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☆ Consumer advocates — and even some Realtors — hail NAR settlement: 'We've opened up the entire industry to competition'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Rob Wile | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Now, a landmark settlement with the National Association of Realtors is poised to upend this model. According to consumer advocates, and even some Realtors, it's a win for homebuyers and sellers. And in the months following Covid-19 pandemic reopenings, the hottest U.S. real estate markets were tipped squarely in favor of sellers. It's the same amount of money, but now the buyer gets money instead of a buyer agent, and they can decide what to do with it." What's more, greater competition for clients is likely to result in lower costs across the board, said Ryan Tomasello, a real estate industry analyst with the Keefe, Bruyette & Woods financial firm.

Persons: it's, Mariya Letdin, Letdin, they'll, Doug Miller, Miller, Ryan Tomasello, Keefe, Tomasello, Phil Crescenzo Jr, Crescenzo Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Realtors, homebuyers, Florida State University's College of Business, NBC News, U.S, NAR, Nation One Mortgage Corp Locations: Alhambra , California, Minnesota, Woods

☆ Should you sell your home now or wait for the Realtor settlement this summer?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The settlement will eliminate the long-standing standard 6% commission paid by the seller, which could ultimately make it cheaper to sell your home post-settlement. The case for getting in on spring homebuying seasonThe settlement could present a major downside to homebuyers. Under the current system, the buyer’s agent’s commission is baked into the total they pay for a home. On top of that, they may be able to avoid having to pay the buyer’s agent’s commission. But in his view, the NAR settlement shouldn’t be a major consideration when it comes to timing.

Persons: it’s, Phil Crescenzo Jr, There’s, he’s, ” Mike Downer, Mike Downer, he’d Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Association of Realtors, Nation One Mortgage Corporation, Buyers, NAR, Coldwell Banker Locations: New York, Naples , Florida

Mortgage rates have been elevated over the last couple of months. Thirty-year mortgage rates have averaged 6.50% in March, just two basis points below where they were in February. Forecasters at the Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, the National Association of Realtors, and elsewhere have been predicting that mortgage rates will start trending lower soon. The sooner the Fed can start cutting rates, the sooner mortgage rates will start to fall. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: Fannie Mae, they've, you'll Organizations: Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Realtors, Federal Reserve, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ I was a first-time homebuyer and got scammed out of $167,000 of my life savings
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Pat and Marisa Lawlor were the victims of real estate wire fraud in 2022. The realizationThe real email came exactly one week after the scammers made off with Lawlor's money, he said. The methodIt turns out that the scammers hacked into the escrow office's email server through a process called business email compromise. With real estate wire fraud, they target mom-and-pop independent brokers, escrow, or title companies like the one we used. We've started a GoFundMe fundraiser to get that money back and raise awareness about real estate wire fraud.

Persons: Pat, Marisa Lawlor, They've, —, Pat Lawlor, Marisa, We'd, San Fernando Valley, Lawlor, That's, it's, It's, we've, We've Organizations: Service, California Association of Realtors, Riverside, States Secret Services Locations: Los Angeles, San Fernando, Riverside County

Though they spiked up earlier this week, mortgage rates have inched down over the past few days and are in line with last week's levels. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should start to trend down, too. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Back Below 6% (-0.10%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 5.93%, down from last week. Mortgage rates also rose dramatically in 2023, though they started trending back down toward the end of the year.

Persons: they're, you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

☆ What a $418 million settlement on home-sale commissions may mean for you
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-20 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

As proposed, the settlement would have the NAR completely remove commissions from its MLS system by July. watch nowIn the meantime, it's "business as usual" for buyers and sellers, Cobreiro said. What the settlement could mean for homebuyersThe settlement agreement doesn't say that the buyer's agent will not be paid nor that the buyer's agent cannot charge fees. While commission fees are negotiable between involved parties, knowing what cards you have on the table as a homebuyer will be more important now than before. As a result of the settlement, the seller will no longer be responsible for commission fees for a buyer's agent.

Persons: Cobreiro, Cobriero, Amanda Pendleton Organizations: MLS, Zillow, Federal Reserve

☆ Here’s why high interest rates haven’t caused a US recession
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

America’s economy remains remarkably solid, despite the high interest rates. The Fed dramatically cut interest rates in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic to help shore up an economy dealing with high unemployment, prompting mortgage rates to also drop in tandem. Those homeowners who locked in an affordable 3% mortgage rate, for instance, aren’t likely to trade it for anything higher. Fed officials reflected in their latest economic projections from December that they expect to cut interest rates three times this year, which would also lower mortgage rates. That all means that Americans have been well equipped to deal with the effects of high interest rates.

