Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Its late December so all the 2025 mortgage rate forecasts have been published. Unfortunately, all of them are already wrong. Most housing market analysts expect mortgage rates to spend the year with a 6 handle. The most optimistic predictions assume 2025 will see mostly low 6s for the 30-year fixed rate mortgage. And yet with pesky inflation data not falling as quickly or as far as expected, Fed chair Jerome Powell suddenly changed his language in the Fed meeting on Dec. 19.

Mortgage 434

Mortgage Housing Market Marketing Realtors 434

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 19, 2024

The National Association of Realtors reports that existing-home sales increased in November. Three major U.S. regions saw growth in sales, but the West saw no change. All four regions saw an increase in sales year over year. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of existing-home sales, which includes completed transactions of single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and cooperatives, increased 4.8% from October to 4.15 million in November.

Inventory 312

Inventory Realtors Buyers Contracts 312

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) on Thursday announced that it initiated 43,459 foreclosure prevention actions in the third quarter of 2024, bringing the total number of homeowners helped to more than 7 million since the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) entered conservatorship in 2008. But the number of foreclosure starts spiked by 27% to 22,025 during the quarter.

Government 380

Government Finance Mortgage Business 380

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 19, 2024

The Five Star Institutes Legal League has announced the launch of its latest White Paper, Non-Uniform Foreclosures. Legal League is a professional association of financial services law firms spread out across the U.S. The Legal League is uniquely positioned to drive progress in the mortgage servicing industry. Legal League members provide a clear view of the legal landscape and the expertise to navigate it, committed to supporting its membership through education, communication, relationship dev

Legal 327

Legal Law Training Mortgage 327

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic turned previously sleepy cities into boomtowns.Expanded or permanent work-from-home policies gave people more flexibility in where to live, and those in uber-expensive markets like San Francisco and Manhattan took advantage by moving to areas where they could get more space for less money. This created incredibly competitive housing markets in smaller cities that pushed sales and prices sky high.

Inventory 373

Inventory Valuation Housing Market Marketing 373

Real Estate News

DECEMBER 19, 2024

The option lets brokers access the MLS outside the traditional three-tier membership system. NAR says it is maintaining standards for the Realtor brand.

Realtors 279

Realtors 279

Real Estate News

DECEMBER 19, 2024

As other brokerages stumbled in 2024, Real saw enviable growth in agent count, transactions and share price with President Sharran Srivatsaa setting the tone.

Brokerage 264

Brokerage Agents 264

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Ellington Financial , the parent company of major reverse mortgage lender and servicer Longbridge Financial , announced this week that it has issued a $243 million proprietary reverse mortgage securitization backed entirely by Longbridges Platinum product line. The loans will also continue to be serviced by Longbridge, according to the announcement of the securitization.

Mortgage 396

Mortgage Development Marketing 396

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Mortgage rates crept up this week, as the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased to 6.72%, up from last week when it averaged 6.60%, according to Freddie Macs Primary Mortgage Market Survey. A year ago at this time, the average rate for a 30-year was 6.67%. This week, mortgage rates crept up to a similar average as this time in 2023, says Sam Khater, chief economist for Freddie Mac, in a statement.

Mortgage 195

Mortgage Appraisal Marketing 195

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

After initially entering the mortgage business in 2003 following a career change from accounting, Rick Rodriguez was reading a book about mortgages that included a chapter on the reverse mortgage product. He remembered thinking the chapter was intriguing and flagged it in his mind so he could look into the product further. After asking his colleagues if it was a product they offered, he was told that they doubted hed ever be in a position to sell reverse mortgages.

Clients 394

Clients Mortgage Business Tools 394

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Existing-home sales increased 4.8% in November compared with October and were up 6.1% compared with November 2023, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). It was the strongest year-over-year increase since June 2021. Existing-home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.15 million, the swiftest pace since March, when they were at 4.22 million.

Buyers 195

Buyers Realtors Inventory Investors 195

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Better.com announced Thursday that it has hired Misti Snow as its new senior vice president of operations. Snow, who has more than 30 years of operations experience in the financial services industry, officially started her new role on Dec. 16. In an exclusive interview with HousingWire , Snow said that her prior partnership and longstanding professional relationship with Better President Chad Smith was a draw for taking on the new role. “He and I worked at LendingTree together, so the tru

Technology 390

Technology Business Mortgage 390

Real Estate News

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Existing home sales rebounded in November, pushing annual sales past the 4 million mark. A big jump in mortgage rates may quash momentum, however.

Mortgage 205

Mortgage 205

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Known for its rural communities, quaint towns, scenic lakes and mountain vistas, New Hampshire is probably not where you would expect to find one of the nations hottest housing markets but the data says otherwise. According to Zillow , the city of Manchester , New Hampshire, was the most popular market on the listing portal in 2024 in terms of page views, home-price appreciation and time on market.

Housing Market 389

Housing Market Marketing Inventory Clients 389

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Mortgage subservicer Dovenmuehle Mortgage has received a Tier 1 Rating from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for its Federal Housing Administration (FHA) servicing performance under HUDs Tier Ranking System II (TRS II). The TRS II assigns an A grade to Tier 1 performers and assesses servicers across multiple performance areas, including early delinquency intervention and Single Family Default Monitoring System (SFDMS) reporting.

