Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

To get a sense for what the mood is among real estate agents right now, look no further than Portland , Oregon. Like the vast majority of the country, the city’s housing market has been stymied by high mortgage rates, low inventory and mismatched expectations between buyers and sellers. But now that the new rules related to the National Association of Realtors ‘ (NAR) settlement have taken effect, there’s added confusion, anxiety and uncertainty, leaving agents to wrestle with tensions at

Housing Market 472

Housing Market Marketing Sellers Buyers 472

Appraisal Buzz

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

According to a new Zillow Home Loans analysis , monthly mortgage payments have grown less expensive than rent prices in 22 of the 50 largest U.S. metros. Recent dips in mortgage rates, which have fallen to the lowest level since early 2023, have significantly reduced monthly payments. According to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) from Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) dropped last week to its lowest level since February 2023, coming in at 6.20%.

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Buyers Home Value Insurance Mortgage 418

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Federal Reserve policymakers are expected to lower the benchmark interest rate on Wednesday for the first time in more than four years. But it appears to be anyone’s guess as to how large the cut will be. Interest rate traders were giving shorter odds on Tuesday afternoon to a cut of 50 basis points (bps), which would trim the Fed’s target range to 4.75% to 5%.

Mortgage 459

Mortgage Housing Market Construction Tools 459

Appraisal Buzz

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

For a variety of reasons, community connection has felt unattainable in recent years, and the need for it has become more pressing. According to a 2023 study on America’s “loneliness epidemic” by the U.S. Surgeon General , around one in two adults in the country suffer from loneliness as a result of social separation. The thrill of becoming a homeowner and the sense of community that comes with it continue to motivate buyers even in the wake of the pandemic.

Real Estate 367

Real Estate Real Estate Agent Clients Agents 367

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Home equity solutions provider Unison launched a new product on Tuesday that combines the features of traditional mortgage financing and emerging home equity investment (HEI) options. The San Francisco -based Unison calls its new offering the Equity Sharing Home Loan. The company explained that the product operates as a ”hybrid between debt and equity.

Renovations 459

Renovations Investing Finance Investors 459

Real Estate News

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

While a rate cut — which could further drive down mortgage rates — would help homebuyers, there are other headwinds at play in the final months of 2024.

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Mortgage 290

Real Estate News

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Mauricio Umansky pledges a court fight against NAR, while Compass and Redfin CEOs take opposite sides on the policy.

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Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

The federal government is launching a campaign on Zillow to help provide housing counseling services to more Americans. The Department of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Tuesday also will publish a new final rule in the Federal Register to expand accepted communication methods for counseling clients. Zillow advertising partnership Zillow is estimated to reach more than 200 million users per month, and the partnership includes advertising for HUD’s “Let’s Make Home the G

Advertising 448

Advertising Transportation Clients Design 448

Appraisal Buzz

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

A new report by BMO Financial Group reveals that 37% of Americans are using artificial intelligence (AI) to manage their finances and investments, with 61% of that share being members of Generation Z. Sixty-four percent of survey respondents said they did not think AI can understand the emotional component of financial planning. For Americans leveraging AI to help manage their finances, the most common uses include educating themselves about personal finance (49%), creating and/or updating house

Finance 243

Finance Investing Business Tools 243

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Anthony Casa, President & CEO of UMortgage , isn’t mincing words when it comes to the lending practices that often victimize our veterans. “Our veterans deserve better. Unfortunately, it’s far too common for lenders to prioritize their own profits over the financial well-being of those who have served our country,” Casa shares. “These lenders take advantage of the profit margins on VA loans to charge veterans inflated fees and higher interest rates.

Lending 435

Lending Retail Clients Mortgage 435

Appraisal Buzz

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Opendoor Board Member David Benson Opendoor Technologies , an e-commerce platform for residential real estate transactions, has announced that David Benson , former President of Fannie Mae , has been appointed to its Board of Directors. Benson will also serve on the Audit Committee of the Board. “I am thrilled to welcome David to our Board,” said Carrie Wheeler , Opendoor CEO and Board Director.

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Human Resources Real Estate Modernization Business 221

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

The spread on mortgage-backed securities (MBS) trouble many industry professionals, and at a recent roundtable discussion, it spurred an interesting discussion on the degree of risk being absorbed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. At policy panels held by the Community Home Lenders of America (CHLA) on Monday in Washington, D.C., former Federal Housing Financing Agency (FHFA) director Mark Calabria made the argument that a larger credit box has caused the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) to

Property Taxes 433

Property Taxes Government Legal Insurance 433

Appraisal Buzz

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Despite a slight decrease in rates that came during the month, applications for mortgages for new home purchases were flat in August compared with July but were up 4.4% compared with August 2023, according the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS). “Applications for new home purchases continue to show year-over-year growth, increasing by more than four percent and extending the annual growth streak to 19 consecutive months,” says Joel Kan, vice president and deput

Mortgage 195

Mortgage Buyers Appraisal 195

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Curbio, a home renovation startup that specializes in pre-sale work, has agreed to settle fraud allegations made by the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia. As part of the settlement, Curbio agreed to pay $7.5 million. The company denied wrongdoing and said in a statement that it agreed to the settlement because “the time and money we would spend over the next two years to clear our good name would be better spent doing what we do best.

