Thu.May 19, 2022

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4 Steps to Go from Sales to Service (and Get the Sale Every Time)

Tom Ferry

Have you ever been working with a client only to find out that you have different belief systems? I’m not talking about politics or religion – just that the information you’re trying to provide isn’t getting through because your client has heard different things from less trustworthy sources. If we want to be effective, we […]. The post 4 Steps to Go from Sales to Service (and Get the Sale Every Time) appeared first on Tom Ferry.

Sales 89
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This savagely unhealthy housing market needs higher rates

Housing Wire

The National Association of Realtors reported Thursday that existing home sales for April came in at 5.61 million , with double-digit home-price growth driving a housing market that is still savagely unhealthy. However, this year has seen one big game-changer: the 10-year yield finally cracked over 1.94%, which drove mortgage rates over 4%. This is something that I said would change the tone of housing, and we are seeing that result this year as sales decline and inventory picks up.

Marketing 528
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The One Thing Every Homeowner Needs To Know About a Recession

Keeping Current Matters

A recession does not equal a housing crisis.

Marketing 310
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Purchase mortgage rates drop to 5.25% as demand wanes

Housing Wire

Purchase mortgage rates this week averaged 5.25%, down five basis points from a week ago , as some individuals put the American homeownership dream on standby due to higher rates and surging home prices, according to the latest Freddie Mac PMMS. This time a year ago, the 30-year fixed-rate purchase rates were at 3%, the report shows. The government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) index accounts for just purchase mortgages reported by lenders during the past three days.

Mortgages 488
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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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Townhouse Construction Growing

Eye on Housing

According to NAHB analysis of the most recent Census data of Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design, during the first quarter of 2022 single-family attached starts totaled 36,000, which is 16% higher than the first quarter of 2021. Over the last four quarters, townhouse construction starts totaled 152,000 units, 25% higher than the prior four quarter total (122,000).

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The housing industry will soon be up in ARMs

Housing Wire

If there’s a bet to be made on the future of the non-agency lending space, it’s that the adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) will become far more popular this year as purchase mortgages increasingly dominate a housing market pivoting to an up-rate environment. That’s the consensus forecast of a panel of non-agency industry experts who spoke at the Mortgage Bankers Association ’s (MBA’s) Secondary and Capital Markets Conference & Expo in New York City this week. .

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Layoffs, again: Fairway is the latest lender to trim workforce

Housing Wire

Madison-based Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. appears to be the latest mortgage lender to cut jobs due to the challenging origination market, showing that surging mortgage rates and home prices are now affecting companies with a high share of purchase loans in their portfolios. Fairway staff across the country received phone calls last week from their supervisors announcing they were part of a round of layoffs, a dozen former employees told HousingWire over the last few days.

Loans 476
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Existing Home Sales Fall to Near Two-Year Low

Eye on Housing

As rising mortgage rates and higher home prices continued to price out first-time and young homebuyers and reduce affordability, existing home sales dropped to the lowest level since June 2020, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). However, the trend in home price appreciation continued as supply remained tight. Total existing home sales, including single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and.

Sales 119
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Applications for new homes dropped 14% in April

Housing Wire

Skyrocketing mortgage rates and a slowdown in new home constructions led to a drop in home purchases in April. Mortgage applications for new home purchases dropped 10.6% in April from the same period last year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association builder application survey. Compared with last month, applications dropped by 14%. . MBA estimates that about 701,000 new homes were sold in April at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, marking a decline for five consecutive months.

VA loan 459
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Selling a House ‘As Is’ in Maryland

HomeLight

Looking to sell a house “as is” in Maryland? Whether you’ve got a fixer-upper or recently inherited a relative’s home, sometimes the goal is to skip repairs, get a fair offer, and move on. There are some misconceptions about what “as is” means, says top-rated Maryland real estate agent Juan Umanzor. “I get a lot of sellers who say, ‘Juan, we’re going to make some updates to this home, but we don’t want to do anything else.

