Mortgage applications rise timidly during Thanksgiving week

Lower mortgage rates have brought increased mortgage demand. Total home loan applications increased 0.3% for the week ending Nov. 24 compared to the previous week, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).Mortgage rates for the 30-year fixed loan averaged 7.29% as of Nov. 22, fa
Read MoreWhy regular check-ins are the unsung heroes of agent retention

A common thought among brokers revolves around the idea that if your gross commission income or office size is not increasing, you’re not successfully growing your brokerage. However, the tactical approach of regular check-ins and focusing on retention as a cornerstone of fortifying your real estate
Read MoreIf You Act Before Year-End, IRS Respects Do-Overs Unwinding Taxes

Going back to square one sounds simple, but the tax system is rigid. Even so, the IRS accepts unwound transactions if everything occurs in the same tax year.
Read MoreNew York City Enters New Luxury Rental Era

After a decade hyping ultra-luxe New York City condominiums, Gotham entered a new era of luxury apartment buildings, including Anagram Columbus Circle and The Copper.
Read MoreLow inventory drives U.S. home prices up 5.5% year over year in Q3: FHFA

U.S. house prices rallied again in the third quarter of 2023. In fact, home prices rose 2.1% quarter over quarter and 5.5% year over year in Q3, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index. Month over month, the FHFA’s seasonally adjusted monthly index ticked up 0.6% in
Read MoreHigh mortgage rates force some divorced couples to continue living together

In another odd twist for 2023, the ability to split up after a divorce seems to be another casualty of the high mortgage rate environment.Couples who may have locked in a very low mortgage rate in previous years — but who are now seeking to end their marriages — are finding themselves needing to rem
Read MoreHusky Homes team expands Compass’s Wisconsin presence

The Husky Homes real estate team, led by Alison Crim, has joined Compass, the company announced on Tuesday. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, the team of eight had been affiliated with Keller Williams Realty Madison East since its debut in 2020.“We are thrilled to be among the first teams to join Compass
Read MoreOpinion: 5 policy changes that can improve housing affordability

The median price of a home in America is rapidly becoming out of reach for most first-time homebuyers. This is especially true for minority families who on average have less wealth than non-minority families. Like most things in our economy, home prices are influenced by supply and demand principles
Read MoreFHA loan limit increases to $498,257 in 2024

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is increasing the “floor” and “ceiling” FHA loan limits in 2024 to $498,257 and $1,149,825, respectively, the FHA announced Tuesday.The new FHA loan limits apply to forward mortgages for a one-unit property and take effect on Jan. 1, according to the publicat
Read MoreIt’s worth giving consumer credit a closer look — here’s why

HousingWire recently spoke with Mike Darne, vice president of marketing at CreditXpert, about credit optimization and how taking a closer look at consumer credit can benefit borrowers. HousingWire: You have advocated for giving consumer credit another look. Why is this important now?Mike Darne: In
Read MoreCFPB orders Bank of America to pay $12M for submitting false mortgage data

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) imposed a $12 million penalty on Bank of America (BofA) for violating federal laws by submitting false mortgage lending information for about four years, it announced on Monday. A top-20 U.S. mortgage lender, Charlotte-based BofA had $229 billion in ou
Read MoreAlphV/BlackCat gang allegedly behind Fidelity ransomware attack

Infamous ransomware gang AlphV/BlackCat appears to be behind last Tuesday’s cybersecurity attack at Big Four title firm Fidelity National Financial.In an online post on Wednesday, the ransomware gang claimed credit for the attack and wrote that Fidelity was “ruined” for hiring incident responders, a
Read MoreNonbanks’ profitability to decline in the coming quarters: Moody’s

Nonbank mortgage companies increased their profitability as a group in the third quarter of 2023, compared to the previous quarter, due to the performance of their servicing and origination businesses. It’s good news in the current shrinking market. Analysts at the credit rating firm Moody’s Investo
Read MoreAscent Software Group acquires property data collection platform Value Acceptance

Proptech solutions provider Ascent Software Group (ASG) has acquired property data collection platform Value Acceptance. Through the acquisition, ASG hopes to modernize the appraisal industry by providing innovative valuation products and solutions and complete new property data reports required by
Read MoreOffice Wellness Evolution: From Fitness Rooms To Holistic Health Clubs

Wellness offerings can be integrated into office buildings through multipurpose outdoor areas, on-site healthcare services, and access to nutritious food options.
Read MoreWaterfront Home On Oregon’s Oswego Lake Delivers On Lifestyle, Luxury

On the western edge of Oregon’s Oswego Lake is an exclusive district known as the Gold Coast. The neighborhood enjoys access to recreational and water activities.
Read MoreFive Tech Trends To Boost 2024 Wellness-Related Bathroom Design

Smart Lighting NKBA reports that LED technology is now 100% of the lighting products specified for bathroom remodels.
Read MoreMBA sees benefits, shortcomings in FHFA’s new ERCF rule

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) this week appeared to relay caution to its members about the announcement from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) last week that it had published a new, final rule on the Enterprise Regulatory Capital Framework (ERCF) related to commingled securities.“Th
Read MoreModular homebuilding startup Veev on the verge of bankruptcy

Veev, a promising modular homebuilding company that’s raised $600 million, could close after a plan for a capital raise failed, according to reporting out of Israel. There are talks about a “leading company” potentially acquiring California-based Veev, but the negotiations remain in the very early s
Read MoreWhy aren’t there more new homes for sale?

In a country of more than 335 million people, with 157 million of those people working, we still only have 76,000 new homes available for sale as we head into December. The crazy part of this story is that this number looks perfectly normal to me. One of the urban myths spouted by people needing mor
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