In ongoing efforts to address housing policy and lending concerns surrounding the recent National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) settlement, NAR issued two letters this week to both the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), GSEs and regulators. The letter to GSEs was also sent on behalf of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), delivered to the Federal… The post NAR Submits Comments to VA on...
2024
Above, Doug Seabolt Doug Seabolt, CEO of Rocket Homes, spoke to RISMedia in the days before the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) chose to settle seller commission lawsuits and make significant changes to real estate compensation practices. While the focus is now on those immediate policy shifts, Seabolt was already envisioning an evolving real estate… The post Q&A With Rocket Homes CEO Doug...
In our industry and world right now, there’s a lot that feels heavy and/or overwhelming. And for many, that can mean a dip in motivation and a slide into “I don’t want to” thinking. That’s never going to help anyone succeed or lead a better life, right? I learned a really valuable lesson a long… The post Why a Shift From ‘I Have to’ to ‘I Get to’ Can Make All the Difference appeared...
Homebuyers are continuing to turn to new construction as the antidote for a continued lack of existing homes for sale. Mortgage applications for newly built homes jumped 15.7% in February from a year ago, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) latest Builder Application Survey. While new-home mortgage applications only rose 1% from… The post MBA: New-Home Mortgage Applications...
Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) on March 28, showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.79%, down 8 basis points from the previous week—one basis point is equal to one hundredth of a percentage point. It follows the slight raise last week and declines the previous two weeks as… The post Mortgage Rates Drop Slightly This Week appeared first on...
Charleston, SC—Today, a panel of federal judges heard arguments from both plaintiffs and remaining brokerage defendants regarding whether the many disparate commission cases should be consolidated under one judge in one district—a decision with wide-ranging implications for the entire industry, as buyer suits remain a threat even to companies that have settled, and dozens of… The post Panel of Judges...
Pending home sales increased 1.6% in February, with the Midwest and South each posting monthly gains in transactions, while the Northeast and West posted losses. All four U.S. regions saw year-over-year decreases, however, according to a March 28 report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)—a forward-looking indicator of… The post Pending Home Sales See...
Ashley Dane, regional director of RE/MAX of Michigan, is a strong advocate and supporter of new and emerging technology in the real estate landscape. From educating agents to implementing new strategies, she has made significant contributions to the real estate technology landscape, moving the industry forward and impacting real and necessary change. “The future of… The post Newsmakers Spotlight:...
Realty ONE Group International has announced leadership promotions as it continues to accelerate its growth to 1,000 plus locations and 30,000 plus real estate professionals across the planet. Cory Vasquez will continue as chief marketing officer while also being promoted to co-president, serving alongside current President Vinnie Tracey as he prepares to retire in six… The post The Realty ONE Group...
Real estate may be local, but experts are looking at housing reform success stories within regional hot spots to address the affordability crisis that’s overtaken much of the country. Magda Maaoui, a postdoctoral fellow, recently highlighted one such case study for The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University: the Cambridge, Mass.,100 Percent Affordable… The post Could Cambridge’s...