We all have spent a great deal of time in our homes over this past year. And like the rest of us, you probably spent a good chunk of time browsing your favorite real estate app. If so, it’s probably
The housing boom juices Home Depot’s bottom line
Millions of Americans transitioned to remote work in 2020, reconfiguring homes to be makeshift classrooms and offices. One of the big beneficiaries of the new live/work/play setup has been home goods retailer Home Depot. A recent report from TradingPlatforms noted
HousingWire’s 2021 Women of Influence nominations are open!
First introduced in 2010, HousingWire’s Women of Influence award recognizes outstanding women in housing who are moving markets and paving the way for other women around them to do the same. Last year’s winners were truly outstanding and exemplified what
These are the most competitive housing markets in the U.S.
In the most competitive housing markets in the country, virtually every buyer has immaculate credit, a few hundred thousand dollars – or more – for a downpayment and knows what their mortgage options are. Not that many of the buyers even
Notarize invites independent notaries to utilize software
Notarize announced Wednesday that it will now allow independent notaries – of which there are 4.4 million in the U.S. – to utilize its software and platform for their own independent transactions. The software will be available to notaries in
Passive Income Ideas 2021: 28 Best Sources To Earn More Money
There has never been a better time to make passive income as a beginner. Over the past decade, some incredible passive income ideas and streams have come to exist making it even easier for beginners to make extra money. Passive
Does CFPB have authority to postpone foreclosures?
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a proposed rule on Monday that would bar servicers from starting on foreclosures until 2022. The CFPB also proposed streamlined processes for moving homeowners out of forbearance and in to loss mitigation options. However,
Rising rates push mortgage applications down for fifth week
Mortgage applications decreased for the fifth straight week – this time down 5.1%, according to the latest report from the Mortgage Bankers Association. As has been the case for several weeks now, rising mortgage rates and low inventory are contributing to the slowdown in mortgage
Home sellers are feeling good about 2021
Home sellers are chomping at the bit. As the economy reopens, vaccinations continue to roll out and stimulus checks reach bank accounts across America, home sellers are increasingly optimistic. And despite fierce bidding wars, competition from institutional investors and sore
Mortgage servicers are stepping up during COVID
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently released to Congress the 2020 Consumer Response report. While overall complaints were up 54% year-over-year, complaints against mortgage companies were up just 7.5%, and complaints against mortgage servicers were actually down, by 3.5%. These
Millions will enter housing market in 2021: Zillow
In what will be known to future generations as the Great Reshuffling, a recent Zillow survey showed that more than 1 in 10 Americans reported moving in the past 12 months, either by choice or by circumstance. And now, with
Tired of renting? 6 signs you’re ready to buy your first home
Chances are, you know someone who owns a home. Whether it’s a sibling, friend, or co-worker, you’ve seen someone go through the first-time home buying process – and it probably looked really complicated. At least, more complicated than simply paying
The future of mortgage closings
A painstaking, uncoordinated movement to fully adopt remote online notarizations nationwide and complete end-to-end digital escrow mortgage closings is gaining even more traction as the real estate industry launches into a new decade in 2021. But depending on where you
Here’s how to fix the housing market inventory crisis
The U.S. housing market is in the midst of an inventory crisis. The number of homes for sale in the U.S. is hovering near record lows, caused by a pandemic-induced housing inventory death-spiral. At the same time, home sales have
Two Southern banks complete mortgage eNote transfer
Truliant Federal Credit Union is the first Southeast financial institution to officially complete a transfer of an eNote – or an electronic promissory note – to Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta), as part of FHLBank Atlanta’s eNote
Forbearances dip for fifth straight week to 4.9%
The share of loans in forbearance fell six basis points during the final week of March to 4.9% of servicers’ portfolio volume, according to recent data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. New forbearance requests also dropped to their lowest level
The appraisal gap is complicating deals across the country
The home checked off every box on Linda’s list. It had a large, fenced-in yard, modern appliances in an updated kitchen, a “man cave” for her husband, beamed ceilings, a massive master suite and was located in a good school
Threat of climate change looms large for some home buyers
Climate change and the rising threat of natural disasters is likely to significantly impact migration plans of American families, potentially changing the landscape of American real estate. Out of 2,000 people surveyed between Feb. 25 and March 1, 628 said
CFPB proposes foreclosure ban until 2022
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a notice of proposed rulemaking on Monday that would amend Regulation X to provide a special pre-foreclosure review period prohibiting servicers from starting foreclosures until after December 31, 2021. Under current CFPB foreclosure rules,
Why now is not the time for FHA premium cuts
In its most recent annual report to Congress, November 2020, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) published its “capital ratio,” a measure of capital reserves to insurance-in-force held within the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (MMI Fund). The figure, standing at 6.1%,
Will the next job wave mean the end of forbearance?
Last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 916,000 jobs were created in March, and the previous month’s revisions came in positive. The rest of this content is for HW+ members. Join today with an HW+ Membership! Already a
Housing inventory is down 40%. Buyers are paying the price
Prices are up sharply as housing inventory continues to plateau, leaving 40% fewer homes on the market compared to last year, according to a report prepared by Black Knight. Instead of making up for the shortfall, new listings have slumped
Zillow’s 2021 Mover Report: The Opportunity, Emotion and Trends Behind the Great Reshuffling
The pandemic brought changes that make people more likely to move; a rapidly evolving real estate industry is helping overcome emotional and logistical obstacles that can get in the way. Go to Source Author:
5 signs you’re ready to downsize your home
Should you or shouldn’t you downsize? If you’re a homeowner, this is a question you’ll inevitably ask yourself. While owning a home is exciting, it comes with a great deal of responsibility. If your home doesn’t fit your lifestyle anymore,
