Thu.Jan 19, 2023

article thumbnail

For mortgage rates to get better, we need more housing completions

Housing Wire

The Census Bureau ‘s housing starts report for December shows that housing completions are still too slow, and we are running out of time this year as housing permits are set to fall until the homebuilders get rid of their excess supply. We had some good news this week for the housing market : purchase application data is up , the builder’s confidence index rose to beat estimates, and the 10-year yield and mortgage rates have fallen.

Mortgages 507
article thumbnail

Pre-Approval in 2023: What You Need To Know

Keeping Current Matters

One of the first steps in your homebuying journey is getting pre-approved.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

The title industry’s role in uncertain times

Housing Wire

After years of historic growth, the housing market is beginning to normalize. Home prices nationwide fell between August and September, marking the first time prices have declined for three consecutive months in nearly four years, according to the Case-Shiller National Home Price Index. As both the real estate industry and consumers prepare for what’s to come, it is critical that we do not take for granted the products and systems that have carried us through other cycles of economic downturn.

Title 476
article thumbnail

VC trends to watch, leadership tips and leveraging video

Inman

Inman Access is dropping three new classes to help you navigate shifts in investor sentiment, expand your skills as a team leader and get the best tips on leveraging video as a marketing tool.

Investor 197
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Mortgage rate protections, price discounts help reel in hesitant borrowers

Housing Wire

Declining mortgage rates spurred the demand for home loans at the beginning of 2023, spreading optimism across the industry. But that’s not the only reason for the uptick. After months of a slowing housing market, sellers are offering more discounts to close deals and mortgage lenders are launching programs to protect their clients’ rates. “The fall in mortgage rates creates opportunities for many buyers, as a lower mortgage rate brings down the monthly payment,” Nadia E

Mortgages 448
article thumbnail

The Adrian and Natalie Team joins Corcoran Group from CORE

Inman

Founded in 2018, the team's career sales volume exceeds $300 million, and in 2022, the team was ranked one of the top in New York State by RealTrends.

Sales 167

More Trending

article thumbnail

23 video content ideas every real estate agent should make in 2023

Inman

Whether you’re going all in on video in 2023 or creating your first, these 23 video content ideas from Jimmy Burgess will get you in front of more potential clients, position you as the local expert and get your creative juices flowing.

Agents 167
article thumbnail

Did Michael Strauss, accused of fraud, just start a new mortgage company?

Housing Wire

When industry veteran Michael Strauss abruptly shut down Long Island-based Sprout Mortgage in early July, there was uproar. Shocked employees didn’t receive their last paychecks. There were no severance packages, and even health insurance was canceled retroactive to May 2022, leaving some on the hook for huge medical bills. The lawsuits quickly came pouring in, but Strauss never did seek bankruptcy protection for Sprout or its affiliates.

Mortgages 418
article thumbnail

The Agency 2022 Red Paper: A softening, but still strong market

Inman

"The key takeaway is this," CEO Mauricio Umansky said of this year's report. "Housing remains a primary investment for the world’s most affluent citizens and a safe hedge against inflation.

Marketing 167
article thumbnail

Homebuilders are pushing through inventory backlog

Housing Wire

As the housing market slowed from its frenzied peak in 2022 due to soaring mortgage rates, homebuilders pulled back. An estimated of 1.533 million housing units were started in 2022, down 3.0% compared to 2021, according to a report released Thursday by U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Homebuilders closed out 2022 with an annual housing start rate of 1.382 million units in December, down 1.4% compared to November and down 21.8% year over year.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Broker Spotlight: Hilary Farnum-Fasth, Corcoran Reverie

Inman

This week the spotlight shines on Hilary Farnum-Fasth of Corcoran Reverie, a broker serving markets in both North Florida and Tennessee.

Marketing 158
article thumbnail

When volumes decline, loan quality must reign supreme

Housing Wire

While the new year is here, the effects and fears of 2022 have yet to run their course. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported that mortgage applications recently hit their lowest rate since 1996 , and Fannie Mae’s most recent estimate shows that origination volume will decline to $1.7 trillion in 2023. As financial institutions weather this shift in the market, every loan opportunity becomes more critical than the last.

Loans 415
article thumbnail

Mortgage rate swing created ‘more normal’ market in December

Inman

Slowing mortgage rate growth impacted homebuyers and sellers in different ways in December, according to Zillow's latest market report. The dip was enough for buyers to navigate the winter market, but wasn't enough for would-be sellers to list.

Mortgages 158
article thumbnail

Guaranty Home Mortgage hires EVP to expand retail channel

Housing Wire

Tennessee-based mortgage lender Guaranty Home Mortgage Corporation hired Andy Voyles as executive vice president and director of retail lending. The mortgage lender hopes to boost volume in the channel. Voyles will be responsible for growing the retail division overseeing sales, operations and marketing as well as building on the existing framework, the company said Wednesday.

