Housing Wire

APRIL 29, 2024

Small-balance commercial lender Stronghill Capital shut down its nascent consumer and correspondent lending businesses late last week. The Austin, Texas-based lender will continue offering small-balance commercial and business purpose debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) loans to its clients, CEO John Eisinger told HousingWire Monday morning. He cited a difficult market and elevated rates as reasons for shutting down correspondent and consumer lending businesses , which were added in 2022.

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Lending Clients Business Real Estate 401

Appraisal Buzz

APRIL 29, 2024

Mortgage tax escrow payments for local property owners and government processors continue to serve as a crucial source of revenue for local governments. Among these payments, timely settlement of local property taxes holds particular significance. However, mortgage lenders are also a critical component here, and failure to adopt a reliable payment processing system for escrow can have a detrimental effect on mortgage servicer accounting and operations.

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Property Taxes Local Properties Mortgage Government 195

Housing Wire

APRIL 24, 2024

Two former New Jersey -based mortgage loan originators have been charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey according to an announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger. Christopher Gallo has been noted as a top-producing loan originator, at one point being Scotsman Guide ‘s fourth-ranked LO in the country.

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Mortgage Retail Finance Investing 536

Appraisal Buzz

APRIL 24, 2024

Today, host Hal Humphreys chats with Jason Ferris, MAI, SRA and owner of Bell Ferris, Inc. Ferris discusses his background in the industry and his experience with Short Term Rentals. It seems like bringing up Short Term Rental valuation is the quickest way to start a fight on social media. Why is there such wild variance of opinions on how to handle these?

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Valuation Appraisal Housing Market Marketing 368

Sacramento Appraisal Blog

APRIL 24, 2024

Insurance has been a glaring mess in California, and it’s really starting to affect the housing market. Today, I want to share some things I’m hearing from the real estate community after asking for feedback on my social channels about home and fire insurance. The goal is to give some perspective and advice to sellers […] The post The insurance crisis is affecting the housing market first appeared on Sacramento Appraisal Blog.

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Insurance Housing Market Marketing Sellers 296

Real Estate News

APRIL 25, 2024

In a conversation with Real Estate News, Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose of NAREB discussed the pros and cons of the recent settlement and upcoming rule changes.

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Buyers Agents Real Estate 254

Housing Wire

APRIL 27, 2024

Active weekly housing inventory growth slowed slightly last week, but it’s still running at a healthier clip than in 2023. I have a simple model with mortgage rates being above 7.25%: weekly inventory data should grow between 11,000-17,000 per week. Last year, we never hit that target. We have now seen it for two weeks as inventory grew by 13,247. Weekly housing inventory data We’ve now had back-to-back weeks of healthy housing inventory growth and spring 2024 is much healthier than spring 2023

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Inventory Housing Market Marketing New Listings 471

Appraisal Buzz

APRIL 24, 2024

Mortgage application volume decreased 2.7% during the week ended April 19, as the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased to 7.24%, up from 7.13% the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Applications Survey. Applications for refinances decreased 6% compared with the previous week but were up 3% compared with the same week one year ago.

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Mortgage Buyers Appraisal 367

Inman

APRIL 29, 2024

As the commission landscape changes, Side's Hilary Saunders writes, it's time for agents, teams and brokerages to look at the ways this will improve the industry's reputation.

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Agents Real Estate Brokerage Real Estate Agent 156

Real Estate News

APRIL 26, 2024

The last defendant standing in the Sitzer/Burnett case reaches a whopping settlement that will protect its 70,000 agents plus brands and franchises.

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Agents 247

Eyes on Housing

APRIL 24, 2024

NAHB analysis of the most recent Quarterly Sales by Price and Financing report reveals that the share of new home sales backed by VA loans climbed substantially in the first quarter of 2024, while all-cash sales share fell by nearly 30%. However, the median purchase price of homes bought with cash continued to increase in.

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Finance 147

Appraisal Buzz

APRIL 23, 2024

New home sales in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 693,000, an increase of 8.8% compared with February and up 8.3% compared with March 2023, according to estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The median sales price of a new home sold in March was $430,700. The average sales price was $524,800.

Mortgage 369

Mortgage Inventory Development Finance 369

Inman

APRIL 26, 2024

HomeServices was potentially on the hook for the remaining $4.7 billion in damages from an Oct. 31 jury verdict in Sitzer | Burnett, which awarded plaintiffs $5.3 billion.

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Brokerage Agents 176

Real Estate News

APRIL 29, 2024

The brokerage becomes the ninth real estate entity to strike a deal with home sellers, with an initial damages payment of nearly $8 million.

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Brokerage Real Estate Sellers 212

Eyes on Housing

APRIL 25, 2024

Housing’s share of the economy rose to 16.1% in the first quarter of 2024. The share remained below 16% for all of 2023 at 15.9% in each of the four quarters. This increase to above 16% marks the first-time housing’s share of GDP is above 16% since 2022. In the first quarter, the more cyclical.

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Housing Wire

APRIL 26, 2024

HomeServices of America , the last remaining brokerage defendant in the landmark Sitzer/Burnett antitrust commission case , has agreed to pay $250 million in damages to settle lawsuits that will change agent compensation across America. The New York Times first reported the story. The deal comes just days after the federal judge overseeing the commission case in Missouri approved a preliminary settlement that will see the National Association of Realtors and multiple other residential brokerages

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Brokerage Agents Real Estate Buyers 433

Inman

APRIL 29, 2024

Many baby boomers are interested in rental markets close to home, multifamily expert Michael Zaransky writes, especially when they offer features that enhance their lifestyles and options.

