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Author name: Ricky Vasquez

AI adoption in mortgage servicing is accelerating, BlackWolf says

Artificial Intelligence, HWmember, Mortgage, Mortgage Servicing, Servicing, Stratmor Group, Technology /

A new white paper from BlackWolf Advisory Group says adoption of artificial intelligence in mortgage servicing is accelerating as firms seek to reduce costs, improve compliance and automate routine tasks. While the paper says servicers are ready and actively adopting AI, regulatory scrutiny and legacy technology systems remain as major barriers. The paper, titled “Mortgage […]

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Why housing construction can’t grow at current demand levels

Construction, Data & Visuals, Homebuilders, Housing Market, Housing Market Data, Housing Starts, HWmember, New Home Sales, U.S. Census Bureau /

The U.S. has too much supply of single-family homes and not enough demand. But why can’t housing starts grow when the White House says we are 10 million homes short? I go back to the 1984 movie “Ghostbusters” and this quote from from Dan Aykroyd’s character: “Personally, I liked the university. They gave us money

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Mortgage vendors face consolidation as compliance costs rise

AMCs, Appraisals, Appraisals and Valuations, HWmember, Mergers and Acquisitions, Mortgage, Technology, Title, Title insurance /

Mortgage vendors are entering a new phase of consolidation as they respond to rising regulatory and cybersecurity pressures, according to a white paper released this week by investment banking firm Houlihan Lokey. Scale is also becoming a decisive advantage for companies that sell mortgage technology and services, a trend that follows a mergers-and-acquisition wave among

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Brokerage consolidation is not the threat, weak relationships are

Brokerage, Compass, Contributors, eXp Realty, HWmember, Mergers and Acquisitions, NextHome, Opinion, Real Estate, REMAX, The Real Brokerage /

Every few years, the real estate industry gets a jolt that sends agents scrambling to reassess their careers and where they hang their license. The current wave of consolidation — eXp acquiring Next Home, Real acquiring Remax, Compass acquiring Anywhere — is the latest version of that jolt. And if the conversations I’m having with

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NEXA makes ‘strategic investment’ in Copper Ridge Ventures

NEXA makes ‘strategic investment’ in Copper Ridge Ventures

CAREER & COMPENSATION, M&A, Originations /

NEXA Lending entered into what it described as a “strategic investment and phased acquisition agreement” with Copper Ridge Ventures. Processing Content Copper Ridge Ventures is a holding company for mortgage joint ventures owned by Tim Owens. NEXA noted its president, Geri Farr, and Tammy Richards, its chief strategy officer, have had a relationship with Owens

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Rocket confirms VantageScore availability for retail and TPO

Rocket confirms VantageScore availability for retail and TPO

LOAN PRODUCTS, Originations, Rocket Mortgage, Underwriting /

Rocket Mortgage and its third-party originations unit Rocket Pro have begun utilizing the VantageScore 4.0 model, a company statement said. Processing Content It will be doing this alongside the Classic FICO model, which has been in vogue since automated underwriting was introduced by the government-sponsored enterprises. This is now live in both channels at Rocket.

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Surprise! Contract signings, listings point to best spring in years

Housing markets, Industry News, Originations /

The housing market is seeing its best start to home buying season in years, thanks to competitive seller pricing, according to a report from Realtor.com.  Processing Content Year to date, new seller listings are up 1.4% compared to 12 months earlier, while contract signings grew 2.9% versus 2025, the home buying platform said in its

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Mortgage rates surge to 9-month high amid market turmoil

Economy, MARKETING TO BORROWERS, Mortgage Rates, Mortgages, Originations /

Mortgage rates enter the Memorial Day weekend at levels not seen since last Labor Day with the bond market in a tizzy this past week. Processing Content News over inflation and the Iran conflict influenced investors and as a result, the 10-year Treasury reached its highest point in 52 weeks. For the week of May

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Housing starts decline on drop in single-family homes

Homebuilders, Housing Inventory, REALTORS & HOMEBUILDERS /

US housing starts declined in April as construction of single-family homes dropped by the most in nearly a year, suggesting builders are growing cautious amid higher mortgage rates. Processing Content New residential construction decreased 2.8% last month to an annualized rate of 1.47 million homes, according to government figures released Thursday.  Starts of single-family homes

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