Pending sales of existing US homes stalled in September, suggesting anxiety about the job market kept potential buyers sidelined despite a welcome easing in mortgage rates. An index of contract signings held at 74.8 after climbing a revised 4.2% a month earlier to the highest level since March, according to National Association of Realtors data […]
Pending home sales stall as labor market concerns build Read More »
Mortgage rates have been the monster under the bed for a while. Every time they tick up, people flinch and say, “Maybe I’ll wait.” But here’s the twist. Waiting for that perfect 5-point-something rate could end up haunting your wallet later. The Magic Number According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “. . .
Why You Don’t Need To Be Afraid of Today’s Mortgage Rates Read More »
The National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) legal team just got another reprieve from Muhammad three-way agreement lawsuit. On Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit dismissed appellant and lawsuit plaintiff Maurice Muhammad’s appeal after he failed to file a brief and appendix as requested by the court. Muhammad filed his appeal of
NAR wins as court dismisses Muhammad’s antitrust lawsuit appeal Read More »
The number of contract signings stayed flat month over month, as the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Pending Home Sales Index stalled at a reading of 74.8 in September. An index reading of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001. “Contract signings matched the second-strongest pace of the year. However, signings
Pending home sales flat in September as affordability challenges persist Read More »
We all know that the listing appointment is the Super Bowl for every agent. It’s where all your prospecting, marketing and preparation come together in a single conversation that determines whether you’ll earn the trust of a homeowner or walk out empty-handed. That’s why I created the R.E.A.L. framework — a four-step structure for conducting a powerful listing conversation that leads
The four-step real estate listing framework for more signed agreements Read More »
It may have been CoStar Group’s earnings call, but Zillow, the rival of its North American residential real estate portal Homes.com, was certainly a hot topic of conversation. CoStar Group executives entered their discussion of Zillow by highlighting Homes.com’s growth over the past year, which included a 1,225% annual increase in annualized net new bookings,
CoStar can’t stop talking about Zillow as Homes.com growth surges Read More »
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on Wednesday issued a final rule to immediately rescind the nonbank registry rule and a proposal to create a registry of nonbank contract terms and conditions. The decision was applauded by mortgage trade groups. The nonbank registry rule was published in the Federal Register in July 2024 and set
CFPB drops nonbank registry rule, citing cost burden Read More »
Zillow has added a new messaging feature to its app — allowing homebuyers to chat with “co-shoppers” and share listings. Leaders say the new feature aims to reduce confusion and missed messages by consolidating talk about listings into a single channel. “This new messaging product brings the collaboration that already happens across text messages
Zillow adds in-app messaging to chat with ‘co-shoppers’ Read More »
Nearly two years after stepping down and retiring from Fannie Mae, past president David Benson has rejoined the government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) as senior adviser. Benson previously served a 21-year tenure at Fannie Mae in a wide range of positions, including interim CEO, chief financial officer, executive vice president of capital markets and treasurer. Federal Housing
David Benson is back at Fannie Mae Read More »
Mortgage applications increased 7.1% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending October 24, 2025. On an unadjusted basis, the index increased 7% compared with the previous week. The refinance index increased 9% from the previous week and was 111% higher than
Lower rates prompt refis and dismissal of ARMs Read More »