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Marketing Investing Real Estate Investors 146

Real Estate News

APRIL 24, 2024

At the T3 Leadership Summit, Rich Barton discussed what’s in store for Zillow and the industry — and encouraged the audience to “resist the urge to chaos.

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Eyes on Housing

APRIL 23, 2024

Despite higher interest rates last month, new home sales rose in March due to limited inventory of existing homes. However, the pace of new home sales will be under pressure in April as mortgage rates moved above 7% this month, which is expected to moderate sales and increase the use of builder sales incentives this.

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Mortgage Inventory 135

Housing Wire

APRIL 29, 2024

California-based mortgage tech firm Blend Labs , which has pursued non-GAAP profitability since it went public in 2021 , announced a $150 million investment on Monday from private equity firm Haveli Investments. Blend will use $145 million of the proceeds to repay existing credit agreements. The remainder is for general corporate purposes, the company said in a prepared statement.

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Investing Technology Mortgage Marketing 362

Appraisal Buzz

APRIL 29, 2024

This article is featured in the 2023 edition of the Appraisal Buzz Magazine. Some other features we have in our magazine include Buzztoon comics, as well as crazy stories from appraisers and readers like you! Read all these articles and more in the latest edition HERE. If you want to make sure you are receiving the print version of the Appraisal Buzz magazine in your mailbox, sign up HERE.

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Clients Business Appraisal Lending 195

Inman

APRIL 24, 2024

Buyers and sellers are confused about the new rules of the road. Trainer Bernice Ross and Jeff Lobb discuss how agents can change up the conversation and add clarity and confidence.

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Buyers Brokerage Sellers Agents 176

Real Estate News

APRIL 29, 2024

As his namesake firm celebrates 50 years, Bill Raveis says the key to surviving rough cycles is to look for opportunities and “figure it out.

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Appraiserblogs

APRIL 23, 2024

“FNMA’s collateral underwriter tool has a line item adjustment it makes on every comparable called Census Block Grid.” In a recent discussion within the comments section of an article titled ‘The Censorship of Appraisers,’ appraiser Spencer Paul shared a concerning statement from an underwriter about an adjustment made by Fannie Mae’s Collateral Underwriter tool.

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Tools Modernization Home Value Appraisal 123

Housing Wire

APRIL 29, 2024

The attorney general of Michigan has re-released a consumer alert about the reverse mortgage product category during financial literacy month. The action is designed to inform consumers about the potential pros and cons of taking out these loans, according to an announcement issued by Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office on Monday. “A reverse mortgage is a type of home equity loan extended, in most cases, to those who are 62 years of age or older,” the announcement stated.

Mortgage 359

Mortgage Property Taxes Design Insurance 359

Appraisal Buzz

APRIL 26, 2024

Homebuyer affordability worsened in March, as the average mortgage payment applied for by purchase borrowers increased to $2,201, an increase of $17 compared with February and up $108 compared with March 2023, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Purchase Applications Payment Index (PAPI). The index measures how new monthly mortgage payments vary across time – relative to income – using data from MBA’s Weekly Applications Survey (WAS).

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Sellers Housing Market Mortgage Buyers 195

Inman

APRIL 23, 2024

Judge Stephen R. Bough ruled that the sweeping changes NAR agreed to were "fair, reasonable and adequate" and set a final approval hearing for November.

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Realtors Brokerage Agents 193

Real Estate News

APRIL 27, 2024

E&V opens in Philly; BHGRE adds N. Dakota indie, secures renewal from top firm; @properties grows in Texas; Christie's enters Albania; EXIT adds 7 markets.

Brokerage 214

Brokerage Marketing 214

Eyes on Housing

APRIL 26, 2024

The most recent data release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) showed that personal income increased 0.5% in March, up from a 0.3% increase in the prior month. Gains in personal income are largely driven by increases in wages and salaries. As spending outpaced personal income growth, the March personal savings rate dipped to.

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Housing Wire

APRIL 29, 2024

Douglas Elliman has joined the growing list of brokerages that have settled the commission lawsuits. In an 8K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday, the firm announced that it had reached a nationwide settlement agreement with the Gibson lawsuit plaintiffs. According to the filing and an accompanying press release, the settlement covers Douglas Elliman and all of its subsidiaries.

Brokerage 352

Brokerage Agents Legal Realty 352

Appraisal Buzz

APRIL 25, 2024

The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased to 7.17% as of April 25, up from 7.10% last week and up from 6.43% the same week one year ago, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. “Mortgage rates continued rising this week,” says Sam Khater, chief economist for Freddie Mac, in a statement. “Despite rates increasing more than half a percent since the first week of the year, purchase demand remains steady.

Mortgage 195

Mortgage Appraisal Marketing 195

Inman

APRIL 26, 2024

Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman said rising rates and home prices are crushing consumer sentiment. However, rising inventory and a year-end interest rate cut will be key to restoring it.

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Buyers Inventory Marketing Mortgage 147

Real Estate News

APRIL 25, 2024

During the T3 Leadership Summit, the eXp founder discussed some of his early challenges, the need for internal disruption, and his international ambitions.

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Eyes on Housing

APRIL 29, 2024

According to the data released by Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), private fixed investment in student dormitories edged down 0.1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $4 billion in the first quarter of 2024, after a 2.3% increase in the prior quarter. Private fixed investment in dorms was 10.4% higher than a year.

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Construction Investing 78