March, 2024

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NAR settles commission lawsuits for $418 million

Housing Wire

The National Association of Realtors has agreed to pay $418 million in damages to settle the commission lawsuits. The story was first reported by the New York Times. NAR’s legal counsel approved the settlement agreement early Friday morning. It has yet to be filed in court. Lawyers for the trade organization told the Times that they anticipate the settlement will be filed in the coming weeks, however it will still be subject to court approval.

Agents 540
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What Are Experts Saying About the Spring Housing Market?

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re planning to move soon, you might be wondering if there'll be more homes to choose from, where prices and mortgage rates are headed, and how to navigate today’s market.

Marketing 338
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What agents need to know about commission rule changes

Real Estate News

As a part of its proposed settlement, NAR agreed to significant policy changes that will impact how all agents do business — and how buyer agents get paid.

Agents 358
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Association of more than 200 MLSs blasts DOJ ‘flaws’ in Nosalek case

Inman

The Council of Multiple Listing Services, a trade group of about 225 MLSs, united with Northwest MLS on Wednesday to pen amicus briefs exposing alleged flaws in the DOJ's statement of interest.

MLS 202
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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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New Bill in Congress Targets Real Estate Investors—Here’s Why This Could Be a Big Problem

Bigger Pockets

Another bill is targeting real estate investors—this time, with a goal to “help Main Street compete with Wall Street.” What's in the bill? And what are the consequences for investors if passed?

Investor 140
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Fed Chair Powell Affirms Rate Cuts Are Coming This Year as U.S. Moves Closer to 2% Inflation Goal

RIS Media

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday signaled that rate cuts are coming this year, sticking to the Fed’s cautious script about slashing rates too quickly before it has a sustained handle on inflation. “In our pursuit of our dual mandate, the Federal Reserve remains steadfast in promoting maximum employment and stable prices for the… The post Fed Chair Powell Affirms Rate Cuts Are Coming This Year as U.S.

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The First Step: Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re looking to buy a home in 2024, getting pre-approved is a key piece of the puzzle. Mortgage pre-approval means a lender checks your finances and decides how much you’re qualified to borrow.

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Industry seeking clarity — and change — in FHA and VA lending

Real Estate News

NAR this week sent letters asking government lending agencies to allow buyers to finance agent compensation. Thursday, it started getting answers.

Lending 353
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WATCH LIVE: Ed Zorn, NextHome CEO on the $418M NAR settlement

Inman

NextHome CEO James Dwiggins, Strategic Officer Keith Robinson and Ed Zorn, the California Regional MLS general counsel, tackle NAR's big settlement. Stream it live, exclusively at Inman.

MLS 202
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Home Prices Are Falling in These 10 Markets—Are They Ripe for Investing?

Bigger Pockets

Falling prices haven't been common in today's market. With higher mortgage rates and low inventory, many investors have waited on the sidelines. Is now the time to plunge back in?

Marketing 133
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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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Beyond the Headlines: Understanding How Proposed Changes in Real Estate Commissions Will Actually Impact You as a Buyer or Seller

Lighter Side of Real Estate

You’ve probably heard the news that there are changes coming in terms of how real estate commissions are paid. This might sound exciting and like a potential game-changer for you as a home seller or buyer, with headlines proclaiming things like: “Real estate commissions are being slashed!” “Selling your house will now be less expensive!” “No more paying 6% to real estate agents!

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Biden to call for first-time homebuyer tax credit, construction of 2 million homes

Housing Wire

The White House announced that President Joe Biden will call on lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the Senate to address a series of housing issues in his State of the Union address, which will be delivered to a joint session of Congress and televised nationally on Thursday night. In the address, the president will call for a $10,000 tax credit for both first-time homebuyers and people who sell their starter homes; the construction and renovation of more than 2 million additional home

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Why Access Is So Important When Selling Your House

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re gearing up to sell your house this spring, one of the early conversations you’ll have with your agent is about how much access you want to give buyers.

Agents 324
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94 brokerages left out of NAR commissions deal. What’s next?

Real Estate News

Top companies and MLSs outside the settlement can take part in a streamlined process to pay into a fund — but it could cost millions.

Brokerage 354
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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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Barbara Corcoran on the $418M NAR settlement: It’s ‘not a big deal’

Inman

Corcoran told Yahoo! Finance she doesn't believe the effects of the settlement will be as earth-shattering as many make them out to be, but that "the confusion it's causing is amazing.

Finance 201
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What Are the Benefits of a Modular Home?

