Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

They say housing leads the economy in and out of a recession. Currently, housing starts are back at the levels seen during the COVID-19 recession in 2020. Interestingly, employment for residential construction workers typically one of the first areas to experience declines before a recession has not yet seen its usual downturn. Several factors have been keeping labor steady, such as working through a backlog of orders and long turnaround times to complete projects.

Construction 420

Construction Modernization Mortgage Housing Market 420

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 18, 2024

The U.S. Senate has announced the passage of the bipartisan Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act (S. 3502) , a measure that will ban trigger leads except in limited circumstances. When a consumer applies for a mortgage, credit bureaus are notified that the consumer is interested in financing, which is referred to as a trigger lead. That information is then sold by the credit bureaus to data brokers (including other lenders) without the consumers knowledge or approval.

Real Estate 370

Real Estate Finance Mortgage Appraisal 370

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

CreditXpert , a leading mortgage technology company, announced on Wednesday the launch date for its new credit optimization platform. The company will replace its What-if Simulator and Wayfinder tools with the new platform on Dec. 31. CreditXpert seeks to take a different approach when addressing homebuyer credit profiles. Instead of focusing on credit repair, the company takes it a step further with credit optimization, which benefits more applicants on a shorter timeline with improved predicta

Loan Officers 391

Loan Officers Tools Technology Mortgage 391

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Manchester, NH, Zillow s most favored city for 2024, was a hit with an influx of homebuyers this year. For the second consecutive year, Zillows ranking of the most popular markets was dominated by Northeastern cities. While only one West Coast market, which led the way in 2021, made it into the top 10, the Midwest also performed well. Most of the most popular cities this year were exurbs, which are quaint little settlements outside of the suburbs but yet accessible by car from a large city.

Architecture 349

Architecture Home Value New Listings Contracts 349

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

The fallout from Fed day got out of hand very quickly. The market reacted badly to the FOMC statement and remarks by Federal Reserve Chairman Powell during the Q&A presser, sending the 10-year yield and mortgage rates higher. Also, the Dow was down over 1,000 points today. So what gives? Market players were already talking about how the Fed would dial back rate cuts in 2025, but Powell didnt sound sure of himself in that press event and left an opening to create tighter financial conditions.

Mortgage 414

Mortgage Marketing Housing Market 414

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Over the past five decades, real estate development in the U.S. has surged, with Southern and Southwestern cities seeing the most growth, according to a recent study from StorageCafe. Residential, industrial, and self-storage industries have all expanded significantly, driven by urbanization and population growth. One key finding is that self-storage has seen a 91% increase in inventory since the 1980s.

Real Estate 195

Real Estate Development Logistics Retail 195

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 18, 2024

In order to give more Americans significant opportunity to become homeowners, Ginnie Mae has released its Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Annual Financial Report, which highlights its financial outcomes and demonstrates exceptional success in bolstering the U.S. housing financing sector. Some 1.2 million households countrywide, including servicemembers, veterans, and first-time homebuyers, were assisted by Ginnie Maes mortgage-backed securities (MBS) program during FY24.

Modernization 195

Modernization Government Finance Investors 195

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

In a widely anticipated move, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points (bps), bringing the target range to 4.25% to 4.5%. This marks the third consecutive reduction by the Fed following a 50-bps cut in September and a 25-bps cut in November , cumulatively reducing rates by 100 bps this year. Going forward, however, a slower path for rate cuts is expected when compared to previous forecasts from Fed policymakers. “Recent indicators suggest that

Real Estate 391

Real Estate Mortgage Marketing Insurance 391

Real Estate News

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Outdated rules have allowed solicitors to bombard borrowers with unwanted calls or texts. While lenders arent to blame, consumers may hold them responsible.

Mortgage 198

Mortgage 198

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Dallas -based brokerage United Real Estate is expanding its footprint in the Midwest with a new merger. This week, Kansas City -based United affiliate partner Platinum Realty will merge its operations with SunWest Real Estate Advisors. The financial terms of the merger were not disclosed. Platinum brings a 2,500-agent team with a presence in markets across Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa and Missouri.

