Lenders continued to tighten credit standards in June as higher mortgage rates slowed refinance and purchase activity. The monthly Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) fell by 0.3% in June, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. A decline of the index,
The hybrid appraisal is here. Who benefits?
Luke Tomaszewski, an appraiser doing home inspections in the aftermath of the housing bust, was traveling as much as an hour across Chicago just to snap exterior photos of bank-owned properties. Sitting in traffic, Tomaszewski wished he could pay an
VA official talks future of partial claims and revamping its reputation
In a few months, the loss mitigation measures that have kept close to 100,000 veterans from foreclosure during COVID-19 will end. Decisions of policymakers at the Department of Veterans Affairs will determine what happens to those borrowers. The VA also faces challenges
13 Steps to Renting a Room in Your House the Right Way
It’s no secret that real estate is getting more expensive on all fronts. Collecting rent on a spare room is one time-tested strategy to offset housing costs. It even has a name: “house hacking.” But renting a room isn’t everyone’s
Qualia releases Qualia Connect for mortgage lenders
Digital real estate closing platform, Qualia, announced the release of a new mortgage lender edition of its Qualia Connect platform on Tuesday. According to Qualia, this release means that the Connect platform will now be able to integrate directly into
The Unique Angles of Atlanta: Explore Your City One Photo Op at a Time
Those lucky enough to live in Atlanta and call it home know how much this city has to offer. From the lively music scene to the endless recreational activities, there’s a little bit of something for everyone. With a plethora
Shared-equity fintech Unison expands Midwest operations
San Francisco-based Unison is extending its reach in the heartland by expanding its shared-equity loan program to homeowners in Nebraska. The move follows the opening of an office in Omaha earlier this year and reaching the milestone as of June 30 of
Moving to Austin? Capture Your New City With These Picture-Perfect Photo Spots
Known as the “City of the Violet Crown,” Austin, TX is the capital of Texas. And, if you find yourself living in Austin, there are many picture-perfect photo spots that you’ll want to check out as you get to know
A Guide on How to Sublet an Apartment
Are you a college student going abroad for a semester but you’re stuck in a year-long lease? Or perhaps you’re a professional who just landed the perfect job — but you have to relocate from your apartment in Austin to
Lower-rate loans dominate PLS pipeline
The loan quality of mortgage pools backing private-label securitization (PLS) deals has remained solid this year through the end of June, even as deal volume slowed appreciably between the first and second quarters. In addition, the average coupon for PLS
10 Pros and Cons of Living in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, also known as the Keystone State, is one of the most populous states in the US. It’s the 33rd largest state by land area and has a population of over 12 million people. Pennsylvania offers both big city living
Defying Mediocrity is Game Changing
21 Years with the CENTURY 21® brand When Jamie Skeen boldly purchased his town’s largest brokerage after fewer than two years as an agent and just two years out of college, some thought he was crazy. But this game-changing move
Struggling loanDepot to cut nearly 5,000 jobs in 2022
Nonbank lender loanDepot is making what appears to be the largest series of cuts in the mortgage industry this year, eliminating 4,800 jobs over the course of 2022. Overall, the California-based lender is implementing a program dubbed “Vision 2025” to save
How to Become a Landlord: A 16-Step Beginner’s Guide
Investing in residential real estate and renting it to tenants can be a great way to own assets that create passive income and may gain value over time. But becoming a landlord takes plenty of planning, investment, and patience. How
10 Most Affordable Charlotte Suburbs to Live In
Charlotte, NC, aka “Queen City,” is one of many beautiful cities to reside in in the Southeast. With great sports teams, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s no wonder Charlotte is also home to about
10 Most Affordable Tampa Suburbs to Live In
Whether you want to call it by its nickname, “the Big Guava,” or just by its name, Tampa, FL, is one of many picturesque destinations to reside on the Gulf Coast. With its waterfront views of Tampa Bay, stellar seafood
No Design Needed: What is a Furnished Apartment?
For many first time renters and seasoned renters alike, designing your apartment or rental home is the way to put your stamp on the place. Whether that’s through meaningful art, choosing a color scheme, or just buying your first set
10 Most Affordable Raleigh Suburbs to Live In
Raleigh, NC, “City of Oaks,” is quickly becoming home for many North Carolinians and out-of-staters alike. With countless historic museums, iconic BBQ, outstanding local restaurants, and scenic oak tree-lined streets, it shouldn’t come as a shock that nearly 490,000 people
Inexpensive Outdoor Upgrade Ideas!
Living in Western New York brings the best of the four seasons, doesn’t it? And now that Spring is here, let’s look at our outdoor living space. There are number of ways to upgrade your patio or deck with inexpensive upgrades that won’t break the bank. Add a rolling bar cart or serving station Utilize mirrors […]
HW+ Member Spotlight: Jeremy Potter
This week’s HW+ member spotlight features Jeremy Potter, chief evangelist at Stavvy, a 2022 Tech100 Mortgage winner. Potter was recently promoted after serving as head of legal and capital markets and is a thought leader in the industry, regularly sharing his insights
CFPB wants lenders to disclose reason for denial of credit
All lenders must explain their rationale when denying credit to loan applicants, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau affirmed Thursday, after looking into whether companies claiming exemption because they rely on “complex algorithms” were in violation of federal anti-discrimination law. The
Freddie Mac single-family division chief announces resignation
Donna Corley, head of the single-family division at Freddie Mac, is stepping down from her post at the government-sponsored enterprise. Corley will stay on until Nov. 25 as executive vice president and special advisor, reporting to Michael Hutchins, president of
Opinion: A unified approach for reducing appraisal bias
There is no single silver bullet that will rectify the pernicious impact of bias in residential real estate valuations — it is a complex problem that requires a multifaceted solution. But there is the promise of a better future on
Purchase apps are at 2009 level: where’s the inventory?
It’s an excellent time to discuss housing inventory. The housing market shifted in March of this year. As the 10-year yield broke above 1.94% and mortgage rates rose, we saw the impact on housing data. Since the summer of 2020,