Wed.Feb 26, 2025

article thumbnail

New Home Sales Dropped in January as Builder Pessimism Took Hold

Appraisal Buzz

New home sales plummeted 10.5% in January compared with December to reach a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 657,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Year-over-year, new home sales were down 1.1%. The median sales price of a new home sold in January was $446,300. The average sales price was $510,000. As of the end of the month, there were about 495,000 new homes available for sale in the U.S, about a nine month supply at the current sales rate.

article thumbnail

The AI search revolution: Rethinking real estate content strategy in the era of the AI overview

Housing Wire

The new search paradigm for real estate The introduction of artificial intelligence overviews is changing how users consume information online. Traditional top-of-funnel searches like “how-to” topics and basic informational queries now stem from AI-generated overviews on search result pages. And, AI overviews don’t just aggregate information randomly.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

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

article thumbnail

Investors Embracing Expansion of Real Estate Portfolios 

Appraisal Buzz

According to study data published by RentRedi , most American real estate investors intend to increase their portfolios and make large investments in renovating their existing properties in 2025, exhibiting a strong growth mindset. The poll, which was performed from November 722, 2024, found that 59% of U.S. RentRedi landlords intend to purchase real estate in 2025.

article thumbnail

These are the cities baby boomers are moving to

Housing Wire

Baby boomers are retiring in greater numbers, with the oldest members of the generation poised to turn 80 years old in 2025. To that end, determining where they’re planning to live can be key for reverse mortgage professionals. A tabulation from SmartAsset in late 2024 that was recently distributed through a syndicated column shows some of the recent shifts being made by the baby boomer demographic.

Finance 356
article thumbnail

Leverage Trellis Court Data To Identify More Investment Opportunities

Finance teams find Trellis to be particularly effective in conducting comprehensive due diligence on both individuals and businesses. With our court data solution, financial experts can access critical litigation insights, making it an invaluable resource for informed decision-making in the financial sector.

article thumbnail

What’s Ahead in Commercial Real Estate Trends? 

Appraisal Buzz

Despite ongoing challenges, such as rising energy costs, office vacancies, and economic uncertainty, commercial real estate (CRE) investors remain optimistic about the opportunities 2025 may bring. According to a TD Bank survey , industry professionals expect declining property values to spur renewed investment in the sector this year. The survey, which gathered insights from more than 200 CRE professionals, found that 76% believe dropping commercial property values will drive increased investme

More Trending

article thumbnail

Fannie Mae Recognizes High-Performing Servicers

Appraisal Buzz

Fannie Mae has announced its 2024 Servicer Total Achievement and Rewards (STAR) Program results , recognizing 29 mortgage servicers for competency, capability, and overall performance. For more than a decade, Fannie Maes STAR Program has awarded high-performing mortgage servicers for their loan volume and portfolio composition, and for demonstrating leading practices to improve the housing industry.

Lending 221
article thumbnail

How real estate owners can maximize the value of telecom assets while minimizing risk

Housing Wire

Telecom assets including macro towers and small cells have long served as a source of recurring revenue for real estate owners and landlords. When property owners agree to allow a carrier such as Verizon or AT&T to install a tower on their land or small cell on their building, the carrier and property owner enter into a long-term ground lease agreement.

article thumbnail

Mortgage Applications Dropped Despite 30-Year Hitting Lowest Level Since December 

Appraisal Buzz

Mortgage application volume decreased 1.2% during the week ended February 21, as the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 6.88%, down from 6.93%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBA) Weekly Applications Survey. Applications for refinances decreased 4% compared with the previous week but were up 45% compared with the same week one year ago.

Mortgage 195
article thumbnail

HousingWire unveils powerful new tools to help subscribers stay ahead in a fast-changing market

Housing Wire

Today, HousingWire announced the release of its latest round of subscription enhancements, equipping its audience with deeper insights and convenient features that continue to position industry professionals as experts. The updates include a customizable Housing Market Data tool that gives users the power to customize charts and data on the HousingWire site and a gifting tool that allows subscribers to share news and articles with people in their network without a HousingWire subscription.

