Keeping Current Matters

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Mortgage rates have been back on the rise recently and that’s getting a lot of attention from the press.

Mortgages 357

Mortgages Marketing 357

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The trough for the mortgage origination market is nearing an end point and 2024 is shaping up to be a better year for the industry, economists of the the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) said at the 2023 Annual Convention & Expo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The MBA doesn’t expect the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates further this year as real rates – which are inflation-adjusted– are 2%.

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Mortgages Marketing Banks Industrial 508

Real Estate News

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Lawyers jostled for position and weeded out ineligible jurors, including many who are members of the plaintiff class (Missouri home sellers).

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Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Freddie Mac is rolling out a free tool for lenders, DPA One, that matches borrowers with down payment assistance programs across the country. DPA One streamlines the available state programs into a single source that lenders can use to find and compare programs for their borrowers. “Time and again, research reveals that the down payment is the single largest hurdle first-time homebuyers need to overcome to attain homeownership,” said Sonu Mittal, senior vice president of acquisitions at Freddie

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Finance Lending Mortgages Loans 501

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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

Real Estate News

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Overall filings remain low but economic stress in the form of increasing credit card debt and depleted savings could push them higher.

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Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The long-anticipated Sitzer/Burnett class action commission lawsuit enters its first day in court on Monday, leaving real estate professionals to ponder the fate of today’s cooperation and commission practices. At the crux of the case is the allegation that commission rates are too high, it’s unfair that the seller pays the buyer’s agent’s commission, and that the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Code of Conduct and MLS Handbook lead to set pricing.

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MLS Brokerage Agents Residential 482

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Available inventory of unsold homes rose by 1.8% this week. It’s quite clear that homebuyers have hit the brakes waiting to see if mortgage rates recede from these multi-decade highs. The leading indicators for sales prices show that 2023 will end with home price gains of 1-2% over 2022, but the 2024 outlook is weakening and depends on your view of mortgage rates in Q1 and whether home prices will appreciate next year.

Staging 482

Staging Sales Mortgages Marketing 482

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

With the sweeping changes in society, technology and economics over the past century, the differences in how each generation thinks, speaks, and makes decisions about luxury real estate opportunities have never been more pronounced.

Technology 202

Technology 202

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has tremendous potential to cut costs and improve customer experience, but regulation has not caught up to develop a governance program, industry pros said of AI’s implementation in mortgage lending. Bias, discrimination, privacy and security concerns related to consumer information are some of the biggest risks in implementing generative AI, noted Brian Stucky, lead at Rocket Ethical AI at Rocket Mortgage. “We still do not have AI-specific regulati

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Due diligence Lending Technology Mortgages 481

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

A report released Oct. 4 by the investment banking firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods forecasts commissions to decline by at least 30 percent as a result of ongoing threats to the real estate industry.

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Banks Industrial MLS Brokerage 197

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

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The market is rocky, margins are tight. And the grind may not end anytime soon, Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO Bob Broeksmit told attendees in a fiery speech at the trade group’s annual conference this week in Philadelphia. “Normally, I talk about the remarkable work you did over the previous year. Then I look at what we did on your behalf – the battles we fought and the victories we achieved.

Banks 447

Banks Fixed-rate mortgage Lending Mortgages 447

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Home prices increased 0.7 percent between August and September of 2023, and were up 6.7 percent annually, according to a new report.

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Marketing 195

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

HousingWire recently spoke to Alex Elezaj, chief strategy officer at UWM , about the work independent mortgage brokers can do right now to prepare for when rates drop and how to go above and beyond for clients. HousingWire: Why should independent mortgage brokers embrace today’s market? Alex Elezaj: It’s only a matter of time before rates drop, and when they do, there will be a clear difference between those who have been preparing and those who have not.

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Marketing Loans Mortgages Agents 447

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The allegations, the high-profile witnesses slated to testify and all the evidence the jury will and won't see — it's all here as the long-awaited Sitzer | Burnett commission trial unfolds this week.

