Keeping up with the rapidly evolving algorithms and best practices of social channels is no easy feat for marketers. That’s why we’ve invited Chelsea Peitz, national director of social sales for Fidelity National Financial, to explain how she is leveraging
Mortgage rates rise to the occasion at 3%
After hovering below 3% for a month, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate popped back up six basis points to exactly 3% last week, according to Freddie Mac‘s PMMS. Mortgage rates climbed north of 3% over the first few months of
Shaddock National acquires Continental Title
Dallas-based Shaddock National Holdings announced its majority equity acquisition of Continental Title Company, which has more than 20 locations in Kansas and Missouri. All Continental employees will remain with the company — as will President Matt McBride, who will continue
Local housing markets across the country
Local markets spotlights 5 different areas across the country, showcasing what is uniquely happening in those housing markets. Local real estate agents, loan officers and appraisers share what characteristics are currently defining their market. Bethesda, Maryland Mynor Herrera is personally
Investors are buying up single-family homes across the US
After three straight quarters of declines, home purchases by investors rose 2.7% year over year in the first quarter of 2021, marking the first period of growth since the COVID-19 pandemic began, per a new study from Redfin. Looking to
Home prices rapidly climbing toward $375,000
National median home prices reached $370,528 for the month of April, a 22% increase year over year and a new record, according to a recent study from Redfin. The number of homes for sale also sank to a record-low average
First American names Ken DeGiorgio as president
First American Financial Corporation has announced a new addition to its C-Suite. Kenneth DeGiorgio, who joined First American in 1999, has been named president. In his new position, DeGiorgio will have oversight responsibility for the corporation’s operating groups, including its
Is This New 3D Printed Home the Future of Housing?
One of the world’s first 3D-printed homes has made its debut in Ravenna, Italy. Designed by Mario Cucinella Architects, the 645-square-foot structure is made entirely of local clay — a departure from previous 3D-printed structures that used concrete or synthetic
Fannie alters 2021 forecast due to housing market shortage
A full month of sub-3% mortgage rates, ongoing housing market supply constraints, and a 300% increase in lumber prices over the past 15 months has prompted Fannie Mae‘s Economic and Strategic Group to revise several of its 2021 forecasts. March’s
Landscape Lighting
ALTA Advocacy Summit set for May 18-20
The American Land Title Association (ALTA) will be hosting approximately 400 people at the ALTA Advocacy Summit, the second virtual version of the association’s annual congressional fly-in, on May 18-20. The event includes discussions and forums on public policies regarding remote online
FHFA: Fannie & Freddie Credit Risk Transfers “untested”
A Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) report highlighted the perils of low-rates for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s single-family Credit Risk Transfers. Despite heightened investor uncertainty during the onset of the pandemic, GSE-backed mortgages have outperformed expectations, the report notes.
Senators reintroduce bill to allow remote online notarizations
Could it finally be happening? Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) have reintroduced federal legislation that would allow remote online legislation (RON) nationwide. Dubbed the Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic (SECURE) Notarization Act, the bipartisan
The curious case of the enduring sub-3% mortgage rate
Historically low mortgage rates had their moment in the sun in 2020. They rested far below 3% for months before America’s economic rebound pushed them back up in the winter of 2021. But data released on Thursday from Freddie Mac
What if mortgage rates don’t rise this year?
With the economic expansion well underway, one big question remains: When will mortgage rates move toward 4% and higher? Mortgage rates increased toward 3.25% in mid-February from the recent all-time lows of 2.625% at the start of the year, but
Mortgage forbearance numbers officially half of 2020’s peak
Mortgage forbearance exits picked up steam last week as the the total number of loans in forbearance dropped by 14 basis points to 4.22% of servicers’ portfolio share, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association‘s Forbearance and Call Volume Survey. With last
The end of forbearance and the capital markets
One of the great questions facing the housing markets in 2021 is what will happen when the mortgage forbearance programs under the CARES Act expire. When this act was originally passed on March 27, 2020, there were notable concerns that
FHFA’s final ‘living wills’ rule ignores industry concerns
On May 13, FHFA Director Mark Calabria wrote an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal defending the final ‘living wills’ rule published in the Federal Register on May 4. The key to this op-ed is understanding what was left
Homebuilder confidence holds steady in face of rising costs
Homebuilder confidence remained unchanged in the latest National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) report, holding steady at 83 for newly built single-family homes in May. The index gauging current sales conditions also remained
Foreclosures down in April as moratorium continues
The number of properties with foreclosure filings hit 11,810 in April, down 1% month over month and 17% year over year, according to a recent study from RealtyTrac and ATTOM Data Solutions. May marks the 14th month of the federal
Former TIAA CEO joins Notarize board of directors
Former TIAA CEO and President Roger Ferguson Jr. has joined the Notarize board of directors, the company announced in a release on Thursday. Under Ferguson’s management, TIAA more than doubled its total assets to over $1 trillion. Ferguson retired from
Why does credit matter so much in the home-buying process? Here’s the scoop
Credit can be confusing, but it can also be a huge asset going into the home-buying process. A good credit score increases the likelihood of qualifying for a mortgage because it indicates to the lender that you’re more likely to
Generation X is looking to move to these metros
In the last few years, there’s been a lot of conversation surrounding 25 to 40-year-olds and their home purchasing habits. But according to a new LendingTree study, millennials aren’t the only ones making big purchases – Generation X is doing
UWM has a plan to win a war of mortgage attrition
Mat Ishbia isn’t sweating a projected drop in gain-on-sale margins, all the way down to 75 to 110 basis points. Quite the contrary. In his estimation, a higher rate environment and hyper-competitive pricing will provide United Wholesale Mortgage an opening