Wed.Dec 13, 2023

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The Fed holds rates steady at final meeting of 2023

Housing Wire

The Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) held its short-term policy interest rate steady at a range of 5.25% to 5.5% at its last meeting of the year on Wednesday. It was the fourth pause recorded in 2023. Investors will parse Jerome Powell’s press conference this afternoon for clues about when and why the central bank might change its policy stance next year.

Mortgage 522
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The housing market sucks, but experts can thrive

Sacramento Appraisal Blog

The housing market pretty much sucked this year for so many real estate professionals. Look, it’s easy to feel like God’s gift to real estate when business is flying off the shelves, but it’s tough when the transaction faucet gets turned off. The truth is everyone feels like an expert when things are good, but […] The post The housing market sucks, but experts can thrive first appeared on Sacramento Appraisal Blog.

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DataDigest: Breaking down housing economists’ 2024 forecasts

Housing Wire

As 2023 draws to a close, housing professionals hope for relief from the high mortgage rates, terrible inventory levels and slow sales that characterized the year. They may find that relief for mortgage rates next year, according to forecasts from various industry experts compiled by HousingWire. Sales, however, may see only mild improvement in the year ahead, while prices will remain more or less historically high, the forecasters believe.

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Education: Delivery or Content?

George Dell

The education question — what is more important? The content of appraiser training, or how it is delivered? Appraiser education “marketability” is similar to appraisal marketing itself. Buyers of appraisals and buyers of appraisal education judge by three things: Cheap; Fast; Good. “Pick any two” says David Towne in his graphic. Anyone can provide classes. […] The post Education: Delivery or Content?

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UWM to offer discounted rates on government loan refis

Housing Wire

Top U.S. mortgage lender United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) is offering discounted rates on some government loans until January for brokers to create their own “refi boom,” the company announced on Wednesday. The initiative includes three new exclusive rates – 5.749% paying 1.5 points, 5.999% paying 2 points and 6.249% paying 2.5 points – on FHA and VA refinances available to brokers until Jan. 31, 2024.

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People on the Move at Compass, Collabra, CMLS

Real Estate News

COO Greg Hart to leave Compass as company eliminates role; Collabra Technology taps Scott Feldman as chief revenue officer; CMLS names board members.

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High-income renters are top prize as ownership hurdles pile up: Poll

Inman

Luring high-income renters into homeownership will only become more challenging as costs stay high, according to experts and a survey of US consumers conducted by Dig Insights and Inman.

Brokerage 201
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Greg Hart to leave Compass as the firm eliminates COO role

Housing Wire

Compass ’ chief operating officer Greg Hart will leave the brokerage at the end of the year, according to a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday. According to the filing, Hart’s position is being eliminated and Compass will not seek to fill the vacancy. As such, Hart is entitled to receive severance benefits. Hart joined Compass in March 2020 to serve as the firm’s chief product officer, before assuming the role of chief operating officer over the summer of 2022.

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How Sean Carpenter is building relationships and solving problems

Inman

As part of his Snapshot series, Brandon Doyle profiles speaker, coach and consultant Sean Carpenter to find out how he brings fun and enthusiasm to his real estate journey.

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Argyle partners with Dark Matter Technologies on income, employment verifications

Housing Wire

Verifications provider Argyle announced an integration with the Exchange, an interconnected network of mortgage-specific service providers available to customers of the Empower loan origination system (LOS) from Dark Matter Technologies. The collaboration is aimed to make it easier for lenders to order Argyle’s verification of income (VOI) and verification of employment (VOE) reports through the Empower LOS.

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The Fed Projects Lower Rates in 2024

Eyes on Housing

The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy committee held the federal funds rate constant at a top target rate of 5.5% at the conclusion of its December meeting. The Fed will continue to reduce its balance sheet holdings of Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities as part of quantitative tightening and balance sheet normalization. Marking a third consecutive meeting holding the federal funds rate.

Mortgage 187
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2023: A year of retrenchment for the secondary mortgage market

Housing Wire

As 2023 winds to a close, so too does a brutal year for the housing market, a year marked by rising rates , steep home prices , scarce inventory and anemic mortgage originations, compared with the boom years of 2020 and 2021. It also has been a brutal year for the secondary market that creates liquidity for mortgage lenders as greatly reduced mortgage originations, liquidity challenges and interest rate volatility have played havoc in the whole-loan trading as well as the private-label and agenc

Mortgage 409
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‘Grow, grow, grow’: Realtor.com’s plan to come out swinging in 2024

Inman

Realtor.com is ramping up its competition with rival portals heading into the new year as it rolls out enhanced listing-focused products for agents, Chief Marketing Officer Mickey Neuberger told Intel exclusively.

Agents 180
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Largest Increase in Mortgage Activity Since March

Eyes on Housing

Per the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) survey through the week ending December 8th, total mortgage activity increased 7.4% from the previous week, and the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) rate fell 10 basis points to 7.07%. The FRM rate has decreased by 54 basis points over the past month.

