The problem with appraisals (and what we can do about it)
It is no secret that appraisals can make or break deals in the real estate industry. That's why their accuracy matters so much
by Lee Davenport Apr 11
Poll shows most Americans still think it's a bad time to buy
Fannie Mae survey shows sentiment ticked up slightly in March with consumers becoming more confident about homeselling conditions and less worried about losing their jobs
by Matt Carter Apr 10
California's shared appreciation loan program out of money
$300M in seed funding for CalHFA's 'Dream For All' program is gone less than 2 weeks after it launched. The program is expected to help 2,300 first-time homebuyers
by Matt Carter Apr 10
Homepoint selling wholesale business to The Loan Store
Parent company Home Point Capital to take an equity stake in The Loan Store, with Homepoint executive Phil Shoemaker to be installed as CEO when the deal closes by end of Q2
by Matt Carter Apr 7
Mortgage, tech experts invited to brainstorm ideas at 'TechSprint'
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's federal regulator will host Velocity TechSprint, a problem-solving challenge for product developers and data scientists in nation's capital July 10-13
by Matt Carter Apr 7
Purchase loan demand falls as jumbo mortgages buck rate trend
Ongoing banking instability sparked by the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank may affect the availability of jumbo mortgages not eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac
by Matt Carter Apr 5
LoanDepot founder gets wish: Ozonian joins board after face-off
Settlement agreement ends proxy fight that broke out in February after loanDepot founder Anthony Hsieh was ousted as company's executive chairman
by Matt Carter Apr 5
Better workers fear they won't see $100M in retention stock bonuses
The mortgage lender says it remains committed to distributing equity-based bonuses to all eligible employees, including $50M from CEO and founder Vishal Garg's personal equity
by Matt Carter Apr 5
Zillow settles shareholder lawsuit over co-marketing program
Zillow has maintained its agent-lender co-marketing program is RESPA compliant, and admitted no wrongdoing while agreeing to pay $15M, which was granted preliminary approval Monday
by Matt Carter Apr 4
Rocket Homes is target of 'ongoing law enforcement investigation'
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau launched an investigation into Rocket's real estate brokerage arm in 2020 on eve of the company's IPO. Three years later, the probe is ongoing
by Matt Carter Apr 4
Rocket Mortgage courting buyers who work with partner agents
The lender's new 'BUY+' program provides closing credit of up to $10,000 to homebuyers working with one of more than 20,000 Rocket Homes Partner Agents, it was announced Monday
by Matt Carter Apr 3
Altisource sees rise in foreclosures as a path to profitability
Operator of real estate auction platform Hubzu reports a $53.4M 2022 net loss, with revenue falling 15% to $144.5M as foreclosures remain below pre-pandemic levels
by Matt Carter Mar 30
Fidelity to pay $3.5M in crackdown on 'no-poach' agreements
5 title insurance companies have paid $8.25M in the last 18 months to settle antitrust allegations leveled by New York Attorney General Letitia James
by Matt Carter Mar 29
Falling mortgage rates and home prices spur homebuyer interest
Demand for purchase loans picks up for the 4th straight week as mortgage rates continue to retreat from 2023 highs, according to a Mortgage Bankers Association survey on Wednesday
by Matt Carter Mar 29
Rocket's new Visa rewards card targets first-time homebuyers
In addition to paying high rates on any balances they carry, customers will find that their rewards points are worth much less if they don't choose Rocket Mortgage to finance their home
by Matt Carter Mar 28
Fully digitized closings can save lenders more than $400 per loan
New Snapdocs research taps data from 25 lenders employing 3 levels of digitization and finds often overlooked secondary market efficiencies account for about 80% of savings
by Matt Carter Mar 28