Housing Wire

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Employment data for October is set to be released Friday, and it will go a long way in determining the path for mortgage rates, which have surged upward in the past month. At HousingWire’s Mortgage Rates Center on Tuesday, the average rate for 30-year conforming loans was 6.72%. This equated to homes being 9.2%

Mortgages 448

Mortgages Equity Loans Marketing 448

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 27, 2024

Reverse mortgage business and mortgage business generally is not where people want it to be. That was a repeated idea shared by a group of reverse mortgage professionals when asked to assess what they see as the biggest industry challenges of the year. I think that’s true from an industry standpoint.

Industrial 397

Industrial Mortgages Principal Lending 397

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

So, let’s start with the basics: What is a real estate broker vs. an agent? To answer that, we’ll take a deep dive into the differences between the many types of real estate professionals, including a real estate agent and a real estate broker. Summary What is a real estate agent? What does a real estate agent do?

Agents 448

Agents Brokerage Purchase and sale agreement Commercial 448

Housing Wire

JANUARY 16, 2025

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this week warned consumers in all 50 states that fraudsters are posing as mortgage lenders by calling homeowners and asking them to pony up on payments. The FCC estimates that Green Mirage has impersonated over 400 mortgage lenders.

Mortgages 370

Mortgages Lending As-is Agents 370

Housing Wire

APRIL 9, 2025

A new report from Anytime Estimate , a subsidiary of Clever , reveals that while the vast majority of American homesellers still plan to work with real estate agents in 2025, concerns about trust, commission fees , and agent value are reshaping expectations of those entering the housing market.

Agents 320

Agents MLS Sales As-is 320

Housing Wire

JANUARY 21, 2025

The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage ( HECM ) for Purchase (H4P) program has long been positioned by reverse mortgage professionals as a viable path for expanding the base of reverse mortgage business. It would allow older homeowners to use a reverse mortgage to purchase a new home.

Agents 397

Agents Equity Finance Mortgages 397

Housing Wire

MARCH 12, 2025

Fathom Realty rolled out two new agent commission plans in 2024, and the brokerage isnt done yet. The plan is designed to help agents close more business. To back the new plan, Fregenal cited a survey showing that almost 90% of agents want more from their parent brokerages, but he offered no details on whats to come.

Agents 307

Agents Brokerage Title Land 307

Housing Wire

MARCH 6, 2025

Instead, its continuing to add agents at an explosive rate. On its earnings call for the fourth quarter of 2024, the company disclosed that its agent count was 24,140 at the end of the year. Real credited its technology offerings and business model for the explosive growth in agents. million in 2023 to $4 million in 2024.

Brokerage 370

Brokerage Agents Loan Officer Technology 370

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

The arrangement known as cooperative compensation allows sellers to choose to offset the cost of buyers’ agents. The settlement requires listing agents to stop making offers of compensation for buyer’s agents on Multiple Listing Services (MLSs). Rolling the fees into the mortgage” leaves the buyer with a higher interest rate.

Debt-to-income ratio 321

Debt-to-income ratio Agents VA loan MLS 321

Housing Wire

MARCH 3, 2025

Introduction As part of our ongoing discussion on the concept of movement in the mortgage industry, it is readily apparent that the failure of mortgage companies to pivot or tweak their business models to satisfy changing market and other conditions has resulted in consolidation based on liquidity, buyback, financial and other concerns.

Purchase and sale agreement 416

Purchase and sale agreement Closing Industrial Mortgages 416

Housing Wire

APRIL 4, 2025

Following other recent proprietary product development news, Longbridge Financial announced on Friday the launch of a new variation for its private fixed-rate reverse mortgage offering. Platinum Peak is now available in at least two reverse mortgage loan origination systems (LOS) for brokers.

Mortgages 322

Mortgages Principal Loans Equity 322

Housing Wire

JANUARY 17, 2025

Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this week that Mark Steven Diamond, who was accused of bilking elderly homeowners in a reverse mortgage and home repair scheme, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison by the U.S. She added that his sentencing is a sobering reminder of the unique harm caused by predatory reverse mortgage schemes.

Mortgages 397

Mortgages Title Development Loans 397

Housing Wire

MARCH 18, 2025

But in light of Redfins blockbuster sale to Rocket Mortgage that was announced less than two weeks later, hindsight dictates that Kelman may have known that the end of independence was coming for the company hes run for almost 20 years. Agents got benefits like health insurance, a 401(k), vacation time and a more predictable stream of income.

