Housing Market Decoded: Why Fed cuts haven’t kept mortgage rates down
Real Estate News
JANUARY 15, 2025
When the Fed lowers interest rates, a drop in mortgage rates often follows but recently, the opposite has happened. Heres why.
Sat.Jan 11, 2025 - Fri.Jan 17, 2025
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Mortgage rates fall after remarks by Fed President Waller
Housing Wire
JANUARY 16, 2025
The 10-year yield and mortgage rates have been on a wild ride lately, even testing my top-end forecast at 7.25%, but today, the 10-year yield fell after remarks by Fed President Chris Waller about whether the Fed would do even more rate cuts than the market was anticipating. His statement on this, in a CNBC interview : If inflation continues on this path through the beginning of 2025, it’s reasonable to think that possibly rate cuts could happen in the first half of the year.” This w
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Pending Home Sales Fall to 24-Month Low
Appraisal Buzz
JANUARY 17, 2025
Pending home sales fell 4.5% month over month in December on a seasonally adjusted basisthe largest decline since October 2022and dropped 2.3% year-over-year, according to a new report from Redfin. Homebuyer demand dipped at the end of the year as mortgage rates continued to climb. After inching downward at the beginning of the month, mortgage rates reversed course halfway through December and have been rising sincein part because the Federal Reserve projected fewer 2025 interest-rate cuts than
The 2024 housing market was better than 2023
Sacramento Appraisal Blog
JANUARY 14, 2025
It’s great news that 2024 performed better than the 2023 housing market. Seeing more buyers and sellers able to participate is absolutely what we want to see. Let’ get into it. Skim quickly by topic or digest slowly. UPCOMING SPEAKING GIGS: 1/15/25 Mike & Joel free Zoom event (REGISTER FOR WEDNESDAY) 1/16/25 Sac Real Producers […] The post The 2024 housing market was better than 2023 first appeared on Sacramento Appraisal Blog.
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 With construction projects becoming more complex, outdated processes are no longer sustainable.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.
California agents scramble to help clients affected by LA wildfires
Real Estate News
JANUARY 15, 2025
As the fires rage on, some agents are working on the front lines to help displaced residents facing big losses while navigating scarcity and price-gouging.
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Meeting Renters Where They Are
Appraisal Buzz
JANUARY 16, 2025
This article originally appeared in the January 2025 edition of MortgagePoint magazine, online now. Whether starting a job in a new city or accommodating a growing family, leaving one home for another can be an exciting and at times stressful process. For renters, receiving a timely, accurate security deposit refund is key to a smooth journey. Currently, the property management industrys reliance on legacy payout processes can lead to refund errors and delays that inconvenience tenants when movi
Builder Confidence Edges Up Even as Market Risk Concerns Rise
Eyes on Housing
JANUARY 16, 2025
Builder sentiment edged higher to begin the year on hopes for an improved economic growth and regulatory environment. At the same time, builders expressed concerns over building material tariffs and costs and a larger government deficit that would put upward pressure on inflation and mortgage rates. Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family.
Resilience and rebuilding: LA’s uncertain housing future
Real Estate News
JANUARY 17, 2025
What does rebuilding look like and should we even continue to build in some of the areas affected by wildfires? Experts share their thoughts.
From bartender to $463k GCI in two years of cold calling
Housing Wire
JANUARY 14, 2025
Does experience matter for first-year Realtors? If you dig a little deeper into the backgrounds of the agents on the Real Trends Verified list, you might think so. Most have blue-chip professional experience or personal connections with wealthy homeowners. Some have both. But Brandon Halperin had neither. He was a bartender who started his real estate career in a market that was brand new to him.
Need Curated Pre-foreclosure Lists to Generate New Real Estate Leads? Trellis Has the Data!
Advertiser: Trellis
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.
