Industry News

HousingWire: “Appraisals may soon not be required on certain home sales of $400,000 and under”

The FCC and OCC have already approved this change.

HousingWire: “Harvard: First-time homebuyers are changing”

There has been a significant shift from married to never-married households among first-time homebuyers in the last 20 years.

Barrons: “As New-Home Sales Falter, Questions Emerge About the Recovery’s Pace”

According to the Commerce Department, housing recovery is slowing.

CBS: “Americans Still Think They Can Make Money Flipping Houses”

I don’t think this is a good sign...

Bloomberg: “Almost 40% of U.S. Homes Are Mortgage Free”

According to Zillow data most Americans are living mortgage free.

MarketWatch: “Housing starts dip in June and permits fall more steeply in another sign of weakness”

Permits to build new homes sank to the lowest in two years.

CNN: “Foreign buyers are turning their back on American real estate”

The number residential home purchases by foreigners has plunged.

HousingWire: “Opendoor and Redfin join forces to begin buying houses in Phoenix and Atlanta”

Opendoor and Redfin are creating a partnership to buy homes in Phoenix and Atlanta.

The Real Deal: “Hispanics Made up 63% of New US Homeownership”

Hispanic first-time home buyers are giving a sluggish housing market a much needed jolt.

Inman: “How to Cope with IBuyers In Your Market”

Interesting developments in the I-buyer world.

Inman: “Nextdoor will now tell you how much your home is worth”

NextDoor launches new tool that will help consumers understand the value of their home.

CNBC: “Build-to-rent housing market explodes as investors rush in”

Due to consumer rental demands investors are turning to the build-to-rent market.

Inman: “We’re in a ‘homebody era,’ and that means a housing shortage for years to come”

Significant increase in length of home ownership is decreasing supply.

HousingWire: “FICO scores for May mortgage borrowers remain at two-year highs”

Higher FICO shows and debt ratios show that Americans are in better shape to get mortgages.

Mortgage News Daily: “Mortgage Prepays Continue to Mount, Doubling in Four Months”

According to Black Knight, due to low interest rates prepayments have continued to rise.

The Real Deal: “Fed Decision: Real Estate Loves Low Rates (But Not Too Low)”

Housing industry enjoying low interest rates but concerned about the economic slowdown.

Business Insider: “Real-Estate Investors and Millenials are Competing for Starter Homes”

Investors buying starter homes is bad news for millennials looking to buy their first home.

NY Times: “Want a House Like This? Prepare for a Bidding War With Investors”

Investors are increasingly pushing starter homes out of reach for many households.

CNN: “Federal Reserve Keeps Interest Rates Steady, Signals Rate Cuts in 2019”

Federal Reserve holds interest rates but signals potential rate cuts this year.

Business Insider: “9 Mind-Blowing Facts About the Millennial Housing Market”

How does the current housing market look for millennials?

Boston Business Journal: “The Link Between Innovation and Real Estate”

How a city's innovation capabilities are becoming a key metric for real estate investment decisions.

Forbes: “Four Ways Trade Wars are Undermining Commercial Real Estate”

How has the trade wars impacted the commercial real estate markets in the United States?

National Mortgage News: “Mortgage refinance booms are a thing of the past”

Era of plentiful refinance volume is over according to Mortgage Bankers Association Chief Economist.

The Real Deal: “REIT Stock Prices and the US China Trade War”

Real estate has established itself as a safe haven from global supply-chain disruptions.

Baltimore Sun: “Ransomware Attack Cripples Baltimore Real Estate Deals”

Home sales are being held up as a ransomware attack cripples systems vital to real estate deals.

MarketWatch: “New Redfin Program Allows Home Purchase Without Agent”

Change in the real estate sector is accelerating.

HousingWire: “MERS Owner is Buying Simplifile for $335 Million”

This deal will bring MERS and Simplifile under the same roof. One step closer to fully integrated loan, escrow and

HousingWire: “The Fully Digital Mortgage Has Arrived”

The digital mortgage is becoming an industry-wide reality as the industry continues to migrate towards a fully digital process.

Mortgage News Daily: “Mortgage Delinquencies Reach 20 Year Low”

According to CoreLogic mortgage delinquency rate fell to a 20 year low in January.

HousingWire: Loan Originator Licensing Rules Are Changing

After a push from the mortgage industry, new LO licensing rules will go into effect later this year that will