Jeff Hobbs

– Always stay informed about mortgage rate predictions, as they may fluctuate significantly over the years. #InterestRates #RealEstateNews – Coldwell Banker is expanding its influence by recruiting a billion-dollar agent in Alabama and adding agents in Miami and Manhattan. #BrokerageExpansion #RealEstate – AI innovation continues with Carey Schwaber Armstrong's startup, Truelist, offering a unique AI ‘listing coordinator’ to assist agents and sellers. #AI #RealEstateTech – Drama unfolds at the Federal Reserve as an official fired by Trump sues, alongside the FHFA's approval of Rocket's acquisition of Mr. Cooper. #FederalReserve #Politics – Consumer advocates warn that small brokerages may struggle against larger firms going private. #RealEstateIndustry #SmallBrokerages – Offerpad’s shares surged 85%, showing the volatility in the iBuyer market. #RealEstateStocks #Investing – The market shows mixed signals; pending home sales are down while mortgage applications rise. #HousingMarket #ByTheNumbers – Tech firms continue to innovate with new tools for agents, like Figma integration for faster marketing design. #TechInnovation #RealEstate – Agent Margie Marasco finds success with viral content on social media to attract new clients. #SocialMediaMarketing #Agents – Realtor.com makes strategic investments in technology, hiring a new CTO to lead innovation efforts. #RealEstateTech #Leadership – Don’t overlook the importance of fresh listings in a sluggish market; they are crucial for stimulating buyer interest. #RealEstateMarket #Listings

What would happen to mortgage rates if Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac went public? NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun breaks down how government guarantees impact rates and why they matter for every homebuyer.

According to NAR’s May 2025 Existing-Home Sales Report, homes in the middle price tiers saw the biggest increase in sales. 💡 The takeaway? Buyers are gravitating toward homes that strike a balance between price, value, and availability. No matter what price points dominate your market, use this insight to create content that: - Educates sellers about smart pricing strategies - Guides buyers toward realistic expectations - Highlights listings that offer strong value Position yourself as a local expert who understands where buyer demand is—and how to help clients make confident moves. This graphic is now available on the platform—head there now to download and use it for your own marketing!

🏠 Buying, Selling, or Refinancing in St. Petersburg, FL? Here's What You Need to Know About Appraisal Validity. One of the most overlooked aspects of a real estate transaction is the validity window of a home appraisal — and in a market as dynamic as St. Petersburg, Florida, timing matters more than ever. 📋 Standard Validity by Loan Type: • Conventional Loans (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac): Valid for 120 days, with a one-time extension to 180 days via recertification of value. • FHA Loans: Valid for 120 days from the effective date, with a possible 30-day extension. The appraisal stays tied to the property — not the borrower. • VA Loans: Valid for up to 6 months, giving veterans and service members more flexibility. St. Petersburg's diverse market — from Gulf-front condos to historic Kenwood bungalows and a thriving downtown corridor — means property values can shift significantly in a short period. A 60-day-old appraisal may no longer reflect true market conditions in a rapidly evolving neighborhood. For professionals in real estate, lending, and property management, understanding these timelines can be the difference between a smooth closing and an unexpected delay. 🔗 Read the Full Article: https://lnkd.in/gEESNg46 #HomeAppraisal #StPetersburg #FloridaRealEstate #RealEstateProfessional #MortgageTips #PropertyValuation #EagleHomeAppraisal #TampaBayRealEstate #HomeBuying #Refinancing

The 2025 NAR Member Profile is Out: These are our Key Takeaways from this year's survey. First, income among REALTORS® increased 4% in the most recent survey compared to the previous survey results, which is good. $58,000 is the median gross income level which is an increase from $55,000 the previous year in median gross income. Members reported spending $8,000 on business expenses, which is down from $8,400 the previous year. A sign that some marketing expenses are being cut back, or are the agents spending smarter? Perhaps both. Coaching and MLS fees can get pricey and are still necessary for success. Member count appears to be declining, with some of the previous roster of members having left the industry and others dropping their memberships in associations. After 2024 and all the legal cases, this was expected. Is it doom and gloom? Not even close. In fact this creates opportunity for those successful agents looking to increase their market share and for people looking to jump into the business with a fresh outlook and no pre-conceived notions of how things should work. Here's some numbers that give us hope. The typical member worked 35 hours per week. That's it? 35 hours? Would the income have gone up by spending more hours working? One can only ask why the average agent isn't working a minimum 40 hour workweek. The typical agent also had 10 transactions in 2024 compared to the same 10 transactions in 2023. This means if you were the average agent in Colorado closing 10 sides (or transactions) at the lowest median price by Colorado Congressional District ($427,250) and you received only a 1.5% commission on each transaction, you would have earned $64,087. Subtract the median expenses, which can be reduced in some areas, and you are left with a net of $56,087 in earnings. Now increase your commission by increasing your value, increase your workweek to a more aggressive 50-60 hours per week (the minimum we recommend for new agents) and ask yourself what you could make. REALTORS® with 16 years or more experience had a median gross income of $78,900 down from over $90,000. This indicates to us that the industry is changing faster than the long time agents can keep up, opening opportunities for new real estate licensees. And the reasons people go into real estate vary just as much. From working for themselves, completing their own transactions, or to create a career in an industry that can be both fun and hard work at the same time, there are a lot of great reasons to get into real estate. Taking all of this into account, we see this as a time of change and opportunity. This means that if you are ready to put in the extra hours, work harder at mastering the business, and are willing and able to keep up with the changes in the industry, you may have just found the perfect time to earn your license and jump into the real estate business. The QR code in the image will allow you to order the complete report from NAR.

Deep Dive: SBA 7(a) for Owner‑Occupied Commercial Real Estate One of the most financially impactful SBA loan uses. What SBA 7(a) Can Finance • Purchasing commercial property • Renovating or improving facilities • Building new structures • Refinancing existing real estate (if it benefits the business) Key Requirements Your business must occupy 51% or more of the property. Why SBA Real Estate Loans Stand Out • Terms up to 25 years for real estate • Frequently lower down payments (10–15%) • Competitive interest rates (Prime + SBA‑regulated spreads) This is one of the least expensive ways for businesses to own the property they operate in.

📈 2026 is shaping up to be a comeback year for the housing market. According to NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, existing-home sales are projected to jump 14% as mortgage rates ease toward 6%, job growth strengthens, and market stability returns. Despite ongoing supply shortages, home prices are expected to rise another 4%, with no signs of a nationwide decline on the horizon. Yun credits modest rate drops and strong economic fundamentals for the improved affordability ahead, especially in markets with robust new construction, like Houston, where pricing remains more attainable. If you’re keeping an eye on next year’s housing trends, this forecast is your green light to get ahead of the curve. https://lnkd.in/gewbCE56 #RealEstateForecast #HousingMarket2026 #NARInsights #MarketTrends #RealEstateNews