Record Number of Renters Struggle With Affordability
Appraisal Buzz
JANUARY 15, 2025
Affordability challenges for renters reached unprecedented levels in 2023, as the number of cost-burdened households hit a record high of 22.6 million, according to the latest data from the American Community Survey analyzed by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Among these households, 12.1 million were severely burdened, spending more than 50% of their income on rent and utilities.
RE/MAX taps Christie’s Real Estate vet Chris Lim as chief growth officer
Inman
JANUARY 15, 2025
Lim, who vacated the presidency of Christie's International Real Estate in 2023, will be tasked with growing RE/MAX at a time when the brokerage has struggled with falling revenue and U.S. agent count.
Supreme Court denies NAR request to review DOJ case
Real Estate News
JANUARY 13, 2025
The decision is a blow for the association, which has spent years trying to prevent the Justice Department from reopening its investigation into NAR policies.
Mortgage rates will remain elevated while the economy runs hot
Housing Wire
JANUARY 14, 2025
Mortgage rates continued their ascent this week after Fridays jobs report showed that employers added more positions than expected in December, which is likely to cement a pause on interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve later this month. HousingWires Mortgage Rates Center showed that the average 30-year conforming loan rate was 7.15% on Tuesday, up 6 basis points (bps) from a week ago.
Variable, Gig Income May Improve Consumer’s Access to CreditÂ
Appraisal Buzz
JANUARY 16, 2025
One of the most crucial parts of underwriting is making sure a prospective borrower has a reliable source of income that enables them to pay back their mortgage loan, according to Khristi Waters, Senior Director of Single-Family Credit Risk Policy and Li-Ning Huang Principal of Economic and Strategic Research Market Research at Fannie Mae. The industry experts offered their insight on borrower income, homeownership, credit access, and more.
What not to post: 9 common social media pitfalls to avoid
Inman
JANUARY 15, 2025
Social media is a powerful tool for real estate agents, but knowing what not to post is just as important as knowing what to share. Expert Jessi Healey outlines the top mistakes to avoid, from posting too much to ignoring comments, so you can maintain a polished, professional and trustworthy online presence.
New construction ends 2024 on a high note
Real Estate News
JANUARY 17, 2025
Housing starts were way up for the year, and prospects look good heading into 2025 but the economy and policy decisions could present some challenges.
Home-price growth ramped up in Q4, Fannie Mae report shows
Housing Wire
JANUARY 14, 2025
Fannie Mae ‘s latest Home Price Index (HPI) shows single-family home prices increased 5.8% from Q4 2023 to Q4 2024, a surprising increase from the previous quarter’s downwardly revised annual growth rate of 5.4%. Quarterly, home prices rose a seasonally adjusted 1.7% in Q4 2024, an increase from the downwardly revised 1.2% growth rate in Q3 2024.
Property Tax Hikes Strike Once-Affordable States
Appraisal Buzz
JANUARY 14, 2025
Homeowners enjoying the equity gains of soaring property values are now contending with an unwelcome consequence: skyrocketing property taxes. Over the past few years, property tax payments have climbed sharply in many regions, particularly in states once regarded as affordable. This surge reflects a broader challenge of housing affordability as costs continue to rise.
Cyberbacker CEO arrested for giving 8-year-old son edibles
Inman
JANUARY 13, 2025
Former Keller Williams team leader and virtual assistant company CEO Craig Goodliffe is facing child endangerment and intoxication charges after officers found nine boxes of marijuana in his home.
Clear Cooperation lawsuit dismissed (again)
Real Estate News
JANUARY 14, 2025
TAN, a private listing network, has agreed to drop its case against NAR after nearly five years of litigation and previous dismissals. Will this be the end?
Natural disasters like the LA fires will deepen the U.S. housing crisis
Housing Wire
JANUARY 15, 2025
Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) released an in-depth study this week in which they argue that decades of policy missteps have created a shortage of affordable housing across the U.S. and are pushing homeownership out of reach for millions of Americans. The full study , which was published in the January edition of The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, goes back 20 years to examine the origins of the current housing crisis.
