Mon.Dec 23, 2024

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The homebuilders’ 2025 supply and demand problem

Housing Wire

New home sales grew over last month in the latest Census report , but homebuilders are now facing a supply issue their inventory is building up. This is the reason why housing starts are at recession levels today. Monthly new home sales have been stagnant for the past two years. When mortgage rates decline, sales improve, but it becomes more challenging for builders and buyers when rates rise.

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Ranking the Top States and Cities for Homebuyers 

Appraisal Buzz

For prospective homebuyers seeking locations with a promising return on investment, the ConsumerAffairs research team analyzed data across 477 U.S. metropolitan areas and all states. Using factors like market stability, long-term growth, affordability, and market fluidity, this guide highlights housing markets expected to perform well in 2024. The Best States for Homebuyers in 2024 ConsumerAffairs analysis ranks states with strong market resilience, potential for value appreciation, and affordab

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CFPB sues Rocket, The Jason Mitchell Group over RESPA violations

Housing Wire

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a lawsuit Monday accusing Rocket Homes of orchestrating a kickback scheme to funnel business to its sister companies, Rocket Mortgage and Amrock. The Jason Mitchell Group is also implicated in the alleged violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). According to the CFPB, between 2019 and 2024, real-estate brokerage firm Rocket Homes purportedly incentivized real estate brokers and agents with referrals and priority for fu

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Phoenix Realtors fires back at NAR over MLS Choice program

Real Estate News

The National Association of Realtors says MLS Choice allows non-Realtors to join the Phoenix association. PAR says NAR threats will chill innovation.

Realtors 278
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Mortgage groups gear up to get trigger leads bill passed in 2025

Housing Wire

The trigger leads bill has become a 2025 priority for the mortgage industry after failing to pass the House of Representatives last week, despite Senate approval. Mortgage trade groups, however, remain optimistic about the bill’s prospects in the 119th Congress. It would still have to get through the House [this year], which is technically possible but very unlikely, said Brendan McKay, owner of Mckay Mortgage and chief advocacy officer at the Broker Action Coalition (BAC).

Mortgage 334
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Flying Safely as a Remote Pilot: Key Practices for Success

Appraisal Buzz

As a remote pilot serving the real estate industry, every operation brings unique challenges. No two flights are the same, which is why I rely on my experience, checklists, and safety protocols to navigate each mission successfully. It’s essential to remember that even a small drone is an aircraft, and as such, it operates within the national airspace, where safety must always be the priority.

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Boomers Passing the Equity Torch to Younger Generations

Appraisal Buzz

Freddie Mac s most recent survey of baby boomer housing opinions, preferences, and plans indicates that roughlythree quarters of homeowners born before 1964 are likely to pass a large portion of their $17 trillion in home equity to their offspring. The majority of boomers who own a home are certain they will enjoy a pleasant retirement, according to Freddie Macs recent, extensive study of respondents aged 60 and over.

Finance 221
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RE/MAX wants to be the place that new agents thrive

Housing Wire

RE/MAX frequently touts the experience and productivity of its agents, 135 of which made the 2024 RealTrends Verified + Tom Ferry The Thousand more than any other brokerage. In 2025, however, the real estate franchisor is looking to welcome in and foster the next generation of top agents. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2024 NAR Member Profile , the median age of a real estate agent is 55, which for RE/MAX President Amy Lessinger is a clear sign that it is time for new t

Agents 294
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Share of Mortgages in Forbearance Increased Slightly in November

Appraisal Buzz

The share of mortgages in forbearance increased three basis points in November compared with October, rising from from 0.47% to 0.50% of all loans, according to the Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBA) monthly Loan Monitoring Survey. As of the end of the month, roughly 250,000 homeowners were in forbearance plans, according to the MBAs data. In November, the share of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans in forbearance increased 1 basis point to 0.21%.

Mortgage 195
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What it’s like connecting reverse mortgage professionals with forward lending partners

Housing Wire

Over the past year, members of the reverse mortgage industry have been making a more concerted effort to connect with their counterparts in the forward mortgage space. The efforts have not gone unnoticed as more forward mortgage companies particularly in an elevated rate environment have started to see value in the possible addition of reverse mortgages to their product suites.

