Building an empire starts with your POS 

Millennial homebuyers (born between 1981 and 1996) are reshaping the real estate landscape with their strong preference for digital tools and technology-driven experiences. As the largest cohort of homebuyers in the U.S., their tech-first approach influences how properties are marketed, searched and

Mortgage rates survive budget bond scare, but end the week higher

Last week, we witnessed a pivotal moment for mortgage rates and the bond market, which some pundits have said has grown increasingly aware of our rising national debt and deficits. A bond auction last week was perceived as having soft demand, prompting media outlets and market speakers to suggest th

Bessent weighs mortgage rate risk in potential release of GSEs from conservatorship

Releasing the GSEs from conservatorship became a hot topic again this week after President Trump posted that he was giving it “serious consideration” on Wednesday, followed by a Bloomberg interview with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday.The timing of the president’s announcement took many b

GoodLife Home Loans launches retail reverse mortgage division, says it is actively hiring

An existing reverse mortgage-backed securities issuer and wholesale lender is making a new play for the retail space, according to a new announcement.GoodLife Home Loans, dba of Bellevue, Wash.-based Traditional Mortgage Acceptance Corporation (TMAC), announced this week that it has launched a new r

This Georgia homeowner went to war with her HOA—and won

A Rockdale County, Ga., judge has approved a $40,000 settlement between the Channing Cove Homeowners Association (HOA) and Michelle Bernard — a longtime homeowner who sued the HOA over a disputed lien on her property.Bernard’s legal battle began after the HOA placed a lien on her home for a little u

HUD publishes new reverse mortgage counseling guidance

Counseling is an essential part of the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) origination process, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has recently refreshed some of its guidance documents for HECM counselors to offer essential information.HUD this month published a “toolk

Century 21 expands Colorado footprint

A long-standing central Colorado real estate firm has joined the Century 21 network, bringing more than five decades of local knowledge. First Colorado Land Office, Inc. — established in 1973 and now led by fifth-generation Salida, Colo., native Jeffrey Post — is now doing business as Century 21 Com

Howard Hanna disavows NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services and its parent company Hanna Holdings have made their feelings about the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) clear. In a letter sent to NAR and over 70 MLSs on Wednesday evening, company CEO Hoby Hanna called CCP “misguided” and a

Why did we just see the highest new home sales print in years?

I know this is a crazy stat, given how much the builders’ confidence is falling, but new home sales just had the highest monthly sales print in years. Can this be revised lower in the future? Yes, just like the previous months have been. But there’s a bigger story here that I’ll address because this

FEMA rescinds strategic agency plan ahead of hurricane season

Hurricane season is set to commence on June 1, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — which has been experiencing organizational challenges for the past several weeks — has reportedly rescinded its guiding plan for agency objectives and priorities, according to multiple FEMA employees

HUD names new CIO as judge pauses mass firings at the agency

Now a little more than four months into the second Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has appointed a new chief information officer (CIO), Eric Sidle, with experience in the electric vehicle space and with a former position at tech giant Apple, Inc. on h

Anywhere makes offer to buy Douglas Elliman: Bloomberg

Anywhere Real Estate has made an offer to acquire luxury brokerage firm Douglas Elliman. The offer was first reported by Bloomberg.According to Bloomberg’s sources, the bid would value Douglas Elliman at more than $4 a share. The firm’s stock ended Thursday at $2.14 a share, giving the firm a market

Buyers shrug off economic uncertainty as new-home sales rise

New-home sales continue to be a bright spot in a housing market that’s struggling with high mortgage rates and other economic headwinds.According to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), new homes in April sold at seasonally adjusted annual r

Updated list of all Trump’s actions that impact housing

Below is a timeline of the actions the Trump administration or Congressional Republicans have taken that impact housing since President Trump took office on Jan. 20, 2025, along with additional coverage of those topics. Opinions on Trump administration actionsCFPBTrump fires CFPB Director Rohit Chop

Appraisal Institute fires executive accused of sexual misconduct

The Appraisal Institute (AI) executive facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct is no longer serving in his position.AI president Paula Konikoff announced on the trade group’s LinkedIn page Wednesday evening that Craig Steinley has been removed as AI’s vice president, stating that its board

Trump says he’s giving ‘serious consideration’ to releasing Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

Two days after Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte said any decision over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac exiting government conservatorship would be up to President Trump and Trump alone, the president has weighed in. In a message posted on Truth Social Wednesday night, Trump said

Where land-use regulations are driving up housing costs

President Donald Trump has made deregulation a policy pillar for his second term — and housing regulations are up for review.Homebuilders say that federal rules have driven up the cost of building a home. Many mortgage professionals want to release Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from conservatorship. An

Top Arizona real estate team with 53 agents joins eXp

Arizona real estate leader Scott Kumler and his team — The Kumler Group — have joined eXp Realty, leaving My Home Group after a high-performing 2024. The 53-member Phoenix Valley team closed more than $80 million in sales across 192 transactions last year, ranking among the top five teams at their f

Reverse mortgage veteran Dino Guadagnino joins Guaranteed Rate Affinity as regional VP

Guaranteed Rate Affinity (GRA) announced this week that it has appointed longtime reverse mortgage industry professional Dino Guadagnino to serve as regional vice president of reverse mortgages. His arrival comes as GRA focuses on “strengthening its commitment” to the space and to “the senior borrow

Fraud, mismanagement led to millions in losses for Houston Housing Authority

As issues continue to persist across the country for local housing authorities, the situation in Houston has led to an investigation by prominent local media outlets and a commissioned report by outside legal counsel. The probe found that mismanagement of contractors and the submission of fraudulent