140
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Bakery and Cafe With Basement Cocktail Bar to Open in Bed Stuy

Brownstoner

A bakery and cafe that will blend Middle Eastern and South American flavors for its signature recipes plans to open its doors on Hancock Street in Bed Stuy soon and, if all goes to plan, in the weeks following a cocktail bar will open in the basement downstairs. An eye-catching… Read More > The post Bakery and Cafe With Basement Cocktail Bar to Open in Bed Stuy appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Instead of cutting rates, what if the Federal Reserve raises them?

Inman

Mortgage rates have already reclaimed much of the territory ceded last year and are poised to continue rising this week as inflation continues to run hot.

Mortgages 138
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Inventory Watch

BubbleInfo

It looks like we’ve found the number. Because the inventory was so low last year, I thought the market could easily handle a 10% to 20% increase in active listings this year. But now the number of actives is +30% YoY, and the pendings aren’t increasing in a similar fashion. If sales don’t pick up, […] The post Inventory Watch first appeared on bubbleinfo.com.

Sales 98
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Real Estate Solutions: How to Crush Your Sales Goals and Fuel Your Pipeline

Speaker: Mary Maloney, Founder & Team Leader at Hometown Realty

The sales cycle in real estate is frequently measured at 3+ months. During this time, real estate agents frequently lose contact with clients and miss out on opportunities because they fail to follow up and provide value to the client. Top real estate agents are distinguished from developing agents by their ability to convert organic connections into sales opportunities.