Tools 369
article thumbnail

The Constructor's Digital Transformation Playbook: Reducing Risk With Technology

Speaker: Dylan Secrest

Construction projects are high-stakes operations where even minor inefficiencies can lead to costly delays, safety concerns, and budget overruns. Managing risk in construction has always been a challenge, but as projects grow in complexity, traditional methods no longer cut it. Enter Digital Transformation - a game changer approach that replaces inefficiency with AI-powered analytics, real-time monitoring, and automated workflows to proactively manage risk.

article thumbnail

Inside the ASC: The Evolution & Future of Appraisals

Appraisal Buzz

The Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) plays a crucial role in overseeing the real estate appraisal profession, but how has it evolved over the years, and where is it headed next? In this episode, we sit down with Jim Park, former Executive Director of the ASC, to discuss his decades-long tenure, the challenges and successes of regulating the industry, and what the future holds for appraisers.

Appraisal 195
article thumbnail

Could American reverse mortgage companies someday partner with one from Australia?

Housing Wire

When reverse mortgage professionals from Australia and New Zealand made the long journey to San Diego last year to attend the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) Annual Meeting and Expo, they were ready to learn about the core differences between the businesses in a different part of the world. What they found was a product type that had yet to reach their shores in the form of the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for Purchase (H4P).

Mortgage 335
article thumbnail

Maverick Systems expands reach of recruiting data

Inman

Maverick Systems launched a year ago with the intent to help industry leaders better predict when agents might leave their office and who to target from market competitors.

Agents 141
article thumbnail

‘Data is an antidote to fear’ in the 2025 housing market, Altos’ Mike Simonsen says

Housing Wire

Buyers, sellers and practitioners in the housing market pay close attention to the headlines that emerge from various changes in market activity, and sometimes those headlines can lead to fear. That fear trickles through to homebuyers and sellers, often leading them to stay on the sidelines. But paying closer attention to the data before it gets processed into headlines can actually serve as an antidote to fear, and looking more closely at the trends can illuminate what is driving those trends a

article thumbnail

Need Curated Pre-foreclosure Lists to Generate New Real Estate Leads? Trellis Has the Data!

Trellis is a state trial court research and analytics platform that provides Real Estate Professionals (Buyers, Foreclosure, Loan Modification, etc.) with LEADS on Pre-Foreclosures, Lis Pendes, Distressed Assets and more — to help uncover **new** opportunities and grow their business. The process is quick and easy — and all in real time. Trellis will supply you with a link to the relevant dockets, a Leads sheet and access to its UI where applicable.

article thumbnail

New-home sales plunge 10.5%, fall below expectations

Inman

Sales of newly built single-family homes declined during January, falling well below consensus estimates, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

article thumbnail

Despite lower rates, mortgage applications continue to slide

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications decreased by 1.2% from last week on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBA) weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending Feb. 21, 2025. On an unadjusted basis, the index decreased 4% compared with the previous week. The refinance index continued its declining streak and decreased 4% from the previous week, but was 45% higher than the same week one year ago.

Mortgage 243
article thumbnail

Home price growth hasn't been this slow for a decade

Real Estate News

Prices are still going up, but 2024 ended with just 4.5% annual growth. Regionally, the Northeast is still going strong, while the Sunbelt has cooled.

262
262
article thumbnail

HUD Investigation Leads to Illegal Break-In & Evidence Tampering

Appraiserblogs

Over the past four years, I have been subjected to a relentless, unjust investigation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) not because of any wrongdoing on my part, but simply for conducting an honest, independent real estate appraisal. What began as a false racial discrimination claim by a disgruntled homeowner has now escalated into a coordinated effort to suppress evidence, manipulate legal records, and intimidate me into silence.

Legal 103
article thumbnail

Could Zillow buy Redfin? Analysts weigh in

Real Estate News

A new rentals partnership is a win-win that seems to have moved the real estate rivals closer together and could potentially influence a bigger deal.

article thumbnail

UWM is hiring after banner year for purchase mortgage lending

Inman

In a year when home sales hit a three-decade low, the nation's biggest mortgage lender made $96.1 billion in loans to homebuyers -- the company's best year ever.