Mortgage 174
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Rocket Homes app puts listings on your car’s infotainment screen

Inman

Integration with Apple CarPlay turns the commute "into an exciting and natural part of the homebuying journey" — unless you drive a Tesla.

Tools 193
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Building Materials Prices Inch Higher in November 

Eyes on Housing

According to the latest Producer Price Index report, the price level of inputs to residential construction less energy (i.e., building materials) increased 0.2% in November after declining 0.4% in October (revised, not seasonally adjusted). The index has increased 0.8% (NSA), year-to-date, marking the smallest YTD gain through November since it fell 0.2% over the first 11 months of 2019.

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Mortgage rates poised to drop as Fed projects 3 cuts

Inman

Federal Reserve policymakers anticipate three rate cuts by the end of next year, but many think the central bank may cut faster and harder.

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Is Investing About to Get Easier? Here’s Our 2024 Outlook For Housing Prices

BiggerPockets

Housing prices have hardly let up over the past few years, and rising rates have made buying real estate even more expensive. Will we see any relief next year, though? Here's what you need to know.

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Zillow unveils 3D tour of Santa’s enviable North Pole luxury cabin

Inman

Using a floor plan generated by artificial intelligence, families can now explore every nook and cranny of Santa Claus' house, which is currently valued at $1.18 million.

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Sarah Schouler Qualifies for the 2023 Lamacchia Realty President’s Club

Lamacchia Realty

We are ecstatic to announce that for the first time, Sarah Schouler has officially qualified for the Lamacchia Realty President’s Club for 2023! She achieved this feat by closing on 33 homes this year. Sarah is a REALTOR® out of our Leominster office and has been expertly serving clients throughout Massachusetts and parts of New Hampshire for many years.

Realty 74
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Homebuyers continue to take advantage of falling rates

Inman

Demand for purchase mortgages has picked up in five out of the past six weeks, and applications to refinance have roared back, jumping 27 percent from a year ago.

Mortgage 184
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Every Strategy I Used To Build My Portfolio for Financial Independence

BiggerPockets

Using multiple strategies to build financial independence can be very effective, especially when executed like this. Here's what you need to know.

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New York’s largest MLS grows to nearly 50K agents with acquisition

Inman

OneKey MLS's purchase of broker-owned Mid-Hudson MLS is expected to close in January. OneKey says it will provide more data and reach to agents while saving time and money.

Agents 170
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How to Prepare for a Recession in 2024

BiggerPockets

A recession isn’t off the table for 2024, so you’ll need to know how to prepare for a recession and profit if the economy starts to slide.

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Matt Lionetti of Over Ask podcast leaves The Agency for Real

Inman

Lionetti said he believes Real's model is the future of the industry. His business partner, Anna Oliver, will be moving from The Agency to Real, too.

Business 180
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Christin Piccirilli Named Lamacchia Realty Employee of the Month – November 2023

Lamacchia Realty

Behind the incredible REALTORS® of Lamacchia Realty is a team of over 75 staff members that work tirelessly to support, propel, and operate the independently owned-brokerage. Each and every staff member plays an integral role in the continued success of the quickly growing company. Lamacchia Realty views its staff members in the highest regard, fostering the values the full-service, value-based brokerage prides itself on.

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What do you really want this holiday season? Pulse

Inman

Have you made your wishlist for the holidays? Are you looking for some shiny objects or something a little less tangible this year?

Agents 170
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Understanding Snow Removal Laws: A Helpful Reminder

Lamacchia Realty

A REMINDER ABOUT SNOW REMOVAL LAWS Winter is fast approaching, which means the snow is soon to arrive! Here is a reminder of the crucial snow removal laws if you’re a property owner in Massachusetts , New Hampshire , or Connecticut! Massachusetts By Massachusetts law, you must remove or treat snow and ice on walkways and plow parking lots. You can be held liable for injuries caused by snow and/or ice on your property.

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The Fed Is Trying Its Best To Lower Expectations in 2024 as Pundits Call for Rate Cuts

BiggerPockets

After a few months of steady rates, pundits are ready to see them fall. The Fed might have other plans, though.

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OSFI maintains minimum qualifying rate for mortgage borrowers

Mortgagebroker News

Home buyers will need to prove they can pay off loans with an 8% rate or more

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The House That Almost “Broke” Me: Losing $350K on ONE Property

BiggerPockets

How do you make six figures in passive income with no college degree, very little money, and zero experience in real estate?

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Flexibility is key to finding borrower solutions for Hillmount Capital

Mortgagebroker News

How did Hillmount help save a subdivision?

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How to Take Your Real Estate Business to the Next Level in 2024

BiggerPockets

Ready to grow your real estate business in 2024?

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Canada plans to launch pre-approved home design catalogue

Mortgagebroker News

It will speed up the process of home building for developers

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