Sat.Feb 08, 2025 - Fri.Feb 14, 2025

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Better mortgage spreads are capping rates in 2025

Housing Wire

Another jobs week has come to an end, and amid the chaotic headlines about job numbers, tariffs , and the leadership of the Treasury , mortgage rates remained calm. Better mortgage spreads are limiting how high rates can rise in 2025. This situation contrasts with the challenges the market faced in 2023, during the banking crisis when the Federal Reserve was still raising rates.

Mortgage 492
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AI’s Impact on the Homebuying Journey

Appraisal Buzz

In a recently published report by Veterans United Home Loans , approximately one-in-three (32%) of prospective homebuyers are using artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of their homebuying journey. The nationwide survey of nearly 900 prospective buyers found that searching for and virtually touring homes are the two most common uses of AI. The survey also revealed that 40% of prospective buyers interact with AI once a day or more.

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Adjust for Time Again?

George Dell

In this post, Adjust for Time, Part 12, (read the whole series here) the FHFA Working Paper 24-07 infers a third common strategy for time adjustments. We will call this the plot–regress method. In this strategy MLS data on individual sales can be retrieved, and the appraiser can regress sales price on a time trend […] The post Adjust for Time Again?

Appraisal 195
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Mindfulness for busy pros (because the rollercoaster isn’t stopping)

Inman

If it feels impossible to start and consistently maintain a mindfulness habit, Aaron Hendon offers ways to incorporate it into what you're already doing.

Business 167
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The Constructor's Digital Transformation Playbook: Reducing Risk With Technology

Speaker: Dylan Secrest

Construction projects are high-stakes operations where even minor inefficiencies can lead to costly delays, safety concerns, and budget overruns. Managing risk in construction has always been a challenge, but as projects grow in complexity, traditional methods no longer cut it. Enter Digital Transformation - a game changer approach that replaces inefficiency with AI-powered analytics, real-time monitoring, and automated workflows to proactively manage risk.

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Mortgage rates dip below 7% after retail sales surprise

Housing Wire

This Valentines weekend brought an unexpected gift to the housing market as a weaker-than-expected retail sales report sent the 10-year yield tumbling, bringing mortgage rates down to under 7%. Although its a welcome decline, were still seeing rates considerably higher than the near-6% levels we enjoyed for a fleeting moment last year. Its been a rollercoaster week for the bond market, particularly after a relative calm in mortgage pricing.

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Spotlight Feature: Calculated Fields in Your Mobile Forms

GoForrmz

Originally published on 03/15/2016 Automatic Calculations are one of the most popular mobile form features used today Automatic Calculations is a powerful feature designed to save significant time and effort by automating calculations that would otherwise need to be performed manually. By eliminating the need for manual math, Calculated fields not only streamline your workflow but also ensure accuracy, reducing the risk of human error often associated with pen-and-paper calculations.

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Tool Kit: Upgrade your media literacy skills to know what’s real

Inman

It's hard to tell fact vs. fiction these days. Get the tools and tips for becoming a smart agent who can spot fake news, deepfakes and misinformation a mile away with trainer Rachael Hite.

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Freddie Mac reports strongest earnings since 2021

Housing Wire

Freddie Mac recorded a net income of $3.2 billion for Q4 2024 and $11.9 billion for the full year 2024, it reported this morning. The full-year net income figure marked an increase of 13% from 2023. Comprehensive income increased 11% from 2023 to $11.9 billion. In its earnings call, Freddie Mac’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer James Whitlinger noted that the GSE delivered its strongest earnings since 2021 , with its net worth reaching nearly $60 billion. “We als

Finance 443
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Tracking Inflation Trends on Rent Prices

Appraisal Buzz

Inflation has been exceptionally high in the 2020s, with average prices (as measured by the Consumer Price Index [CPI]) up 22% for the decade as of June 2024. Thats already surpassing inflation for the entire 2010s at 20%, and well on the way to topping the cumulative inflation of the 2000s and 1990s (29% and 32%, respectively). Housing, whether by rent or home prices, has seen far more appreciation than the other goods and services in the CPI: home price increases have doubled that of the overa

Appraisal 417
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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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HUD faces massive staff cuts, while a lawsuit buys time for CFPB

Real Estate News

The D.C. shakeup continues as Elon Musks DOGE team takes on HUD, looks to cut staff by half; the CFPB awaits a new director and retains funding for now.

