Trending Articles

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Why are existing home prices rising when sales are still so low?

Housing Wire

Existing home sales fell in today’s report , which isn’t surprising, but one headline that shocked some people was that home prices are still up year over year, even with higher inventory and higher mortgage rates. From NAR : The median existing home price for all housing types in March was $393,500, an increase of 4.8% from the previous year ($375,300).

Inventory 473
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MBA: Mortgage Applications Increased Last Week Despite Rising Rates

Appraisal Buzz

Mortgage application volume increased 3.3% during the week ended April 12, driven mainly by a 5% increase is purchase applications, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Applications Survey. Compared with the same week one year ago, applications for purchases were up 6%. Applications for refinances increased 0.5% compared with the previous week and were up 11% compared with the same week one year ago.

Mortgage 361
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GSEs will not count buyer agent commissions as IPCs

Housing Wire

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not count buyer’s agent commissions as part of their allowable interested party contributions (IPCs), according to announcements from the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) on Monday. The GSEs noted that this guidance was not an update to their selling guides but a clarification on the treatment of seller-paid real estate agent fees.

Buyers 530
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From Forms to Reports: A Look at the UAD Overhaul

Appraisal Buzz

By now, most appraisers are aware that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (GSEs) have embarked on a complete overhaul of the Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD). UAD originated in 2010 and since then we appraisers are accustomed to using codes like “C4,” “N;Res,” and “1200sf0sfin” in our mortgage appraisal reports to communicate the results of our analysis. These codes, or language, make sense to appraisers but confuse uninitiated readers of our reports.

Appraisal 397
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Strong opinions about the housing market

Sacramento Appraisal Blog

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I find some people sounding off about housing seem disconnected from the actual market. I want to talk about that below and share some trends. Skim by topic or digest slowly. UPCOMING SPEAKING GIGS: 4/25/24 HomeSmart iCare Realty (details TBA) 4/26/24 Prime Real Estate (private) 5/9/24 Empire Home […] The post Strong opinions about the housing market first appeared on Sacramento Appraisal Blog.

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Why is housing supply so low? Blame local zoning

Real Estate News

Two U.S. senators are pushing for policy changes that would reduce “exclusionary” zoning regulations and promote local development.

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Building Powerful Digital Manufacturing Checklists

GoForrmz

Originally published on 04/23/2019 Streamline manufacturing procedures with digital and online forms Digital and online forms drastically simplify manufacturing inspections, procedures, and oversight. This is achieved through robust digital capabilities that are unattainable via manual, paper-based processes. One of the most versatile tools is the GoFormz online form builder , which can create customizable digital forms, such as the digital manufacturing checklist.

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Major homebuilder objects to commissions settlement process

Real Estate News

PulteGroup, which potentially has thousands of claims as a seller, raised concerns about “needless and time-consuming” paperwork and lack of transparency.

Sellers 266
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Industry gets some clarity on mortgage commission rules

Inman

Fannie, Freddie and FHA say sellers can continue to pay the buyer's agent's commission. But it remains to be seen if buyers will be allowed to finance their agent's commission into their mortgage.

Mortgage 193
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Powell makes it clear: No rate cuts anytime soon

Housing Wire

Today, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell made statements at the Washington Forum that indicate there will be no rate cuts anytime soon because the economy and the labor market are too strong with sticky inflation. This is a change from previous statements where the Fed talked about the rate cuts it expected to make this year — although that timeframe has changed several times.

Retail 498
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LenderLogix Data Shows Increase in Home Buying Activity in Q1

Appraisal Buzz

LenderLogix , a provider of mortgage point-of-sale and automation software for banks, credit unions, independent mortgage banks, and brokers, has released its first-quarter Homebuyer Intelligence Report, a summary of insights into borrower behavior during the home buying process based on data collected by the LenderLogix suite of tools. The latest report covers data collected during the pre-approval and borrower application process during the first quarter.

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Most Home Buyers Want One, Medium-Sized Home Office

Eyes on Housing

According to the latest What Home Buyers Really Want Study*, the vast majority of home buyers are looking for a home with at least one home office (or space dedicated to work/study). More specifically, 66% would prefer to buy a home with exactly one home office, 13% want at least two offices, and 20% want.

Buyers 136
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Commissions won't count against limits, Fannie and Freddie say

Real Estate News

The federal finance giants clarified their policies, confirming that buyer agent compensation won't be applied to concession limits.

Finance 283
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Bye bye bye: Leave your team — without losing your connections

Inman

Co-founder of The Agency's BZP Group and regular cast member on "Buying Beverly Hills" Joey Ben-Zvi writes that professionalism and respect are essential to leaving the right way.

Brokerage 186
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G-Rate sued for gender discrimination, sexual harassment, unpaid comp

Housing Wire

A former loan officer at Guaranteed Rate (G-Rate) has sued the lender and two managers for allegedly discriminating against her on the basis of gender, failing to compensate her equally to male coworkers with similar performance and subjecting her to sexual harassment. In response, the lender said it’s conducting a detailed investigation into the claims.

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A Vision for the Future

Appraisal Buzz

This week on the Appraisal Buzzcast, host Hal Humphreys interviews Kelly Davids, President of The Appraisal Foundation. Davids discusses her background in the industry and how it led to her new role as president. What is her vision for the future of the industry? How can we all get involved with The Appraisal Foundation? What are some of the initiatives they are launching in the near future?