Lending 225
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How to help buyers understand appraisals and inspections

Real Estate News

These evaluations have the potential to make or break a transaction, and many buyers will have questions about whats involved and whats at stake.

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Remote Workers Sound Off on Relocating 

Appraisal Buzz

In 2025, many U.S.homeowners may have to make the difficult decision to relocate or hunt for a new job as a new presidential administration will soon take office and more companies are reevaluating remote work regulations that allowed their workers to work from a distance. According to recent Bright MLS survey data, approximately 37% of people who work remotely at least occasionally would hunt for a new job if they were summoned back to the office full-time.

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Trends 2025: Franchise giants, rising brokerage brands to watch

Real Estate News

Well-known franchise brands have proven their staying power, but more brokerage brands are scaling up nationally, capturing agent and consumer attention.

Brokerage 141
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ATTOM: Home Flipping Was Less Profitable in the Third Quarter

Appraisal Buzz

About one in every 14 home sales, or 7.2% of home sales nationwide, were flips during the third quarter, according to ATTOM. Thats down from 7.6% of all sales during the second quarter, according to the firms U.S. Home Flipping Report. The report shows that 74,618 single-family homes and condominiums were flipped during the third quarter. However the average profit per flip dropped for the first time in over a year.

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Douglas Elliman of California and former escrow head settle lawsuits

Inman

The lawsuits alleging kickbacks by high profile brokers, which were launched in October, are now resolved. Founder and former CEO of Portfolio Escrow Bill Grasska said he is "committed to ensuring my name remains synonymous with integrity and excellence.

Brokerage 133
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New Home Sales Jumped 5.9 Percent in November as Rates Decreased

Appraisal Buzz

New home sales jumped 5.9% in November compared with December to reach an annual rate of 664,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Thats up 8.7% compared with November 2023. The median sales price of a new home sold in November was $402,600. The average sales price was $484,800. As of the end of the month, there were about 490,000 new homes available for sale in the U.S.

Buyers 195
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The rich get richer? How NAR’s deal is widening the commission gap

Inman

For most, the rise of negotiated compensation for buyer's agents hasn't dramatically pushed down commissions yet. But new rules may be benefiting top performers, new Intel polling shows.

Agents 118
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Erika Capobianco Qualifies for the 2024 Lamacchia Realty President’s Club

Lamacchia Realty

Erika Capobianco Qualifies for the 2024 Lamacchia Realty President's Club Lamacchia Realty is proud to announce that Erika Capobianco has officially qualified for the prestigious 2024 Lamacchia Realty Presidents Club for the FIRST time! Erika earned this incredible milestone by selling over 33 homes so far this year. Erika Capobianco is a highly accomplished Cape Cod REALTOR with decades of experience in the sale and rental of residential properties.

Realty 67
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5 mindset shifts the pros will be making in 2025

Inman

Every top producer is just a new agent who refuses to give up, broker Joseph Santini writes. Learn from the attitudes and habits of top producers to get 2025 off on the right foot.

Agents 92
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Kerry Houde Qualifies for the 2024 Lamacchia Realty President’s Club

Lamacchia Realty

Kerry Houde Qualifies for the 2024 Lamacchia Realty President's Club Lamacchia Realty is thrilled to announce that Kerry Houde has earned a spot in the prestigious 2024 Lamacchia Realty Presidents Club for the FIRST time! This remarkable achievement comes after Kerry surpassed over 33 transactions this year! Kerrys success in real estate is fueled by her unique blend of healthcare experience and passion for helping others.

Realty 58
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Covering Her Mortgage in ONE Day with THIS (Up to $16K/Month!)

BiggerPockets

Covering your entire mortgage payment in ONE day?! Todays guest is proof that you dont need a full-blown real estate portfolio to start making money.

