Housing Wire

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Compass is heading into the final weeks of 2024 with a bang. On Monday, the firm announced its plan to acquire Christie’s International Real Estate and @properties. According to a press release, the merger is expected to close in 2025 and is subject to regulatory approval. In an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Compass informed its shareholders that it will purchase the companies for $150 million in cash at closing, along with roughly 44.13 million shares of Compass’

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Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 2, 2024

A new report from doxo uncovers Americans’ cost of living based on the amount spent on household bills for the 50 largest cities in the nation (based on number of households). doxoINSIGHTS’ 50 Largest U.S. Cities Household Spend Report 2024 , which reflects actual bill payment activity across more than 97% of U.S. zip codes, reveals the most and least expensive largest cities for Americans to reside based on average spend per month on bill payments.

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Insurance Business Appraisal Mortgage 271

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 2, 2024

It can be tricky talking about the national housing market when different parts of the country have very different market dynamics. Nationally, home prices will finish 2024 with an increase of about 5% over the previous year, despite historically low home sales and that there are 27% more homes unsold on the market than there were last year at this time.

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Housing Market Marketing New Listings Inventory 436

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 2, 2024

A recent LendingTree study highlights a considerable rise in 30-year fixed-rate mortgage refinance offers, showing an impressive 41.59% increase from September 2023 to September 2024. This growth correlates with a notable decrease in the average annual percentage rate (APR) on refinance loans, which fell by 156 basis points—from 8.19% down to 6.63%.

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Mortgage Finance Appraisal Marketing 244

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Ryan Serhant ’s eponymous brokerage has been in rapid growth mode this year following the success of the Netflix show “Owning Manhattan,” and now investors want in on the action. SERHANT. announced Monday that it secured $45 million in a Series A funding round led by real estate venture capital firm Camber Creek and participation from Left Lane Capital.

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Development Brokerage Technology Real Estate 390

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Snapdocs , a provider of digital mortgage closing solutions, in partnership with Falcon Capital Advisors , has released research showing that eClosing technology provides lenders with a pricing advantage of up to 10 basis points. The advantage stems from accelerated loan delivery to secondary and capital markets. On average, lenders utilizing eClosing platforms closed loans five days faster, securing this pricing benefit by delivering loans into an earlier month’s mortgage-backed security.

Technology 244

Technology Investors Modernization Investing 244

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Working through the new Market Conditions policy and advisory from Fannie Mae Did Fannie Mae just throw a wrench into how residential appraisal reports for mortgage transactions are completed with their recent announcement on Market Conditions? As an appraiser, it is highly likely at some point you will see the following or a similar request soon after your appraisal is submitted to your client, or even months after your appraisal is accepted by your client: Please provide support for your m

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Marketing Appraisal Development Market Value 243

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 2, 2024

The ink is barely dry on Judge Stephen R. Bough’s final approval of the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) nationwide commission lawsuit settlement agreement , but the ruling is already facing its first appeal. On Wednesday, Nov. 27, one day after Bough held the final approval hearing, an objector and former lead plaintiff in what is now the Moratis commission lawsuit in Pennsylvania — Spring Way Center LLC — filed an appeal with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Nationwide, the average rent price fell by -0.8% to $1,720 in October, marking their 15th consecutive month of year-over-year declines and falling the most for smaller-sized units, according to Realtor.com’s October Rental Report. Realtor.com notes that new rental properties coming onto the market are expected to put continued downward pressure on rents next year.

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Advertising Construction Marketing Appraisal 222

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Despite being the beneficiaries of historic increases in home-price appreciation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic , older baby boomers — many of whom are approaching the age of 80 in 2025 — are now finding themselves challenged by a dearth of housing inventory that can best accommodate living in later life. This is according to a recent story published by Business Insider, which characterizes the dynamic as partially of the generation’s own making.

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Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Farmer Mac has completed a $318.8 million securitization of agricultural mortgage loans, representing the organization’s fifth transaction in the FARM series since 2021. The mortgage pool for FARM Series 2024-2 consists of 446 agricultural mortgage loans with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of approximately $318.8 million. This deal included a $294.9 million senior tranche guaranteed by Farmer Mac and a $23.9 million unguaranteed subordinate tranche.

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Mortgage Legal Investors Development 195

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Movement is constant in the mortgage industry. The pressure to increase loan volume and demand for quality origination talent, especially given fluctuating interest rates, rising business costs, and shrinking profitability, has increased the competition for hiring proven business generators, teams, and branches, and has driven a rise in mergers and acquisitions intended to gain market share while decreasing overhead and consolidating operating costs.

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Mortgage Legal Sellers Business 368

Real Estate News

DECEMBER 2, 2024

The $444 million deal brings the 8th-largest brokerage firm into the Compass fold and represents the brokerage giant’s first major move into the global market.

Real Estate 226

Real Estate Brokerage Marketing 226

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Fitch Ratings announced Monday that it has revised its outlook for the mortgage origination and servicing sector in 2025 from “deteriorating” to “improving,” reflecting forecasts of lower mortgage rates. The credit rating agency sees higher origination volumes and gain-on-sale margins on the mortgage production front, leading to improved profitability for lenders.

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Mortgage Finance Marketing 332

Real Estate News

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Feel like housing forecasts have been off lately? That’s because the market hasn’t been behaving as expected. See which factors are playing a bigger role.