Renovations 432

Renovations Realtors Real Estate Agent Contracts 432

Appraisal Buzz

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has released an interactive tool for tracking data on multifamily mortgages that enables users to review details about loans and properties at both the state and national levels. The tool, known as a data visualization dashboard, provides a more accessible way to view and understand data on multifamily mortgages.

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Tools Mortgage Finance Appraisal 195

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Global investment firm Carlyle has agreed to purchase up to $300 million of equity sharing home loans from home equity solutions provider Unison. Carlyle also made a strategic investment into the San Francisco-based Unison, enabling it to launch its Equity Sharing Home Loan product. “We are excited to partner with Unison to provide an attractive solution for homeowners to access their appreciating home equity,” Akhil Bansal, Carlyle’s head of credit strategic solutions, said in a st

Investing 430

Investing Finance Tools Investors 430

Inman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest levels since 2023 in 22 of the 50 largest U.S. metros — even as rent prices continue to rise, according to a new analysis from Zillow released on Monday.

Mortgage 193

Mortgage Marketing 193

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Higher mortgage rates and related affordability challenges are putting the squeeze on homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments, but foreclosure activity took a step back in August. According to the monthly foreclosure report from Attom , foreclosure filings fell 5.3% compared to July and completed foreclosures dropped by 12%. A total of 30,227 homes faced foreclosure filings, a far cry from the 300,000 per month seen during the 2008 financial crisis.

Housing Market 430

Housing Market Marketing Mortgage 430

Inman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Law professor estimates the plaintiffs' law firms are asking for only 3 percent of the total value of the deals when 'historic' business practice changes are taken into account.

Law 191

Law Business Realtors Brokerage 191

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Industry-leading reverse mortgage lender Finance of America (FOA) on Tuesday announced updates and new details for a previously announced exchange offer , which would swap current investor bonds due in 2025 with new bonds due one to four years later. The current unsecured notes, due in 2025 with an interest rate of 7.875%, could be swapped for one of two new bond options — those with the same interest rate due in 2026 (with a company option to extend into 2027), or new bonds with a 10% interest

Finance 424

Finance Investors Business Mortgage 424

Inman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

The new commission rules are confusing. Compliance expert Summer Goralik unpacks whether it’s possible to confirm if a seller is willing to compensate buyer’s agents.

Sellers 190

Sellers Agents Buyers Realtors 190

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

The role of the buyer’s agent has been turned on its head and Lone Wolf Technologies wants to help. The real estate software company is launching a “Buyer’s Agent Club” that is designed to assist agents in navigating an uncertain time in the industry through resources, tools and training. “For decades, Lone Wolf has been a pillar in real estate technology, and for good reason,” Lone Wolf CEO Jimmy Kelly said in a statement. “We’ve always made it a priority to innova

Design 420

Design Tools Agents Buyers 420

Inman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

The company denied wrongdoing and said it had agreed to settle with plaintiffs in an attempt to move on and continue growing the business.

Realty 187

Realty Business Real Estate Brokerage 187

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Global investment firm Atlas Merchant Capital and Florida-based lender A&D Mortgage have announced a joint venture (JV) to expand A&D’s $7 billion mortgage securitization platform. The JV, which will draw from a combination of internal and third-party capital sources, will purchase mortgages originated and serviced by A&D and other lenders.

Mortgage 334

Mortgage Investing Government Investors 334

Inman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

After 12 years on the market, Jordan’s Highland Park mansion is finally in contingency following price cuts totaling nearly $15 million. In the end, the final list price clocked in at $14.855 million.

Buyers 182

Buyers Marketing 182

GoForrmz

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Originally published on 10/02/2018 Improve your business’ food safety procedures with digital forms Ensuring impeccable food safety standards and adhering to stringent regulations is not just a requirement for your business — it's a critical responsibility. Maintaining rigorous food safety and compliance practices protects your customers, employees, and vendors from the severe risks of food-borne illnesses and workplace hazards.

Inspection 148

Inspection Business Design Tools 148

Inman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Despite its problems, brokerage CEO Sean Frank writes, NAR membership is still the logical option for real estate professionals.

Brokerage 179

Brokerage Real Estate Realtors Agents 179

Eyes on Housing

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

With mortgage rates declining by more than one-half of a percentage point from early August through mid-September, per Freddie Mac, builder sentiment edged higher this month even as builders continue to grapple with rising costs. Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes was 41 in September, up two points from a reading.

Mortgage 109

Mortgage Marketing 109

Inman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

If you want to add to your safety and security toolbox, build value, protect your clients and stay safe in the field, check out these recommendations from Tracey “The Safety Lady” Hawkins.

Tools 179

Tools Business Clients Technology 179

BiggerPockets

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Rents are falling in certain cities, driven by urban sprawl and soft demand. Smart investors can target these areas with lasting growth potential.

Investors 90

Investors 90

Inman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Lenders have gotten into the habit of helping some homebuyers avoid jumbo loans by raising their limits before an official announcement by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's federal regulator.

Tools 178

Tools Buyers Mortgage 178

Mortgagebroker News

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

FINTRAC AML Regulations effective October 11, 2024: here's what brokers need to know

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Inman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

A new solution to help brokers administer financial benefits to agents is now available from Tongo, a company that “builds financial products that cater to the needs of the commission economy.

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Agents Finance Marketing Brokerage 178

Mortgagebroker News

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

But many still face financial struggles despite improving economic confidence

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