Real Estate 373

Real Estate Brokerage Agents Tools 373

Real Estate News

DECEMBER 18, 2024

The Real Estate Board of New York told a federal court that rules limiting how agents are paid will make it harder for renters to find apartments.

Real Estate 196

Real Estate Agents 196

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Government-owned company Ginnie Mae , which oversees the secondary mortgage market and provides a guarantee for a large segment of home loans, released a fiscal year 2024 financial report this week that shows positive results. During FY24, Ginnie Maes mortgage-backed securities (MBS) program supported 1.2 million households nationwide including servicemembers, veterans, and first-time homebuyers from urban centers to rural and Tribal communities, the company said in its announcement of the rep

Government 356

Government Modernization Development Mortgage 356

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Mortgage application volume dipped 0.7% during the week ended December 13, as the average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage increased to 6.75%, up from 6.67% the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBA) Weekly Applications Survey. The decrease in application volume follows five consecutive weeks of increases. Applications for refinances decreased 3% compared with the previous week but were up 41% compared with the same week one year ago.

Mortgage 195

Mortgage Inventory Buyers Appraisal 195

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

A new real estate platform launching this month is offering homebuyers a glimpse into neighborhoods beyond the standard Zillow listing. Oyssey , a tech startup founded in 2022, is leveraging social data including age, education and income demographics as a means of understanding homebuyers beyond their standard housing preferences. The platform is soft launching this month in New York and Florida for real estate agents, teams, brokerages and MLSs to peek into potential neighborhoods and explor

Real Estate 350

Real Estate Real Estate Agent Brokerage Contracts 350

Real Estate News

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Look for just two cuts next year half the number previously forecast as the Federal Reserve predicts inflation will remain high.

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182

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Mortgage applications declined 0.7% on a seasonally adjusted basis during the week ending Dec. 13, driven by slight decline in refinance activity, according to data released Wednesday by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). The decline in applications broke a five-week streak of increases in mortgage demand. Rising mortgage rates last week were a likely factor that deterred potential borrowers from refinancing.

Mortgage 268

Mortgage Contracts Government Inventory 268

Real Estate News

DECEMBER 18, 2024

The platform will connect advertisers with RE/MAX consumers at key moments, providing a new revenue stream as the brand works to improve its bottom line.

Advertising 172

Advertising 172

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

SUCCESS Real Estate in the Greater Boston area suddenly closed up shop this week. Over the weekend, broker-owner Steve Webster sent a note to his agents informing them that the brokerage was closing, according to a report by Boston 25 News. At this moment, we will no longer be accepting any new business, the note, which Boston 25 News obtained, read.

Real Estate 299

Real Estate Law Agents Brokerage 299

Inman

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Requests for purchase loans picked up last week during a short-lived drop in rates, MBA survey shows, helped by "gradually improving inventory conditions and a more positive outlook on the economy and job market.

Inventory 158

Inventory Mortgage Marketing 158

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Want to learn how to get a real estate license in New York? In this article, well cover the five simple steps you’ll need to follow and recommend the best courses to complete the 77-hour course that New York State requires. Discover the steps, tips, and essential information youll need to get your real estate license in New York, including how to qualify and apply for the licensing exam and how much time and money you can expect to invest to launch your new career in the Empire State.

Real Estate 293

Real Estate Real Estate Agent Brokerage Agents 293

Inman

DECEMBER 18, 2024

In an era of increased industry consolidation, independence still matters, Steve Baird, president and CEO of Baird & Warner Real Estate, writes.

Real Estate 157

Real Estate Brokerage 157

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Florida is home to some incredible real estate. From the sparkling shores of Miami to the Gulf and everywhere in between, the Sunshine State offers plenty of opportunity for real estate agents. In this article, we’ll show you how to get a real estate license in Florida in five simple steps and recommend the best courses to complete the required 63-hour real estate course.

