Yum Brands rises 1.8% premarket after sale of 28 KFC outlets to Collins Foods

Yum Brands Inc. rose 1.8% in thin premarket trade on Monday after Australian restaurant-operator Collins Foods Ltd. said it’s buying 28 KFC locations from the U.S. fast food company. Collins said it has entered into a binding agreement to take over 28 KFC eateries across Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia for 110.2 million Australian dollars ($83.41 million) in cash.

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From:: Stock Market News

Fed’s Williams says gradual rate hikes are needed for growth

The U.S. Federal Reserve must keep hiking interest rates gradually to avoid overheating in the U.S. economy, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President John Williams said in the text of a speech to be delivered Monday. “[Gradually] raising interest rates to bring monetary policy back to normal helps us keep the economy growing at a rate that can be sustained for a longer time,” he said in the speech, which will be given in Australia. “If we delay too long, the economy will eventually overheat, causing inflation or some other problem. At some point, that would put us in the position of having to quickly reverse course to slow the economy.”

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From:: Stock Market News

Early look: Lenders expect to loosen credit as mortgage demand weakens

In the second quarter of 2017, lenders saw increased competition and decreased purchase demand in the housing market, according to an early look at Fannie Mae’s second-quarter 2017 Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey. However, lenders also said they have eased credit standards recently and expect further easing in the coming months, giving a slightly more optimistic outlook on the upcoming quarter. …read more

From:: Real Estate Wire

Pandora CEO Tim Westergren to step down: report

Pandora Media Inc. co-founder and chief executive Tim Westergren plans to step down, according to a report Sunday night by Recode. The report said he will likely stay on at the Oakland-based internet radio company until a new CEO is found. Westergren started his second stint as Pandora’s CEO in 2016. Since then, the company has been the subject of many sales rumors, and earlier this month SiriusXM agreed to invest $480 million for a stake in the company. Pandora shares are down almost 10% in the past month, and down more than 29% in the past year.

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From:: Stock Market News

ARMs, Refis Lead Weekly Mortgage Market Index Down

A week-over-week decline in new mortgage activity was led by a big drop in demand for adjustable-rate mortgages and refinances. One bright spot was jumbo business, which overcame price deterioration.

In the seven days that concluded on June 23, the Mortgage Market Index from Mortgage Daily was 134. The index is an indication of upcoming originations based on OpenClose rate-lock volume.

An 18 percent decline from the previous week was recorded for the index, which is not adjusted for seasonal factors. Compared to the same week last year, the MMI has retreated 14 percent.


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From:: Financing

Charlie Bengel, Jr.: A Top-Producing, Community-Centric Culture

By Susanne Dwyer

Charlie_Bengal

With a new president in the White House this year, Charlie Bengel, Jr., CEO of RE/MAX Allegiance, serving the immediate D.C. metro market, admits that there are concerns about decisions that may impact proposed cuts to some federal agencies.

“We’re waiting to see what actually comes of some of the proposals, but, as a business leader in the D.C. metro area, I realize that we need to continue to work to reduce the need for the federal government to be the primary driver of the area economy,” says Bengel. “Like most parts of the country, we have some issues with low inventory. All of the years of builders producing lower-than-normal units continues to catch up to us, and, in most of our markets, housing that’s priced right and shows well is selling very quickly.”

Still, all of the markets in which RE/MAX Allegiance has a presence have shown increases in 2017 so far, thanks to an improved economy, favorable interest rates and millennials entering the market.

“Our top-producing and community-centric culture are unique,” says Bengel. “Our average associate made $150,000 in 2016, and the company, along with our staff and associates, donate nearly $100,000 to Children’s Miracle Network annually. We also have a very robust agent development program that includes planning, training, accountability and coaching.”

The firm is always looking for acquisition opportunities in the Mid-Atlantic region, boasting a robust recruiting program that targets not only experienced agents, but new agents that have a business background, or those who are very driven and coachable.

“Our mission is to provide associates with the necessary tools to create the time and money to live an abundant life. We provide everything needed to be a top producer,” says Bengel, “and tell our agents that if they bring the willingness, we’ll provide the necessary training. We’re really pushing goals, plans and accountability this year, as well.”

One way the firm does this is by offering associates cutting-edge training that encompasses generational selling.

“We were one of the first companies in the D.C. area to offer RealScout to our associates, and we’ve found that this product allows for a better alternative to the MLS property alert system,” says Bengel. “We’re constantly surveying our associates and implementing training and programs they feel are needed to succeed.”

Bengel is optimistic about the rest of the year, expecting growth to continue at RE/MAX Allegiance both in agent count and new offices.

“I expect some brokers to retire, opening up some acquisition opportunities,” says Bengel. “With it being a good market overall, I believe there are recruiting opportunities, especially with newer agents. That will help us continue to grow.”

Vitals: RE/MAX Allegiance
Years in Business
: 39
Size: 16 offices, 380 agents
Regions Served: D.C. metro (D.C., Md., Va.); Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach)
2016 Sales Volume: $2,044,224,066
2016 Transactions: 4,773
www.myallegiancehome.com

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From:: Real Estate News

New-Home Sales Reverse Course in May

By Susanne Dwyer

New-home sales reversed course in May, with sales of new, single-family homes up 2.9 percent to 610,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The average new-home sales price was $406,400, while the median was $345,800. New-home listing inventory was 268,000—5.3 months supply.

“We are seeing solid growth in new-home sales this year,” said Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), in a statement on the data. “Sales are up more than 12 percent from this time last year, and we expect continued gains throughout 2017.”

“This month’s report is in line with our forecast, and consistent with solid builder confidence readings,” said Robert Dietz, chief economist at the NAHB. “With more consumers entering the market, further job growth and tight existing-home inventory, the new-home sector should continue to expand.”

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

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From:: Finance and Economy

New-Home Sales Reverse Course in May

By Susanne Dwyer

New-home sales reversed course in May, with sales of new, single-family homes up 2.9 percent to 610,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The average new-home sales price was $406,400, while the median was $345,800. New-home listing inventory was 268,000—5.3 months supply.

“We are seeing solid growth in new-home sales this year,” said Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), in a statement on the data. “Sales are up more than 12 percent from this time last year, and we expect continued gains throughout 2017.”

“This month’s report is in line with our forecast, and consistent with solid builder confidence readings,” said Robert Dietz, chief economist at the NAHB. “With more consumers entering the market, further job growth and tight existing-home inventory, the new-home sector should continue to expand.”

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

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From:: Real Estate News