You’ve been searching for houses for months and finally found the one you like. After making your way through the homebuying process, one of the final steps is ordering a title search and then have the seller execute the deed
Before You Sell / Before You Move
Moving be chaotic and overwhelming … where do you start? Here’s a few things to get you started. BEFORE YOU SELL [ ] Toss & Donate! You know the old adage – if you haven’t worn it or used it in the past year, it’s time to go. Plan a yard sale, donate to area […]
The housing market is still savagely unhealthy
The National Association of Realtors reported that existing home sales for March came in as a miss of estimate at 5.77 million. However, the real story of 2022 is that the savagely unhealthy housing market continues as inventory is still
The VA’s little-known program for Native American veterans
A Department of Veterans Affairs lending program for Native American veterans has been severely underutilized, a government watchdog found. According to a report the Government Accountability Office published this week, the VA’s Native American Direct Loan program only resulted in
Three steps lenders should take when selecting an eVault provider
eVaults are an integral part of any end-to-end digital mortgage transformation. They enable lenders to originate and securely hold eNotes and accelerate capital market transactions. eVaults also support an enhanced customer experience for borrowers and streamline interactions with other participants
Fannie Mae cuts origination projection, forecasts recession in 2023
Fannie Mae has lowered its mortgage origination forecasts for 2022 and 2023 due to the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) aggressive inflation-fighting monetary policy and corresponding volatility in the mortgage market. Fannie’s Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group dropped its projected single-family
Opinion: How GSE reform could create a healthier housing market
In the first article of this series, I discussed the argument for turning Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into public utilities, which would result in more Americans having fair access to mortgage services. However, regulating government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) as public
Homepoint looks to match broker partners with builders
Wholesale lender Homepoint is becoming a broker of sorts…for mortgage brokers. The Ann Arbor, Michigan-based company has launched a referral program aimed at connecting mortgage brokers with regional homebuilders as well as homebuyers. Homepoint’s “New Build program” connects homebuilders with
What is a Bungalow House Style? Quaint, Classic, and Full of Craftsman Charm
The Bungalow house is a classic home style, taking a queue from the Craftsman style house popularized during the early 1900s. Often used to describe a smaller, single-story house with minimal detail, a bungalow house style is much more than
Create the Ultimate Cozy Apartment with These 7 Ideas
Imagine your apartment filled with the sun illuminating the art on the walls, the scent of your favorite candle wafting through the air, all while wrapped in your favorite blanket – you’ve just imagined a cozy apartment. A cozy apartment
The evolution of the more productive real estate agent
Bonnie Williamson never intended to be a real estate agent. As a French major and Russian and political science minor at the University of Michigan, Williamson had initially entertained the idea of going into politics. Instead, she was recruited out
Housing completions held hostage by rising mortgage rates
On Tuesday, the U.S. Census Bureau released their report for March, showing a solid number of housing permits and starts — but these were boosted by multifamily construction. In addition, this data lags behind the current reality of a housing
10 Most Affordable San Francisco Suburbs to Live In
Cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and colorful Victorian homes are just a slice of what makes San Francisco, CA a truly unique experience. With roughly 873k residents, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that “the Golden City”
Mortgage applications nosedive as rates continue to soar
With rates at the highest level in a decade, mortgage applications for the week ending April 15 fell 5%, according to the latest survey by the Mortgage Bankers Association. The drop was largely driven by an 8% decline in refinancing
Top 8 Reasons to Move to Dallas and Why You’ll Love Living Here
If you’re craving warm weather, a city filled with art, and somewhere with deep roots in education and sports, living in Dallas is for you. In no particular order, here are the top reasons to move to Dallas and why
Top 8 Reasons to Move to Boston and Why You’ll Love Living Here
Living in Boston offers residents rich history, excellent food, world-class education, and grand entertainment. Commonly known as “Beantown” because of its famous baked beans, Boston is home to countless events and landmarks, like the Boston Marathon and Fenway Park. Boston
California Housing Market: Prices | Trends | Forecasts 2022
The California housing market sizzled last year to break all records. It was a hot seller’s real estate market. According to Zillow, at the state level, California’s housing market remains the most valuable in the country, with a total value
Redwood Trust reveals five new VC deals
At an investor conference last fall, Redwood Trust Inc. CEO Christopher Abate outlined the company’s strategy to expand its reach in existing markets while also seeking out strategic investments in new markets. Those new investments include venture capital plays, particularly in
What are Plunge Pools? Everything You Need to Know
There’s nothing better than cooling off in a pool on a hot summer day. And, if you’re lucky enough, you have one at home. If you’re searching for ways to enhance your outdoor experience, but don’t have enough space in
How data-driven insights improve profitability, productivity and efficiency
With interest rates on the rise, refis trending downwards and a significant decrease in purchase volume brought on by low inventory, mortgage lenders are looking for smart solutions to combat margin compressions in 2022 and beyond. HousingWire recently spoke with
The growing threat of phishing attacks on the mortgage industry
Phishing remains the go-to attack for hackers targeting the mortgage and real estate industries. Loan officers and mortgage executives alike continue to click on links in seemingly routine emails, ultimately giving bad actors complete access to lenders’ systems and mortgage
Data automation is the next frontier of mortgage tech?
Despite advances in technology, the mortgage industry still lacks efficiency Mortgage executives are aware of a problem: despite billions of dollars in technology investments, the mortgage industry still largely looks like it did two decades ago. After all, it still
How Rent-To-Own Homes Work: A Complete Guide
As a renter, you’ve probably heard of “rent-to-own homes” or maybe “rent-to-own programs.” And if you’re looking down the line towards owning your first home, you may be wondering if a rent-to-own home is the right path for you to
What is a Keeping Room? The Perfect Extra Space You Need in Your Home
Whether you have an open-concept modern home in San Diego, CA, or are looking to buy a home in Houston, TX with a closed floor plan, a keeping room may be the perfect addition for you and your household. You