Persons: Jerome Powell, ” Powell, ” Dan North, Freddie Mac, ” Karen Manna, Federated Hermes, “, ”, Powell Organizations: DC CNN, Federal Reserve, Reserve, CBS, Allianz Trade, CNN, Fed, Employers, Consumer Finances, Federated Locations: Washington

Average 30-year mortgage rates are now in the upper 6% range, which is where they were at the start of the month. Where mortgage rates go next depends on the economy. Until inflation comes down further, mortgage rates will likely remain near their current levels. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ The way Americans buy and sell homes is about to get turned on its head
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( David Goldman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The way Americans buy and sell homes is about to get turned on its head. And other broker tactics that critics say are anticompetitive, such as a rule that made sellers’ agents set compensation for buyers’ agents, will be prohibited. Goodbye, 6% commissionsFor decades, Americans have paid a standard commission of around 6% when selling a home, split between the seller’s broker and the buyer’s broker. A separate new rule will require buyers’ brokers to enter into written agreements with their buyers. Second, it led buyers’ brokers to push more expensive homes on buyers, so their payout would be higher.

Persons: Cowen, Stephen Brobeck, Norm Miller, Miller Organizations: CNN, National Association of Realtors, NAR, Industry, Consumer Federation of America, University of San Locations: America, University of San Diego

☆ Presidential election or not, economists say, the Fed will cut interest rates in the fall if it must
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Fed officials have said they will begin to cut rates whenever they have “gained enough confidence” that inflation is under control. The Bank of Japan announces its latest interest rate decision. The Reserve Bank of Australia announces its latest interest rate decision. The Federal Reserve announces its latest interest rate decision and releases a fresh set of economic projections, followed by a news conference featuring Chair Jerome Powell. The Bank of England announces its latest interest rate decision.

Persons: Wall Street’s, “, ” Kathy Bostjancic, ”, Jerome Powell, ” Powell, Fed hasn’t, Nathaniel Beck, Elizabeth Warren of, Powell, lambasting, Donald Trump, reappoint Powell, ” Kayla Bruun, David Goldman, Anna Bahney, Cowen, Lennar, Mills Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, Washington CNN, Federal Reserve, Fed, Nationwide, CNN, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Democratic, Republican, Morning, National Association of Realtors, NAR, Realtors, Toll Brothers, National Association of Home Builders, Bank of Japan, Reserve Bank of Australia, US Commerce Department, Micron Technology, Prudential, Accenture, Nike, FedEx, lululemon, Darden, Academy Sports, Bank of England, US Labor Department, Global Locations: Washington, Wells Fargo

☆ Things are about to get weird for homebuyers and sellers
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Matt Turner | Jordan Parker Erb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Ban or no ban, TikTok is under pressure. Now, we're about to enter a new age of experimentation as buyers and sellers start thinking hard about how they'll pay their agents, and how much. More of this week's top readsThe Insider Today team: Matt Turner, deputy editor-in-chief, in New York.

Persons: —, TikTok, Bytedance, Biden, Donald Trump, Steven Mnuchin, Anson Chan, sarayut Thaneerat, Tyler Le, Ken Griffin, Ambition, Theresa Sue Mubenga, who's, Matt Turner, Jordan Parker Erb, Dan DeFrancesco, Lisa Ryan Organizations: Service, Business, Senate, Apple, Medical Properties Trust, Citadel, Miami, Citadel Securities, Wall, Workers, National Association of Realtors, Oxford Locations: China, Chicago, Miami, New York

☆ How the recent settlement on paying a commission could change the way Americans buy and sell homes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Commissions aren’t disappearing — you’ll still need to pay a real estate agent for their work, just as you would any service provider. And the commission, which is set between an agent and the seller, will continue to be negotiable. The seller’s agent will also still be able to split the commission with the agent bringing the buyer. One new rule prohibits agents’ compensation from being included on listings placed on local centralized portals known as multiple listing services, which critics say led brokers to push more expensive properties on customers. This agreement will specify the work the buyer’s agent will do and how they will get paid.