Appraisal 317
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AI to Counter Flawed Appraiser Bias Narrative

Appraiserblogs

In reality, appraisers have a great story to tell, but we have a long way to go to refocus the terribly flawed “appraiser bias” narrative onto facts and science. Last week’s email from Cindy Chance, the CEO of the Appraisal Institute, marks an important and long overdue shift in the organization’s approach to addressing accusations of bias in the appraisal profession.

Appraisal 145
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Mortgage interest rates soar above 7%, reaching new 2024 high

Real Estate News

No rate relief is expected soon, and home prices are also setting records this spring, suppressing existing home sales.

Mortgage 269
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LA nets biggest deal yet this year at $62.8M for spec mansion

Inman

The European-style home is located in the Hollywood Hills' coveted Bird Streets. The sale marks a breakthrough for a market that's been crippled by high interest rates and a mansion tax.

Marketing 199
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CertifID and Old Republic partner to prevent fraud

Housing Wire

Wire fraud prevention firm CertifID and big four title firm Old Republic have entered into a strategic agreement to prevent mortgage payoff fraud , according to an announcement on Thursday. Mortgage payoff fraud occurs when a title company mistakenly sends payoff funds to a fraudulent bank account after receiving wire instructions that appear to be from the mortgage servicer.

Insurance 434
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Existing Home Sales Decline in March

Eyes on Housing

After reaching the 12-month high last month, existing home sales retreated in March due to lingering high mortgage rates, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Meanwhile, low resale inventory and strong demand continued to drive up existing home prices, marking the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year median sales price increases.

Realtors 117
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The One-Mile Rule: Prudent Policy or Modern Day Redlining?

Appraiserblogs

…whether through redlined maps or implicit “one-mile rule,” the result can be undervalued properties in historically marginalized neighborhoods. Throughout the history of mortgage banking and lending in the United States, underwriting policies have significantly influenced the appraisal process for home purchases and refinances. Appraisers must follow underwriter appraisal review guidelines meticulously to ensure their appraisal reports are accepted by the lender.

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Commissions, steering and the MLS: Myths and realities

Real Estate News

During a livestream presentation, Bright MLS’s chief economist highlighted some of the most misunderstood topics or mistaken beliefs about real estate.

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2 buyers scramble to make a deal as the spring market sprints ahead

Inman

One Connecticut homebuyer is preparing for marriage. Another in Virginia is healing from a divorce. Both tell Inman the struggle to find a home this spring is real — and the clock is ticking.

Buyers 175
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Major homebuilder objects to proposed NAR settlement

Housing Wire

Atlanta-based PulteGroup Inc. , one of the largest homebuilders in the U.S., has filed an objection in the Sitzer/Burnett commission lawsuit following settlements with Anywhere , RE/MAX and Keller Williams. PulteGroup says that the company does not have enough information to adequately determine the amount of money it could recover, among other issues, according to a court filing reviewed by HousingWire.

Legal 429
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Housing Starts Fall on Interest Rate, Financing Concerns

Eyes on Housing

Housing starts fell in March with interest rates somewhat higher than expected last month as the latest inflation readings failed to show improvement. Builders are also still facing higher supply-side costs and tighter lending conditions. Overall housing starts decreased 14.7% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.32 million units, according to a.

Finance 121
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UWM Underwriters Subsidized by Appraisers

Appraiserblogs

The $29 fee also happens to nearly match the average hourly base salary of $29 for UWM underwriters. United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) began an aggressive campaign in September 2021 to recruit appraisers for their new Appraisal Direct system, which aimed to cut out appraisal management companies as middlemen. Through repeated emails, they urged appraisers – both current and former, alive or deceased – to partner directly with UWM through ANOW.

Appraisal 122
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What agents and brokers can — and can’t — do under new MLS rules

Real Estate News

Bright MLS legal counsel Brian Schneider explained the ins and outs of the NAR settlement rule changes. Here’s what real estate professionals need to know.

Legal 255
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Will lawsuits end 6% commissions? Probably not, 1 law professor says

Inman

A provision in NAR's settlement barring listing agents from offering buyer agents compensation is "largely symbolic," USC professor Jordan Barry said Friday at a University of Minnesota conference.

Law 190
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U.S. Treasury’s financial crimes network warns of elder exploitation

Housing Wire

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury , is sounding the alarm over challenges faced by elder financial exploitation (EFE). In a newly released trends report, FinCEN highlighted more than $27 billion worth of “suspicious activity” across more than 155,000 filings of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) data with FinCEN between June 15, 2022 and June 15, 2023.

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How Quickly Do Prices Respond to Monetary Policy?

Eyes on Housing

As economist Milton Friedman once quipped, monetary policy has a history of operating with “long and variable lags.”[1] What Friedman was expressing is that it takes some time for the true effects of monetary policy, like the changing of the federal funds rate, to permeate completely through the larger economy.

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April Newsletter

DW Slater Company

It’s Spring!! The housing market is slowing but home prices are still appreciating. Real estate is cyclical and the spring market is traditionally when we see things begin to pick up after the slower winter months. We have the numbers in for March and we are seeing an uptick in activity from the prior month, however, the sale activity is down from the same time last year.

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Agents optimistic about the market, concerned about buy-side pay

Real Estate News

A new survey from Real Brokerage offers insight into agent sentiment and how they really feel about the industry changes set to go into effect this summer.

Agents 224
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Weeklong BoomTown outage was caused by hackers, CEO confirms

Inman

On Wednesday, executives told customers that a "security incident involving a malicious third party" caused the outage that has disrupted thousands of brokers and agents since last week.

Agents 170