August, 2024

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Mortgage rates drop to lowest level of 2024

Housing Wire

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 6.62% on Thursday, a new low for 2024 that appears to be tied to the expectation that the Federal Reserve could move to cut interest rates at its next meeting in September. This is according to data reported by Mortgage News Daily. On Wednesday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated that a rate cut is a possibility after the September meeting if economic data continues to trend in the right direction.

Mortgage 512
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Pending Sales for Starter Homes Up by Double Digits 

Appraisal Buzz

In July, pending sales of starter homes increased 10.2% year-over-year to the highest level since October 2022, per a new report from Redfin. This indicates that in the lower end of an otherwise “stagnant market”, there might be hope for first-time homebuyers. Middle-class homes (those with sales prices in the 35th–65th percentile of the market) saw a 6.5% decline in pending sales in July over the same month last year, while upper-class homes (those in the 65th–95th percentile) saw an even great

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Michigan agents sue NAR over mandatory membership rule

Real Estate News

The plaintiffs say they shouldn’t have to join NAR and other associations to access the MLS, especially if buyer-broker compensation is no longer guaranteed.

Agents 337
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LPT Realty rolls out ‘Buyer Power Tools’ resource for agents, clients

Inman

The Florida-based brokerage's buyer-focused marketing and educational resources are made for agents in need of assistance as they pitch buyer representation services, executives told Inman.

Buyers 192
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Appraisal Regulation Compliance Council Exposes Disturbing AMC Violations

Appraiserblogs

The Appraisal Regulation Compliance Council published a detailed breakdown to the CFPB, which showed the median average AMC fee being charged to borrowers amounted to a staggering 65% of the total appraisal fee, with one AMC extracting as much as 84% in pure profit. The Appraisal Regulation Compliance Council (ARCC) is a crucial non-profit organization that specializes in providing fact-based research and expertise on the complex web of appraisal regulations and compliance issues.

Appraisal 179
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Credit Card and Auto Loan Rates Drop for the First Time in Years

Eyes on Housing

Total outstanding US consumer debt stood at $5.08 trillion for the first quarter of 2024, increasing at an annualized rate of 2.46% (seasonally adjusted), according to the Federal Reserve’s G.19 Consumer Credit Report. From the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024, the total increased by 1.84%. This year-over-year (YoY) growth rate.

Finance 179

More Trending

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U.S. Foreclosure Activity Rises Amid Market Shifts

Appraisal Buzz

The U.S. foreclosure market experienced a notable uptick in July 2024, with foreclosure filings increasing by 15% from the previous month, according to the latest report from ATTOM Data, a land, property, and real estate data firm. A total of 31,929 properties across the nation faced foreclosure actions, which include default notices, scheduled auctions, or bank repossessions.

Marketing 448
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Gary Keller on winning in a market that’s ‘as bad as it gets’

Real Estate News

The Keller-Williams co-founder told a crowd of the faithful that he sees a soft landing for the economy and success for agents who are ‘ready to jump’ in 2025.

Marketing 320
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Realtors file suit against Move, NAR over ‘fake leads’ scheme

Inman

Eight Realtors are seeking class action status in their lawsuit against Realtor.com for allegedly selling unvetted and fraudulent buyer and seller leads. This is the third lawsuit against Realtor.com and parent company Move over its lead gen business.

Realtors 192
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It’s Never Too Early (or Late) to Build a Team of Deal Finders. Here’s How To.

BiggerPockets

Deal finding is one of the most important parts of real estate investing, yet a lot of investors struggle to put it together. Here's how you can form a stellar team of finders.

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Construction: 45,000 Fewer Jobs Created than Estimated

Eyes on Housing

The labor market may not be as strong as previously estimated, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary estimate of the upcoming annual benchmark revision to the establishment survey employment series. Each year, the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey employment estimates are benchmarked to full population counts of employment for the month of March.

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NAR, Move named in new lawsuit alleging sale of fake leads

Housing Wire

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is facing yet another lawsuit. The latest complaint, which is seeking class-action status, was filed on Friday by eight real estate agents in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The suit claims that NAR, along with Move Inc., Move Sales , OpCity Acquisitions , OpCity Inc. and REA Group Ltd. — which, according to the complaints, are all wholly owned subsidiaries of Move and News Corp , who is also a defendant — defrauded agents by selling them fake lead

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Which States Are Experiencing the Largest Number of Commercial Foreclosures?

Appraisal Buzz

The U.S. Commercial Foreclosure Report , recently released by ATTOM, indicates that the number of commercial foreclosures has steadily increased over time, rising from a low of 141 in May 2020 to 647 in June 2024. This pattern shows a steady rise over the course of the time. ATTOM’s latest commercial foreclosure activity analysis also noted that Since January 2014, ATTOM has been analyzing data during a period marked by the nation’s emergence from economic uncertainty, starting with 740 commer

Appraisal 435
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Real estate’s day of change is here: 3 things to know

Real Estate News

Important practice changes required by the NAR settlement take effect today, affecting buyer agent agreements and compensation. “We are in this together.

Agents 313
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Homie sues NAR and others, alleging boycott and conspiracy

Inman

The suit accuses NAR and major franchisors of breaking antitrust laws. The company's complaint includes alleged text messages in which agents refused to show Homie listings.

