Ginnie Mae challenges TCB expert’s testimony in HMBS case

In the ongoing lawsuit by Texas Capital Bank (TCB) seeking to recoup assets related to an extinguished reverse mortgage securities issuer, Ginnie Mae has fired back by continuing to seek a summary judgment.The government contended that the bank’s recent supplement to the record of expert testimony i

Homebuilders face rising risk unless mortgage rates fall

At the end of 2024, I wrote that the homebuilding sector could be a potential wildcard for 2025 — and that was before the new tariffs on building materials and firing of federal workers. If mortgage rates don’t drop, we may see this sector facing supply issues and shrinking profit margins. Why is th

NRMLA requests WA Senate amend foreclosure bill to reflect reverse mortgage laws

A bill being deliberated in the Washington State Senate regarding a foreclosure mediation program would except reverse mortgage borrowers over the age of 61. However, this would not include slightly younger borrowers seeking a proprietary reverse mortgage within the state, and the National Reverse M

Ohio Realtors’ President Michelle Billings on building client relationships

In this week’s episode of the RealTrending podcast, host Tracey Velt sits down with Ohio Realtors President Michelle Billings, an agent at Coldwell Banker Realty in Montgomery, Ohio. They explored affordability issues in today’s real estate market and how agents should leverage their knowledge for s

Ardley named winner of TMC’s Mortgage Tech Demo Day

The Mortgage Collaborative‘s (TMC) Emerging Technology Fund hosted its seventh annual Mortgage Tech Demo Day (MTD) on March 16 at the collaborative’s “Live Large, Think Big!” conference in Arlington, Texas.Sponsored by Docutech, MTD allows early-stage mortgage tech companies to showcase their techno

HUD approves then rescinds funds for NY housing groups

The Trump administration was set to release millions in federal grants to New York City organizations that house formerly homeless individuals on Friday, but recent court orders are delaying the effort, according to a report from Gothamist. To get the funding, the Department of Housing and Urban Dev

Anywhere’s Ryan Schneider on luxury market, M&A growth in 2025

In the most recent episode of the Power House podcast, guest host Tracey Velt sits down with Ryan Schneider, CEO of Anywhere Real Estate. The duo explore Anywhere’s resurgent focus on the luxury market, increasing M&A opportunities, and the value of embracing change.This conversation has been edited

Lower mortgage rates spark housing demand heading into spring

Earlier this year, when mortgage rates soared to 7.26%, a cloud of worry hung over the housing market — many feared that home sales would tumble in 2025, fueled by concerns about inflation and tariffs. But when it seemed doom and gloom would prevail, the 10-year yield dropped, pulling mortgage rates

Judges rule that CFPB, HUD probationary employees still have jobs — for now

In separate rulings this week, federal judges in Maryland and California told the Trump administration that it must reinstate thousands of probationary employees who were let go without advance notice or cause. These include many at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the U.S. Depart

World’s first AI real estate agent has already made $100M in sales

Israeli startup eSelf AI has developed a technology that provides interactive AI real estate agents capable of answering questions and guiding prospective buyers through listings at any time.“We are not only a face that is moving and speaking while the agent responds to the user, but we also have sh

Inside Real Estate acquires AI property search firm ListAssist

Utah-based Inside Real Estate has acquired ListAssist, which provides artificial intelligence (AI)-powered search and marketing technology that’s designed to enhance the property search experience.Joe Skousen, CEO of Inside Real Estate, described the acquisition as a step toward revolutionizing how

FOA’s Kristen Sieffert talks about growing the business in 2025

Despite a drop in overall profitability in the fourth quarter of 2024, FOA, one of the nation’s leading reverse mortgage lenders, remains optimistic about the total addressable market for home equity-based retirement products and will continue to develop its offerings in 2025.This was some of the pe

How urban environments present unique challenges for aging in place

While it’s important to understand the unique challenges faced by older Americans in rural or suburban areas as they seek to age in place in their own homes, there can also be unique challenges for those seeking to age in place in urban parts of the country.This is according to a look at the hurdles

Advocus National Title now providing 1031 exchange services

Advocus National Title Insurance Co. has launched a new 1031 exchange service, allowing real estate investors to defer capital gains taxes when selling and reinvesting in like-kind properties.The service, offered through Advocus National 1031 Exchange LLC, is operated by Accruit, a qualified interme

Rising unemployment is shifting the D.C. housing market: Altos

Employment in the Washington, D.C. housing market is anything but stable right now — and residents are feeling it. According to D.C.’s Department of Employment Services, nearly 12,000 federal employees have filed initial unemployment claims amid widespread cuts enacted by Elon Musk and his DOGE agen

Coldwell Banker’s Kamini Lane blasts potential repeal of CCP

With the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reportedly set to vote on the future of its Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) in the not-too-distant future, the leader of Coldwell Banker Realty is not holding back her feelings about the controversial rule.In an op-ed published Wednesday by Newsweek, Co

Experts offer a temperature check on title insurer M&A

The title insurance industry continues to seek a “new normal” when it comes to transaction volume, as well as mergers and acquisitions (M&A).High company valuations and a multitude of deals during the peak post-pandemic market have now been replaced with a mixed status quo. HousingWire spoke with tw

Fair housing groups sue HUD, DOGE over grant cuts

In the midst of aggressive cost-cutting measures, a coalition of fair housing groups with grant funding have filed a lawsuit against DOGE, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Scott Turner in his capacity as HUD secretary. The groups allege an overstep that will hamper their ab

Berkshire Hathaway denies sale to Compass — but what if it happened?

On the heels of a bombshell report by the Wall Street Journal that Compass is in “advanced talks” for an acquisition of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Gino Blefari, HomeServices CEO, immediately sent out an email fervently denying the news. However, the rumor persists, particularly when you have T

New FHFA Director Bill Pulte is focused on GSE reform

In a series of tweets Thursday evening, newly confirmed FHFA Director Bill Pulte made it clear that pulling Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac out of conservatorship is his top priority and wrote: “big announcements coming soon.”After reposting news of his Senate confirmation and thanking specific Senators