Debate heats up around GSEs’ potentially larger role as MBS buyers

Mortgage industry experts are divided over the idea of allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to increase their purchases of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) in order to reduce mortgage rates, a proposal recently suggested by trade groups.  While the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) could create

Real estate leaders praise federal housing action, stress first-time buyer help

For Keith Robinson, co-CEO of NextHome, the surge of federal attention on the housing shortage is a positive first step — but one that must be tempered by patience and practicality. “I’m ecstatic that it’s a conversation now, because that’s the first step,” Robinson said. “It’s gone from no one talk

What changes are industry leaders demanding from NAR?

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and its CEO Nykia Wright have broadly acknowledged that things within the trade organization need to change. And while the trade group and its leadership team have taken steps in that direction, meeting with members across the country and pushing for improv

VRM executive Cheryl Travis-Johnson has died

Dr. Cheryl Travis-Johnson, the executive vice president and chief operating officer of VRM Mortgage Services, died last week, according to the company. Travis-Johnson, an industry veteran with over 30 years of service, joined VRM in 2008 and helped to position the company as a “trusted and innovativ

Government shutdown impacts senior access to services

The federal government shutdown is set to reach one month on Saturday, and the impacts are being felt by many Americans, including seniors who are struggling to access food, health care and a variety of support services. An article published last week by national senior advocacy group AARP highlight

Chris Planto returns to Rate as VP of mortgage lending

Top-producing mortgage originator Chris Planto has rejoined Rate as vice president of mortgage lending in the Houston market. Planto returns to Rate from CrossCountry Mortgage, where he most recently served as a senior loan officer. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome back Chris Planto to our Rat

Newrez posts best monthly mortgage volume since 2022, seals Wells Fargo deal

Multichannel mortgage lender Newrez continued to contribute positively to parent company Rithm Capital’s earnings in the third quarter of 2025, during which the company closed an agreement with Wells Fargo in the private-label securities (PLS) space. In the third quarter, Newrez posted pretax income

The AI advantage: How real estate industry leaders can get ahead in a digital market

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a future promise in real estate. It’s here, measurable, and rapidly transforming how professionals work. From agents juggling client demands to lenders navigating compliance and efficiency pressures, AI is already proving itself both a pressure valve and a p

Redefining the loan officer’s toolkit: Why insurance guidance belongs next to APR calculators 

A mortgage is more than a rate and a closing date. It is a family planning for what happens after the keys are in hand. That is why insurance is not optional and belongs beside pricing, product fit, and closing costs in a loan officer’s core toolkit. It is required for the loan, and it also shapes m

Financially stressed homeowners are delaying essential repairs

A growing number of homeowners are putting off necessary maintenance and repairs, leading to safety concerns, higher costs and long-term financial strain, according to a new report from Bold North Roofing. The study found that 71% of homeowners have postponed at least one home project in 2025 — and

5 best real estate classes in Washington for 2025

We’ve researched the best real estate classes in Washington State for every budget, schedule, and learning style to help you choose the ideal course package for your needs. From Seattle to Spokane to Redmond, our guide will help you find the best schools to quickly knock out your required courses —

Coldwell Banker affiliate changes ownership in West Virginia

Coldwell Banker Yost — a longtime real estate firm serving southern West Virginia — has been acquired by Nathan Hendrick and will operate under the new name Coldwell Banker Hendrick Real Estate. The acquired company has operated in West Virginia for more than 25 years and was previously owned by Ste

Fed prepares to pivot balance sheet, with potential ripple effects for mortgages

A growing number of economists believe that the Federal Reserve is close to announcing the end of its quantitative tightening (QT) program — a move that could have wide-reaching implications for the mortgage industry. Over the past few weeks, central bank officials have signaled they are prepared to

Optimal Blue comes out swinging on price-fixing lawsuit

Optimal Blue has responded to a class action lawsuit filed against it and 26 mortgage lenders, calling the claims “baseless” and “frivolous” and vowing to fight the lawsuit “all the way through.” “Optimal Blue is aware of the complaint filed against it, Black Knight, Inc., and many of the largest mo

Sexual assault lawsuit plaintiffs accuse eXp of fraudulent misrepresentation

Roughly two and a half years since filing their initial complaint, the Acevedo sexual assault plaintiffs are back with their third amended complaint.  In the latest rendition of the complaint, eXp World Holdings, eXp Realty, eXp founder and CEO Glenn Sanford, suspended eXp agent David Golden, now-fo

PartnerOne to acquire Mortgage Cadence

Software group PartnerOne announced on Tuesday that it has entered into an agreement with Accenture to acquire Mortgage Cadence, a provider of cloud-based digital lending solutions. PartnerOne said in its press release that it focuses on acquiring firms for the long term and investing to strengthen

Will the Fed ruin the lowest mortgage rates of 2025?

Happy lowest-mortgage-rate-of-the-year day on this Halloween week! Mortgage rates are currently at a yearly low right before the Fed meets so the question is: will Fed Chair Jerome Powell ruin the good news right before Halloween festivities? Whatever Powell says tomorrow, mortgage rates are behavin

Making the 7-Day refi reality: Instant title, done right

The refinance experience is only as fast as its slowest step, and title insurance has traditionally been one of the least understood steps in the process – and, therefore, perceived as one of the most unpredictable. But the right technologies are making it possible to deliver instant title decisions

5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Attending Open Houses

If you’re looking for a new home, open houses can assist in your search—even if you don’t like the properties you visit. Here are five steps to take so that you benefit from your time spent. Visit Different Kinds of Properties Do you like the layouts of ranch homes or townhouses better? Will an open

Collov AI, Side partner on virtual staging tools for agents

Collov AI, an artificial intelligence (AI) platform for home design, announced a partnership with Side, a white-label real estate brokerage platform. The move expands access to Collov AI’s staging and visualization tools for Side’s network of more than 500 boutique real estate companies — with tools