Knock’s Home Swap solution is now available in three new markets in Florida: Homeowners in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach can buy their next home before selling their current one. Knock entered the Florida market in October. Late
Fannie and Freddie need “significant capital” to leave conservatorship, Mnuchin says
In a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said no definite plans have been made for the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but discussed the idea that they could be released from
UWM now offering ultra-low mortgage rates on FHA loans
Ahead of its initial public offering slated for mid-December, United Wholesale Mortgage is offering mortgage rates below 2% on FHA loans through its Conquest Program. UWM, the second-largest lender in the country, is offering rates between 1.99% and 2.5% on
FHFA extends foreclosure and eviction moratorium to Jan. 31
The Federal Housing Finance Agency extended its moratorium on foreclosures and evictions for borrowers with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac until Jan. 31. This marks the fourth time the government agency has extended the moratorium, now another month past its most recent deadline
A look at Nevada’s exploding housing market
As the end of the year approaches, the country is still feeling the pinch of an economic crisis amid the COVID-19 pandemic – but interestingly enough, several states are enjoying a boom in their respective housing markets. Look no further
Finance of America reports record third quarter as it gears up for IPO
Blackstone Group-controlled Finance of America posted record margins and originations in the third quarter, ahead of its public offering via a blank check company in 2021. Finance of America, which operates through retail, wholesale and correspondent channels, reported $242 million
FHA raises loan limit by nearly $25,000 for 2021
Given massive year-over-year gains in home prices, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is increasing its 2021 loan limit in most of the U.S. to $356,362, an increase of nearly $25,000 over 2020’s loan limit of $331,760. That loan limit figure is determined
How 2020 raised the stakes for the mortgage industry
Prior to 2020, the mantra around the mortgage industry going back to 2016 was that launching a new “digital experience” was the equivalent to table stakes in poker. If you wanted to do business with millennials, the emerging core of
Why are sellers sitting on the housing market sidelines?
For-sale inventory is at record lows. According to the latest Census data, there’s just a 3.6-month supply of homes nationally — the third-lowest figure on record. Construction is starting to pick up, so that should help alleviate things in the
The housing market outlook for 2021
There is no place like home. The nature of the crisis this year has emphasized that fact. Even though we love our family members, we all need our space. We expect housing demand and the housing market to remain quite strong
Holiday week sees drop in mortgage applications
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that applications dropped 0.6% during the week ending Nov. 27 in its latest weekly survey. The refinance index decreased as well, down 5% from the previous week but up 102% over last year’s totals from
COVID-19 remains “wildcard” in 2021 housing market
As 2020 comes to an end, realtor.com’s economists believe that the housing inventory shortage won’t be as dire in 2021. However, it all depends on the course the COVID-19 pandemic takes. Additional lockdowns and quarantines due to COVID-19 could put
Share of mortgage loans in forbearance ticks up for second week
The U.S. forbearance rate measuring the share of mortgages with suspended payments increased for the second consecutive week in nearly five months from 5.48% to 5.54%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The MBA now estimates the number of homeowners in some form
Online notarizations usher in era of trusted transactions
A simple, ancient practice, one that often goes unnoticed despite the critical role it plays in the lives of millions of Americans, is getting modernized. Another ancient practice — resistance to change — is raising some misplaced worries about the
Flagstar Bank to back trio of mortgage-tech startups
Flagstar Bank and the FinTech Consortium revealed that fintech startups Home Lending Pal, Stavvy and Real Key are the latest initiates to the companies’ ongoing MortgageTech Accelerator program. This marks the second round of startups to participate in the program
Suburbs see greatest gain in single-family construction in Q3
The National Association of Home Builders‘ Home Building Geography Index found that during the third quarter, the exodus from big cities to the suburbs and less expensive areas increased as people continue to work remotely. According to the HBGI, suburbs
What’s next for Rocket Pro TPO?
HousingWire recently spoke with Austin Niemiec, executive vice president of Rocket Pro TPO, about how the company plans to build off its recent rebrand and how its “We’ll figure it out” approach helped it continue to support broker partners throughout
2020 HW Tech Trendsetter: Brian Donnellan
Brian Donnellan, President and CEO, Bright MLS Brian Donnellan is the leader of Bright MLS, a novel concept in the multiple listing service space as it represents a truly regional multiple listing service with an expansive footprint. As president and
2020 HW Tech Trendsetter: Sean Faries
Sean Faries, CEO, Land Gorilla Land Gorilla founder and CEO Sean Faries is relentless in his pursuit of technology innovations that drive efficiency while simultaneously reducing risk in construction and renovation lending. Sean’s commitment to listening to all project stakeholders
HousingWire’s Tech100 nominations open for 2021
Is your company revolutionizing the housing industry through new and innovative technologies? Then the Tech100 awards are for you. HousingWire Tech100 Awards recognize the most innovative and impactful companies in the mortgage and real estate markets. For the second year
2020 HW Tech Trendsetter: Brent Chandler
Brent Chandler, Founder and CEO, FormFree As Brent Chandler leads six-time HousingWire Tech100 honoree FormFree, he continues to drive industry innovation by leveraging blockchain infrastructure to give consumers and lenders better access to real-time ability to pay information. Chandler started
2020 HW Tech Trendsetter: Katherine Campbell
Katherine Campbell, Chief Digital Officer, Assurance Financial Katherine Campbell spent 20 years in the financial services industry in San Francisco, helping to evolve numerous companies and products into a digital revolution. For the last two years, Campbell has worked to
2020 HW Tech Trendsetter: Paul Akinmade
Paul Akinmade, Chief Strategy Officer, CMG Financial Paul Akinmade joined CMG Financial in 2016 to lead the expansion of the company’s marketing department ahead of a major staffing initiative. Within four years, Akinmade and his team have built a robust,
2020 HW Tech Trendsetter: Jeff Allen
Jeff Allen, Executive Vice President, Innovation Labs, Clear Capital Jeff Allen brings more than 15 years of real estate valuation, data and analytics experience to the Clear Capital executive leadership team. Now leading Clear Capital’s mortgage collateral modernization programs, Allen