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Housing market challenges aren’t over yet, Barbara Corcoran warns

Inman

Mortgage rates have inched downward, with the 30-year fixed rate falling down "by a fraction of a point to 6.96 percent," Corcoran said, representing the lowest rate in six weeks. The 15-fixed loan rate was 6.21 percent as of Thursday.However, Corcoran believes the minimal drop is not enough to spur major market challenges.

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Illinois Realtors’ leaders discuss market challenges and growth opportunities

Housing Wire

In this week’s episode of the RealTrending podcast , host Tracey Velt traveled to the REengage Winter Conference to speak with Illinois Realtors CEO Jeff Baker and president Tommy Choi. During the conversation, the group discuss real estate market challenges, the value of being a part of an association, and growth areas for associations in 2025.

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Housing Inventory Hits Five-Year High

Appraisal Buzz

According to a new report from Redfin , homebuyers have the most options since 2020, but few are biting because rising housing costs have made monthly payments tough to swallow. Redfin found that pending home sales in January fell to the lowest level on record aside from the start of the pandemic. Pending home sales dropped 4.2% month-over-monththe largest decline on a seasonally adjusted basis reported since August 2023and 6.3% year-over-year.

Inventory 397
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The housing data looks ugly. How will the market respond?

Real Estate News

Demand is weak, rates remain elevated and sellers appear weary but buyers may return to the market this spring to take advantage of deals on the margins.

Marketing 283
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DeepSeek AI: Game-changer or data privacy minefield?

Inman

Should real estate agents trust using the AI app DeepSeek? Trainer Bernice Ross examines the benefits and data privacy concerns.

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Redfin to lay off 450 employees in its rental division

Housing Wire

Redfin has announced yet another round of layoffs. According to a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Tuesday evening, Redfin will be cutting 450 employees from its rental division. This announcement came just hours after Zillow announced a syndication deal with Redfin for its rental listings on its Q4 2024 earnings call with investors.

Investors 430
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ATTOM: Foreclosure Starts Increased 8 Percent in January

Appraisal Buzz

Foreclosure filings including default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions increased 8% in January compared the December but were down 7% compared with January 2024, according to ATTOMs latest Foreclosure Market Report. The report shows there were a total of 30,816 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings in January. Of particular note, foreclosures starts increased 8% in January, compared with the month prior, to reach a total of 20,994 for the month.

Marketing 363
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Tariffs, home construction and affordability

Real Estate News

The price of building materials could rise by an additional 4-6% in the next 12 months, or 10% overall, according to a new report from CoreLogic.

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Is it you? Call for speakers for Inman Connect San Diego 2025 

Inman

Inman seeks fresh perspectives and new ideas from people like you for the Inman Connect stage when the conference heads to San Diego on July 30-Aug. 1, 2025. Fill out a short form to apply.

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The crucial role of community lending in our nation’s economy

Housing Wire

Our economy faces many challenges persistent high mortgage interest rates , a declining rate of existing home sales, elevated costs for basic goods and services, labor market imbalances, and rising health care costs to name just a few. As a new Administration takes over, dozens of policy prescriptions are being discussed that aim to unshackle the greatest economy in the world.

Lending 394
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January Foreclosure Activity Snapshot 

Appraisal Buzz

According to ATTOMs January 2025 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, 30,816 U.S. homes had foreclosure filings, such as default notifications, scheduled auctions, or bank repossessions. This is a 7% decrease from a year ago but an 8% increase over the previous month. January showed a monthly increase in foreclosure filings that may in some part be the result of a normal post-holiday catch up of filings, said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM.

