Fri.Jan 10, 2025

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Housing resources and help for victims of the LA fires

Housing Wire

Real estate and mortgage firms are stepping up to help housing professionals and the Southern California community as wildfires ravage the area. Here’s a roundup of the companies and people offering help, which will be updated with new information as it becomes available. Help for those in the community Coldwell Banker Realty in Southern California, which is affiliated with Anywhere , created a Facebook group page for its network to coordinate a wide variety of needs from short- and long-t

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Mortgage Digitalization 2.0: Moving Beyond Integrations

Appraisal Buzz

This article originally appeared in the January 2025 edition of MortgagePoint magazine, online now. In the modern mortgage industry, lenders are not just setting themselves apart on who has the best Super Bowl ad or the biggest branch footprint, but increasingly also on their approach to technology. Today, technology is driving differentiation across the customer experience, loan officer experience, and overall operational efficiency.

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December jobs report comes in stronger than expected

Housing Wire

While the unemployment rate was up compared to the start of the year, the job market ended the year up, with 256,000 jobs added to the economy in December according to data released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Unemployment finished the year at a rate of 4.1%, down from 4.2% the month prior. The unemployment rate has hovered at 4.1% or 4.2% for the past seven months.

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More Renters Fearing Scams in Tight Housing Market

Appraisal Buzz

As the housing market grows more competitive, rental scams are adding financial and emotional strain to renters nationwide. According to Rentlys Rental Scams and Fraud Report , 93% of U.S. renters believe scams are common, and 90% worry about falling victim themselves. The survey, conducted by Pollfish, underscores the growing crisis and calls for stronger fraud prevention measures.

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Unlock The Blueprint: How To Construct A Better Payment Workflow

Speaker: Timothy Allsopp

Payment challenges often lead to delayed projects, financial bottlenecks, and strained relationships. With construction projects becoming more complex, outdated processes are no longer sustainable. By refining financial workflow, companies can improve cash flow, reduce error, and foster trust between stakeholders. Discover practical strategies for redesigning payment systems to overcome workflow challenges while creating a smoother, more reliable process for contractors and subcontractors alike.

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Redfin lays off 46 employees

Housing Wire

Redfin has started 2025 with a round of layoffs. The Seattle-based brokerage company laid off 46 employees on Thursday. In a statement emailed to HousingWire , a Redfin spokesperson noted that most of the impacted employees were managers in the companys headquarters, program and field leadership roles. No agents were impacted. We’re continuing to aggressively hire agents , the spokesperson wrote.

Brokerage 364

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Rep. Maxine Waters pushes for serious investigation with proposed wildfire bill

Housing Wire

Less than 10 days into 2025, California is experiencing a multibillion-dollar wildfire disaster that is further shaking up the states already vulnerable insurance coverage. Rep. Maxine Waters (D), who represents a portion of the Los Angeles area that is impacted by the damage, is ready to reintroduce a bill at the federal level that would require a study to evaluate the damaging effects of wildfires and the response from the homeowners insurance market.

Insurance 369
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Layoffs at Redfin, Zillow

Real Estate News

The Seattle-based companies confirmed the cuts. Redfin said no agents were among the 46 staff affected; Zillow didn't disclose how many employees were let go.

Agents 212
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Jobs week data is keeping mortgage rates above 7%

Housing Wire

Todays jobs report beat expectations, and in fact, the labor data was solid for jobs week, which means mortgage rates will stay elevated because its always about labor over inflation when talking about rates. Now, the labor market is getting softer from its torrid pace of job creation and wage growth from 2021 to the end of 2023, but the labor market’s softening is right in line with my 2024 forecast for jobs.

Mortgage 448
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Former NAR president lived by his belief in ‘The Power of One’

Real Estate News

Tennessee Realtor and association leader Martin Edwards, Jr. passed away last week, leaving a legacy of service and advocacy.

Realtors 210
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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.

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As LA fires burn, reverse mortgage industry emphasizes need for servicer, insurer contacts

Housing Wire

With more than 153,000 people currently under evacuation orders in the Los Angeles area due to multiple wildfires , an estimated 10 deaths and thousands of structures burned, the reverse mortgage industry at multiple levels is mobilizing with a clear, overarching message: Impacted borrowers must get in touch with their loan servicer and insurance carrier as soon as possible.

Insurance 370
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Housing supply and demand could shift dramatically in 10 years

Real Estate News

Population growth is slowing, which means fewer new households and fewer new homes needed. But immigration is still a wild card.

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Senior-held home equity falls slightly in Q3 2024

Housing Wire

A reduction of 0.3% in home values and a slight increase in senior-held mortgage debt have led to the total amount of senior-held home equity dropping from its all-time high. This is according to the latest edition of the Reverse Mortgage Market Index (RMMI), a quarterly report compiled by the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) in conjunction with data analytics firm RiskSpan.

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Mortgage rates soar following strong jobs report

Real Estate News

The employment data is good news for workers, but it means the Federal Reserve is unlikely to cut rates later this month, keeping borrowing costs elevated.

Mortgage 201
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Incenter Lender Services hires two VPs to oversee national accounts

Housing Wire

Incenter Lender Services , a group of companies that help nonbank and depository mortgage lenders nationwide, announced this week the hiring of two new vice presidents. Kathleen Rose and Wayne Brown will join Incenter’s leadership team. Both executives will oversee national accounts, tapping into the decades of success, experience and relationships shared between them.

Valuation 370
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December Jobs Report Surprises

Appraisal Buzz

About 256,000 jobs were added to the U.S. economy in December far better than expected while the unemployment rate was flat compared with November at 4.1%, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The stellar jobs report reduces the likelihood of a January Fed rate cut. Industries that added the most jobs included health care, government, and social assistance.