Housing Market 193

Housing Market Marketing 193

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 2, 2024

In a new episode of the “ Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast ,” hosts James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson speak with Collabra Technology CEO Russ Cofano to dive into cooperative compensation and the National Association of Realtors ‘ (NAR) Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP), among other subjects. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Real Estate 317

Real Estate Brokerage Agents Advertising 317

Real Estate News

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Multiple filings were submitted last week related to the NAR settlement, eXp deal and a homebuyer case, while three new appeals were filed on Monday.

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Housing Wire

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Real estate investment and operating platform Wrightwell has secured a new financing round while forging a partnership with Bain Capital and Saluda Grade. The deal will yield as much as $300 million in new investments into single-family rental (SFR) and built-to-rent (BTR) properties. The agreement, announced on Monday, will aim to address “critical residential housing needs across the U.S.,” according to a statement from Wrightwell.

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Real Estate News

DECEMBER 2, 2024

The National Association of Realtors reported having roughly 1.52 million members in December, despite growing pushback from agents and local associations.

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Realtors Agents 143

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 2, 2024

In a recent episode of HousingWire Daily , host Sarah Wheeler sits down with Stan Middleman , the founder, president and CEO of Freedom Mortgage. The pair discuss Freedom’s adaptability-focused business approach, potential market risks in 2025 and how lenders can prepare for long-term success. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To start the conversation, Middleman dives into his early career and his book, “Seeing Around Corners.

Mortgage 307

Mortgage Business Marketing 307

Inman

DECEMBER 2, 2024

The home was also designed to create a portable solution, as the home can be easily set up in almost any location. It comes pre-equipped with electricity and plumbing, ensuring essential amenities are available wherever it's placed.

Design 167

Design Modernization Technology Agents 167

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 2, 2024

The reverse mortgage division of Rate , formerly known as Guaranteed Rate , has been on a mission to bolster its market presence for the past few years. According to Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) endorsement data compiled by Reverse Market Insight (RMI), the company grew its endorsement volume by roughly 870% year to date through July. Keeping that momentum going is a priority for Jesse Allen, who was recently announced as the president for Rate’s reverse lending division.

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Retail Lending Loan Officers Mortgage 293

Inman

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Implement these strategies from security expert Robert Siciliano to identify and protect yourself from misinformation, ensuring you're better prepared to navigate today's intricate information ecosystem.

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Business Technology Brokerage Agents 158

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Despite gaining final approval of its commission lawsuit settlement agreement , the antitrust issues for the National Association of Realtors (NAR) are far from over. Last week, Luz de Amor Eytalis — the broker of Texas -based Strategic Realty — filed an antitrust suit in U.S. District Court in Wichita Falls, Texas. Eytalis filed an amended complaint to the suit a day later.

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Realtors Real Estate Law Realty 259

Inman

DECEMBER 2, 2024

This week Intel explores the financial data behind three real estate companies that thrilled investors amid a stagnant market that stymied the competition: Compass, Zillow and The Real Brokerage.

Real Estate 158

Real Estate Brokerage Investors Marketing 158

Eyes on Housing

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Private residential construction spending increased by 1.5% in October, according to the latest U.S. Census Construction Spending data. Year-over-year, the October report showed a 6.4% increase. The monthly increase in total private construction spending was primarily driven by higher spending on residential improvements. Improvement spending surged by 2.7% in October and was 18.5% higher compared.

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Construction 95

Inman

DECEMBER 2, 2024

The deal is valued at around $444 million, with $150 million in cash and $294 million in equity. If finalized, it would merge the nation's No. 1 brokerage by sales volume with the No. 8 largest brokerage.

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Real Estate Brokerage Agents 117

Mortgagebroker News

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Borrowers and brokers are gearing up for a more positive buying environment in the year ahead – but how busy will things get?

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Mortgage Business 64

Inman

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Megan J. MacArthur, a leader in luxury real estate with Aloha Sotheby’s International Realty, combines a strong community focus, strategic partnerships, and personalized client relationships to deliver exceptional results in Hawaii’s vibrant market.

Client Relationships 152

Client Relationships Realty Real Estate Clients 152

BiggerPockets

DECEMBER 2, 2024

There’s something almost mythical about buying real estate in the United States. The dream of owning American real estate spans across the globe.

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Real Estate Investing 50

Inman

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Inman Connect New York is renowned for gathering the brightest minds in real estate, offering unparalleled access to expert insights and networking opportunities. This January, join industry leaders at the Hilton Midtown for transformative discussions on technology, branding, and market strategies to propel your business into 2025. Discover how to leverage this premier event to enhance your professional growth and adapt to the ever-changing real estate landscape.

Real Estate 140

Real Estate Technology Business Marketing 140

BiggerPockets

DECEMBER 2, 2024

When interest rates rose, many investors stopped buying. But not Ryan Irwin. This rookie doubled down on real estate, choosing whichever investing strategy made the numbers work.

Housing Market 40

Housing Market Real Estate Investors Investing 40

Inman

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Led by Camber Creek with Left Lane Capital, the funding will further develop the S.MPLE platform while scaling SERHANT.'s brokerage, edtech, content creation and media production services.

Technology 143

Technology Brokerage Development 143

BiggerPockets

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Northwest Arkansas (NWA) is currently one of the best undervalued markets to be investing in, thanks to its combination of job growth, appreciation, and relative affordability.

Real Estate 40

Real Estate Marketing Investing Housing Market 40