Mortgages 397
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Layoffs hit rent-to-own company Home Partners of America

Inman

Layoffs come a week after the shutdown of RealSure, Home Partners' iBuyer joint venture with real estate franchising giant Anywhere, and include Pathlight Property Management.

article thumbnail

loanDepot and Black Knight partner on integrated loan origination system

Housing Wire

Nonbank California lender loanDepot will start moving some of its backend operations to Black Knight ‘s cloud-based version of the Empower loan origination system this year as the firm continues its efforts to cut costs. Black Knight’s loan origination system will complement and integrate with loanDepot’s proprietary technology system, mello, which rolled out in 2017, Black Knight said on Thursday.

Loans 357
article thumbnail

New year, new listing: 10 ways to update that won’t break the bank

Inman

Whether it’s a brand-new listing or last year’s listing that’s still languishing on the market, these updates from Doora Designs' Antoinette Fargo will make it look like new.

Banks 158
article thumbnail

Bring Hygge Home With These 6 Interior Design Tips

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Barcelona & Costa Brava Sotheby’s International Realty It’s no coincidence that the word hygge sounds a lot like “hug” when pronounced correctly—“hoo-gah”. The concept is Scandinavian in origin, though Denmark is the nation that elevated it to aspirational lifestyle status. Fittingly enough, hygge-centric designs often create spaces that feel like a warm embrace, fostering a sense of coziness and conviviality along with feelings of wholeness and well-being.

Design 121
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

IBuying-minded HomeBldr upgrades investment analysis tools

Inman

The reporting tool determines a number of return-on-investment scenarios, taking into account market conditions, available financing and any need for renovations and improvements.

article thumbnail

2022 Ends With A Decline in Single-Family Starts For the First Time Since 2011

Eye on Housing

Led by a decline in multifamily production, overall housing starts decreased 1.4% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.38 million units in December, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. Also of note, single-family housing starts ended the year down more than 10%, marking the first annual decline since.

article thumbnail

Opendoor explores the possibilities of a move in new ad campaign

Inman

The campaign dubbed "This is a Door" pays tribute to the unexpected possibilities that go along with turning a new chapter in life, such as weddings, having babies and adopting new pets.

As-is 158
article thumbnail

Remodeling Market Sentiment Weakened in Fourth Quarter but Remains Positive

Eye on Housing

The NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the fourth quarter of 2022 posted a reading of 66, falling 17 points from the fourth quarter of 2021. While there is a sharp decline in RMI year-over-year, it remains in positive territory as remodeling continues to outperform the rest of the residential construction sector, whether one looks at construction spending or.

Marketing 119
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

How to help your agents break into the investor niche

Inman

In this week’s video column, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate executives Amy Corr and Kevin Van Eck encourage brokers to look to investment and second home properties as a way for their agents to maintain income and grow their businesses – especially in a changing market.

Investor 158
article thumbnail

HUD Announces Numerous Changes to Handbook 4000.1

McKissock

On January 18, 2023, HUD issued an announcement regarding revisions made to Handbook 4000.1. According to the announcement, the revisions included “enhancements and revisions to existing guidelines and various technical edits.” The most significant of these revisions was the elimination of the requirement to include the 1004MC form as an attachment to the appraisal report.

Sales 117
article thumbnail

Single-family housing starts leap 11% as permits and completions fall

Inman

Overall housing starts clocked in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,382,000, 1.4 percent below levels recorded in November, according to new data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Marketing 157
article thumbnail

Canadian Mortgage Debt Grinds To A Halt After Hitting Over $2 Trillion

Better Dwelling

Canadian mortgage credit continues to slow as rising rates grind the market to a halt. Bank of Canada (BoC) data shows outstanding residential mortgage credit rose in November. However, it was one of the slowest months we’ve seen since 2020. Annual growth remains robust, but recent activity is bringing the trend lower. Canadian Mortgage Debt […] The post Canadian Mortgage Debt Grinds To A Halt After Hitting Over $2 Trillion appeared first on Better Dwelling.

Mortgages 111
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

The key to real estate success? It’s not who you know, it’s how you connect

Inman

In real estate, time is money. Knowing a little of what to expect at the upcoming Inman Connect will help you feel right at home and make the most of your time in New York.

Agents 133
article thumbnail

Regal Meridian 16 movie theater in downtown Seattle to close, report says

Seattle Times Real Estate

Regal Meridian 16 in downtown Seattle, open since the mid-1990s, is reportedly one of 39 Regal locations closing nationwide.

Closing 106
article thumbnail

A 2023 Guide to Flipping Houses in Georgia: 5 Cities to Consider

HomeLight

DISCLAIMER: This article is meant for educational purposes only and is not intended to be financial or legal advice. If you are considering flipping houses in Georgia, HomeLight always encourages you to reach out to an advisor regarding your own situation. Flipping houses has never been a more desirable pursuit, no doubt thanks in part to the vast popularity of home renovation shows.

article thumbnail

6 Landscaping Improvement Projects That Offer the Best and Worst Returns on Investment

Realtor.com

Harper Elm General Contractor viz Houzz What your house looks like outside is just as important as what it looks like inside—especially if you plan on selling it one day. Boosting your curb appeal will not only elevate your enjoyment of—and confidence in—your home, it will also mark an important investment in its long-term value. Curb appeal alone can add 7% or more to the value of your home.

article thumbnail

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.