The American Dream of Homeownership Lives On
Appraisal Buzz
JANUARY 14, 2025
The American Dream is alive and thriving, according to a new survey from Realtor.com , which found nearly two out of three Americans (64%) identify homeownership as one of their life goals, while 50% believe homeownership is necessary to achieving long-term wealth. Laura Eddy, VP Research and Insights for Realtor.com , said, Home, and land, ownership has been a part of the American Dream for generations, and while current conditions around affordability and the availability of homes make ownersh
ADUs take center stage as Los Angeles housing goes up in smoke
Inman
JANUARY 13, 2025
As wildfires rage across California, destroying over 9,000 homes and displacing thousands of residents, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have emerged as a critical housing solution five years after being approved in Los Angeles.ADUs, also known as granny flats, in-law apartments, or casitas, are independent living spaces attached to or located on the same property as single-family homes.
NAR asks court to dismiss Michigan mandatory membership case
Real Estate News
JANUARY 16, 2025
Tying association membership to MLS access isnt anticompetitive, the defendants argue, while also claiming the plaintiffs are contradicting themselves.
HUD voucher recipient in Indiana will lose benefits after disclosing marijuana use
Housing Wire
JANUARY 15, 2025
An Elkhart, Indiana , resident who is a beneficiary of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assistance is poised to lose his benefits on Jan. 31 after disclosing on a form that he had ingested marijuana a single time, according to local reporting by a South Bend-based NBC affiliate. This will cause him to lose his home in a few months time, he said.
Housing Trends Face Seasonal Slowdown
Appraisal Buzz
JANUARY 13, 2025
According to Realtor.com s December Monthly Housing Trends Report, the number of properties for sale increased by 22.0% in December 2024 when compared to the same period the previous year. Among the top 50 U.S. metro areas, Miami (45.4%), San Diego (42.4%), and Denver (41.9%) had the biggest annual rise in active listings. Inventory of homes actively for sale grew for the 14th straight month.
Track the week’s C-Suite shuffles: The Download
Inman
JANUARY 11, 2025
Some of the real estate industry's biggest names made major moves over the past few days. Here's who's in and who's out.
FMLS in Georgia to share data with Alabama neighbors
Real Estate News
JANUARY 16, 2025
The agreement allows the 67,000 combined members of FMLS the 5th-largest MLS in the U.S. and three smaller organizations to share listings and referrals.
How do you put a price on the wildfire damage in LA?
Housing Wire
JANUARY 13, 2025
Youre bound to find variability in the total cost estimates related to the damage and destruction caused by the wildfires in Southern California , but some of the variations are exacerbated by what is included versus what is excluded in these estimates. According to CoreLogic , the total damage cost estimate for the Los Angeles wildfires as it relates to insured properties is currently at $30 billion.
A Closer Look at YOY Foreclosure FilingsÂ
Appraisal Buzz
JANUARY 16, 2025
ATTOMs Year-End 2024 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report a measure of foreclosure filings, including default notices, scheduled auctions, and bank repossessionswere reported on 322,103 U.S. properties in 2024, down 10% from 2023, down 1% from 2022, and down 35% from 2019, before the pandemic shook up the market. Foreclosure filings in 2024 were also down 89% from a peak of nearly 2.9 million in 2010.
FTC warns of massive spoofing op impersonating mortgage lenders
Inman
JANUARY 16, 2025
"Green Mirage" phone scam targets homeowners in all 50 states from India, using the caller ID of the borrower's actual mortgage lender and tricking victims into making payments to U.S.-based "mules.
People on the Move at NAR, RE/MAX, Zillow and more
Real Estate News
JANUARY 16, 2025
NAR hires industry relations exec; Chris Lim to lead growth at RE/MAX; Zillow names new GM for Flex; RealScout shuffles leadership; LPT hires operations pro.
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