Mortgage 195

Mortgage Design Insurance Clients 195

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

RE/MAX Holdings , the parent company of real estate franchisor RE/MAX and mortgage franchisor Motto Mortgage , is getting into the advertising game. On Thursday, the company announced the launch of the RE/MAX commerce media network. The initiative is supported by Kontrol Media. It will give advertisers like moving companies, local contractors and furniture companies access to consumers who are actively pursuing a home buying or selling journey through RE/MAXs digital media network of websites, e

Advertising 330

Advertising Real Estate Sellers Agents 330

Appraisal Buzz

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Matador Lending is the latest mortgage company to offer Calque s The Trade-In Mortgage, a loan option that allows homeowners to utilize the equity in their existing property to buy a new home without selling their current one first. Matador Lending serves borrowers in California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. With Calques guaranteed backup offer, homeowners can use their home equity to increase their down payment and streamline the process of obtaining a new property, the company says in a releas

Lending 195

Lending Mortgage Clients Real Estate 195

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

As 2025 approaches, The Real Brokerage is heading into the new year with more growth-centered momentum. The digital brokerage platform announced another major affiliation this week to strengthen its presence in the luxury market. Real announced this week the affiliation of Urban Nest Realty , a Las Vegas -based brokerage. The move will add 400 agents to Real’s network and strengthen its presence in Las Vegas’ luxury real estate scene.

Brokerage 362

Brokerage Realty Agents Real Estate 362

Inman

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Existing-home sales rose 6.1 percent annually in November while three out of four U.S. regions saw increases from 2023, according to new data released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors.

Realtors 158

Realtors Inventory Buyers Mortgage 158

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Some people might have been surprised by existing home sales growth for the last two months, but they would have known what was happening if they followed our weekly Housing Market Tracker data. Not only has sales data improved, but home prices have firmed up so much that months ago, I believed my forecast for national home price growth of 2.33% for 2024 would come in too low.

Mortgage 367

Mortgage Contracts Housing Market Inventory 367

Inman

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Find out how this young, first-generation Filipino-American entrepreneur worked her way up from receptionist to broker-owner.

Real Estate 158

Real Estate Brokerage 158

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

There’s a reason why eXp Realty regards itself as the “the most agent-centric brokerage on the planet.” This week, the company embodied that mindset with yet another major affiliation that expands its agent network. eXp announced this week the affiliation of Kris Caldwell, a veteran real estate leader with expertise in Colorado ‘s Front Range and leading mountain communities.

Realty 287

Realty Brokerage Agents Real Estate 287

Inman

DECEMBER 19, 2024

NAR sent the cease-and-desist letter to Phoenix Realtors over its MLS Choice option, which gives brokers access to state-compliant forms and legal aid but may also violate its three-way agreement.

Realtors 158

Realtors Legal Agents 158

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

What drives the secondary market and mortgage industrys top innovators? This series unveils the personal and professional moments shaping Pollys executive team and their vision for a better mortgage future. Dive into the lives of Pollys executive team in this 4 episode docuseries. Inspired by ESPNs 30 for 30, these four short episodes explore the personal journeys, career-defining moments, and unique purpose driving the leaders shaping the future of housing.

Mortgage 274

Mortgage Loan Officers Technology Marketing 274

Inman

DECEMBER 19, 2024

The key to successful team building, coach Verl Workman writes, is creating experiences that are engaging, purposeful and reflective of real-world challenges.

Training 106

Training Development Agents 106

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

In a rapidly evolving real estate market, Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) face a pivotal moment. Amid industry-wide challenges, such as commission lawsuits and post-pandemic housing market shifts, MLSs must embrace reinvention. As Eben Moran of Stellar MLS aptly stated on RentSprees Its Closing Time podcast, the future lies in collaboration: How can we come together to make the industry better overall?

Landlords 228

Landlords Agents Tools Real Estate 228

Inman

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Commission lawsuits and industry practice changes will face off in our final bracket challenge. Inman readers, vote now and let us know what you think is the most important story of 2024.

Bracketing 99

Bracketing Brokerage Agents 99

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Planet Home Lending announced Thursday that it has hired Candice McNaught as senior vice president of business development and strategic initiatives for its distributed retail channel. McNaught, a 2023 HousingWire Woman of Influence , brings more than 16 years of experience to the role. She formerly held posts at Supreme Lending and NFM Lending. In her previous role at Supreme, McNaught oversaw 200 branch locations and a national network of more than 700 loan officers.

Lending 228

Lending Loan Officers Retail Modernization 228

Empire Appraisal Group

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Despite Inventory Rise, Home Buyers Remain Cautious Source: [link] More listings are coming to the real estate market, but home sales continue to be sluggish. Read more from NARs latest housing report. Home buyers may finally be finding more inventory options this fall, but theyre still being cautious about entering the real estate market, the National Association of REALTORS reported Wednesday.

Inventory 78

Inventory Buyers Real Estate Realtors 78

Inman

DECEMBER 19, 2024

The Agency founder Mauricio Umansky shares strategies for optimizing your current real estate business and planning for success in 2025.

Real Estate 83

Real Estate Business Brokerage Agents 83

Mortgagebroker News

DECEMBER 19, 2024

BMO economist predicts stable market despite interest rate concerns

Mortgage 68

Mortgage Marketing 68

Inman

DECEMBER 19, 2024

By investing in growth and well-being, Heyler Realtys team leads demonstrate that success is about much more than closing deals its about building relationships, coach Melanie Klein writes.

Realty 73

Realty Investing Brokerage 73

Mortgagebroker News

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Delayed financial report doesn’t derail merger plans, CEO says

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Eyes on Housing

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Despite higher mortgage rates and elevated home prices, existing home sales jumped to an 8-month high in November, marking the second month of annual increase in more than three years, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). While inventory improves and the Fed continues lowering rates, the market faces headwinds as mortgage rates are.

Realtors 60

Realtors Inventory Mortgage Marketing 60