Mon.May 08, 2023

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5 things agents should look for in a real estate photographer

Inman

It can be hard to know which type of photographer will show up at your property. Here are some best practices to ensure your listing (and your client) are set up for success.

Agents 195
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NewRez now offers Freddie Mac’s revamped downpayment assistance program

Housing Wire

Mortgage lender and servicer NewRez on Monday launched a special purpose credit program through Freddie Mac that will provide $3,000 or more in closing cost assistance to qualifying first-time homebuyers. Freddie Mac’s BorrowSmart Access program will be available to NewRez borrowers through Caliber Home Loans ‘ national network of branches.

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Essential items for your car (because smells happen)

Real Estate News

Agents need to be prepared for anything, from spills to smells, all while keeping their clients happy and hydrated.

Agents 278
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Affordable housing inventory is limited due to foreclosure prevention efforts

Housing Wire

A key source of affordable housing inventory was cut in half over the last three years, resulting from well-intended but heavy-handed efforts to keep delinquent borrowers in homes. That key source of affordable housing inventory: distressed properties sold to third-party buyers or repossessed by lenders at foreclosure auction. Once the transfer of ownership occurs at foreclosure auction, a distressed property can be renovated and returned to the retail market as affordable housing for homeowners

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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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NAR move could raise dues 4%

Real Estate News

If approved Thursday, NAR’s proposal would increase dues based on the inflation rate. This would increase 2024 dues to $156 (from $150).

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278
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Opinion: I beat the market with a mortgage assumption

Housing Wire

I was tired of fighting with mortgage lenders about self-employment income, high-interest rates , and dealing with scarce inventory that fit our family’s needs. We decided to rent a bigger home. I was beyond done. It wasn’t meant to be. The awards for entrepreneurship did not extend to quickly buying a home. My wife found a home with motivated owners due to a divorce.

VA loan 418

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Mortgage payments rose in April, but so did incomes

Housing Wire

With mortgage rates still in the mid 6% range, borrowers who received mortgages in April 2023 paid an average of $2,343 a month, up 28% from a year prior. That’s according to the latest origination data from mortgage tech firm Candor Technology. Per data from Candor’s underwriting engine, the average buyer in April 2023 received a loan worth about $366,000 at an average APR of 6.5%.

Mortgages 418
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New Compass division aims to be a trusted resource for military families

Real Estate News

The team, led by a retired Navy Senior Chief and an active duty Navy Lieutenant Commander, will help service members navigate the VA loan process.

VA loan 258
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Guild delivers $37M loss in Q1 amid CEO transition

Housing Wire

In the first quarter of 2023, California-based lender Guild Mortgage , which announced a leadership transition in March, continued to face pressures from high mortgage rates and low inventory levels – just like its peers. Ultimately, the company’s revenues declined more than its expenses in the period, leading to another quarterly loss. “While these results reflect a challenging backdrop of rising rates and limited inventories, we continue to gain market share as we execute on our

Mortgages 396
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EasyKnock acquires Ribbon in bid to launch national marketplace

Inman

The sale-leaseback platform plans to launch a marketplace later this year designed to serve homesellers and buyers, both individuals and investors, EasyKnock revealed to Inman exclusively.

Investor 167
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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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Title insurance premium volume drops by 38% in Q4 2022

Housing Wire

The rapid housing market cool down and the rapid pace at which the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates took their toll on the title insurance industry in 2022. Last year, the industry generated $21 billion in title insurance premiums, down 16% from 2020, according to the American Land Title Association’s Market Share Analysis released Monday. During the fourth quarter of the year, the title insurance industry generated $4.4 billion in title insurance premiums, down 38% year over year.

Title 396
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Why marketing for lifestyle factors matters — and how to do it

Inman

You may not consider yourself a specialist in a particular lifestyle segment, but think about it this way: your market, by its very nature, is a specialty

Marketing 158
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Opinion: the future of digital workflows combines flexibility with personalization

Housing Wire

For those in the mortgage space, there are a myriad of technology solutions claiming to help streamline lending operations and improve efficiency. These workflows help title and settlement companies track how data and decisions flow from initiation to outcome. Yet, somewhere along the steady stream of tasks, we’ve lost the personalized touch. When investing in a technology that someone else designed to automate workflows, it’s important to ask — how do I make this workflow work for me?

Title 395
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NAR membership dues would rise with inflation under new proposal

Inman

To cover an expected budget deficit, the National Association of Realtors' Finance Committee has proposed aligning dues with the Consumer Price Index, increasing the likelihood of annual hikes.