Real Estate 287

Real Estate Real Estate Agent Agents Business 287

Inman

DECEMBER 18, 2024

EXp Realty is closing the year with another recruiting win. Denver-based broker Kris Caldwell and his $200 million mega team, The Apollo Group, announced their move to the cloud-based brokerage on Tuesday after six years with Compass.

Realty 150

Realty Brokerage 150

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Its not a commonly used phrase, but cottage courts could be an increasingly common reality in a country that continues to need novel solutions to address severe housing shortfalls. Some organizations and local officials see them as a potential path forward for older Americans seeking to age in place. According to a 2022 report from AARP , cottage courts are defined as a small collection of bungalow-style homes that are typically 1 to 1 stories tall and are oriented around a courtyard that serves

Development 281

Development Tools 281

Inman

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Which two top stories of 2024 will advance to the finals? Inman readers cast their votes today to weigh in on the most consequential stories of the year.

Bracketing 149

Bracketing Brokerage Agents 149

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

On Wednesdy Citi launched mortgage.com, a new platform that creates a brand-endorsed, consumer-focused channel to leverage Citi’s brand authority and encourage mortgage or refinance applications for the bank. The company has an aggressive marketing goal to reach the No. 1 spot in organic home-buying search within six months, which is why Citi used its partnership with Razorfish , a Publicis Group company, to amplify its search engine optimization efforts, scalability and reachability.

Marketing 287

Marketing Lending Retail Mortgage 287

Inman

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Being different is a commitment to authenticity, perseverance and purpose, broker-owner Nick Schlekeway writes.

Agents 143

Agents 143

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) this week released a new report finding that mortgage companies often create obstacles for homeowners, leading to what it calls a customer service doom loop if a death or divorce impacts the original borrower of a mortgage loan. Many homeowners report that their servicers push them to take on new, higher-interest loans instead of keeping their existing mortgage, the CFPB said of the reports findings.

Mortgage 274

Mortgage Law Investors Development 274

Inman

DECEMBER 18, 2024

The Los Angeles mansion where late actress Brittany Murphy and her husband Simon Monjack died has long been the source of fascination and speculation. Now, the property is back on the market for $18 million, according to a Realtor.com report.

Marketing 146

Marketing Renovations 146

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Intercontinental Exchange Inc. will spend at least $173 million to locate the headquarters of its mortgage technology division in Jacksonville, Florida. The company and Jacksonville economic development officials announced the expansion on Tuesday. It was confirmed by the City of Jacksonville on LinkedIn the same day. The post explained that ICE is “starting off with 1,500 jobs and will grow by another 500 jobs from multiple divisions over the next seven years along with a capital investm

Technology 274

Technology Modernization Mortgage Development 274

Inman

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Bond market investors are focused on the latest "dot plot," indicating Fed policymakers only expect to bring short-term rates down by half a percentage point in 2025.

Investors 136

Investors Mortgage Marketing 136

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Great leadership isnt about being the smartest person in the room or having all the answers its about creating an environment where people feel valued, inspired, and empowered to do their best work. Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools a leader can use to build that environment. It costs nothing but has the potential to transform your team, your culture, and your results.

Training 268

Training Loan Officers Tools Clients 268

Inman

DECEMBER 18, 2024

New year, new you, they say. As 2025 approaches, were wondering about your goals and resolutions. Let us know what youre aiming for in this one-question anonymous survey.

Agents 113

Agents 113

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

After pushing back against an antitrust lawsuit filed against it in Michigan , the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has shifted its focus to a similar suit filed against the trade group in Pennsylvania. On Monday, NAR joined with fellow defendants Pennsylvania Association of Realtors , Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors , Allyson Lysaght and Justin Porembo to file a motion to dismiss the Muhammad suit due to a failure to state a claim.

Realtors 255

Realtors Contracts Law Realty 255