Apply Online
Schedule a Call

Homebuyers

The Fed could cut rates in September. Mortgage pros are skeptical of the impact

Federal Reserve, Homebuyers, HWmember, LendingLife, Mortgage, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Rates Center, Origination, Refinancing /

While many expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates at its September meeting, mortgage professionals caution that even if it happens, it won’t significantly impact the industry. Loan officers have encouraged borrowers to continue with their home loan applications. They note that home sellers and builders are offering concessions to lower rates, while lenders […]

The Fed could cut rates in September. Mortgage pros are skeptical of the impact Read More »

Why we should be cheering for the mom-and-pop investors in the housing market

Cotality, Homebuyers, Housing Inventory, Housing Market, HWmember, Real Estate /

One of the most persistent lies about U.S. economics post-COVID-19 is that Wall Street has been a major buyer of homes in America and that’s the reason home prices have escalated out of control. The role of investors in the housing market is back in the news again, but I want to look at this

Why we should be cheering for the mom-and-pop investors in the housing market Read More »

Bright MLS: Housing market shifts toward necessity, balance

Affordability, Bright MLS, First-Time Homebuyers, Home Sales, Homebuyers, Housing Market, Housing Market Data, HWmember, Mortgage Rates /

The U.S. housing market is entering a new phase defined less by competitive bidding and more by financial stress and practical necessity, according to a second-quarter Bright MLS agent survey released Friday. The findings reveal a marked departure from previous years’ demand-driven trends, with both home buyers and sellers increasingly motivated — or discouraged —

Bright MLS: Housing market shifts toward necessity, balance Read More »

Baird & Warner, Goosehead Insurance enter franchise partnership

Brokerage, Homebuyers, Homeowners insurance, HWmember, Partnerships, Real Estate /

Texas-based Goosehead Insurance and Baird & Warner Real Estate have launched a new franchise partnership that will embed home insurance options directly into the real estate transaction process. The venture — named Adaptive Insurance Agency — offers homebuyers access to a broad selection of insurance carriers and guidance from licensed agents as part of their

Read More »

Final Offer joins LeadingRE preferred vendor program

Final Offer, Homebuyers, HWmember, LeadingRE, Real Estate, Real Estate Agents, Real Estate Listings, Technology /

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE) has added digital listing and offer negotiation platform Final Offer to its Solutions Group — a curated program of preferred business resources available to its global network of 550-plus real estate firms. Final Offer provides tools that allow listing agents to share sellers’ preferred terms and timelines

Final Offer joins LeadingRE preferred vendor program Read More »

NWMLS launches voice-activated home search tool

Homebuyers, HWmember, MLS, northwest mls, Real Estate, Real Estate Agents, Real Estate Listings, Technology /

The Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) has launched a new bilingual, voice-activated home search tool designed to make real estate listings more accessible to a wider range of users, including people with disabilities. The platform — called Finding Homes — allows users to search listings using natural speech through Alexa-enabled devices or apps. It’s available

NWMLS launches voice-activated home search tool Read More »

Zillow unveils tools to simplify buying, renting, touring

Affordability, Homebuyers, Homebuying, HWmember, Real Estate, Real Estate Agents, Rental Properties, Renters, Technology, Zillow /

Zillow has rolled out five new features aimed at streamlining the process of buying, renting and touring homes. The updates — now live nationwide — include a drone-powered virtual viewing tool and offer pricing transparency for rental properties, along with coordinated tour scheduling and affordability estimates. SkyTour allows users to navigate a 3D aerial view

Zillow unveils tools to simplify buying, renting, touring Read More »

‘Dating the rate’ misled borrowers. Now they’re financially strained

Affordability, Churchill Mortgage, Homebuyers, HWmember, LendingLife, Loan Officer, Mortgage, Mortgage Rates, Origination, Refinancing /

“Marry the house, date the rate” is a phrase that was popularized during the post-pandemic era of rising mortgage rates. Lenders urged borrowers to focus on finding a house they were head over heels with and worry about their interest rate down the line. Borrowers who were accustomed to rates hovering near 3% didn’t realize

‘Dating the rate’ misled borrowers. Now they’re financially strained Read More »

USA Today jumps into the real estate portal wars

Homebuyers, Homebuying, HWmember, Real Estate, USA Today /

USA Today publisher Gannett is partnering with AddressUSA, with the companies announcing Monday that they’re entering into a multiyear agreement to power an an online real estate portal across the USA Today Network. According to a press release, AddressUSA’s listings will be integrated throughout the USA Today Network alongside editorial content on topics like home

USA Today jumps into the real estate portal wars Read More »

Survey: Down payment concerns delay homeownership for many

Affordability, Down Payment Assistance, First-Time Homebuyers, Home Prices, Homebuyers, Housing Market, National Association of Realtors, NeighborWorks America, Real Estate /

Despite strong interest in home-buying, affordability challenges and misconceptions about down payments are deterring many potential buyers, according to a new survey from NeighborWorks America. The nonprofit organization reports that 27% of U.S. adults say they plan to buy a home within the next year. However, among those who are postponing or not planning to

Survey: Down payment concerns delay homeownership for many Read More »