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As a potential remedy, appraisers are advocating for more transparency in closing documents. Currently, a homebuyer sees how much they’re paying for appraisals, but not how much goes to each party. Appraisers have proposed breaking out the fee on closing documents to show how much goes to the appraiser and the AMC, thinking consumers will question why an intermediary receives more than the appraiser. In June, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a request for “information regarding fees imposed in residential mortgage transactions,” framing the call for comments as an investigation into “junk fees,” or those collected by AMCs.…

In a recent episode of “The Loan Officer Podcast,” co-hosts Dustin Owen and John Coleman explore upcoming trends and shifts in the mortgage and housing markets following the 2024 election. Their conversation dives into new trade policies, tariffs, constructions costs, labor and more. These questions and responses have been edited for length and clarity. To kick off the conversation, Owen and Coleman dive into interest rate predictions following the 2024 presidential election. Owen: Let’s talk interest rates. When I was out in Denver before the election, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) were predicting interest rates between 5.7% to 5.9% in…

On this week’s episode of the RealTrending podcast, host Tracey Velt sits down with HousingWire Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami to discuss his 2025 housing market forecast, interest rates, the potential impacts of Donald Trump’s tariffs and the possibility of a trade war. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To start the conversation, Mohtashami immediately dives into potential mortgage rate declines in 2025.  Mohtashami: For mortgage rates, I channel the 10-year (Treasury) yield. Mortgage rates should be in a range between 5.75% to 7.25%. What was beneficial for housing this year should be the case next year. If…

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) on Monday unveiled its three-year plan for the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to improve housing opportunities in underserved areas. Key pillars of the plans include bolstering access in rural communities, looking to manufactured housing as an instrument to bolster supply, and addressing liquidity needs for first-time homebuyers. Required under separate regulatory frameworks, the FHFA submitted the plans as part of the 2025-2027 Duty to Serve (DTS) requirements and the 2025-2027 Equitable Housing Finance Plans (EHFPs). The DTS plans aim to address a lack of liquidity across manufactured housing, affordable housing…

Learn how NYC associate broker Maria Daou combines in-depth knowledge with personalized service to make a lasting impression on clients. Whether it’s refining your business model, mastering new technologies, or discovering strategies to capitalize on the next market surge, Inman Connect New York will prepare you to take bold steps forward. The Next Chapter is about to begin. Be part of it. Join us and thousands of real estate leaders Jan. 22-24, 2025. Like chefs, real estate professionals are at their best when the fire is hottest. During the red-hot pandemic market, foodie and New York City associate broker Maria…

This year has been tough on real estate. But investors think several major companies have done enough to boost their standing — and box out key competitors. This report is available exclusively to subscribers of Inman Intel, the data and research arm of Inman offering deep insights and market intelligence on the business of residential real estate and proptech. Subscribe today. Hopes were once high heading into 2024. In reality, most real estate businesses have continued to struggle with low transaction volumes. But in this stagnant environment, a select group of real estate companies has succeeded in nabbing market share, boxing out…

The taste of victory was short lived for RE/MAX, Keller Williams and Anywhere. After successfully getting the Batton 1 homebuyer commission lawsuit stayed in October as a result of the defendants having been granted final approval of their home seller commission lawsuit settlements, the three national brokerages were not as lucky with their motions to dismiss. In early October, Chicago-based U.S. District Court Judge LaShonda Hunt — who is overseeing the two Batton suits after Judge Andrea Wood recused herself in early September — took the defendants’ motions to dismiss due to lack of personal jurisdiction under advisement. But at a hearing on Friday, she…

Dorothy and Roy Lichtenstein. Photo: Jack Mitchell/Getty Images Price: $6.9 million ($2,310 monthly taxes) Specs: 6 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms Extras: Backyard, 6 fireplaces 10-minute walking radius: The Whitney, Pastis, Hudson River Park Listed by: Lee Ann Jaffee and Steven Sumser, Compass  The artist Roy Lichtenstein was not known for living large. In 1987, when he bought a two-story metalworking factory on Washington Street in the West Village, he worked downstairs, ate lunch at the same diner every day, and lived upstairs in a one-bedroom with his wife, Dorothy. She died in July after spending most of the past three decades…

The newly launched affiliated title agency will streamline closings and increase efficiency for The Agency’s New York-based clients and agents, the brokerage told Inman. Whether it’s refining your business model, mastering new technologies, or discovering strategies to capitalize on the next market surge, Inman Connect New York will prepare you to take bold steps forward. The Next Chapter is about to begin. Be part of it. Join us and thousands of real estate leaders Jan. 22-24, 2025. Luxury firm The Agency is growing its ancillary services through a partnership with title and escrow service provider Langdon Title. Together, the two companies have launched affiliated…

If affordability continues to worsen, that will accelerate inventory build up. The 2025 lines will trend higher, even closer to the old normal levels.  New listings climb There were 53,000 new listings unsold this week. That’s 9% more unsold new listings than the same week a year ago. This level of new listings will lead to inventory growth. When we add in the 7,800 new listing immediate sales, that’s 4.7% more sellers than a year ago.  In the chart, 5% more sellers than a year ago is right in the range we want to see. The red line is right at…