Tai Christensen, CBC Mortgage Agency’s director of government affairs, will join other housing luminaries to discuss how lenders can increase their diversity to impact minority homeownership at HousingWire’s Spring Summit on March 4. The homeownership gap between white and Black Americans is
Candor CEO on robot underwriters & the future of mortgage
It wasn’t long ago that scribes were writing the obituary of the mortgage underwriter. And yet, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the underwriter has become the most sought-after professional in the mortgage industry. Some underwriters were commanding five-figure bonuses on top
Realogy reorganizes lead generation programs
Realogy announced Thursday that it has centralized its lead programs under one roof, yet another example of streamlining and reorganization at the brokerage conglomerate over the past year. Effective immediately, the move hands the lead generation process at all franchises
What is PMI and Do You Need to Pay it?
If you’re a first-time homebuyer you’ve surely been putting pencil to paper to estimate what your future mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, and maintenance will be on a new home. However, before finalizing your list of new homeowner expenses, one of
LoanDepot raises just $54M in downsized IPO
Online retail lender loanDepot raised just $54 million by offering 3.9 million shares at $14 on Thursday, far below the range of $19 to $21 it initially had sought. The downsized offering follows a theme that’s afflicted almost all of
First American notches $7.1B in 2020 revenue
“Big Four” title insurer First American Financial Corp. announced a healthy $7.1 billion in total 2020 revenue in its annual earnings report, released Thursday. That’s a 14% rise year over year, according to officials. Net income was $696.4 million last
The Outpost Economy: A New Trend
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many behavioral changes, not the least of which is the acceleration of the work-from-home trend. As the location of many workplaces remains flexible, there’s been a shift in the nature of work, its location
What You Need to Buy a House in 2021
You are about to embark on one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences that can ever come from spending money: buying a home. If you are trying to figure out where to start as a first-time homebuyer buying
Inside Compass’s colorful past and publicly traded future
Real estate brokers are a chatty bunch, but a few can be draining socially. Discuss the weather, how your pets are handling the pandemic, even the housing market, but these brokers will steer the conversation to one subject, and one
What is a home appraisal gap?
When you go to buy a home, your mortgage lender will almost always order a home appraisal. The purpose? They want to verify the home’s worth. Specifically, they want to be sure it’s worth the money they’re lending you and,
Matterport to go public via SPAC in $3B deal
Venture capital-backed real estate technology firm Matterport will merge with a blank-check company and go public in a deal that values the startup at $2.3 billion. Matterport, a spatial data firm that makes software for virtual property tours, will merge
FHFA extends forbearance policies for up to 15 months
Borrowers with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may be eligible for an additional forbearance extension of up to three months, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Tuesday. FHFA forbearance plans initially had a 12 month expiration date, however, the government entity is
Top Realtor Xio Sandoval to speak at Spring Summit
The demand for real estate has grown to a frenzy in some areas of the country over the last year and succeeding in those competitive markets requires skill, experience and finding innovative ways to get deals done. That’s why we’ve
Should lenders look to non-QM when the refi boom slows?
Last June, Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions was bracing itself for an influx of non-QM borrowers after the pandemic. Since then, there has been a healthy appetite for non-QM products. HousingWire recently sat down with Tom Hutchens, Angel Oak EVP of
8 Reasons to Hire A Cleaning Service – Your Home Will Thank You
Sooner or later, dust, dirt, crumbs, dander, hair, and other nameless debris builds up on the surfaces of your furniture and begin to linger in the air of your home, requiring a deep and thorough clean. While many home cleaning
It’s still really difficult to get a mortgage, but getting easier
Mortgage credit is still the tightest it has been in more than six years, but steady loosening in January revealed lenders are preparing for a rebounding economy, the Mortgage Bankers Association said in a report on Tuesday. The group’s Mortgage Credit Availability
What Exactly is the Mortgage Underwriting Process?
If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you might find yourself intimidated at the prospect of applying for a mortgage. You understand there’s a lot of paperwork to wade through, and you may also fear that you might be denied a home
Real Estate Virtual Demo Day: Back At You
Back At You Power your entire back-office with the most comprehensive solution available in real estate. We cover the full scope of transaction management from document management, custom workflows, e-signatures, commissions, and reporting. Brokers can’t get enough of our reporting,
Chicago Real Estate Market: Prices | Trends | Forecast 2021
Housing data by Illinois REALTORS®. The forecast is an estimate based on data from multiple sources. While it is deemed reliable, it is not guaranteed. We shall discuss the latest Chicago housing market trends and forecasts. Let’s first take a
Am I Ready to Buy a House? 8 Questions to Help You Decide
So lately you’ve found yourself asking, “am I ready to buy a house?” Homeownership is a major milestone that many people dream of reaching one day. However, there are a variety of factors to consider when making one of the
Real Estate Virtual Demo Day: Metro Brokers
Metro Brokers – Craig McClelland McClelland was a top Realtor before starting a small independent firm in Atlanta after his first year in the business. He grew the firm to 23 offices with 1,100 agent before selling the company at
5 Ways to Improve Your Home Office Setup
The pandemic has affected our lives in countless ways, but a shift in workplace habits is among the most notable. The pandemic has forced millions of workers into their homes, taking away their commutes, their routines, and, of course, their
How to find the right neighborhood
Finding the right house starts with finding the right neighborhood. After all, location is everything. However, evaluating a neighborhood can be tough, particularly if you’re moving to an unfamiliar area. Here are a few tips to help you in your
2021 HW Rising Stars nominations are now open!
Nominations for HousingWire’s 2021 Rising Stars opened today! HW Rising Stars are industry professionals under 40 who have become leaders in their respective fields of housing. Last year’s list of award recipients was made up of impressive leaders who are