Finance 158
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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 BIG Point of Sale integrates with ICE Mortgage Technology

Housing Wire

Fintech software and hardware company Mortgage Automation Technologies, Inc. announced on Monday that it has integrated its next-generation point of sale system, The BIG Point of Sale, on the latest API Platform available through ICE Mortgage Technology , a division of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. The goal was to create a configurable and robust Point of Sale to Loan Origination System integration, according to a press release from the company. “Built by the people that use it every day

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CRMLS partners with Local Logic to offer market intelligence to agents

Inman

The Local Logic tool will provide members of the California Regional Multiple Listing Service with critical demographic and economic intelligence on real estate markets around the country.

Marketing 158
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Flagstar’s EVP on the company’s future with NYCB, Signature 

Housing Wire

Flagstar Bank , a top-25 U.S. mortgage lender, recently participated in two M&A deals. In December 2022 , the bank concluded the merger with New York Community Bancorp after waiting for regulatory approvals for over a year. In March 2023, Flagstar surprised the market amid the banking crisis by acquiring some assets, liabilities and deposits of Signature Bank from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ( FDIC ).

Banks 363
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NAR raises alarm on floor plan use, vacant lot scams, ‘unfair’ contracts

Inman

Charlie Lee, the National Association of Realtors' senior counsel, spoke on legal issues impacting agents at the MLS Association Executives Session at the Realtors Legislative Meetings on Sunday.

MLS 158
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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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What An Analysis Of 295 Housing Markets Told Me About The National Market

Bigger Pockets

The national housing market is every bit as indeterminable right now as possible. Here's what an analysis of 295 markets tells us.

Marketing 128
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15 contract mistakes that need to stop now

Inman

Solid communication, attention to detail and a willingness to go the extra mile are all necessary to create a well-thought-out contract package.

Brokerage 148
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Now you can harness the power of ChatGPT for your own website

The American Genius for Real Estate

ChatGPT brings a lot of potent abilities to the table for small businesses, and now you can integrate the bot into your own site's pages.

Marketing 119
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‘Make the pie bigger:’ New York moves on 1st hotel conversion

Inman

A struggling Hilton hotel, near John F. Kennedy International Airport, will be converted to nearly 300 affordable housing units, according to a plan unveiled last week by developer Slate Property group that was first reported by The New York Times.

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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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A Stunning Stat: More Pets Than Kids at Home

RIS Media

Did you know there are currently more households with pets than children? According to the U.S. Census, the share of families with children under the age of 18 living in the home has continued to decline. The share with children in 2022 stands at 40%, down from 48% in 2002. This is likely for two… The post A Stunning Stat: More Pets Than Kids at Home appeared first on RISMedia.

Sales 116
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Action! CRMLS adds video manager WellcomeMat as partner

Inman

WellcomeMat helps agents organize, publish and analyze video content performance. California Regional MLS welcomed the marketing add-on as a proptech partner.

MLS 148
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Earning the Trust of Your First Real Estate Listing

RIS Media

It can be hard to land your first few clients when you’re just getting started in real estate. Until your reputation speaks for you, you may have to work a bit harder to earn the trust of your first few clients. Remember that once you do have a few listings under your belt, you’ll be… The post Earning the Trust of Your First Real Estate Listing appeared first on RISMedia.

Land 116
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Supercharge your business with authenticity and storytelling

Inman

Watch this week's featured Inman Access class to discover the secrets to building trust, credibility, and differentiation to succeed in a challenging and saturated marketplace.

Agents 148
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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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Redfin Q1 Revenue and Profits Tumble Amid Housing-Market Hurdles

RIS Media

It always helps to be a glass-half-full thinker when faced with the challenges of a turbulent market shift. Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman certainly exuded that mentality as he unpacked the company’s rough performance in the first three months of the year. Redfin reeled in $325.7 million in the first quarter, down 45% from last year,… The post Redfin Q1 Revenue and Profits Tumble Amid Housing-Market Hurdles appeared first on RISMedia.

Marketing 116
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WATCH: UWM CEO Mat Ishbia gets shoved by 7-footer at NBA game

Inman

Ishbia, majority owner of the Phoenix Suns, was knocked over by Nuggets' star Nikola Jokic in a play that headed his way, for which he was given a technical foul.

Brokerage 147
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How Brokerages Establish (and Promote) ‘Company Culture’

RIS Media

Company culture is a hot topic these days as brokerages define what they do and how they do it, hopefully using their reputations to draw elite talent. It informs every aspect of businesses that rely on staff members working together as a team. In residential real estate, wherein agents know and interact with those from… The post How Brokerages Establish (and Promote) ‘Company Culture’ appeared first on RISMedia.

Brokerage 116
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Let’s stay together: Why buyer love letters deserve a second chance

Inman

It's time to question unfounded legal warnings and negative scenarios that don't make sense so that we can put this tool to use for buyers, the CEO of Darryl Davis Seminars writes.

Agents 122
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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.