Houston’s $351K median price outperforms Texas metros in affordability

Houston’s housing market maintains a competitive edge in affordability while still showing a slight seller’s advantage, according to the latest HW Data. With a median listing price of $351,900, Houston presents a value opportunity for buyers priced out of Dallas and Austin markets. Inventory and pri
Read MoreLeading reverse mortgage lenders prepare to put AI in front of seniors

Top U.S. reverse mortgage lenders are entering a new phase in their artificial intelligence (AI) strategy: deploying customer-facing tools to engage more directly with seniors. After achieving operational efficiencies by using AI internally, lenders now plan to roll out chatbots, voice agents and di
Read MoreFrom Zillow to sphere: Why you must know the source of your real estate referrals
Although consumers are doing more independent research and home browsing than ever before, data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that 88% of buyers and 90% of sellers work with a real estate agent. How do these Realtor find consumers? Through real estate referrals. However, the
Read MoreGroundfloor Lending expands leadership team

Groundfloor Lending on Wednesday announced the expansion of its leadership team as its new business unit continues to scale. The recent appointments of Patrick Donoghue as vice president and general manager, Kendall Bazan as vice president of revenue, and Andrew Hurd as vice president of risk mark t
Read MoreFlorida Realtors builds e-sign tool available nationwide

Form Simplicity — a transaction management platform created and owned by Florida Realtors — has launched Sabal Sign, a fully integrated e-signature tool for its Ultimate Edition users nationwide. Sabal Sign provides unlimited signing sessions, mobile-friendly workflows and full compliance with U.S.
Read MoreGoodLife’s Chase Kinder on growing his company’s reverse mortgage presence

Last week, Traditional Mortgage Acceptance Corp. (TMAC), dba GoodLife Home Loans, announced a leadership change when it promoted Chase Kinder to lead its wholesale division. GoodLife is the country’s fourth-largest originator of Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), according to the most recent
Read MoreHow will lenders recalibrate as Fed signals path to lower rates?

Mortgage lenders are recalibrating ahead of the Federal Reserve’s anticipated monetary easing cycle by rolling out rate promotions, streamlining operations and broadening product menus. They aim to capture demand while navigating affordability and margin pressures. Executives told HousingWire they’
Read MoreFed cuts rates by 25 bps as inflation lingers, labor market weakens

The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, setting the target range at 4% to 4.25%. The first cut since December 2024 marks a new phase in the central bank’s effort to balance maximum employment and stable prices. Economists say it could usher in an easi
Read MoreColdwell Banker’s Jason Waugh urges agents to ‘own the moment’ in shifting housing market

Speaking to thousands of real estate professionals at Coldwell Banker’s Generation Blue Experience 2025, company president Jason Waugh told agents that today’s market — despite volatility — represents one of the greatest opportunities of their careers. “We’ve been through three years of a contractin
Read MoreAmerican Senior Lending launches EquitySelect solution for retirees

American Senior Lending, a national home equity solutions company, on Wednesday launched EquitySelect, a first-lien home equity loan designed to give retirees more financial flexibility. The nonrecourse loan — meaning that borrowers and their heirs will never owe more than the home is worth — lets b
Read MoreCredit Union ONE acquires Icon Mortgage

Credit Union ONE announced on Tuesday that it has acquired Icon Mortgage. A press release confirmed that Michigan-based Credit Union ONE will retain all employees from Icon Mortgage, including senior leadership, and “intends to operate the company as a separate mortgage lending affiliate.” The terms
Read MoreDisappointing housing permits show why we need 6% mortgage rates
Homebuilders in America are cheering, not because of the disappointing housing permit data released today, but because mortgage rates are near 6%. We have seen four consecutive months of job losses in residential construction labor, as mortgage rates have been elevated and builders’ inventory has be
Read MoreUnion Home Mortgage acquires assets of Sierra Pacific Mortgage: sources

Ohio-based Union Home Mortgage (UHM), led by Bill Cosgrove, has reached an agreement to acquire California-based Sierra Pacific Mortgage‘s assets, sources told HousingWire. The deal marks UHM’s second deal in 2025, following its March purchase of Houston-based Nations Reliable Lending (NRL Mortgage)
Read MoreHow to compete and win with your listing presentation (+ template)

The real estate listing presentation is one of the most critical tools in your arsenal for demonstrating your knowledge, expertise, experience and authenticity to seller leads. A well-done listing presentation not only distinguishes you from your competitors — it also elevates the seller’s experienc
Read MoreFEMA funds blocked illegally, GAO finds

A federal watchdog has ruled that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) broke the law by blocking or delaying aid money that Congress had already approved, including funds for programs that provide shelter and food. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), which oversees federal spending
Read MoreSection 8 use barriers analyzed in new study

RAND and the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California at Berkeley have released a joint report examining how local housing agencies can more effectively use federal housing vouchers. The study, funded by the Cooper Housing Institute, found that while the Housing Choice Vo
Read MoreEmilia Bechrakis Serhant joins SERHANT. as licensed agent

Nine years after marrying Ryan Serhant, Emilia Bechrakis Serhant is joining the brokerage that bears her surname. On Tuesday, SERHANT. announced that Bechrakis Serhant was joining the firm’s New York City office as a licensed real estate agent. She will work alongside Melissa Post. Born in New York
Read MoreReal Estate One expands with Michigan acquisition

Michigan-based Clients First Realtors of Canton has joined the Real Estate One Family of Companies. Founded in 1995, Clients First has operated within Michigan for more than 25 years. “Clients First Realtors’ values align closely with our own, especially when it comes to giving back to the communiti
Read MorePacaso unveils 30-year mortgage for vacation home co-ownership

Pacaso on Tuesday announced the launch of the first purpose-built, 30-year mortgage designed for co-ownership of vacation homes in the U.S. The new financing option gives qualified buyers and existing Pacaso owners a standardized way to finance their share of a second home, with a simplified closing
Read MoreColdwell Banker Realty acquires Prime Real Estate Group

Coldwell Banker Realty is strengthening its presence in Hudson County, New Jersey. On Tuesday, the firm announced its acquisition of Hoboken-based Prime Real Estate Group. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This acquisition adds one office and 60 agents to Coldwell Banker’s presence
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