Brokerage 395

Brokerage Agents Mortgages Staging 395

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

In February 2024, Sagent , a Warburg Pincus -backed fintech firm, announced the launch of its mortgage software platform, Dara. The six components here make up an entire end-to-end mortgage servicing platform. Dara Consumer focuses on the homeowners navigation of their mortgage. Whats next in the Dara playbook?

Mortgages 432

Mortgages Bankruptcy Staging As-is 432

Housing Wire

MARCH 17, 2025

In mid-January, Pennsylvanias former attorney general Michelle Henry filed a kickback lawsuit against Barry Newhart and six mortgage entities he controls: Bright Financial Group , Conquest Mortgage , Flagship Home Loans , Legacy Mortgage Partners , Nittany Home Loans , MCT Financial , Conquest Holdings and Newhart Holdings.

Brokerage 293

Brokerage Mortgages Purchase and sale agreement Loans 293

Housing Wire

MARCH 20, 2025

It seems that everyone in mortgage and real estate has an opinion about Rocket Mortgage ‘s pending $1.75 “Spending nearly $2 billion on a money-losing tech company with entry-level agents doesn’t change that.” Redfins 2,200 lead agents and 5,000 partner agents are among the very best in the industry.

Mortgages 281

Mortgages Loan Officer Brokerage Loans 281

Housing Wire

APRIL 1, 2025

The current reverse mortgage industry market leader, Mutual of Omaha Mortgage , announced on Tuesday that it has launched a new proprietary reverse mortgage product, with initial availability in California and Florida. The product line, known as SecureEquity, is available to homeowners as young as age 55.

Mortgages 307

Mortgages Principal Equity Loans 307

Housing Wire

MARCH 15, 2024

Mortgage pros have closely monitored the commission lawsuit developments since a Kansas City, Missouri jury determined that NAR, HomeServices of America , and Keller Williams conspired to inflate or maintain high commission rates through NAR’s so-called Participation Rule. You should be finding buyers before real estate agents anyway.”

Industrial 514

Industrial Seller concession Purchase and sale agreement Agents 514

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

Describing the modern-day mortgage market as challenging would be an understatement, to say the least. Mortgage interest rates have steadily ramped up throughout 2024. The average rate throughout 2024 for 30-year fixed mortgages was 6.72% higher than it was during the 2008 market crash.

Loans 343

Loans Mortgages Equity Construction 343

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 20, 2024

The state of leadership in the mortgage industry When people say, Theres no such thing as a perfect company, are they really acknowledging an inherentflaw or are they feeling the void left by inadequate leadership? Heres how: 1. Leadership is not a natural progression; its a conscious choice that requires preparation, support, and growth.

Industrial 395

Industrial Loan Officer Mortgages Development 395

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

In a recent episode of “The Loan Officer Podcast,” host Dustin Owen and guest John Coleman explore key tips that all aspiring real estate agents should know when navigating mortgage financing for a potential client. A final point urges agents to not rush mortgage preapprovals before moving forward in the process.

Finance 448

Finance Agents Mortgages Loan Officer 448

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 30, 2024

Although higher home prices , rising mortgage rates and other expenses are obvious factors, there may be more to the story. Some agents attribute stale inventory growth to unreasonable prices that repel would-be buyers from pursuing certain listings. There is some hope for potential buyers and sellers if mortgage rates decline.

Mortgages 488

Mortgages Brokerage Sales Marketing 488

Housing Wire

MARCH 10, 2025

The transaction will merge Redfins home search platform , which is comprised of 50 million monthly visitors, 1 million active purchase and rental listings and its network of over 2,200 agents, with Rockets mortgage services, with the goal of delivering “a more seamless experience from search to close, to servicing and future transactions.”

Purchase and sale agreement 482

Purchase and sale agreement Pre-approval Brokerage Equity 482

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Not long ago, homeowners insurance was a minor concern for most homebuyers, real estate agents and mortgage originators. Impacts to mortgage credit Banks, insurers and regulators have long acknowledged that climate risks could threaten mortgage borrowers’ creditworthiness. Insurance Services , in March.

