Mortgage trade groups urge VA to revise elements of proposed partial claim rules

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) urged the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to revise elements of its proposed partial claim and loss-mitigation policies for VA-backed mortgages, arguing that the draft rules could leave veteran borrowers at a disadvantage compared to others. In a comme

ROAD to Housing Act sparks debate over investor limits, housing supply

When the Senate overwhelmingly passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on Thursday, longtime real estate analyst Steve Murray zeroed in on a number at the center of the legislation: 350. That figure, under the bill, defines a “large institutional investor” — a category that triggers strict limit

The edge that large remodelers leverage in a fragmented industry

Like its residential construction counterpart – homebuilding – the more than $500 billion residential remodeling industry remains highly geographically fragmented and varies widely in firm size, despite a slight increase in M&A activity since the COVID pandemic. In an industry dominated by small ope

Howard Hanna debuts HannaList with MLS aligned early access

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is launching HannaList, an internal listing portal designed to give sellers an early-access marketing option before a listing is widely distributed. The initial rollout will begin in Northeast Ohio and the Greater Pittsburgh area in early April, with expansion to ad

Bryan-College Station is a Texas sleeper market for builders

Most people view Texas in two ways: through our large cities or the stereotypical image of a man on a horse. One is about skyscrapers, private equity, and traffic; the other focuses on boots, cattle, and a mythology that has increased tourism. However, some of the real opportunities in Texas may be

Private listings: The full truth both sides are avoiding

The private listings debate has become one of the most polarizing conversations in organized real estate — and in my view, it is being handled poorly by nearly everyone involved. Advocates are cherry-picking the benefits without acknowledging the risks. Critics are sounding alarms without acknowledg

Senate passes sweeping housing package in 89–10 vote

The Senate overwhelmingly passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act in an 89–10 vote on Thursday, advancing a sweeping bipartisan bill aimed at boosting housing supply and addressing affordability challenges nationwide. But consumer advocates and trade groups are still pushing for changes to sever

CrossCountry Mortgage launches dedicated builder division amid new-home surge

CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) has launched a dedicated homebuilder division and made a “significant investment” in the new unit as it targets more business from builders and consumer buyers, the company announced Wednesday. The Cleveland-based lender said the expansion is meant to deepen relationships

CoStar pushes back on activist investors’ reporting criticism

Tensions between CoStar Group and activist investors at The D.E. Shaw Group intensified this week — with both sides issuing public statements defending their positions and criticizing the other’s. On Tuesday, D.E. Shaw accused the real estate data giant of mismanaging capital, eroding shareholder va

Congress nears a housing deal and the investor fight is inside it

Congress is closing in on a major housing legislation moment. The bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, now moving from the Senate to House reconciliation after overwhelming procedural votes, stands as one of the most serious attempts in more than a generation to confront America’s housing af

What real estate agents need to know about the spring housing market

The housing market is entering Spring trapped in a whirlwind of economic signals. Labor market data, massive geopolitical tension affecting energy prices and persistent inflation concerns all shape outlooks for housing demand and mortgage rates. For real estate and mortgage professionals advising bu

Housing market is poised for growth in 2026 if Iran conflict doesn’t raise rates

The housing market is poised for growth in 2026: existing home sales rose in February, purchase application data has been positive year over year every week in 2026 and our weekly Housing Market Tracker shows positive pending sales year over year. But several new variables might change this by pushi

PHH Mortgage is rebranding as Onity Mortgage

Onity Group Inc. announced this week that it plans to rebrand its PHH Mortgage Corp. subsidiary as Onity Mortgage Corp., effective March 23, extending the company’s multiyear shift from the legacy Ocwen and PHH brands. The company disclosed the planned name change in a statement, saying that PHH Mor

Midwest housing markets surge as demand absorbs homes faster than new listings

The fastest-moving housing markets in the country right now aren’t in California or Texas — they’re in the Midwest. HousingWire Data shows Michigan, Ohio and Illinois leading the nation in housing absorption, with weekly rates above 17% as demand accelerates ahead of the spring housing season. Natio

Blend rides mortgage rebound in Q4, dismisses ‘SaaSpocalypse’ fears

Blend Labs Inc. ended 2025 with a profitable quarter as improved mortgage market conditions supported its business, while executives said the company is largely insulated from the recent “SaaSpocalypse” affecting the software industry. The company reported non-GAAP operating income of $5.4 million i

Minimum home lot sizes eyed in Colorado push to break barriers

Colorado lawmakers are taking a new swing at Colorado’s housing affordability crisis by using state power to reshape local zoning rules. Their target? Outsized suburban residential lots mandated in many of the state’s municipalities. A new bill would require most cities to allow single-family homes

Unison’s home equity investment faces another legal battle in California

A San Francisco-based financial technology company is facing a class-action lawsuit that could further upend the burgeoning home equity investment (HEI) industry. The case, filed in September in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Francisco, alleges that Unison Agreement Corp. use

Verification is the new credit score

The mortgage industry does not have a speed problem. It has a confidence problem. For decades, the credit score has served as the central organizing mechanism of mortgage risk. It estimates the probability of repayment using historical behavioral data. It is statistically validated, embedded in capi

Radian winds down mortgage conduit after exploring a sale

Radian is shutting down its mortgage conduit business after a divestiture process, while continuing to explore strategic options for its title and real estate services units, the company confirmed to HousingWire. The conduit, which operated primarily through Radian Mortgage Capital, focused on buyin

loanDepot reports $108M loss in 2025 even as volume, margins improve

loanDepot reported a smaller net loss for 2025 as revenue and margins improved, but results weakened in the fourth quarter as margins declined. The Irvine, California-based mortgage lender’s earnings showed signs of recovery as the company aims to improve volume and market share. loanDepot posted a