Persons: who’ve, TD Cowan, Will, that’s, it’s Organizations: DC CNN, National Association of Realtors, NAR, MLS Locations: Washington

☆ The housing market's inventory crisis is finally easing
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewUS home-sellers are finally getting accustomed to higher mortgage rates. "The housing market is nothing like it was two years ago during the pandemic homebuying frenzy, but it's better than it was last year. Mortgage-purchase applications declined through February, as rates rose from early 2024. While mortgage rates are moving back down from last month's 6.78% average, they are likely to remain elevated for longer, Redfin said. AdvertisementBetween mortgage rates and higher prices, the median US monthly housing payment stood $2,686 through February, just $30 below last year's all-time high.

Persons: —, Redfin, It's, David Palmer, Sellers Organizations: Service, Business, Mortgage, White

☆ The 6% commission on buying or selling a home is gone after Realtors association agrees to seismic settlement
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( David Goldman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The NAR, which represents more than 1 million Realtors, also agreed to put in place a set of new rules. One prevents sellers’ brokers from setting buyers’ agents’ compensation, which critics say led brokers to push more expensive properties on customers. Another new rule will require buyers’ brokers to enter into written agreements with their buyers. Realtors could now compete on commissions, allowing for prospective buyers to shop around on rates before they commit to buying a home. The association also faces scrutiny from the US Department of Justice, and it’s unclear whether this settlement with sellers will impact the government’s scrutiny of the brokerage industry.

Persons: ”, Kevin Sears, Nykia Wright, Homesellers, HomeServices, Wright Organizations: CNN, National Association of Realtors, NAR, Realtors, realtors, US Department of Justice Locations: Missouri, America, litigate

☆ See how badly your home could be hit by heat, wind, and bad air over the next 30 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Dan Latu | Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Realtor.com has unveiled a set of climate risk tools that homeowners and homebuyers alike can use to learn the specific climate risks of a property. The tools, called Heat Factor, Wind Factor, and Air Factor, are available starting Wednesday and can map out a neighborhood's risks of above-normal days on the heat index, chances of experiencing wind gusts over 50 mph, and days of poor air quality. More than 40% of US homes, valued at a combined $20 trillion, are vulnerable to extreme heat, wind, and poor air quality, according to a Realtor.com analysis. Understanding your home's climate riskPrior to releasing the heat, wind, and air quality tools, Realtor.com already provided fire and flood risks for properties based on data from First Street. First Street, a climate-risk firm, is also behind the data on extreme heat, wind, and air quality now added to listings.

Persons: Realtor.com, Oscar Seikaly, Bob Stephens, homebuyers, Danielle Hale, Hale, Z, Redfin, we've Organizations: Service, Factor, Air Factor, Business, San, Sun Locations: Florida , California, Texas, Miami, San Francisco, California, Florida

Average 30-year mortgage rates have generally been hovering in the 6.30% to 6.40% range this week, according to Zillow data. Where mortgage rates go next depends on the economy. As long as inflation continues to slow and the labor market doesn't heat back up, mortgage rates should go down in 2024. This means that we could see mortgage rates inch down just ahead of the summer months. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ There are so few starter homes on the market, Biden wants to pay people $10,000 to sell their houses
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

US homeowners are staying put due to high mortgage rates and home prices. Biden has proposed housing policy changes, including a $10,000 tax credit to sell a home. The tax credit could get more starter homes on the market, but much more building is needed. AdvertisementWith mortgage rates elevated, lots of homeowners in the US are staying put. They figure they're better off waiting until mortgage rates or home prices — or both — come down before they begin the hunt for their next house.

Persons: Biden, — Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Biden says he can fix America’s housing affordability crisis. Will it work?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Bryan Mena | Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Washington CNN —Americans are in the throes of the worst housing affordability crisis in decades. If inflation keeps coming down, mortgage rates will come down as well. The first is a $10,000 refundable credit for middle-class homebuyers – essentially an interest rate buy-down. So, when inflation is too high, the only thing the Fed can do is jack up interest rates to slow demand. “We’ll still have the underlying housing shortage and and it’s going to be causing upward pressure on housing prices,” he said.