Lending 110
article thumbnail

Pacaso partners with The Agency to expand luxury home access

Housing Wire

Online marketplace Pacaso this week announced a partnership with The Agency to expand luxury home access in several markets. The deal will allow The Agency to offer Pacaso’s luxury home listings in all of its markets. The Agency currently operates in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean and Central America. Both companies will offer vacation homes in U.S. markets like Miami ; Aspen, Colorado ; Vail, Colorado; La Jolla, California ; Napa, California; and popular international mar

article thumbnail

BridgeMLS adds Roomvo AI visualizations to search platform

Inman

Homebuyers using bridgeMLS' search site can now virtually redesign rooms using Roomvo's Inspire tool. The tool includes preset design styles, wall and floor finishings, and decor add-ons.

article thumbnail

Year-over-Year Gain for Multifamily Missing Middle

Eyes on Housing

The missing middle construction sector includes development of medium-density housing, such as townhouses, duplexes and other small multifamily properties. The multifamily segment of the missing middle (apartments in 2- to 4-unit properties) has generally disappointed since the Great Recession. However, there was a noticeable uptick for this type of housing construction in recent data.

article thumbnail

Blend Integrates With Truework to Speed Borrower Approvals

Appraisal Buzz

Origination platform Blend Labs has tapped income and employment verification provider Truework to create an integrated solution for lenders that enables faster borrower approvals and significantly broader income and employment coverage. Trueworks verification service is now embedded directly within Blends borrower and loan officer experience. This partnership comes at a crucial time for mortgage lenders looking to navigate housing market uncertainty with smarter origination solutions that reduc

article thumbnail

New Home Sales Slow in January 2025

Eyes on Housing

New home sales decreased in January to a three-month low, as housing affordability continues to sideline potential home buyers. Mortgage rates are expected to remain above 6% throughout 2025, coupled with elevated home prices, creating a significant affordability challenge for both first-time buyers and those looking to upgrade. Sales of newly built, single-family homes in.

Buyers 78
article thumbnail

Report Shows Mortgage Lenders How to Leverage AI

Appraisal Buzz

AI adoption is no longer optional for mortgage lenders who wish to stay in business in this challenging market. But many mortgage lenders dont know exactly how to proceed when it comes to implementing AI across their platforms and processes. To help them, STRATMOR Group has released an AI Roadmap that shows lenders how to leverage AI to enhance efficiency, ensure compliance, and improve the customer experience.

Mortgage 195
article thumbnail

Which marketing strategies need to die in 2025? Pulse

Inman

Are you over cold calling? Sick of Facebook? Let us know which lead gen and marketing strategies you're no longer doing in 2025.

Marketing 157
article thumbnail

DOGE Takes Aim at Section 8—Will Vouchers Lose Funding?

BiggerPockets

DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency) has been ripping through the federal government like a chainsaw.

article thumbnail

RE/MAX agrees to pay $5.5M to settle Canadian commission suit

Inman

The company agreed to unspecified business practice changes and to make the payment to move forward from the commission lawsuits in Canada, which largely mirrored those filed in the U.S.

Business 117
article thumbnail

Canadian homebuilders may put housing projects on hold as trade war escalates

Mortgagebroker News

Uncertainty over trade policies is driving up costs, making it harder to build affordable homes

86
article thumbnail

RE/MAX announces ‘digital-first’ RE/BRAND of iconic logo

Inman

Company drops name from its iconic balloon logo, streamlines RE/MAX wordmark to give agents more flexibility with focus on modernizing the brand.

article thumbnail

Divorce Appraisals: Fairly Dividing Real Estate Assets

Appraisal Partners Blog

Going through a divorce is emotionally and financially challenging. One of the most significant aspects of a divorce settlement is the division of assets, and real estate often represents a substantial portion of those assets. A divorce appraisal is a crucial step in ensuring a fair and equitable distribution of property. Why is a Divorce Appraisal Necessary?