Retail 195
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Las Vegas Realtors apologizes after a dramatic start to 2025

Real Estate News

The association's new president, who stepped into the role a year early after two other leaders abruptly resigned, hopes to restore LVR's credibility.

Realtors 161
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L.A. Fires Will Likely Have Significant Impact on Area Housing Market

Appraisal Buzz

How much of an impact will the Los Angeles wildfires have on the area housing market? It is anticipated that this disaster will have at least some impact on home values in surrounding neighborhoods. And some housing experts say the impact is likely to be statistically significant. Unfortunately, natural disasters tend to put a lot of inflationary pressures on the housing market and the local economy, which currently comes at a very inopportune time given the Feds struggle with reeling in inflati

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AI’s evolving role in real estate and property rental

Inman

By freeing resources, improving responsiveness and creating new opportunities for engagement, AI has the potential to elevate the tenant experience in ways that go beyond operational efficiency, Michael Zaransky writes.

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NAR Taps Housing Industry Veteran Sherry Chris as a Consultant to CEO Nykia Wright

Appraisal Buzz

Housing industry veteran Sherry Chris has been hired as an independent consultant and special advisor to Nykia Wright, CEO for the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Chris brings a wealth of experience and proven leadership to this new advisory position. She is an 18-year veteran of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., where she most recently served as executive advisor.

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Trending: Say bye to fact-checkers, hashtags and TikTok

Inman

Jessi Healey dives into social medias latest shifts, from Instagrams hashtag update and Metas fact-checker removal to the TikTok ban and rising platforms like Threads and Bluesky.

Agents 123
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The Factors Driving Mortgage Availability  

Appraisal Buzz

The Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI), a survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) that examines data from ICE Mortgage Technology, indicates that mortgage credit availability rose in December. In December, the MCAI increased by 0.7% to 96.6. While an increase in the index signifies loosening credit, a decrease in the MCAI suggests tightening lending rules.

Mortgage 221
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Judge orders eXp to turn over ‘sweetheart deal’ negotiation docs

Inman

Court probes "reverse auction" allegations while plaintiffs seek preliminary approval of deals with eXp Realty, Weichert, Mark Spain Real Estate and Atlanta Communities Real Estate.

Realty 153
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New Year… New Home?

Appraisal Buzz

According to a recent Redfin research, more people are beginning their home search as the new year gets underway. In the week ending January 5, Redfins Homebuyer Demand Index, a seasonally adjusted indicator of tours and other purchasing services from Redfin agents, reported a little 2% increase from the previous month and a 2% year-over-year gain. A few more buyers are out there for a number of reasons: High mortgage rates have been accepted by some; the daily average rates reached a seven-mont

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Redfin lays off 46 employees at Seattle HQ

Inman

Seattle-based brokerage Redfin has begun the year by laying off 46 employees, includingmanagers in its headquarters, program, and field leadership roles. No agents were part of the layoffs, a spokesperson told GeekWire,which broke the news Thursday afternoon.

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Xome CEO Announces Retirement

Appraisal Buzz

Mr. Cooper Group Inc. has announced that Mike Rawls , CEO of Xome , plans to retire effective June 30, 2025, and Chris Marshall , former Vice Chairman and President at Mr. Cooper, will join Xome to lead its operations. Rawls and Marshall will work together over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition. Since taking on the role of CEO in 2020, Mike has skillfully led Xome to become the powerhouse real estate marketplace it is today, with tremendous opportunity for growth as we move into 20

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5 ways my AI twin connects me to clients, helps generate content

Inman

Looking for more help in your business? The answer might lie with an AI-generated twin who can take on some of the communication tasks on your behalf, Rachael Hite writes.

Clients 114
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Hotter-than-expected labour market casts doubt on January BoC cut

Mortgagebroker News

Employers add more jobs than expected as jobless rate ticks lower in December

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Mr. Cooper veteran Chris Marshall tapped to run Xome marketplace

Inman

Marshall will take over for Xome CEO Mike Rawls when he retires on June 30, with the two working together until then to ensure a smooth transition at the foreclosure auction site, executives said.

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Anthony Lamacchia Ranks on the Swanepoel Power 200 for 2025

Lamacchia Realty

Anthony Lamacchia Ranks on the Swanepoel Power 200 for 2025 In recent news, Anthony Lamacchia , Founder and CEO of Lamacchia Realty, was ranked on the T3 Sixty Swanepoel Power 200 List for 2025. This list consists of powerful real estate leaders who have been selected based on their power within their company/brokerage, their influence and reputation with those in the industry, and the impact they have made and are planning to implement in the coming years.

Realty 66
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U.S. Mortgage Interest Rates Continue to Move Higher

Buys Brokers Only LLC

The average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage rose for the fourth consecutive week, according to Freddie Mac's weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

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Residential Construction Loan Volumes Decline Over the Third Quarter

Eyes on Housing

The total volume of outstanding acquisition, development, and construction (AD&C) loans made by FDIC-insured institutions fell for the third consecutive quarter during the third quarter of 2024 to a volume of $490.7 billion, down from $495.8 billion in the second quarter. Interest rates remained higher over the third quarter, as the Fed issued its first.

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New Massachusetts Law Addresses Home Inspection Waivers: What Buyers and Sellers Should Know

Lamacchia Realty

New Massachusetts Law Addresses Home Inspection Waivers: What Buyers and Sellers Should Know A new law passed by the Massachusetts Legislature will soon regulate buyers and sellers options around conducting a home inspection when purchasing a home. Although the legislature passed the bill in August of 2024 as part of a larger housing bill, it will not become effective until the Governors Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities issues regulations.