Many older Americans are still working, with more planning to rejoin the workforce in 2025

One in four Americans in the 65-and-over age bracket remain in the workforce, and more plan to rejoin it at some point in 2025 for a variety of reasons including rising costs, boredom and job satisfaction. This is according to a survey conducted by ResumeTemplates.com.The survey, conducted in Januar

Industry must step up to help veterans achieve the American Dream

I recently had the profound honor of helping to hand-wash the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., a deeply moving experience that allowed me to pay homage to my fellow servicemembers and Naval Academy classmates who served in one of the longest wars in American history.Standing alongside

Why the CFPB’s enforcement pause is not a free pass for lenders

The recent developments surrounding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have left many in the mortgage industry wondering what comes next. With Acting Director Russell Vought halting all rulemaking, enforcement actions and examinations, some may be tempted to believe that the regulatory

Better mortgage spreads are capping rates in 2025

Another jobs week has come to an end, and amid the chaotic headlines about job numbers, tariffs, and the leadership of the Treasury, mortgage rates remained calm. Better mortgage spreads are limiting how high rates can rise in 2025. This situation contrasts with the challenges the market faced in 20

A timeline of what’s happening at the CFPB under Trump

President Trump’s shake-up of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau continues. On Friday night, Russell Vought, the architect of the Project 2025 plan and the newly confirmed director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, emailed top staffers at the CFPB to inform them that he’d bee

Project 2025 architect Russell Vought takes over CFPB

Russell Vought, an architect of Project 2025 and the current head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is the new acting head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Wall Street Journal reported late Friday night.Vought emailed top staffers at the agency to inform them that

Sherry Chris urges brokers to stick with NAR in 2025

In this week’s episode of the Power House podcast, host Diego Sanchez sits down with a close observer from within the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Sherry Chris, special advisor to NAR CEO Nykia Wright, joins the show to discuss the trade association’s response to post-settlement changes a

Proprietary reverse mortgage business in Oregon could be in danger

A bill introduced into the Oregon Senate that seeks to limit the amount of equity a reverse mortgage lender can receive after the sale or transfer of a property could potentially halt the availability of proprietary product offerings in the state.This is according to a version of the bill reviewed b

Crye-Leike wants to be covered by NAR’s settlement, but rankings data says otherwise

In 2022, Crye-Leike Real Estate Services closed roughly $7 billion in sales volume, according to data from the 2023 RealTrends Verified rankings. The T3 Sixty Real Estate Almanac reports the same numbers, while the brokerage company’s 2022 Annual Report pegged its sales volume at $8.5 billion. But n

Washington, D.C. moves to bolster reverse mortgage foreclosure protections

The governing council of the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. is taking steps to establish a permanent program seeking to protect its older residents with reverse mortgages from foreclosure.In mid-January, the D.C. council enacted the “Fairness and Stability in Housing Amendment Act of 2024,” whic

Mortgage servicing executives grapple with tech stack questions

Mortgage servicing is more complex than ever, and while some large servicers are sinking real resources into innovation, many are hesitant to branch out beyond the decades-old systems they’re comfortable with. This could be risky if delinquencies continue to rise in the coming years.“I think service

Fannie Mae says housing market optimism inched up in January

Homebuyer confidence for purchasing a home increased slightly in January, according to Fannie Mae‘s Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI). The HPSI increased 0.3 points to 73.4 in January and is now 2.7 points higher than it was a year ago.The share of respondents who believe it’s a good time to sell

Mortgage rates remain high due to labor market resilience

The labor market is showing signs of softness but is not breaking down yet, which has kept mortgage rates higher for longer. Since 2022, my guiding principle has been that the labor market is more important than inflation in determining mortgage rates. For those seeking lower mortgage rates, it’s mo

Insurance exodus left many properties unprotected from the LA fires

Last month’s wildfires in Southern California had a devastating impact as 29 people were killed and about 16,000 homes were destroyed. Leading up to the disasters, the state’s largest private home insurer dropped policies in high-risk areas, leaving them financially unprotected after they burned to

3 Ways to Prepare for Homeownership While Renting

You may not be ready to buy your first home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare now. Here are three actions you can do while renting that will put you in a better position when you’re ready to buy.Test the Budget You know all homeownership costs, but you can estimate how owning a home will affe

Jan 2025 Newsletter

Catching the things to do in Pflugerville, homes for sale and Pflugerville market trends. Jan 2025 Newsletter

How Fair Housing Applies to You

Buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals all have rights and responsibilities when it comes to discrimination-free property transactions. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing and housing-related transactions based on race, color, sex (including sexual orientation an

This Real Estate Scam Could Cost You Thousands of Dollars

You’re smart. You’re careful. But even savvy buyers and homeowners fall victim to real estate fraud. Criminals are impersonating sellers and title companies, resulting in swindles that can take months of legal hassle to repair and cost you thousands of dollars.Do You Know the Targets?It starts with

What To Know When Hiring a REALTOR®

No one is better at guiding you through a real estate transaction than a REALTOR®. Your REALTOR® is a trusted professional who can help you understand local conditions, find and market properties, negotiate, and keep your transaction on track through closing. Here are a few things to know when hirin

Get the Data You Need To Reach Your Real Estate Goals

Data is king when making big financial decisions. That’s why it’s essential to know recent prices, current market trends, and related data when you’re buying, selling, or renting property.Who has access to that type of information? Your REALTOR®. Just as important, your REALTOR® can help you underst