Design 482

Design Mortgages Lending As-is 482

Housing Wire

MARCH 7, 2025

Rocket Mortgage is shutting down its Canadian operations as the company refocuses on its core U.S. We want to assure our clients that all loans in process will proceed without issue, and we remain committed to supporting them through this transition, Rocket Mortgage said in a statement.

Mortgages 221

Mortgages Title Lending Brokerage 221

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

Real estate agents have white-knuckled their way through more than two years of suffocatingly high mortgage rates that have stymied sales, choked off inventory and pushed home prices to new all-time highs. I always think demand comes before supply in this situation,” said Redfin agent Justin Vold, who is based in Los Angeles. “If

Agents 511

Agents Sales Mortgages Land 511

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 21, 2024

Robert Gordon, a senior vice president at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association , told the Journal that mortgage lenders need to be more involved in these processes. But the dynamics are evolving, and the fallout from storms like Helene and Milton are playing havoc with the intersection between mortgage and insurance.

Construction 497

Construction Development Finance Mortgages 497

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

31, 2023, and has since reshaped the business practices for real estate brokerages and agents across the country. Finding an agent Like 43% of homebuyers , I began my search online, as I worked to get a sense for what the inventory in my preferred areas and in my price range looked like. Funny you should ask.

Purchase and sale agreement 435

Purchase and sale agreement Inspection contingency Inspection Title 435

Housing Wire

APRIL 15, 2024

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not count buyer’s agent commissions as part of their allowable interested party contributions (IPCs), according to announcements from the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) on Monday. The Community Home Lenders Association (CHLA) expressed support for the GSEs’ announcement.

Agents 532

Agents Seller concession VA loan Finance 532

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Real ended 2023 with 13,650 agents and as of Wednesday the company reports that it has now reached 23,000 agents. “We A year or two ago, a large opportunity for us would be someone coming with 100 agents or maybe 150 agents. I think 2025 is going to be another major growth year for us,” Poleg said.

Brokerage 397

Brokerage Title Technology Agents 397

Housing Wire

JULY 23, 2024

Mortgage rates continue to move lower this week even as higher borrowing costs have kept activity subdued across many areas of the housing market. Lower mortgage rates are having a positive impact on application levels, with the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reporting last week that applications were up 3.9%

Mortgages 511

Mortgages MLS Finance Loans 511

Housing Wire

JANUARY 9, 2025

Despite the frequency of departures, real estate agents in the state say the housing market remains strong. We are still experiencing the multiple-offer phenomenon, although it is not quite as prevalent as it was a year ago, said Linda Feinstein , a Hinsdale, Illlinois-based agent for Compass. as of Jan. a year ago.

Marketing 418

Marketing Agents As-is Mortgages 418

Housing Wire

MARCH 21, 2025

Rocket obviously has the moat in mortgage and Zillow has the moat in search and agent referrals, so it is not surprising to see Rocket make a move to expand its presence on the other end of the spectrum in home search and with that agent network. Year-over-year, Zillows mortgage revenue growth jumped 51% in 2024 to $145 million.

Loan Officer 292

Loan Officer Loans Mortgages Title 292

Housing Wire

JANUARY 22, 2025

Rocket Companies today announced the launch of Rocket.com, officially putting Rocket Mortgage and Rocket Homes on the same platform. The platform combines Rocket Mortgage s award-winning service with Rocket Homes search and deep property insights.

Staging 370

Staging Design Mortgages Finance 370

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

The majority of homebuyers are still expecting sellers to cover their agent’s compensation, according to The Real Brokerage ’s August 2024 agent survey. 15, recording the responses of roughly 300 agents across North America. 15, recording the responses of roughly 300 agents across North America. 30 and Sept. 30 and Sept.

Agents 511

Agents Brokerage As-is Mortgages 511

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 17, 2024

The reverse mortgage division of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. has honored a longtime professional in its ranks with a lifetime achievement award, in recognition of his 40-year career in the mortgage banking, real estate , homebuilding and title insurance industries.

Lending 397

Lending Title Mortgages Banks 397

Housing Wire

JANUARY 8, 2025

Mortgage and title clients are undergoing a significant transformation with the shift from Encompass Software Development Kit (SDK) to Encompass Partner Connect (EPC). This change driven by ICE Mortgage Technologys updated standards promises enhanced efficiency, cost savings, and future-proof workflows. Heres how it works.

Technology 369

Technology Title Lending Development 369