Refinance volume is only a fraction of what it was three years ago when mortgage rates plummeted to historic lows, but borrowers have returned in greater numbers this year.Recent data from CoreLogic shows that $347 billion in refinances were originated during the first 10 months of 2024. That’s up 2

While 2024 was rife with challenges for the mortgage industry broadly — across forward and reverse — a new year brings a new mindset. Some challenges remain, with mortgage rates being chief among them. Education and distribution can also likely be improved. But there are also new opportunities for t

In the 16 years since the peak of the Global Financial Crisis, the structured products industry has transformed from a market dominated by large banks to one with space for new players. New relationships are forming between insurers seeking long-term debt investments and managers specializing in ori

The most positive development in the housing market over 2024 has been the increase in active housing inventory, which is approaching the levels seen in 2019. Although those 2019 levels represent a five-decade low before COVID-19, the market was still functioning better than it did from 2020 to 2023

If you’re reading this article, you’re not alone. You’ve likely heard about real estate teams and how they can impact your career — but what exactly are they, and why are so many agents joining or building teams? It’s a big decision to make whether you’re just starting or want to take your career to

As you plan your 2025, it’s important to be intentional about including self-development activities. After all, our business will only grow as much as we do as business owners. With hundreds of books to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know which one will truly have a positive impact on your l

As you plan your 2025, it’s important to be intentional about including self-development activities. After all, our business will only grow as much as we do as business owners. With hundreds of books to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know which one will truly have a positive impact on your l

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to finding the right transaction management software for your real estate business. Whether you’re running a large brokerage, managing a small team or working on your own, the right transaction management platform can take the worry out of complian

The United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness this year, attributed to a lack of affordable housing, devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported on Friday in its January 2024 Poin

Reverse mortgage business — and mortgage business generally — is not where people want it to be.That was a repeated idea shared by a group of reverse mortgage professionals when asked to assess what they see as the biggest industry challenges of the year. With Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)

A new report from Redfin revealed that active listings climbed 12% year over year (954,703 listings) during the four weeks ending December 22, though that was the smallest increase since March. Pending home sales sat at 58,267 for the four weeks, marking a year-over-year change of -3.4% — the first

David Neylan, president and chief operating officer at retail lender Guild Mortgage, expects the landscape to remain challenging for mortgage companies in 2025. But Neylan plans to capitalize on these challenges.“I know there’s some forecasts for rates to drop, but it’s not as much as everybody had

Expanded rules for appraisal waivers take effect on purchase transactions starting the first quarter of 2025. Announcements were made on October 28, 2024 by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) who stated the policy action “builds upon the long-running suc

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has taken things a step further in its battle with Phoenix Realtors (PAR) over the local trade group’s MLS Choice program. On Monday, NAR notified its leadership and members that it had made the decision to initiate the charter revocation process against PA

The reverse mortgage industry has had an eventful year, and the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) stands ready for yet another year of change according to Steve Irwin, its president. With political changes on the horizon, debate about some core Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HE

The legal department at eXp Realty and parent company eXp World Holdings is not getting any rest over the holidays. The real estate brokerage, along with several executives including eXp World Holdings CEO Glenn Sanford, eXp Realty CEO Leo Pareja, COO Patrick O’Neill, and eXp General Counsel James B

Appeals of the final approval of the  National Association of Realtors‘ (NAR) commission lawsuit settlement agreement  continue to pile up. On Monday, copycat suit plaintiff and settlement objector Hao Zhe Wang filed an appeal, while NAR members Rosalie Doyle, Jessica Winters, and John Guerra filed

Mortgage servicers have spent the past couple of years watching as federal housing agencies adopted various strategies to help borrowers who entered forbearance due to the COVID-19 pandemic but struggled to exit due to rising interest rates. Now they have a request for the incoming Trump administrat

Is your real estate logo “good enough” for your brand? Before you answer, consider this: Your logo speaks for you when you’re not in the room. What is it saying about you? What should it say about you? A “good enough” logo will look nice on your business card. An exceptional logo can help you tell y

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see DMV?There are no wrong answers, but for some of us just the thought of the DMV sends chills down our spine, particularly if you have ever had to wait in long DMV lines. But for others, like new drivers, there’s