RIS Media

Built in sections at a factory and assembled on-site, modular homes offer a unique blend of efficiency and customization. Their popularity stems from their ability to provide affordable, durable and sustainable housing options. We will examine the various benefits of modular homes and highlight why they are becoming a preferred choice for many. If you… The post What Are the Benefits of a Modular Home?

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Today’s Impacts on Property Insurance Costs—And What Investors Can Do About It

Bigger Pockets

As insurance premiums climb, property owners need to grasp how economic conditions and natural disasters affect the insurance market. These insights provide practical guidance for real estate investors navigating a dynamic, unpredictable market.

Investor 134
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‘Find buyers before agents!’ Mortgage industry reacts to the NAR settlement

Housing Wire

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement of commission lawsuits nationwide is expected to force mortgage lenders and loan officers to find new ways of approaching listing agents and borrowers, give LOs a more significant role in the home-buying process, and encourage housing professionals to pursue dual-licensing, industry experts told HousingWire.

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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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What To Know About Credit Scores Before Buying a Home

Keeping Current Matters

If you want to buy a home, you should know your credit score is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage.

Mortgages 346
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These MLSs could be on the hook for $34 million

Real Estate News

The 30 broker-owned or hybrid MLSs not covered by NAR’s settlement agreement must decide whether to pay into a settlement fund, request mediation, or fight on.

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Compass to pay $57.5M to settle commission lawsuits

Inman

The news comes one week after NAR's whopping $418 million settlement was announced. Compass also agreed to make some minor changes to its business practices as part of the settlement.

MLS 201
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FHFA’s National Mortgage Database: Outstanding Mortgage Rates, LTV and Credit Scores

Calculated Risk Real Estate

Here are some graphs on outstanding mortgages by interest rate, the average mortgage interest rate, borrowers’ credit scores and current loan-to-value (LTV) from the FHFA’s National Mortgage Database through Q4 2023 (released this morning). Current Outstanding Mortgage Rates Here is some data showing the distribution of interest rates on closed-end, fixed-rate 1-4 family mortgages outstanding at the end of each quarter since Q1 2013 through Q4 2023.

Mortgages 131
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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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How a Squatter in Oregon “Stole” a Property, and the Rising Tide of Disputes Ending Badly for Landlords

Bigger Pockets

“I always thought stealing was wrong,” real estate investor and developer George McCleary remarks at the end of a viral video posted on social media last month, “But turns out, if you steal a […]

Investor 134
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Mortgage rates helped by the Fed’s moderate stance

Housing Wire

Mortgage rates had a chance to break to new highs this year, but the Federal Reserve took a moderate tone at the last Fed meeting. We saw the benefit of lower mortgage rates with the last two existing home sales reports, which showed growth. Then mortgage rates rose, facilitating five weeks of negative purchase application data. As rates were hitting year-to-date highs, the fear was that the Fed would go hawkish in their March meeting, which could push mortgage rates toward 8% and tank 2024 dema

Mortgages 521
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3 Helpful Tips for First-Time Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]

Keeping Current Matters

Trying to buy your first home? If you’re worried about affordability today or the limited number of homes for sale, these tips can help.

Sales 327
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California homeowners face another insurance company pullout

Real Estate News

State Farm, which stopped issuing new homeowner policies in the state last year, will no longer renew existing policies starting in July.

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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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Fannie Mae no longer expects mortgage rates to drop below 6%

Inman

The recent surge in mortgage rates could take some air out of a projected rebound in 2024 home sales, with deals driven mostly by households who can no longer put off their moves due to life events.

Mortgages 201
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Pros and Cons of Making Home Improvements Before Selling a House

RIS Media

Selling a home is a significant decision involving many considerations. Among these, deciding whether to make improvements before listing the property is paramount. This decision can dramatically influence not only the sale price but also the speed and smoothness of the transaction. Understanding the pros and cons of home improvements before sale is essential for… The post Pros and Cons of Making Home Improvements Before Selling a House appeared first on RISMedia.

Sales 132
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The Rise of “15-Minute Cities,” and if Investors Should Cash In

Bigger Pockets

Paris officially implemented the "15-minute city" as an urban planning concept, and now city planners across the world are debating the merits of switching to this model. What is a 15-minute city, and is it something you should invest in?

Investor 133
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Altos: Housing inventory could grow 40% this year

Housing Wire

Last fall when people were still expecting mortgage rates to be falling this year, it was common to assume rates would be in the low 6s or 5s this year and people asked me if lower rates would bring a flood of inventory. The suspicion was that there were a bunch of sellers who were waiting to sell: Once rates fell these sellers would come rushing back to this real estate market and we’d finally see inventory grow.

Mortgages 516
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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.