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☆ 20 cities opening up for homebuyers as inventory grows and mortgage rates tumble
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. But the tables are finally starting to turn as mortgage rates slide and inventory rises across US cities. Mortgage rates have fallen to the lowest levels since February 2023 as markets have priced in the Federal Reserve's long-awaited interest rate cuts, which finally arrived on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/aAQvC80WPY — James Faris (@JamesFaris_) September 18, 2024Rising inventory is a big win for buyersHome inventory is also heading in the right direction. 20 cities where homes are much easier to findIn her note, Scibetta listed 20 major US cities where home inventory rose meaningfully from July 2023 to July 2024.

Persons: —, aAQvC80WPY — James Faris, Mackenzie, Zoocasa, Scibetta, Kendall Bonner, Sellers, Bonner, " Bonner Organizations: Service, Business, National Association of Realtors, eXp, NAR

☆ Here’s what you should know about buying a home ahead of a likely interest rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

While the Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, its actions affect borrowing costs throughout the economy. The most apparent effect: An interest rate cut could help ease the upward pressure on mortgage rates, making one piece of the homebuying equation more affordable. Most investors are betting that the Fed will cut its benchmark interest rate by just a quarter-point on Wednesday. Some financial advisers counsel to wait until you can get a mortgage rate that is a full percentage point below the rate you’re already paying, said Fairweather. “If you got a 7.5% mortgage rate, you may already be in the money to refinance,” she said.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Daryl Fairweather, Redfin’s, “, it’s, Fairweather, We’re, Greg McBride, “ It’s, Leo Pareja Organizations: CNN, Federal Reserve, homebuyers, National Association of Realtors, Bankrate, eXp Realty Locations: Wells, ”

☆ The NAR settlement comes into effect today: Here’s what changing and why
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-17 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Here’s what you need to know:Two key changesHistorically, buyers were not expected to pay their real estate broker directly. That’s because Realtor commission fees — to both the buyers’ agent and the sellers’ agent — were paid by a home seller. Tiffany Hagler-Geard/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesThe second change affects the relationship between prospective home buyers and their real estate agents. A key element to these agreements is that a buyer’s agent cannot receive more compensation than what the buyer initially signed onto, even if a seller is willing to offer more. The National Association of Realtors agreed to settle litigation over commission rules for US real estate agents, clearing the way for possible changes in how Americans buy and sell homes.

Persons: CNN —, Kevin Sears, ”, —, Tanya Monestier, “, Tiffany Hagler, They’re, Norm Miller, Monestier, “ You’re, ” Leo Pareja, ” Pareja, David Ryder, ‘ let’s, University of San Diego’s Miller, Miller Organizations: CNN, National Association of Realtors, Realtors, MLS, University, Buffalo School of Law, Geard, Bloomberg, Getty, Buyers, University of San, eXp Realty Locations: Larchmont , New York, University of San Diego, Seattle , Washington, US

☆ NAR settlement set to hit real estate agents this week: Here’s how they’re preparing
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Starting August 17, new rules will roll out that overhaul the way Realtors get paid to help people buy and sell their homes. This could pave the way for real estate companies with alternative business models, like flat-fee and discount brokerages, to thrive. Redy, which operates nationwide, is a marketplace that allows real estate agents to bid on home listings, meaning agents could pay homesellers for the opportunity to represent them, cutting into their own commissions. “This is part of this notion of shifting how real estate is always done,” Cofini said. “Consumers don’t know this is coming,” Flyhomes’ chief strategy officer, Adam Hopson, said of the NAR changes.

Persons: Leo Pareja, Kevin Sears, ” Sears, “, Mary Schumann, ” Schumann, TD Cowen, Shelly Cofini, ” Cofini, Flyhomes, Adam Hopson, Will, Madison Mathias, Mathias, I’ve, “ I’m Organizations: CNN — Realtors, Realtors, National Association of Realtors, eXp Realty, NAR, ”, CNN Locations: theory, Minnesota, Chapin , South Carolina

☆ I got a 2.75% mortgage rate when most other homebuyers were being quoted 7%. Now I can save more for retirement.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

An assumable mortgage allows qualifying buyers to acquire the interest rate, current principal balance, and other conditions of a seller's existing loan. In June, we bought it for $400,000, assuming the seller's mortgage at a 2.75% interest rate with 26 years left on a 30-year fixed-rate loan. The assumable mortgage process was actually straightforwardBefore starting the assumption, we thought it would be very difficult. It seemed that they were trying to steer us away from the assumable mortgage and toward getting a new one. They even offered us a lower interest rate below the current rate, but it was still significantly higher than what I was getting through this assumable process.

Persons: —, Brian Sankey, We've, wouldn't, Sankey, Taryn Root, Brian Koellish, it's Organizations: Service, Business, Veterans United, Loans Locations: Kentucky, Elizabethtown, Fort Knox , Kentucky, Elizabethtown , Kentucky

☆ The 25 top companies to work for, according to Glassdoor
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Glassdoor released its 2024 list of top workplaces based on how US-based employees feel about them. Glassdoor recently published its new Best Places to Work ranking based on how US-based employees felt about their workplaces. AdvertisementWhile Microsoft ranked high on the 2024 list, ranking No. Google fell just short of the top 25 in the 2024 list, ranking No. AdvertisementBelow are the top 25 large companies to work for according to the 2024 US list along with their Best Places to Work rating, which was on a five-point scale.

