This article was originally published by RealTrends. To stay up to data on real estate brokerage news, please check out RealTrends’ BrokerSource newsletter. After selling her 29% stake in New York City-based Douglas Elliman in 2018, Dottie Herman will step
This is not 2008 all over again for the housing market
When you hear people say that the current housing market is like 2008 all over again, you may want to remind them of the huge differences between this market and that one. The previous economic expansion, from 2010-2019, wasn’t a
Figure to merge with mortgage lender Homebridge
The blockchain revolution may soon be coming to mortgage lending. And it could take the form of a very old-school lender – Homebridge Financial Services. The Mike Cagney-led fintech lender Figure Technologies, most recently valued at $3.2 billion, announced Tuesday
Rocket Mortgage breaks into the solar industry
Rocket Companies, parent of Rocket Mortgage, has its eyes on the solar energy industry, announcing this week that it will enter the green energy game by 2022. According to the Detroit-based company, it will be leveraging the same technology, data
OJ Rodriguez 2010’s- “Keeping up with the times.”
For many decades, whether it was from a television commercial, a newspaper advertisement, a yard sign, or from our signature gold blazers, CENTURY 21 Real Estate had become a household name. We’ve been sharing the stories of our #relentless, who’ve
Home prices are still rising, but relief for buyers is coming
Home prices continue to increase as national inventory levels remain low heading into August. But relief for buyers could be coming in the next 12 months. Home prices increased 2.3% from May to June, and 17.2% year-over-year, according to the
LoanDepot increases market share, but profits sink in Q2
The purchase market reigned supreme in the second quarter of 2021, and multichannel lender loanDepot reported a 31% increase in purchase mortgage transactions from the prior quarter. But the lender’s gain-on-sale margin and net income fell significantly during the second
Fannie Mae lifted by low rates, purchase mortgages in Q2
Fannie Mae continues to reap the rewards of low mortgage rates as it posted a net income of $7.2 billion for the second quarter of 2021, up from $5 billion in the first quarter. Refinances continued to account for the
From “Ski Bum” to Veteran Commercial Real Estate Broker
Mortgage lenders are loosening standards on jumbos
Banks moved to ease lending standards for most mortgage loan products during the second quarter, according to a loan officer opinion survey published this week by the Federal Reserve Board. The quarterly survey found that banks loosened their underwriting standards
Are homebuilders burning bridges with real estate agents?
Alanna Strei of eXp Realty in San Diego and Cornerstone Communities’ new San Diego townhouses Real estate agent Alanna Strei’s client wanted to check out “Tesoro Vista Del Sur,” 134 newly built townhouses in the Ocean View Hills area of
Mortgage fees to help pay for Biden infrastructure bill
The Senate is banking on extending mortgage fees that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac indirectly charge to consumers to help pay for traditional infrastructure. According to legislative text publicly shared for the first time today by the U.S. Senate, renewing
Fannie and Freddie forbearance numbers dip again
Servicers’ forbearance portfolio volume fell yet again, this time dipping a single basis point to 3.47% from 3.48% last week, according to a survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association. According to MBA’s estimate, 1.74 million homeowners are still in forbearance plans. The share
eClosing special reports
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the mortgage industry to digitize transactions that were once completely done in-person. And while technology has streamlined the industry, many housing professionals are still hesitant to exist in a digital landscape. This is partly due to
Doma goes public, but investors cash out early
Digital title provider Doma has finally gone public, but has already had to pay out nearly $300 million to early investors who redeemed their shares. Backers said in March that they expected the SPAC merger to raise $645 million in
RON legislation passed in Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon
The use of remote online notarization is now permitted in Illinois, New Jersey and Oregon, bringing the number of states with RON legislation up to 37. Legislation is also pending in New York and New Hampshire, according to the American
Presenting HousingWire’s 2021 Women of Influence
The 2021 Women of Influence winners represent 100 of the most influential women in leadership in the housing economy. More than just breaking records in the housing finance space, the HousingWire 2021 Women of Influence are shattering glass ceilings and
Notarize offers its users digital identity proofing and authentication services for eClosings
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world rushed to digitize and transactions that once happened in person were forced online. And while the housing market continued to surge amid these changes, some people were still hesitant to do business in
With Encompass eClose from ICE Mortgage Technology, all eClosing steps can be completed within one workflow
Mortgage lenders are looking for ways to accelerate the digital mortgage process and deliver a one-of-a-kind experience for borrowers. ICE Mortgage Technology’s Encompass eClose allows lenders to electronically order documents, collaborate with settlement agents and partners, eSign documents with borrowers,