MLS 190

MLS Brokerage 190

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Brokerage

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Regarding lenders’ vociferous complaints about increased loan buybacks from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac , FHFA Director Sandra Thompson said the regulator expects originators to deliver loans consistent with the guidelines. But, she added, the Enterprises must implement a fair, consistent, and predictable process for identifying loan defects and the appropriate remedies. “After multiple years of record-high loan volume, we have seen an increase in the absolute number of repurchase

Loans 447

Loans Mortgages Development As-is 447

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The plan to move to a bi-merge process allowing lenders to use two, instead of three, credit reports was announced last October by Fannie and Freddie's federal regulator.

Mortgages 189

Mortgages 189

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Today, the first class action commission lawsuit goes to trial in Kansas City, Missouri. While two of the defendants — Anywhere and RE/MAX — have settled in the case , those settlements have not been finalized. The National Association of Realtors , Keller Williams , and Berkshire Hathaway are still going to court to fight the allegations. Regardless of the outcome, real estate brokers are doing all they can to prepare their brokerages and their agents for more transparency, education on the val

Brokerage 441

Brokerage Technology Agents Industrial 441

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

It’s a weird thing for a software CEO to say that real estate doesn’t need more software. But here at Lone Wolf, we know it’s true. So do agents and brokers.

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Agents 183

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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

OCTOBER 16, 2023

In August, Zillow ‘s 2023 Consumer Housing Trends Report proclaimed that half of all homebuyers are purchasing their first home, the highest share that Zillow has ever recorded. Up from 45% last year and a notable increase from 37% in 2021, the report also mentioned that this share of first-time homebuyers likely hasn’t been this high since 2010, when there was a first-time homebuyer tax credit.

Agents 435

Agents Seller concession Closing costs Mortgages 435

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

This year's event, which will focus on the theme of storytelling, will highlight how agents can leverage AI, storytelling, best recruitment practices and more to grow their businesses.

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Agents Technology Brokerage Marketing 183

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Patrick Harker advocated for stopping interest rate hikes, noting that disinflation is under way. “I believe that we are at the point where we can hold rates where they are,” Harker said at the 2023 Mortgage Bankers Association Annual Convention & Expo in Philadelphia on Monday. “Disinflation is under way, labor markets are coming into better balance, and economic activity continues to be resilient…By doing nothing, we are doing someth

Banks 432

Banks Loans As-is Mortgages 432

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

If you're thinking of investing, check out this house hack for building the rental investment portfolio of your dreams with renovation mortgage specialist Chico Fisher.

Renovation 183

Renovation Mortgages Agents 183

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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

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The Federal Housing Finance Agency ( FHFA ) announced on Monday morning that it will treat, in some aspects, loans in COVID-19 forbearance similar to those in natural disaster forbearance. The change, to be implemented on Oct. 31, means pandemic-related forbearance mortgages will remain eligible to certain rep and warrant relief based on the borrowers’ payment history for three years.

Loans 430

Loans Finance Mortgages As-is 430

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Get past the front door AND the trash can by giving homeowners the information they need now, say DOORA’s Janet Pozos and Ernesto Vargas, the self-proclaimed door-knocking champion.

Brokerage 183

Brokerage Agents Marketing 183

RIS Media

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Selling a property is often a complex and time-consuming process involving various legal and logistical aspects. However, what happens when you, as a homeowner, cannot handle these responsibilities personally? This is where a power of attorney (POA) in real estate can come into play. We will examine using a power of attorney to sell a… The post Leveraging the Power of Attorney to Sell a House appeared first on RISMedia.

As-is 138

As-is Industrial 138

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

The Centennial State’s largest multiple listing service has entered into a relationship with Lundy, a software company that translates property databases into voice search-capable applications for the vision-impaired.

MLS 179

MLS Technology 179

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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.

Sales

Bigger Pockets

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Rent control has been around for a long time, and it still doesn't work. Why are governments around the country so insistent on it, and why don't we learn our lessons?

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Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Groundfloor 3.0 is the latest iteration of the retail real estate investment solution designed to diversify and simplify buying into property debt.

Design 179

Design Technology 179

Bigger Pockets

OCTOBER 16, 2023

First, the RE/MAX settlement, now this. Realtors are worried about their careers, and investors should be paying attention. Here's what's going on.

Investor 134

Investor 134

Inman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Workforce and affordable housing options make communities better and stronger. Broker and advocate Nora Crosthwaite shares strategies to help encourage them in your market.

Marketing 174

Marketing MLS Agents 174

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