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Author name: Ricky Vasquez

Real estate consolidation shifts from brands to tech ecosystems

Anywhere, Artificial Intelligence, Brokerage, Compass, eXp Realty, eXp World Holdings, HWmember, Leo Pareja, Mergers and Acquisitions, NextHome, Real Estate, REMAX, Tamir Poleg, Technology, The Real Brokerage /

The real estate industry is entering a new era of consolidation where technology infrastructure — not just brand scale — is becoming the primary driver of enterprise value. Recent acquisitions by Compass, eXp World Holdings and The Real Brokerage illustrate how brokerages increasingly view proprietary software, artificial intelligence (AI) and integrated operational systems as future […]

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HELOC players expand correspondent, TPO offerings

HELOC players expand correspondent, TPO offerings

Housing markets, LOAN PRODUCTS, Originations, Underwriting /

Three mortgage companies are expanding their third-party origination footprints in different ways. Processing Content Achieve is starting a correspondent channel to help market its fixed-rate home equity line of credit product. Nectar Kalajian has joined the company to head up this effort, Achieve Pro, as the managing director of Achieve Home Loans. Among Kalajian’s past

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Two Harbors investor seeking to halt CrossCountry vote

Law and legal issues, M&A /

A Two Harbors shareholder will have a last-minute shot at halting a vote next week on the company’s pending merger with CrossCountry Mortgage. Processing Content A federal court will hold a hearing Monday morning to weigh a temporary restraining order on the vote, 24 hours before the company’s special meeting Tuesday. The servicer’s board of

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S&P says VantageScore 4.0 could work for MBS ratings

Credit scores, FICO, Secondary markets, Servicing /

Standard & Poor’s has found that VantageScore 4.0 and classic FICO produce similar enough results when used to assess credit risk that mapping between them could be done to incorporate the former into rating models based on the latter. Processing Content To test this, S&P modeled theoretical loss coverage and foreclosure frequency rates for a

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Real estate agents show more optimism in 2026 housing market

Housing affordability, Housing markets, Industry News, REALTORS & HOMEBUILDERS /

Although the war in Iran has heightened affordability struggles for potential homebuyers, real estate agents are more optimistic about the housing market than they were a month ago. Processing Content The Real Brokerage’s Agent Optimism Index, which measures agents’ 12-month forward outlook, increased to 64 in April from 62 in March. While notably below February’s

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Fannie Mae raises mortgage rate forecast through 2027

Economic indicators, Economy, Fannie Mae, Mortgage Rates, Originations, Secondary markets /

Current interest rate levels are unlikely to budge until 2028 at the earliest, remaining within the same 10 basis point range for the next 18 months, according to a newly revised outlook from Fannie Mae. Processing Content The government-sponsored enterprise projects the 30-year fixed rate to average 6.3% in each of this year’s remaining quarters

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IMBs stay profitable, but costs climb in Q1

Earnings, Originations, Secondary markets, Underwriting /

Independent mortgage bankers achieved origination profitability for the fourth consecutive period in the first quarter, but at the same time, costs increased as well, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. Processing Content IMBs and bank mortgage subsidiaries reported an average pretax net production profit of $727 per loan, compared with a net production profit of $674

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CHLA calls for ‘moon shot’ to boost Gen Z homeownership

Housing affordability, Originations /

A November 2025 National Association of Realtors profile of Home Buyers and Home Sellers concluded that “the typical age of first-time buyers climbed to an all-time high of 40 years.” and “The share of first-time home buyers dropped to a record low of 21%.” Processing Content The President recently issued two Executive Orders [EO on

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Missouri housing incentives bill hits Gov. Kehoe’s desk for sign-off

Affordability, Affordable housing, HWmember, Policy, Tax, The Builder's Daily, Zoning /

Missouri lawmakers have passed legislation to spur housing development statewide – from downtown commercial corridors to rural communities – by establishing a new class of development zones, offering tax incentives to convert vacant buildings into housing and directing new revenue to underserved areas. The bill cleared its final hurdle on Wednesday and now awaits Gov.

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