Law 194
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Why Our Team Is Passively Investing With Private Partnerships

BiggerPockets

Brian's team is shifting from syndications to private partnerships, focusing on high-return, low-risk opportunities by vetting partner trustworthiness, leverage, and regulatory risks.

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What's tanking Toronto's condo market?

Mortgagebroker News

Are more investors set to hit the panic button as cashflow-negative mortgages in the space continue rising?

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Feeling the squeeze: NAR settlement terms trigger commission compression

Housing Wire

Although the industry is barely than a week into the “ new normal ,” some real estate agents and brokers are already seeing smaller buy-side commissions. “It kind of started before the [ National Association of Realtors ] settlement went into effect, but commission compression is a real thing,” Brian Huskey, the broker-owner of Montana-based ERA American Real Estate , said.

Brokerage 489
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Commercial and Multifamily Borrowing Experiencing Gains

Appraisal Buzz

In the second quarter of 2024, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a 3% increase in commercial and multifamily borrowing compared to the previous quarter. This growth highlights a sustained demand for multifamily loans and certain commercial properties, even as the market grapples with higher interest rates. The MBA credits favorable economic conditions and a strong market for bolstering demand in these segments.

Investing 435
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‘We need to be debating from within,’ NAR CEO says

Real Estate News

On the Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered podcast, Nykia Wright pleaded with real estate pros to keep complaints in the family while pledging to earn their trust.

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New forms aim to sidestep NAR settlement, law professor warns

Inman

In a new report, University of Buffalo contracts law professor Tanya Monestier details ways in which contracts allow buyer agents to collect more compensation than agreed-to with the buyer.

Law 187
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Does the President Have An Impact on Housing? Here’s What 30 Years of Data Says.

BiggerPockets

VP Harris just unveiled her economic plan, which included a number of items for supporting the housing market. But does history suggest executive policies make a difference?

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Canadian youth prioritize homeownership over weddings, survey reveals

Mortgagebroker News

More than three in four unmarried first-time homebuyers under 30 are focused on owning a home

85
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Oh snap! Michigan real estate brokers file antitrust suit against NAR

Housing Wire

There are just five days to go until the business practice changes outlined in the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) nationwide commission lawsuit settlement agreement , but the trade association is not out of the lawsuit woods just yet. In a lawsuit filed on Monday by Douglas Hardy, Glenn Champion and Dylan Tent in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan , the plaintiffs claim the requirement that all Realtors and brokers in Michigan be member of NAR, their state Realtor

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Forbearances on the Rise Nationwide 

Appraisal Buzz

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) monthly Loan Monitoring Survey , the total number of loans now in forbearance increased from 0.23% to 0.27% as of July 31, 2024. The MBA estimates that 135,000 homeowners are currently in forbearance plans, as the nation’s mortgage servicers have provided forbearance to approximately 8.2 million borrowers since March 2020.

Mortgage 435
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Nick Bailey returns to real estate leadership in new capacity

Real Estate News

The former CEO of RE/MAX and Century 21 says he will apply his experience helping franchise owners to his new role in real estate consulting.

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Consumer group behind Moehrl flags commission workarounds

Inman

Doug Miller of Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate, the initiator behind the first bombshell antitrust lawsuit, sounds alarm against Realtor talking points that "continue steering.

Realtors 187
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Tenants in Big Cities Could Save Thousands if “Broker Fee” Reform Passes

BiggerPockets

New “broker fee” reform could help tenants save thousands of dollars when finding their next apartment or home to rent, but it could come at a significant cost to landlords.

Tenants 82
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'Automation is coming': How to thrive in the age of AI

Mortgagebroker News

CMP’s upcoming summit is the must-attend event of the year for mortgage professionals

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Can mortgage rates go even lower? 

Housing Wire

Mortgage rates moved massively lower last week without any Federal Reserve rate cuts, primarily because the labor market is getting softer. Can mortgage rates go even lower? As we can see below, when the market priced economic weakness earlier in 2024, it took the 10-year yield down toward 3.80% but didn’t break that level. So, after a softer jobs report, the question is: Can this level break and head back down to the key line in the sand I call the Gandalf line at 3.37%?

Mortgage 492
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Revealing the Hottest U.S. ZIPs Offering Convenience and Value

Appraisal Buzz

While buyers weigh many factors when it comes to purchasing a home, in 2017, Realtor.com released its first Hottest ZIP Codes Report. This year, 43230 in Gahanna, Ohio, became the top-ranked ZIP code for the second year in a row. The Midwest and the Northeast are home to all of this year’s hottest ZIP codes, according to the 2024 report that was just published.

Buyers 434
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Move accused of selling ‘fake leads’ in class action lawsuit

Real Estate News

Agents from six states allege that the parent company of Realtor.com sold dubious leads, and said NAR — also a defendant — was “complicit” in the scheme.

Agents 299
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Michigan agents and brokers sue NAR due to antitrust settlement

Inman

The plaintiffs protest "compulsory" Realtor membership to access the MLS after the removal of "the guaranteed broker commission" from the MLS.

Agents 197
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Rate Cuts Could See Commercial Real Estate Rebound. Take a Deeper Look At These Investments.

BiggerPockets

Investors have their checkbooks ready, poised to go on a buying frenzy if interest rates continue to drop. Commercial real estate, in particular, has been decimated in recent years.