As-is 119
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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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CHLA and 41 IMBs urge the FHA to cut MI premiums

Housing Wire

The Community Home Lenders Association (CHLA) sent a letter, signed by 41 independent mortgage banks, to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on Wednesday urging the administration to cut mortgage insurance premiums. The letter, which includes signatures from South Carolina-based Movement Mortgage , Cherry Creek Mortgage , Texas-based Thrive Mortgage and Draper & Kramer Mortgage , advised the FHA to get rid of its life of loan policy and reduce the annual premiums by 30 basis points to.5

Loans 448
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Should buyers worry about home values falling? (Podcast)

The Mortgage Report

Skyrocketing home prices have some buyers worried about their new home's value dropping. While a small correction could come, the market should stay stable.

Marketing 116
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Fannie Mae reduces projected 2022 GDP to 1.3%

Housing Wire

A combination of persistent inflation, rising interest rates and a slowdown in global economic growth forced Fannie Mae to reduce this year’s GDP growth rate. Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group dropped its projected 2022 real GDP to 1.3%, 0.8 percentage points lower than its previous forecast. It sees the second quarter of growth rebounding to 1.6%, despite the economy contracting 1.4% in the first quarter.

Mortgages 448
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Mortgage and refinance rates today, May 19, 2022

The Mortgage Report

Today’s mortgage and refinance rates Average mortgage rates barely moved yesterday. In some ways, that was disappointing. Because, had the mayhem in stock markets translated into bond markets, we might […].

Mortgages 116
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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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How can brokers get ahead in a tight market?

Housing Wire

HousingWire recently spoke with Jon Irvine, Chief Production Officer at Change Lending, about how brokers can gain a new competitive advantage in the current tight market. HousingWire: The current inventory shortage doesn’t seem like it will let up anytime soon. What challenges does this present to brokers? Jon Irvine: First, refinance volume has already dropped significantly from 2021 to Q1 2022.

Marketing 435
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Multifamily Production Index Turns Downward in the First Quarter

Eye on Housing

Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing turned downward in the first quarter of 2022, according to the latest results from NAHB’s Multifamily Market Survey (MMS). The MMS produces two main indices. The survey’s Multifamily Production Index (MPI) decreased six points to 48 in the first quarter, dipping below the break-even mark of 50 for the first time in.

Marketing 111
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Reasons to Schedule an Inspection Before Buying a Home

RISMedia

By Emma Surgis Scheduling a home inspection before buying your next property is an important first step that you should never overlook. This is because a home inspection can determine the condition of your potential purchase, identify potential problems for you, and help assess the property's value. If you are thinking of buying a home, […]. The post Reasons to Schedule an Inspection Before Buying a Home appeared first on RISMedia's Housecall.

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The Outsider: Structure, Perennials Enhance Romantic But Overgrown Brooklyn Heights Garden

Brownstoner

This romantic walled garden has evolved over the years, for reasons both intentional and unintentional. Landscape architect Kim Hoyt originally came in to radically reshape and rethink an overgrown urban jungle for previous owners. Though the space was long neglected, Hoyt knew there were pluses she'd be able to work… Read More > The post The Outsider: Structure, Perennials Enhance Romantic But Overgrown Brooklyn Heights Garden appeared first on Brownstoner.

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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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Buyers are walking away from new homes due to rising interest rates

Realty Biz

Interest rates have been rising so fast that many buyers who signed contracts to purchase new homes in the last year have been caught off-guard. Mortgage rates were at record lows of 3% or even less in some cases last year. Yet, a series of sudden increases have sent mortgage rates to 5.3% as of this week. The resulting increases mean that some buyers will see their monthly mortgage repayments go up by hundreds of dollars a month.

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Pols Kick Off Construction of Affordable Housing and Light Manufacturing Complex in Brownsville

Brownstoner

Bridge Rockaway, an unusual kind of mixed-use affordable housing development, is in the works in Brownsville, bringing 174 affordable apartments and nearly 40,0000 square feet of light manufacturing space to the neighborhood. The $118 million project, part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan for housing reform, will include 87 permanent supportive housing… Read More > The post Pols Kick Off Construction of Affordable Housing and Light Manufacturing Complex in Brownsville appeared first on

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6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Switching from Renting to Owning a Home

Realty Biz

Buying a home has long been considered a quintessential part of the American dream. Owning your own home can also be a valuable long-term investment. But making the transition from renter to homeowner involves more than saving enough money to put an offer on a house. It’s important to do your research and consider all factors before you hire movers. .

