Mortgage delinquencies rise slightly in Q1

The delinquency rate for U.S. residential mortgages rose slightly in the first quarter of 2025. This was partially driven by an uptick in conventional loan delinquencies and rising foreclosure inventory, particularly among loans backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).The Mortgage Ban

HUD announces $1.1B in funding for affordable housing in Tribal lands

In one of the most robust housing assistance funding announcements of the second Trump administration so far, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on Tuesday that it is making $1.1 billion in Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) funding available for eligible Native Amer

Aging in place is not ‘equally accessible’ to all, study finds

Despite the overwhelming preferences of older people to age in place in their own homes — a trend that holds true across North America — there remain inequities that limit the access and ability for some older people to fulfill this desire, according to the findings of a recent study.Researchers at

MBA urges overhaul of mortgage rules in letter to OMB

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) submitted a formal request to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on Monday, asking for the rescission of six rules and revisions to nine others that affect the mortgage industry. These include regulations tied to servicing, the Real Estate Se

FHA cites AI emergence as it ‘archives’ inactive policy documents

The technology posture of the federal government’s housing apparatus has been a hot topic of discussion for years. Advocates have advised — and sometimes warned — of the need to modernize the tech infrastructure at government housing agencies.With the dawn of artificial intelligence (AI) and its inc

Redfin stockholder files suit over disclosures in Rocket deal

While much of the housing industry views Rocket Companies’ proposed acquisition of Redfin as a foregone conclusion at this point, at least one common stock holder is saying not so fast. On Friday in U.S. District Court in Seattle, plaintiff Jason Morano filed a lawsuit accusing the two companies of

HUD secretary defends repeal of fair housing rule

In a strongly worded op-ed, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner defended the recent repeal of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule.Turner argued in The Gazette, an Iowa-based newspaper, that AFFH represented a federal overreach into local ho

House bill calls for bigger SALT tax breaks

The House tax committee is looking to raise the cap on the state and local tax deduction (SALT) and formally adopt several of President Trump’s campaign tax promises as part of a multi-trillion-dollar package, Republicans’ main legislative priority.The draft legislation, introduced by the tax-writin

More homesellers and home sales in May

The weekly pending home sales picked up this week as expected, with 2.6% more pending home sales contracts started than a year ago.If you’re following the data closely, you know that home sales are still running at or below last year’s pace. Year to date, through the first week of May, we count 3% f

ERA Real Estate franchise affiliate announces Texas partnership

ERA Experts — a franchise affiliate of ERA Real Estate — has made a strategic investment in Austin-based Sprout Realty LLC, which will now operate as Sprout Realty ERA Powered.Leaders said the move is aimed at accelerating Sprout Realty’s growth across Austin, Waco, Dallas-Fort Worth and other parts

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate makes Tennessee acquisition

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Heritage Group has acquired Manchester, Tennessee-based Advantage Realty Partners in a move to strengthen its presence and market share across middle Tennessee.The acquisition brings the firm’s total footprint to three offices and roughly 80 affiliated sales asso

Century 21 merger expands New Jersey footprint

Century 21 Solid Gold Realty has merged with longtime central New Jersey brokerage Gloria Zastko, Realtors — a move that expands Century 21’s market presence further north and west into Middlesex County.The 34-year-old North Brunswick, New Jersey-based agency will now operate under the name Century

Homebuyers turn to aging properties as construction lags

The median age of homes purchased nationwide reached a record high of 36 years in 2024, a significant jump from 27 years in 2012, according to an analysis released Monday by Redfin.The trend reflects a long-term slowdown in new home construction and growing affordability challenges. Buyers are incre

Loan officers detail the challenges of explaining reverse mortgages

Reverse mortgage professionals encounter a variety of challenges when introducing product specifications to a prospective customer for the first time. These elements may include an explanation of how the loan proceeds work, clarifying the realities of negative amortization, or something as basic as

What happens to mortgage rates with more trade deals?

What will happen to mortgage rates now that China and the U.S. have made progress in their trade war, agreeing to a 90-day period of lower tariffs? Stocks are up considerably this morning and bond yields have also increased. This raises the question: Is the de-escalation of the trade war good for mo

Mortgage demand still staying firm with elevated rates

If someone had told me that home sales would remain firm this year despite mortgage rates ranging from 7.25% to 6.64%, I would not have taken that bet. However, amid all the chaotic economic headlines of 2025 so far, the demand for mortgages is holding steady, even with the higher rates. Let’s dig i

eXp Realty launches land and ranch division

eXp Realty has launched a new land and ranch division to serve real estate agents who specialize in rural, agricultural and recreational properties, the company announced this week.The new division is designed to support agents working in a growing sector of the housing market with tools tailored to

Deadline looms in Minnesota property tax forfeiture lawsuit

Thousands of Minnesota residents who lost homes over property taxes may now be eligible for compensation, following a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling and a resulting $109 million class-action settlement fund.The case began with Geraldine Tyler, a 94-year-old Minneapolis woman who owed $15,000 in

Lenders witness surge of mortgage demand this week

It’s probably too early to get excited, but several lenders reported that mortgage demand climbed to 2022 levels this week. After months of hovering in the high 6% range—and most recently dipping to 6.84%— declining mortgage rates may finally be luring buyers back. Applications rose 11% last week, a

Los Angeles County event will assist reverse mortgage borrowers with wildfire recovery

The communities engulfed in the Los Angeles-area wildfires continue to recover and pick up the pieces. And representatives of Los Angeles County have signaled they want to provide specific guidance for impacted reverse mortgage borrowers to navigate issues that arise with these loans in disaster are