Enjoy complimentary access to top ideas and insights — selected by our editors.Want unlimited access to top ideas and insights? Subscribe Now During 2025, the normal caution that usually accompanies matters of finance was suspended. Many stocks and asset classes from AI to crypto tokens achieved lofty heights based upon less than realistic appraisals much […]
Urban multifamily looks like the new subprime Read More »
If you’re planning to buy a home this year, you may be focused on the spring market. And hoping that when spring does hit, you’ll see: Mortgage rates drop a little more. More homes hit the market. But here’s what most buyers don’t realize. Buying just a few weeks earlier could mean paying less, dealing
Top 3 Reasons To Buy a Home Before Spring Read More »
For more than 25 years, I’ve heard loan officers complain that their rates aren’t competitive. One of the first questions rate shoppers ask is, “What’s your rate today?” For far too long, the industry’s focus has been on rate—not on what is truly the best financial decision for the borrower. Many salespeople sell rate because
Are you selling the rate or building relationships? Read More »
Newly released documents from a Biden-era Freedom of Information Act filing by the Housing Policy Council are reigniting debate over credit score modernization at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, showing internal resistance to VantageScore 4.0 and skepticism about using a single credit report. Processing Content HPC highlights two takeaways from the redacted FOIA responses: that
Calls to rethink FHFA credit changes grow with FOIA reveals Read More »
Once again Rocket Mortgage will advertise in the Super Bowl, this time featuring Lady Gaga singing a song meant to tug at the heartstrings. Processing Content The megastar will sing “Won’t You be my Neighbor,” the theme song from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. The company wants to build upon the emotional foundation created with its commercial
Lady Gaga featured in Rocket, Redfin Super Bowl ad Read More »
Most lenders expect to make more money this year, but aren’t committing to increase hiring. Processing Content Those sentiments are part of a largely bullish forecast by mortgage professionals in the National Mortgage News Predictions 2026 survey. A combined 84% of respondents said they expect a slight to significant increase in revenue this calendar year
Lenders anticipate more revenue, but split on hiring plans Read More »
A fight over ground-floor retail mandates could become one of the most consequential zoning debates of 2026, with Washington state lawmakers moving to curb mandatory storefronts in new residential buildings. A bill in the Washington state Senate would flip the script on commercial zoning, requiring cities with more than 30,000 residents to allow housing by
Washington seeks to reset ground-floor retail rules for residential buildings Read More »
The past couple of years have been a whirlwind for industry veteran Lacey Conway. In the spring of 2024, her family firm Latter & Blum, of which she had been serving as CEO, was acquired by Compass, where she would later go on to serve as the executive vice president of mergers and acquisitions. Conway’s latest
Long & Foster’s next chapter: Lacey Conway eyes growth, capture and consolidation Read More »
With a third or so of the public homebuilders’ first 2026 earnings cycle complete, the theme and variations – guidance misses, land impairments, margin compressions, even a net-negative-earnings or two, with the rare upside surprise – confirm it’s one of the most grinding, grueling selling environments in more than a decade. Step back from the
The best offense is a leaner, meaner next drive: Century’s playbook Read More »
Three Georgia state representatives have introduced legislation aimed at stripping homeowners associations (HOAs) of their ability to foreclose on homes while and giving residents a direct vote on whether to dissolve their associations. State Reps. Sandra Scott, Viola Davis and Kim Schofield introduced the two bills in late January. Each are now moving through House
Georgia legislation would curb HOA foreclosures as senior fights loss of his house Read More »