Persons: Glassdoor, Raymond James Financial, —, Keller Williams, Burger, Bain Organizations: Bain & Company, eXp Realty, Service, Best Places, U.S, Microsoft, Management, Best, Google

☆ How the cost of homebuying and selling will change after landmark court loss over real estate commissions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Cheryl Winokur Munk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A recent jury verdict against the National Association of Realtors and large residential brokerages could upend the residential real estate industry. Here's what real estate agents, homebuyers and sellers need to know about potential changes in residential real estate economics. A bad time for bad news in real estateThe jury verdict comes at a time when many real estate agents are already feeling a pinch. At a time when home sales are already under pressure, "this lawsuit is just another punch in the gut for real estate franchises," said Bill Gross, a self-employed real estate broker associate in California with eXp Realty. Lawsuits focused on fees reinforce the general trend of trying to lower fees in the real estate market, Schipani said.

Persons: Max, Mike DelPrete, Bill Gross, there's, Keefe, Ryan Tomasello, Gilbert J, Schipani, we've, Glenn Kelman Organizations: National Association of Realtors, NAR, realtors, Max Holdings, Federal, University of Colorado Boulder, eXp Realty, Tempus Fugit, Compass Locations: Missouri, Kansas City, St, Louis, Springfield, Columbia, U.S, California

☆ I've lived in Midland, Texas, most of my life. An oil boom has lured millennials like me looking for high-paying jobs.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Jacobe Kendrick, 39, grew up in Midland, Texas, and is now working as a real-estate agent there. He has seen Midland transform as high-paying jobs lure thousands of millennials to the desert city. The city is located in the Permian Basin, which is one of the top producers of oil in the world. Most of my clients are millennials who are jump-starting their livesA large segment of my clients are millennials. For me personally, I chose to raise my family in Midland because I know what the people here stand for.

Persons: Jacobe Kendrick, Kendrick, millennials, I'm Jacobe Kendrick, I'm, It's, haven't, They're, I've, They've, Alcynna Lloyd, homebuyers Organizations: Service, eXp Realty, Blacks, Air Force Academy, Kendrick, Midland Locations: Midland , Texas, Wall, Silicon, Midland ., America, Midland

☆ We're paying $1 million to live on a cruise ship and sail around the world while we keep managing our property empire
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Amanda Williams and her boyfriend are spending $1 million to live permanently on a cruise ship. Insider has verified her income and her place on the cruise ship with documentation. So instead, we decided to buy an apartment with a 12-year lease for $1 million on the Storylines' MV Narrative that launches in 2025. Picking living on a cruise ship over a yachtIt was a lot of work taking care of our friend's boat. They're in 23 countries so I'm planning to build out my business when I visit them on the cruise ship.

☆ How 6 workers are using ChatGPT to make their jobs easier
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Madison Hoff | Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

"It's absolutely true that AI applications like ChatGPT can very much improve workers' lives," Mark Muro, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution previously told Insider. But if used correctly, ChatGPT can help some workers with tasks and save them time while doing so. Insider spoke with six workers in sectors that include education and real estate who are using ChatGPT to make their jobs easier. A realtor with eXp Realty also used ChatGPT for a listing in Iowa that was highlighted in a CNN post. Now two months later, LaRue told Insider she uses ChatGPT "everyday" to help write proposals, video scripts, and press releases.

☆ They Wanted a Versatile One-Bedroom in Chicago for About $200,000. Which Option Did They Choose?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Carisa Crawford Chappell | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

After their son was accepted into Columbia College in Chicago last year, Brian McCutcheon and Donna Sink started looking for ways to cut down on expenses and make everyone’s life easier. A campus housing policy had kept Angus McCutcheon, now 19, in a dorm as a freshman, but the couple hoped they could find him a new living arrangement for his sophomore year. Angus was excited to be able to choose his home and wanted to be close to campus, restaurants and shops. “I’m a fan of natural light.”The family connected with Daniel Eirinberg of eXp Realty, who agreed that Printers Row would be ideal. “You’ve got good train access and a bunch of great little cheap and delicious food choices that cater to the college students,” he said.

☆ They Loved the Diversity of Oakland. Could They Find a House They Loved There, Too?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Mark Kreidler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

“The Seattle experience really solidified that thought for us, that this was something we all needed,” said Ms. Meredith, 43, an author and freelance writer. The younger Mr. Meredith spent his formative years in Jackson, Miss., and later did graduate work at the University of San Diego. “We loved the grittiness, the sunshine, and the diversity,” Ms. Meredith said. “Initially I think we were dumbstruck — awe-struck,” Ms. Meredith said. And they were willing to exhaust the Oakland market before they considered looking anywhere else.

☆ What Could 20 Years’ of Savings Buy on the West Side? Two Longtime Renters Found Out.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Debra Kamin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Mr. Robbins, an artist and photography professor, craved space for an at-home studio. Ms. Fulwiler, a self-employed development consultant, wanted an office she could call her own. Email: thehunt@nytimes.com]“By New York City standards, it was a very large apartment,” said Ms. Fulwiler, 56. “We looked and looked and looked a bit more,” said Mr. Robbins, 61, who grew up in San Francisco in one of the city’s classic Victorian townhomes. condos across the Upper West Side.

☆ A 32-year-old military veteran who owns 74 rental units breaks down how she's continuing to increase her cash flow in the current real estate market.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

She's the CEO of the Five Pillars Team, a brokerage team built by veterans to help military members and investors reach their real estate goals, at eXp Realty. In 2017, she had first considered the idea of building a real estate portfolio that could generate an income. However, as demand began to fall due to rising interest rates, she also hit the brakes on this strategy. Normally, when you're scaling a real estate portfolio, any tasks you don't have to do yourself can be delegated, she noted. Although interest rates are higher, buyers have way more power than they had six months to 18 months ago, she said.

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