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Q4 Housing Affordability Slides Nationwide

Appraisal Buzz

According to ATTOMs Q4 2024 U.S. Home Affordability Report , median-priced, single-family homes and condos remain less affordable compared to historical averages in 98% of counties around the nation with enough data to analyze. The latest trend continues a three-year pattern of homeownership requiring historically large portions of wages, as U.S. home prices keep reaching new heights.

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Want to Buy Real Estate in 2025? Listen to This FIRST (Best Advice of 2024)

BiggerPockets

Want to invest in real estate in 2025? Then this is the show to listen to. Weve had some phenomenal guests on the show this past year.

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EXp Realty recruits The Quintin Group away from Keller Williams

Inman

Led by founder Jeff Quintin, The Quintin Group has departed Keller Williams for eXp Realty after eight years with the Texas-based franchisor. The 15-agent team boasts a lifetime sales volume of $1 billion.

Realty 158
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Redfin’s 2025 Housing Market Predictions (Home Prices, Mortgage Rates, & More)

BiggerPockets

Redfin just released their highly-anticipated 2025 housing market forecast, and today, were reacting to each of their ten crucial housing market predictions.

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Stay tuned: The tumult of 2024 leaves real estate on a cliffhanger

Inman

What will happen with the commission litigation? Which companies may merge? How will consumers behave? The only thing that's certain is that real estate's next episode will be big.

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Natural disasters push mortgage delinquencies to three-year high

Housing Wire

Natural disasters drove mortgage delinquencies in November to their highest level in three years, according to a report by ICE. Industry experts advise closely monitoring the trend but note that the share of borrowers missing payments remains low compared to the long-term average. Concerns are mainly concentrated in the government portfolio , particularly the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgages.

Mortgage 311
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Is Ethics a Spiritual Principle?

George Dell

Ethics is a discipline about what is morally good or right. In this time of much religious celebration, we note that most religions are based on specific spiritual principles. These are behaviors that most recognize as being healthy for the individual and for society. Ethics easily touches other areas of study, including anthropology, biology, economics, […] The post Is Ethics a Spiritual Principle?

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Safeguarding sensitive data: Essential practices for businesses

Housing Wire

In today’s interconnected digital landscape, information sharing is a fundamental aspect of business operations. However, the exchange of data comes with inherent cybersecurity risks, making it vital for organizations to adopt robust measures to protect sensitive information. This installment of the “Reducing Risk” series focuses on how careful review and encryption of sensitive data before sharing with external parties can mitigate cyber threats, safeguard your business, and s

Business 311
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Inman Connect New York Power Players: Spotlight on the C-Suite 

Inman

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.

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Rocket’s counterpunch: Calling Out HUD and the DOJ

Housing Wire

In October, the Department of Justice (DOJ) made headlines when they sued Rocket Mortgage for housing discrimination in the form of exhibiting alleged appraisal bias. Linking the nations largest home lender to the actions of an independent appraiser may have been an effective way to garner national attention, but it raises many concerns. Broader questions have now been raised about potential new legal liabilities that businesses in the mortgage industry may be subjected to merely for following t

Legal 235
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State-Level Employment Situation: November 2024

Eyes on Housing

Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 38 states and the District of Columbia in November compared to the previous month, while it decreased in 12 states. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nationwide total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 227,000 in November, following a meager gain of 32,000 jobs in October.

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Winter Family Fun in the Berkshires of Massachusetts

Lamacchia Realty

WINTER FAMILY FUN IN THE BERKSHIRES The Berkshires of Western Massachusetts transform into a winter wonderland each year, offering families countless opportunities for seasonal entertainment and outdoor adventure. From world-class skiing to indoor cultural activities, this region provides the perfect backdrop for creating lasting winter memories. Outdoor Winter Adventures Skiing and Snowboarding The Berkshires boast several family-friendly ski areas that cater to all skill levels.

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Consumer Confidence Dips Amid Economic Outlook

Eyes on Housing

Consumer confidence fell to a three-month low in December amid growing concerns about economic uncertainties, especially potential tariffs. These policy changes could derail inflation progress and lead the Fed to slow its easing pace. The Consumer Confidence Index, reported by the Conference Board, is a survey measuring how optimistic or pessimistic consumers feel about their.

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