Marketing 362
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Rising inflation dims hopes for mortgage rate relief

Real Estate News

The latest CPI data suggests rates will remain elevated heading into the spring shopping season, and some analysts now expect just one rate cut this year.

Mortgage 276
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Investor who worked with Fox & Friends host sentenced for fraud

Inman

Bert Whalen was ordered to serve over 3 years in prison for his role in a scheme to sell hundreds of dilapidated homes to rookie investors, working at times with a former host of Fox & Friends.

Investors 143
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12 real estate thank you note templates to dazzle your clients

Housing Wire

Real estate thank you notes are an easy, underutilized tool in the real estate world. With so many aspects of our lives and businesses going virtual, a snail mail thank you note is more impactful and memorable than ever before. It adds a personal touch and makes me stand out from all the other agents out there. Ive used thank you notes in my business for over a decade and even received referrals from people Ive met at networking events because they were so impressed by my immediate follow-up not

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On the New Time Adjustment Requirements

Appraisal Buzz

If youve completed an appraisal in the past week, you’ll want to hear this. The GSEs’ new time adjustment requirements went into effect on February 4th, and they come with some major changes for appraisers. To break it all down, weve brought in Matthew Hyatt from True Footage to explain what appraisers need to do to stay compliant. In this episode, we cover: What the new policy means for appraisers How to properly document time adjustments in your reports What resources are available

Appraisal 368
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Redfin to cut 450 roles following Zillow rentals deal

Real Estate News

The company, which signed an exclusive listings partnership with Zillow on Feb. 11, will complete the layoffs in July as it restructures its rentals segment.

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Succession planning is critical for business continuity: Ginger Wilcox

Inman

Choose a successor, and start planning today to ensure your real estate company continues to thrive for years to come, Better Homes and Gardens' President Ginger Wilcox writes.

Business 137
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Fannie Mae’s mortgage acquisition volume rose in 2024, but profits shrank slightly

Housing Wire

On Friday, Fannie Mae reported $17 billion in net income in 2024, down slightly from its $17.4 billion profit in 2023. The government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) had net income of $4.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, marking its 28th consecutive quarter of positive earnings. Fannie Mae president and CEO Priscilla Almodovar said during Friday’s earnings call that at the end of 2024, the GSE grew its net worth to nearly $95 billion.

Mortgage 354
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Mortgage Delinquency Rate Increased in Q4, With FHA, VA Loans Seeing Largest Increases

Appraisal Buzz

The mortgage delinquency rate on one-to-four-unit residential properties increased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.98% as of the end of the fourth quarter, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Thats up 6 basis points compared with the end of the third quarter and up 10 basis points from one year ago. Most of the overall increase was attributable to significant increases in delinquencies for FHA and VA loans: The FHA delinquency rate increased 57 basis points to 11.03%, while the VA

Mortgage 300
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Real Brokerage aims to trade agents’ other debit cards for its own

Real Estate News

The company will roll out more features for its Real Wallet soon, including rewards that can offset brokerage fees, its CTO told Real Estate News.

Brokerage 263
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Broker Spotlight: Glen Stegemann, The Agency Sandestin

Inman

Find out how this Emerald Coast broker is making waves in the ever-popular Florida luxury real estate market.

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The ‘silver tsunami’ could slam into California’s economy

Housing Wire

Older residents of the state of California , meaning those aged 65 or older, made up roughly 14% of the states population in 2020. That figure is poised to rise to 22% by 2040, marking a 59% increase, while the number of residents between the ages of 20-64 is projected to remain largely unchanged during that period. However, the range of people between the ages of 0 and 17 will also drop by 24% during that time, resulting in an old-age dependency ratio of 38 older adults per 100 working-age adul

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