Massachusetts AG sues Hometap over ‘illegal reverse mortgage’

The Attorney General of Massachusetts has filed suit against home equity contract provider Hometap, alleging that the company “pervasively and systematically violated the state’s consumer protection laws, including mortgage and foreclosure prevention laws, putting financially vulnerable homeowners a

Gen Z seeking inventive homeownership paths

While affordability challenges persist, Gen Z is proving resilient, carving out traditional and non-traditional paths to homeownership — particularly in the Midwest. New data from LendingTree and CoreLogic highlights the struggles and successes of young buyers in today’s real estate landscape.Young

Fewer first-time homebuyers emerged in 2024, but Black Americans bucked the trend

While the share of first-time homebuyers has declined across the country, Black homebuyers are bucking the trend and showing resilience in an increasingly difficult housing market.A recent Zillow survey found that 62% of all Black homebuyers in 2024 were first-timers, the same level as the previous

Why mortgage originations should pick up in 2025

U.S. mortgage originations are projected to grow moderately in 2025, despite continued economic uncertainty and elevated interest rates, according to TransUnion’s newly released credit insights in the fourth quarter of 2024.After years of sluggish origination growth due to inflation, high borrowing

Milwaukee housing authority owes $5M to the city, officials say

The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM), an independent agency in Wisconsin’s largest city that was already embattled following the discovery of millions of dollars in misappropriated federal funds, is facing further financial scrutiny this week after the city’s comptroller said it is

NAHB to Congress: Ease regulatory burdens for builders

The Trump administration wants to improve housing affordability and availability, as emphasized by an executive order signed by the president on his first day back in office. The order called upon the heads of all executive departments and agencies “to deliver emergency price relief, consistent with

ServiceLink’s Melinda Maloney on the next generation of housing leaders

The HousingWire award spotlight series highlights the individuals and organizations that have been recognized through our Editors’ Choice Awards. Nominations for HousingWire’s 2025 Rising Stars Award are open now through February 28, 2025. Click here to nominate.The mortgage industry is undergoing r

Former FHFA Director Mark Calabria joins CFPB in interim role

Mark Calabria is the latest addition to the leadership roster at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), despite the bureau’s near shutdown. Calabria, director of the FHFA in President Trump’s first term, will be serving a key role at the CFPB until Jonathan McKernan is confirmed as the per

Two CFPB critics appointed to leadership roles at the bureau

The newest senior leaders of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) might not be anticipating long-term employment.Jeffrey Clark was appointed as senior advisor to Mark Paoletta, the CFPB’s new chief legal officer. Both had a tenure at the Center for Renewing America, a conservative think-t

HMBS 2.0 rollout could be hobbled by reported Ginnie Mae staff cuts

Staffing cuts at Ginnie Mae could table or delay the rollout of a complementary reverse mortgage securities program announced last year, according to an interview with a former Ginnie Mae official who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation and reports of staff cuts by multiple outlets.But a

The Trump administration thinks HUD’s Disaster Relief is a waste of money. They’re wrong

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced its own DOGE Task Force this week, after Elon Musk’s team ravaged the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) last week. While American voters have little transparency into this undemocratic firing squad, we know that they

Massive FHA cuts would create dysfunction for mortgage industry, homeowners: ex-official

If a rumored large-scale layoff at the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) occurs, it could result in major damage to key programs that mortgage lenders and investors rely on, such as project-based rental assistance, Section 202 and even financial losses to the national mortgage insurance fund.This

Fair housing nonprofit sues Scott Turner, HUD over ‘DEI’ orders

Three civil rights nonprofits including the National Fair Housing Alliance have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and his administration for allegedly violating the First and Fifth Amendments with three executive orders Trump signed in January related to diversity, equity and inclusion

Qualia enhances wire fraud protection system with new features

Real estate closing platform Qualia announced on Wednesday a series of security upgrades to its platform. These enhancements are exclusive to Qualia’s Shield solution, a wire fraud detection system designed for title and escrow professionals.The upgrades start with added protection for low-risk wire

Bright MLS debunks DC housing market social media posts

A viral Instagram post this week claims that a wave of new inventory is hitting the Washington, D.C., housing market after large numbers of federal employee layoffs were announced. Bright MLS has addressed these claims this week with relevant data.Social media posts suggest that more than 4,000 home

Chris Franquemont returns to Rate after move to CrossCountry

Denver-based loan originator Chris Franquemont announced on Wednesday his return to Guaranteed Rate as producing branch manager. His return follows a brief stint with CrossCountry Mortgage.Chris FranquemontFranquemont returns to Guaranteed Rate after a one-year stint as CrossCountry Mortgage’s senio

The 9 top real estate lead generation companies for 2025

Want to close more deals? Then you can’t rely solely on your sphere of influence and networking to meet new clients and build your pipeline. Our team of experienced real estate agents reviewed the top real estate lead generation companies to help you get more real estate leads. These lead gen compan

California insurance commissioner rejects State Farm’s request for 22% rate increase

On Friday, California insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara rejected State Farm’s request for “emergency” rate increases, going against the recommendation of his staff experts.The request from State Farm involved insurance rate increases that would have gone into effect on May 1, 2025. The proposed in

Australia, New Zealand-based reverse pros share insights

Reverse mortgage industry conferences are often seen as an effective way for professionals to meet up, discuss best practices from across their markets and assess the regulatory environment at entities like the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and within the states.Occasionally, U.S.-based rever

Homebuyers are adjusting to the new normal of 7% mortgage rates

As the 2025 spring homebuying season approaches — and the tone is set for what the rest of the year could look like — the long-term costs of a home loan are inching lower even as fears of inflation, unemployment and tariffs loom large.HousingWire’s Mortgage Rates Center showed that 30-year fixed rat