Persons: Joe Biden, I’m, ”, Biden’s, Biden, David Dworkin, ” Dworkin, “, Ed DeMarco, Jerome Powell, Freddie Mac, Powell, ” Powell, “ We’ll Organizations: Washington CNN, National Housing Conference, Council, Federal, Senate, Fed Locations: Thursday’s State, America

☆ Mortgage rates drop after climbing for four weeks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates ticked down slightly this week, a tiny boon to buyers eager to make a move with newly listed homes coming to market. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.88% in the week ending March 7, down from 6.94% the previous week, according to data from Freddie Mac released Thursday. While mortgage rates are expected to fall further in 2024, Sturtevant added, short-term movements in mortgage rates will likely be influenced by congressional testimony given this week by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. During his semiannual monetary report to Congress, he indicated there is no rush to cut interest rates with more evidence of cooling inflation. The February jobs report, which will be released Friday, is also likely to have some bearing on mortgage rates.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, homebuyers, Khater, Redfin, Lisa Sturtevant, ” Sturtevant, Sturtevant, Jerome Powell Organizations: DC CNN —, Mortgage, Association, Federal Housing Administration, Redfin, MLS, Bright MLS, Federal, Congress Locations: Washington

Mortgage rates have receded a bit this week, with average 30-year mortgage rates hovering around 10 basis points below last week's average at 6.59%,according to Zillow data. Depending on how some upcoming economic reports turn out, we could see mortgage rates inch down a little further in March. Now that the Fed is considering cutting rates this year, many experts believe that mortgage rates will go down soon. This is a key gauge of inflation, and the results of this report could also cause some volatility with mortgage rates. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, of Labor Statistics, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ Homebuyers should consider these 17 cheaper-than-average cities where affordable houses are becoming much easier to find
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Spring is just around the corner, and the same may be true of a housing market revival. Housing inventory is starting to rise alongside temperatures, according to a just-released report from Realtor.com. Researchers at the listings site noted in a March 5 announcement that US active property listings rose 14.8% in February from 2023, while new listings jumped 11.3%. The jump in property listings was widespread, as it occurred in 29 of the 50-largest US cities, according to Realtor.com. 25 cities where cheaper-than-average houses are prevalentBelow are the 17 US real estate markets where houses are cheaper than the national median of $415,500, and inventory growth is also positive.

Persons: Realtor.com, haven't Organizations: Realtor.com, Business, homebuyers

☆ The mortgage 'lock-in' effect is here to stay and home prices won't fall for years to come, research firm says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Easing mortgage rates won't fully unwind the "lock in" effect, Capital Economics said. Home moves and market activity will remain muted even if borrowing costs become more attractive. "Even if mortgage rates fall to 6% as we expect, mortgage rate 'lock in' will continue to curb home moves," Capital Economics strategists said. In the research group's view, housing market activity will remain muted as competition for homes stays tight and affordability remains historically low. The strategists expect mortgage rates, too, will continue to trend above pre-pandemic levels.

Persons: — Organizations: Capital Economics, Service, Capital

This week, we'll be getting two big pieces of labor market data that could have an impact on mortgage rates. This means it's possible we'll see mortgage rates start to ease right as the homebuying season is heating up. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-year Fixed Mortgage RatesLast week, average 15-year mortgage rates were 6.26%, a three-basis-point decrease from the previous week, according to Freddie Mac data. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: we'll, you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Labor, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

☆ Premarket stocks: Retailers warn Wall Street to expect less shopping this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Lowe’s: The home improvement giant projected total sales of $84 billion to $85 billion for 2024 in fourth-quarter results reported on Tuesday. Mortgage rates edge closer to 7%, dampening start of spring homebuying seasonUS mortgage rates climbed for the fourth week in a row, inching closer to 7% just as peak homebuying season gets underway, reports my colleague Anna Bahney. “Mortgage rates continued their ascent this week, reaching a two-month high and flirting with 7% yet again,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, in a statement. Since reaching a 20-year high of 7.79% in October, mortgage rates have been slowly falling. But in recent weeks, as the market absorbs expectations that the Federal Reserve will not cut its benchmark lending rate until later this year, mortgage rates have trended higher.

Persons: they’re, ”, Marvin Ellison, Macy’s, Tony Spring, Corie Barry, ’, ” Barry, Diksha Madhok, Hanna Ziady, “, Thamashi De Silva, Knight Frank, Read, Anna Bahney, Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, Khater Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN — Companies, Federal Reserve, Commerce Department, United States’s, Gross, Capital Economics, “ Locations: New York, That’s, India

Uncertainty around when the Federal Reserve will start cutting rates has kept mortgage rates elevated in recent weeks. This week, average 30-year mortgage rates ticked up four basis points to 6.94%, according to Freddie Mac. Once inflation gets closer to the Fed's 2% target rate and the central bank starts lowering its benchmark rate, mortgage rates should go down. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. This is good news for mortgage rates — as inflation slows and the Federal Reserve is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates are expected to trend down as well.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, we'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, homebuying, Commerce Department, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, ARM Locations: Chevron

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