housing wire

OJO Labs has launched the OJO Select Network, an agent referral program that matches top performing agents with ready homebuyers or sellers based on an understanding of the agent’s skill set and the consumer’s needs. Select Network gives agents access

Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard, who started her public career in the 1990s as an economic advisor to President Bill Clinton, is the leading candidate for Treasury secretary if former Vice President Joe Biden usurps President Donald Trump in the

Just days after announcing that United Wholesale Mortgage would be going public in the fourth quarter at a $16.1 billion valuation, CEO Mat Ishbia today unveiled a new tech tool that he claims will bring “game-changing flexibility” to brokers. The

Home Point Financial announced on Friday the launch of its charitable community foundation with an initial pledge of $1 million dedicated to funding 50 new minority and female-owned brokerages. In the midst of the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts National

The federal Ability to Repay Rule has always been a study in contradiction. Back in 2014, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued the rule to instill strict underwriting standards for mortgage loans, but also hoped not to hamper the availability

Real estate tech company Porch announced Wednesday that it has brought on five new members to its board of directors ahead of becoming publicly traded. The company added: Javier Saade, founder and managing partner of Impact Master Holdings as well

The Mortgage Collaborative, an independent cooperative network, has supported its members through this year’s uncertain environment with its 2020 virtual educational and networking platform TMConnect. Through TMConnect, TMC offers virtual educational and networking sessions for employees from throughout its member

On Wednesday, real estate tech company Zigzy launched beta testing of Townify, a solution that enables real estate agents to host virtual open houses, which has become a necessity in a time when we are told to remain socially distant,

The 2020 list of HousingWire Vanguard potential candidates was more competitive than ever before. On any other given year, many would have easily won – but this was not any other year. The competition was fierce.  But even more impressive

For the second year in a row, HousingWire’s Tech Trendsetters award will recognize 50 individuals in the technology industry. The award highlights the most impactful and innovative technology leaders serving the housing economy. Nominations opened at the beginning of September, and will close September 25,

RE/MAX Holdings has acquired fintech company the Gadberry Group, its second fintech acquisition this month. No financial details were disclosed in Monday’s announcement, but according to RE/MAX the acquisition was comprised of cash and stock. Gadberry Group is a location

Sales of new houses in August rose to 1.001 million at a seasonally adjusted and annualized pace, the Commerce Department said on Thursday – the first time the number has broken 1 million in 14 years. The number shows that

HousingWire recently spoke with Sutherland Mortgage Services President Krish Swaminathan about the next wave of servicing, how servicers can best communicate with their customers and the technology available to help with compliance even in a work-from-home environment. HousingWire: What are

In 2012, Virginia became the first U.S. state to pass legislation allowing for remote online notarization. However, the use of RON didn’t become widespread in the U.S. until 2020, when COVID-19 forced lenders and title companies to look at new

For the second consecutive month, the total percentage of accounts in “financial hardship” for auto, credit card, mortgage and personal loans fell across the board in August, according to a consumer credit snapshot by TransUnion. In particular, the percentage of accounts

The average U.S. mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan is 2.9% this week, up from 2.87% last week, Freddie Mac said in a report on Thursday. It’s the ninth consecutive week the rate has been below 3%. The average

Digital mortgage lender Better.com is in talks to raise more than $100 million in new funding that would value the company at about $4 billion before an upcoming public offering, according to a new report. The New York-based mortgage lender,

The iBuyers are quickly becoming all-in-one-buyers. On Wednesday, Zillow announced that its Zillow Offers customers will be offered “a more simple, integrated transaction experience through added services, managed in house,” starting in January 2021 with Zillow Homes. Customers in Atlanta,

Call it what you want – a disruption, a revolution, a transformation or perhaps a thorn in your side, there is no denying the pandemic has stirred the housing industry in all its sectors. How companies adapt and pivot while

Home prices jumped more than 2% between May and July, the largest two-month gain on record, as Americans emerging from COVID-19 lockdowns bought real estate, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said in a Wednesday report. Gains in prices were driven

Let me be contrarian: Get ready, because mortgage rates are going to rise in 2021. Now before you respond, just read the rest as to why. The Mortgage Bankers Association in its most recent forecast sees two things that stand

Loan servicers operate between a rock and a hard place today. Customers demand high-quality service. Regulators demand that products and services are provided fairly and equitably. OK, but then the current economic climate adds levels of complexity, with loan modifications,

United Wholesale Mortgage, the largest wholesale lending firm in the country, is joining the blank-check company craze and will make its public debut via an acquisition. The Detroit-headquartered UWM will merge with businessman Alec Gores’ special purpose acquisition company (SPAC)

It’s really easy to get caught up in the moment in the mortgage industry. During this particular moment, the prevailing thought is “throughput!” It’s no secret that much of our space is busy trying to push mortgage loans through the