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Daily Links: Apartment Vacancy Rate Rises But Doesn’t Deep-Six Rent Stabilization

Brownstoner

In the News Mask Up in Indoor Public Settings, NYC Health Chief Urges [Eagle] Residents Demand Repairs at NYCHA’s Bushwick Houses in 'Burg [BK Paper] Advocates Urge Mayor to Fulfill Promise of Budget Increase for Parks [BK Reader] BRIC’s Celebrate Brooklyn! Has Bigger Shows and New Leadership [BK Magazine] Vacant Apartments Increase, But City's ‘Housing… Read More > The post Daily Links: Apartment Vacancy Rate Rises But Doesn’t Deep-Six Rent Stabilization appeared first on Browns

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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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The Security Technology Keeping Real Estate Agents Safe in 2022

Agent Fire

As in-person interactions increase, so do the safety risks for real estate agents. The following security technologies will keep real estate agents safe in the most common, high-risk scenarios on the job. The Security Technology Keeping Real Estate Agents Safe in 2022 is just one of many great real estate strategies on The Spark.

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See a Brooklyn Heights Brownstone Restored With Historic Facade, Handrails and Stoop

Brownstoner

When Jeff Haider from Excellent Contracting first saw 126 Pierrepont Street in Brooklyn Heights, the facade was in poor condition. "It had been resurfaced many years ago with a mismatched color," he said. The glaring difference was the stoop — the only one on the block with no traditional brownstone handrails… Read More > The post See a Brooklyn Heights Brownstone Restored With Historic Facade, Handrails and Stoop appeared first on Brownstoner.

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The Slow Unwind – Fewer Sales

BubbleInfo

There is rampant speculation that home prices must come down to compensate for higher rates. But there is another solution. Fewer sales. We learned a couple of lessons during the peak covid days: Sellers don’t have to sell – they can wait it out. When they do, the market can survive with fewer sales. Look […].

Sales 81
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Sotheby’s: Expert Voices – Martin Wong’s Sunset Park

Sotheby's International Real Estate

Martin Wong’s Sunset Park Panoramic from 1985 is an undisputed masterpiece from one of the artist’s most significant bodies of work, The Sunset Park Paintings. This celebrated series, depicting the urban landscape of downtown Brooklyn, originated as a commission for Time Magazine’s Images ’85: Pictures of the Year issue. In this video, explore Martin Wong’s Sunset Park painting with the artist’s gallerist Barry Blinderman. ?.

As-is 81
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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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Take an Excursion on a Vintage Subway Car With the Return of Summer Nostalgia Rides

Brownstoner

Another annual event is set to come back after a two-year hiatus: The return of the New York Transit Museum's nostalgia rides will allow straphangers to once again hop aboard vintage subway cars for trips during the summer. There are routes from Manhattan to the Bronx and Queens but the… Read More > The post Take an Excursion on a Vintage Subway Car With the Return of Summer Nostalgia Rides appeared first on Brownstoner.

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Five Top Agents in Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Realty Biz

This week our Top Rated Agents series focuses on Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Once again, we use a combination of agent ratings from sources like HomeLight and Zillow, along with such factors as SEO prominence, social media reach, and media coverage to rate professionals. It should be noted here, that in the development of our process using a single source to find the best agents became problematic.

Agents 80
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How to Make Sure You Quickly Repair Storm Damage to Your Home

RISMedia

By Emma Sturgis If you've been hit by a storm recently, you might be wondering, "What do I do to make sure my home doesn't get flooded again?" While there are plenty of ways to prevent the damage from happening again in the first place, we'll show you how to fix your storm-tossed home quickly. […]. The post How to Make Sure You Quickly Repair Storm Damage to Your Home appeared first on RISMedia's Housecall.

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Do You Need a Real Estate Podcasting Channel?

Realty Biz

Real estate podcasting is a very underutilized marketing channel. But do you need it? The short answer is: maybe. Let me explain. Podcasting, unlike things people can see, requires exceptional talent, charm, and a voice – an authentic voice with a catchy timbre. And then, the script: what you say must resonate with your audience. You must entice and persuade your listeners with something they want to hear.

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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.